Where Is the Clearest Water in the Caribbean?
The Caribbean is famous for its clear blue waters and pristine white-sand beaches – but where is the clearest water in the Caribbean that can make your holiday snaps an Instagram sensation?
The Caribbean in and of itself has immaculate water. However, there are islands and beaches where the water settles even further to create water that looks like glass. Sometimes it’s so clear it takes a moment to register that the water is even there.
Each of these beaches and islands has gorgeous sand, luxurious resorts, and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, making any of them perfect for a vacation destination.
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The Clearest Water in the Caribbean
The Caribbean has beautiful waters, but these beaches, in particular, elevate the clarity of the water to a new level
Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas
If you’re looking for the clearest water in the Caribbean, look no further than Lindquist Beach. As part of a 21-acre park, the water is free of debris and is incredibly clear in the calm waves of the bay.
You have to pay a fee to enter the park, $2 for residents and $5 for non-residents, but you can enjoy the rest of the park while you’re there. And Lindquist Beach itself is well worth the money with a pink-hued white sand beach and warm, gentle waters.
You can camp in the park, but there are no stores or restaurants, so bring your food. There are picnic tables to eat at and tide pools nearby to enjoy. Lindquist Beach’s water is so clear you can easily spy into the tide pools to see their ecosystem’s unique flora and fauna
Exuma, Bahamas
The Exumas are small islands made of sand and flora. They’re known as cays and have some of the clearest water in the world. It’s so clear and vibrant that their sapphire waters can be seen from space.
The Exumas are split into three sections: Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and Exuma Cays. Each region has different lodging options, from large resorts to quiet and secluded cabins.
Wherever you choose to stay, an absolute must-see is Big Major Cay, where the famous swimming pigs reside. The pigs are so friendly and pleasant that they’ll swim up to the boat for treats
Shoal Bay, Anguilla
Anguilla is one of the less busy islands in the Caribbean, but Shoal Bay is one of their biggest attractions. The heavenly white sand and clear turquoise water regularly make it one of the best beaches in the world.
It stretches for about two miles and is lined with hotels, rental stores, and restaurants, making this the perfect beach for a quiet getaway. If you’re lucky enough to get a hotel on the beach, you can head straight out to enjoy the glassy water.
Shoal Bay is undoubtedly one of the prettiest beaches in the world, and its clear water certainly helps. However, this beach is better known for its activities and attractions, making it high-ranking but not the clearest in the Caribbean.
Grace Bay Beach, Turks & Caicos
Grace Bay Beach also graces many top beaches, with lovely water, numerous attractions, and soft sandy beaches.
The Turks and Caicos have famous beaches, but Grace Bay Beach has a coral reef a few ways off the shore that breaks the harsh ocean waves into calmer breaks, meaning more transparent water.
The gentle waves make it perfect for families with children, and the coral reef offers excellent snorkeling and diving activities
Green Island, Antigua & Barbuda
Green Island is an uninhabited island off the coast of Antigua. Its water is stellar and perfect for snorkeling or diving enthusiasts. The clear water is some of the best in the world, and the island’s beautiful nature makes for an ideal getaway.
Green Island is a privately-owned island that is free to visit. If you want to see it, you’ll need your boat or to take a tour or a charter. However, there are no amenities on the island, no lodgings, not even a campsite.
Antigua and Barbuda also have tons to see and do and dozens of beaches to visit, with clear waters to enjoy.
Eagle Beach, Aruba
Aruba is one of the best getaways in the Caribbean, and Eagle Beach is one of their best beaches. It’s the most expansive beach in the Caribbean and is known chiefly for its soft white sand.
There are places to eat near the beach, but not much else. Eagle Beach has mostly nature surrounding it, including the rare fofoti trees, which are becoming a symbol of the island. The water isn’t too bad either, with a warm blue shimmer that invites swimmers and fans of water sports to play.
The beach is also great for snorkeling, and no fewer than four sea turtles nest on the beach. If you want to enjoy the beach, visit during the week of Easter when locals like to camp out on the ocean.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Island
Seven Mile Beach is only 6.3 miles. It has gentle waves, pristine sand, and two coral reefs for visitors to enjoy. This is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a great beach to stay at.
Seven Mile Beach is on the western end of Grand Cayman Island and hosts various hotels, restaurants, and rental facilities. The breaks are perfect for swimming or parasailing, and the clear water and coral reefs attract snorkelers and divers of all stripes.
Those looking for a fantastic beach with plenty of amenities and clear waters should consider this a great option.
Bavaro Beach, Dominican Republic
Bavaro Beach is the beach to be at in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Its length varies by definition, but it’s generally between five and twelve miles long, and it’s lined with resorts, restaurants, beach clubs, rental shacks, and other fun beach activities.
In terms of water clarity, it does tend to fall behind. This beach is regularly populated, and the resulting pollution means the water isn’t as clear as, say, Lindquist Beach or Grace Bay Beach. The sand is also golden-white, unlike the mostly clearer pink-white sand.
Nevertheless, this gorgeous beach offers stunning ocean views and sparkling water for visitors to enjoy. And since the beach is so large, it never feels very crowded.
Palomino Island, Puerto Rico
Palomino Island or Isla Palominos is a privately-owned island off the coast of Puerto Rico. It’s owned by El Conquistador resort, but day visitors are welcome. However, if you want to enjoy this paradise, you should stay at the resort to see what Palimino Island offers.
The island has stunningly clear water in the bay, which is perfect for swimming or water sports. Amenities include the resort, which has dining and rental facilities for guests. Outside visitors will want to bring their food for day trips
Devil’s Bay, British Virgin Islands
This picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay is a fifteen-minute hike from the nearest parking. But the crystal blue waters are well worth the trip. The British Virgin Islands are protected natural parks, and Devil’s Bay looks like heaven on earth.
The bay is perfect for swimming and exploration, and seclusion means you’ll feel like you have the beach to yourself, but there are no nearby amenities. The closest restaurant is through an exploratory hike to the Top of The Baths, where there’s a small restaurant.
The hike has tide pools, wading, and granite cliffs, perfect for your inner explorer and safe for children.
The Clearest Water In The Caribbean Is Waiting For You!
The Caribbean has some of the best, cleanest beaches on Earth. The bright blue waters are so stunning they can be seen from space. And there are plenty of beaches to explore, like the 365 cays in the Exumas or the famous beaches of Antigua or the Dominican Republic.
So, with some research, you can pick the perfect beach for you to visit. If you’re looking for clear water, you can’t go wrong in the Caribbean, but remember that some beaches are clearer than others.
Overall, if you want a beach sheltered from the ocean, with calm waves and no underwater currents or riptides, bays and smaller atolls with reefs are good examples. You’ll get more tranquil waters that don’t stir the bottom and sand that obscures the water and reduces visibility.
Then, if you want a beach farther from the human population, consider visiting a park or an uninhabited island with fewer people and pollution. More secluded beaches mean more transparent water and more nature.
Undoubtedly, the Caribbean has unique beaches, from natural wonders to famous tourist beaches and even beaches with friendly pigs. So, pick the beaches that best suit your interests and make your vacation truly special.
