TOP 5 MOST UNSPOILED CARIBBEAN BEACHES

Although I live in Chicago, rose-coloured sand in glass bowls, shells of every size and glistening sea glass fill my home. That’s because I spend as much of the brutal Chicago winter as I can on the beach. There’s something about salt water and sand that soothes me. As a result of years of beach combing, I’ve collected a list of the best beaches in the Caribbean for laidback enjoyment, natural beauty, a minimum of crowds, and unspoiled loveliness. Plus, they each feature some cultural flavour, such as local food, music or characters.

Gaulding Cay Beach, Eleuthera

Shaded by causarina trees and lined with silky sand and shallow water, this small beach on the Bahamian out island of Eleuthera is truly a treasure island. Whether you snorkel or swim, you will most likely enjoy your outing undisturbed. And if you get hungry, you can just cross the road to Daddy Joes and tuck into fresh conch fritters.

Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Negril’s Seven Mile Beach may be pretty, but with Red Stripe swilling crowds and persistent vendors, laid back it’s not. For tranquil beaches and remote coves, I head to Treasure Beach on Jamaica’s south coast. You can glimpse cacti and rare lignum vitae trees as you sink into the black sands of Jamaica’s desert coast. You can also watch local fishermen in dugout canoes bring in the catch of the day, which will make the freshest dinner after a day of beach bathing.

Pink Beach, Barbuda

Those glass jars of pink sand in my house come from the blushing glow of this secluded beach on tinyBarbuda, the small sister island to Antigua, populated by only about 1,500 people. With 13 kilometres of fine pink sand unfurling against the deep blue waves of the Caribbean, this deserted beach epitomizes the image of unspoiled beauty. The sand colour of the beach comes from crushed coral and you’re likely to share it only with soaring frigate birds.

Cockleshell Beach, St. Kitts

Cockleshell Beach stretches along a pretty piece of Cockleshell Bay on the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts and features miles of golden sand and a gorgeous view of the island of Nevis. However, that’s not why it tops my list. There are scads of beautiful beaches with relaxing vibes, but this is the only one I visited that is home to a 700-pound pig, as well as scampering monkeys. Wilber the Pig lolls around the Reggae Beach Bar, where you can also grab coconut shrimp and dance with the locals.

Honeymoon Beach, St. John USVI

Although this famous beach always tops the “most beautiful beach” lists, it remains unspoiled because it’s not accessible by car. St. John’s is bursting with natural beauty, but I love the pearly white sand and lush sea grape trees of Honeymoon Beach best of all USVI beaches.

http://www.travelandescape.ca/2012/03/top-5-most-unspoiled-caribbean-beaches/