The GH guide to exploring the Caribbean

You may be surprised to discover that there are over 7,000 islands across the Caribbean, making it difficult to choose the right one for you. Fancy a fly-and-flop holiday? Barbados’s beautiful beaches are your best bet. A foodie at heart? Then head to the ‘spice island’ of Grenada. Jamaica brings a party vibe, with its colourful festivals and fascinating music culture, while St Vincent attracts nature-lovers, thanks to its hiking-ready lush, unspoilt landscapes. Looking for the perfect retreat? Born and bred in the Caribbean, Sandals is known for its luxury, all-inclusive resorts – offering everything from gourmet dining to premium spirits, watersports, entertainment and tips, all included with no hidden fees – 17 of which reside across these eight beautiful islands.

Steel drums, Bob Marley and Carnival celebrations. Music runs deep through this island’s heart, resulting in a lively destination full of colour and charm, where locals gather every Friday for a fish fry to the sounds of reggae. From white-sand beaches in Negril to rainforests and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, this vibrant landscape offers highlands, coastal plains and hidden rivers teaming with wildlife. When it comes to accommodation, you’re in good hands. Jamaica is the birthplace of Sandals, still owned and run by a local family to this day; you’ll find seven of its all-inclusive resorts on this island alone. Stay in the classic Montego Bay area, directly on the famed beach; on the iconic seven-mile beach in Negril; or nearby Sandals Resorts like Royal Caribbean or Dunn’s River — both offering world-class food and drink, as well as complimentary scuba diving for certified divers.

Barbados has a delightful, easygoing charm, with a landscape of rolling sugar cane fields (hello, rum). Explore Harrison’s Cave or Hunte’s Gardens to see nature at its best. If you’d rather be by the sea, the island’s west coast paints a calm picture, with tranquil waters and idyllic beaches, while the rugged east is perfect for surfers. Make the most of the waves when you stay at Sandals Barbados (set on the white sands of Dover Beach), offering an unlimited array of watersports.

Food lovers should head to the ‘Spice Isle’ of Grenada, known for its abundance of fresh seafood, tropical fruit and rich volcanic soil, which grows cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa, cloves and ginger; all spices used in traditional dishes like ‘oil down’ (a breadfruit, salted meat, turmeric and coconut milk stew), curried goat, and callaloo soup. Fantastic food can be found at Sandals Grenada – located by Pink Gin Beach in St George’s – with 11 restaurants and six bars offering authentic Caribbean cuisine, as well as Italian, French and Japanese.

Saint Lucia may be small (27 by 14 miles), but it certainly packs a punch in beauty – defined by dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests and its iconic twin peaks (the Pitons), along with black-sand beaches, sulphuric springs, hidden waterfalls and dense jungle. It boasts the world’s only drive-in volcano, Qualibou – where visitors can experience geothermal activity up close – as well as a plethora of hiking trails. Up north, three Sandals Resorts reside, including Grande St Lucian, home to a series of breathtaking over-water bungalows. Here, guests can enjoy an ‘exchange programme’ that allows access to all neighbouring resorts’ facilities, including restaurants, watersports, beaches and complimentary transfers.

Thanks to its unique dry climate, Curaçao is home to unusual flora like cacti and thorny shrubs, as well as a landscape shaped by wind and waves that form limestone cliffs and rocky coves. A surprising array of wildlife – from iguanas to flamingos and sea turtles – thrives here. Many can be seen at the biodiversity hotspot of Christoffel National Park. Further south, you’ll find one of Sandals’ newer resorts, Sandals Royal Curaçao, where guests in Kurason Island Suites and Awa Seaside Bungalows can enjoy the island-inclusive dining programme and complimentary use of a Mini Cooper to explore Willemstad’s Dutch-Caribbean culture and colourful colonial architecture.

A picturesque chain of 32 islands and cays, the lesser-known island nation offers an untouched escape filled with raw volcanic beauty, dense rainforests and tropical seascapes; and the perfect chance to escape the tourist trail. The main island, St Vincent, is dominated by the mighty La Soufrière volcano, surrounded by thick jungle teeming with life. Hike the Cumberland Rainforest trail to spot wildlife (like the St Vincent parrot), or discover stunning waterfalls, such as the Falls of Baleine and Dark View Falls. Base yourself somewhere suitably magnificent, like the recently opened Sandals St Vincent, and stay in stylish two-storey overwater or beachfront butler villas, and dine on decadent dock-to-dish seafood, sizzling steaks and authentic Italian. You’ll be spoiled for choice!