Bold natural beauty defines off-the-beaten track Caribbean islands
The Caribbean is heralded for its natural beauty, boldly displayed across the region’s many protected islands and national parks. For nature-minded travelers venturing to these sun-kissed islands for snorkeling, diving, and hiking opportunities, these protected lands and marine sanctuaries are simply not to be missed.
Throughout the Caribbean and beyond, SeaDream Yacht Club’s elegant twin yachts carry you to breathtaking destinations that larger ships cannot reach, hidden island gems off the Caribbean’s most pristine coastlines. And the nimbleness of our yachts allows for unexpected and delightful calls along the way—where you can choose to engage in as little or as much island culture and breathtaking nature as you like.
Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
Did you know that a small Caribbean island could also be a national park? Occupying two-thirds of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the territory’s namesake national park shines with gorgeous white-sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, beckoning exploration. Sitting pretty in the tropical Atlantic, Virgin Islands National Park boasts both land and marine ecosystems, including moist forests, salt ponds, mangroves, seagrass beds, and more. Few know that St. John magnifies more than 3,000 years of rich history that visitors can experience through historic plantation sites and the Indigenous Taino's ancient petroglyphs.
Prickly Pear, British Virgin Islands
Prickly Pear is all about letting go. Three reefs lying just offshore provide some of the best snorkeling the Caribbean has to offer. Located on the north side of North Sound, opposite Virgin Gorda, this tiny uninhabited island has no permanent residents, only a beach bar and recreational water sports facility. It was declared a National Park in 1988, which means that the 180 acres of island will not have any further development. Pristine white sand calls out for a nap under the sun. A walk down the beach to the end of the island reveals the island’s rich bird life and aquatic world, boasting some of the most colorful coral and fish you can imagine.
Pigeon Island National Park, St. Lucia
Imagine spotting an endangered Rock Pigeon feasting on a beach coconut. SeaDream drops anchor in Rodney Bay, providing easy access to Pigeon Island, so named for the once-abundant pigeons that roosted here, filling the air with gentle coos. A 44-acre islet located in Gros Island in northern St. Lucia, Pigeon Island was once isolated. In 1972, it was artificially joined to the western coast of the mainland by a human-made causeway to form the Rodney Bay marina. Hike up to Signal Peak, at the top of the Pigeon Island National Park, where the views are breathtaking. On most days you can see Signal Bay and the island of Martinique, located just a stone’s throw from St. Lucia.
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
Mirroring a photo from a history book, Nelson’s Dockyard remains suspended in time. Built in the early eighteenth century, the dockyard is part of Nelson’s Dockyard National Park and the Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the marina of English Harbor, on the Caribbean island of Antigua, it is the only continuously working Georgian Era dockyard in the world. Clarence House exemplifies early English Georgian architecture and shines for its beauty. Your SeaDream yacht anchors in Falmouth Bay, one of the most beautiful natural anchorages in the Caribbean, a short walk to Nelson’s Dockyard and the English Harbor.
Gorda Peak National Park, Virgin Gorda
This national park is hidden in plain sight. From Leverick Bay, rising from the British Virgin Islands’ Virgin Gorda, sits a 254-acre national park. One of the last remaining examples of Caribbean dry forest in the region, Gorda Peak National Park boasts a lush trail network that leads to scene views from the island’s highest point of 1,370 feet. Following trails that pass through lush tropical forests and lead to the lookout tower at the Peak, hikers are rewarded with a panoramic view of the British Virgin Islands, especially the anchorage at North Sound. On a clear day, Anegada Island is visible on the horizon to the northeast, making the hike especially rewarding.
Sandy Spit National Park, British Virgin Islands
Talk about a picture-perfect deserted Caribbean island. Sandy Spit is an uninhabited islet in the British Virgin Islands, sitting midway between Sandy Cay and Green Cay. Few know that the isle itself is a National Park, measuring less than half an acre in size and consisting entirely of a ring of white-sand beach. From the secluded island of Jost van Dyke, as part of our Yachting Land Adventures (YLA) program, SeaDream offers a snorkel adventure in Sandy Spit National Park, where you can snorkel and swim over a colorful reef.
Sint Eustatius, Netherlands Antilles
Unveil the Caribbean’s hidden treasure, a small island discovered in the 1700s named Sint Eustatius. Originally a trading hub for sugar and cotton, the island has now become a must-see landscape. This castaway-like frontier hosts a range of natural jewels, including dazzling reefs, brimming marine life, and historical wrecks off the island’s capital, Oranjestad.
Few know that this small island in the Caribbean Netherlands boasts three national parks. The Quill & Boven National Park, the National Marine Park, and the Mirriam C. Schmidt Botanical Garden. The Quill, also called Mount Mazinga, is a dormant volcano located on Sint Eustatius where you can hike into its lush crater, pausing to relax at the base of one of the tallest trees in the Netherlands. Boasting more than 30 dive sites, Sint Eustatius is a coveted destination for divers looking for shipwrecks to explore and has one of the most spectacular underwater marine parks in the world. The island’s Botanical Garden is the perfect spot from which to watch green tree lizards scurry along branches and hummingbirds dart among colorful flowers.
Tobago Cays, the Grenadines
The Tobago Cays, an archipelago located in the Southern Grenadines of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is comprised of five small islands and extensive coral reefs. Tobago Cays is part of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, a government-protected sanctuary dedicated to preserving the area’s natural beauty and delicate marine ecosystems.
The uninhabited cays—Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal, Petit Tabac, and Jamesby—are the perfect antidote for the stresses of everyday life. The cays’ crystal-clear waters, heavenly lagoons, and white-sand beaches are breathtakingly beautiful, and, as one might expect, swimming and snorkeling spots abound. Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau boast hiking trails where you can observe an abundance of tropical flora and fauna, including iguanas and birds; they provide excellent panoramic views of the Grenadines. Those who wish to stretch their legs should stroll Petit Tabac, an isolated beach and the location where the deserted island scene in Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl was filmed.
Are you ready to experience the secluded beaches and playful yachting harbors of the Caribbean this year? SeaDream provides you with an intimate view of this island unlike any other boutique travel line. Click here to check availability and reserve your next voyage.