The Caribbean’s best hidden gems

THE TET PAUL NATURE TRAIL – ST LUCIA

St Lucia’s all about adventures, storybook scenery and downtime on the beach. This Caribbean island matches emerald rainforests with secluded sandy coves and turquoise-tinted waters to make the ultimate tropical retreat. The island’s most iconic sight has to be its pair of mountains, the Pitons. They sit on the island’s south-west coast, and have earned themselves the UNESCO World Heritage Site seal of approval. It’s fair to say the Pitons themselves aren’t exactly a hidden gem, but the Tet Paul Nature Trail still flies under the radar. Hike along this pretty path – instead of up the peaks themselves – and you’ll have a view over Jalousie Bay and both of the Pitons. Camera’s at the ready.

Take a peek at our holidays to St Lucia

ISLA SAONA – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic combines colonial towns and Hispanic culture with postcard-worthy landscapes – think forests, cloud-tickling mountains, mangrove-edged lagoons, and sandy beaches. The big name sight here is the capital city, Santo Domingo. It’s packed with UNESCO-listed sites and you’ll find plenty of time-stamped cathedrals to explore. Looking to go a bit more off the beaten track? Isla Saona is for you. This losenge of land is anchored just off the south eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, nestled into the East National Park, and it gives off real desert island vibes. Its talc-white sand beaches are freckled by lofty coconut palms, and the Caribbean Sea is crystal clear. You can get there by taking a boat from the pretty fishing village of Bayahibe – stop en route and swim in a natural pool in the middle of the sea. Make sure you look out for tropical fish and starfish resting on the sea bed, too.

Have a browse of our holidays to the Dominican Republic

LAUGHING WATERS – JAMAICA

With everything from towering waterfalls and world-class beaches to Usain Bolt’s restaurant and Bob Marley’s house on its books, Jamaica’s not short of things to see and do. But once you’ve made your way through the tourist attractions, partied in Montego Bay, and exhausted the treatment list at your resort spa, visiting an area of untapped beauty should race to the top of your holiday to do list. Laughing Waters – near Ocho Rios – fits the bill. This undiscovered swathe of sand could compete for the title of best beach in the world – huge accolade, we know. But we’ve got good reason to make such claim. At Laughing Waters, a cascading waterfall melts into a sapphire-coloured pool as it joins the Caribbean Sea. The honey-hued sands are backed by a hem of tree-blanketed mountains, too. Plus, there’s good news for sun seekers – if you get a bit hot basking on the sand, the mist of the waterfall is the perfect way to cool down.

Check out our holidays to Jamaica

AND THERE’S MORE…

Caribbean vacations don’t get much more varied than our Marella Cruises itineraries, and plenty of the ports of call find themselves well off the tourist track. Whether you want to come face-to-face with sea turtles in Barbados, eat your way through St Maarten’s 400-odd restaurants, or kick back on icing-sugar white sands in Guadeloupe, we’ve got an itinerary for you. You can also go whale watching off Grand Turk, or feed stingrays by the shore in Gibbs Cay, an uninhabited island in Turks and Caicos. Fancy a trip to the British Virgin Islands? Not far from Spanish Town, you can snorkel at the hidden treasure that is The Baths, an area where giant boulders have formed seawater-flooded grottos. Be sure to keep an eye out for cruises that call at St Kitts and St Vincent, too – these islands boast deserted beaches and untouched forests that stretch out for miles, interrupted only by the occasional cobbled town.

See if any of Marella Cruises’ Caribbean sailings take your fancy.

Ready to explore?

Check out our best deals on holidays to the Caribbean. Plus, have a read of our article on Europe’s hidden gems, and how to see them. Need more inspiration? Find out which is the best Caribbean island for you.

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Danielle Penny