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Sun, sea, and stunning white sand. Tropical rum cocktails. Plus, guaranteed great weather.
Fall is the perfect time to book that well-deserved vacation to the Caribbean.
However, some Caribbean islands are safer than others.
The U.S. Government issue travel advisory ratings for each country in the world which range from Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions to Level 4: Do Not Travel.
This is advice rather than hard and fast instruction, as many U.S. travelers continue to explore level 3 and 4 destinations.
The huge number of Americans who continue to go to Jamaica (with its Level 3: Reconsider Travel rating) is a great example of this.
However, 18 Caribbean islands have been awarded a Level 1 travel advisory rating. Meaning these are the safest Caribbean islands to visit right now:
What Is A Level 1 Travel Advisory Rating?
If you visit a destination with a Level 1 Travel Advisory rating, you’re as safe as you can be if you use U.S. government advice as your benchmark for safety.
Even if this isn’t your benchmark, it’s worth being aware of the Travel Advisory rating for each destination you visit, because this can have an impact on the validity of your travel insurance.
According to the U.S. State Department website “Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions. This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. There is some risk in any international travel. Conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States and may change at any time.”
Travel advisory ratings are regularly reviewed by the U.S. Department of State, meaning that the information they contain is up to date.
On August 19, 2024, the ratings for 6 different Caribbean islands were reviewed and then rereleased without change.
Those islands were Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba.
The 18 Safest Islands In The Caribbean
So where should you consider travelling for your next visit to a stunning Caribbean island paradise?
Well if safety is one of your primary concerns, then you should choose one of the following 18 islands:
Anguilla – This is a small island with a population of less than 20,000 and 33 beautiful beaches to choose from. It’s a popular spot for snorkelers and divers thanks to its barrier reef, and 7 unique marine parks.
Antigua and Barbuda– These islands boast a mix of pretty pink and white sand beaches and are best known for their warm and welcoming people. Sailing is a popular activity here, as is eating as much fresh seafood as possible!
Aruba – White sand beaches, the colorful buildings in the capital of Oranjestad, and spectacular geographical formations. Aruba also boasts year-round sunshine and a great climate. We’ve had staff stay at both the Marriott and the Embassy Suites properties and loved it! Don’t forget to visit the north side of the island too; it is like visiting another planet! (De Palm Tours has an awesome UTV experience that starts at $189)
Barbados – Barbados is a popular island with an active nightlife and fascinating pirate history. It’s also the birthplace of rum! Travelers choose Barbados for its stunning beaches and turquoise waters, which are ideal for surfing.
Bermuda – The beautiful beaches are the main attraction in Bermuda with the most famous and popular being the curved Horseshoe Bay Beach. Many tourists choose Bermuda for the off shore diving opportunities.
Bonaire – Bonaire boasts the same stunning beaches and turquoise waters as many other Caribbean islands but it is also known for its cultural events. You’ll find the world’s oldest marine park here. Offshore diving is so good here that if you can dive to 30ft with a snorkel, you don’t really need much equipment to see some incredible marine life. For something really unique, try landsailing! Bonaire Landsailing Adventures offers the experience from $60 and up.
British Virgin Islands – If you love to be in water then this is the perfect vacation spot. Fishing, sailing, and swimming are the most popular pastimes on the British Virgin Islands. This is a volcanic island chain with wildlife rich rainforests.
Cayman Islands – Over 2 million tourists visit the Cayman Islands every year and is a high-end but laid-back island chain loaded with resorts. Outdoor adventures and outstanding natural beauty await.
Curacao – Curacao is home to world-class diving spots, and is sheltered which means it enjoys great weather, gentle trade winds, and is sheltered from the Atlantic’s hurricane season. The capital of Willemstad is the only World Heritage Site in the Caribbean.
Dominica – This is the Caribbean’s most mountainous island meaning it boasts excellent hiking trails and outstanding natural beauty. One of its main attractions is the natural hot springs, many of which are suitable for bathing in.
French West Indies – Located in the French-speaking Caribbean (as the name suggests) this is a great place to explore both French and Caribbean culture, with both influencing the music, cuisine, architecture, and style on the island.
Grenada – Beaches, waterfalls, and marine life are the main attractions on Grenada. Off the west coast of Grenada, divers can visit a collection of 75 underwater sculptures by artist Jason de Caires Taylor. From staff experiences, we can recommend Dive Grenada as the top pick for scuba and snorkel outings.
Saint Kitts And Nevis – These are rich volcanic islands with 18 miles of lush rainforest and a majestic mountain range. Ideal for all kinds of outdoor adventurers!
Saint Lucia – Located in the Eastern Caribbean, Saint Lucia boasts incredible rainforests surrounded by turquoise waters. The beaches here are stunning, but it’s the vibrant nightlife scene that steals the show and has return visitors coming back for more.
Saint Vincent and The Grenadines – Like many other islands in the region, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines boasts outstanding natural beauty. It is home to unique black sand beaches and climbing or hiking are popular activities here. Visit for the luxury all-inclusive resorts and the rich pirate and sailing history.
Saba – Saba Island is the smallest island in the Caribbean. It’s just a tiny speck of a former volcano, but it’s an idyllic paradise of a speck that is rarely visited by tourists, so it has a wonderful old-school vibe.
Sint Eustatius – This is a tiny Dutch Caribbean island famous for its excellent diving and hiking. Not hugely popular with tourists, this island has an authentic feel and its locals are friendly and welcoming. If you’re interested in history, more than 300 archeological sites have been documented on the island.
Sint Maarten – Another Dutch Caribbean island, Sint Maarten is very different to Sint Eustatius. It’s much bigger and boasts world-class shopping and an amazing modern arts and culture scene. It has also been named the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
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