By Chris Leadbeater
It goes without saying that the Caribbean
is renowned for its beaches. But which beach should you pick if you fancy sun
and surf this year? Perhaps one of this fantastic five…
Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica
Who can do it? Anyone who wants fine coastal scenery, coupled
with creature comforts. Seven Mile Beach is a combination of pristine sand and
major resorts.
Let's go! Tucked onto the western edge of Jamaica,
Seven Mile Beach has long had a reputation as a hippy enclave. It was 'discovered'
in the 60s by intrepid globetrotters seeking a peaceful spot blessed with fabulous
sunsets and laid-back ambience. Some of that atmosphere has disappeared with
the arrival of better transport links and large hotels - but the sun still dips
into the sea each evening and the long beach remains well-named. Stay at the
Sandals
Negril Beach Resort for wave-lapped all-inclusivity and spa luxury.
Top tip: Venture to the north tip of the beach and round the
headland into stunning Bloody Bay. Or admire the cliffs (and occasional reckless
cliff jumper) at the south end.
Dickenson Bay, Antigua
Who can do it? Anyone who likes to swim, snorkel, scuba dive
or simply splash about. A nicely compact cove of about half a mile, Dickenson
Bay is perfect for watersports.
Let's go! Antigua
is not short on lovely beaches but Dickenson Bay, on its north-west corner,
is well worth a few hours (or a week) of your time. Its chief selling point
is the mix of soft sand and gentle water that makes it a good spot for everything
from wind-surfing to paddling - while an offshore reef means divers are catered
for. Stay at The
Halcyon Cove By Rex which has its own pier restaurant for a romantic end
to the day.
Top tip: Take a break from all that ocean activity by venturing
to the Antiguan capital St John's. It lurks a mere three miles away, and provides
a lively insight into island life.
Varadero Beach, Cuba
Who can do it? Those who want the all-in-one-place beach holiday
on a Caribbean shore. Varadero has the lot - warm sand and water by day, rump-shaking
bars by night.
Let's go! Often deemed to be unrepresentative of Cuba,
Varadero is seafront heaven nonetheless. The main beach runs along the top of
a 15-mile peninsula that juts out from the mainland, and has been hosting tourists
since the late 19th century, when well-to-do Cubans would come to bask in the
sun. Things have changed in the interim, but even if the clientele is more international
these days, the fun-filled feel is still alive and well. Stay at The
Tryp Peninsula resort - a relaxed hideaway alongside the Hicacos Point Natural
Park.
Top tip: Wander along to the very north-east tip of the peninsula,
where the Hicacos Point Natural Park offers virgin forest and something of a
change of pace.
Crane Beach, Barbados
Who can do it? Those who dare to be different. Crane
Beach is not the most celebrated beach on Barbados - that's Sandy Lane - but
there is no denying its visual charms.
Let's go! There is something dramatic about the meeting of
two great bodies of water. So it proves at Crane Beach, on the south-east corner
of Barbados,
where the rough Atlantic Ocean meets the more placid Caribbean Sea. The waves
roll with pep here, making them perfect for body-boarding or a little light
surfing. And while the swells may be too much for less confident swimmers, the
palm-fringed shoreline is a distinctly pleasant refuge. Aptly titled, The Crane
resort sits on a rocky bluff directly above Crane Beach.
Top tip: If you base yourself at Crane Beach, you're on the
right side of the island to try a night out Barbadian-style. Ever-partying St
Lawrence Gap is about six miles to the west.
Cabbage Beach, The Bahamas
Who can do it? Indecisive types who are hankering after a
beach break, but also fancy of a Vegas-style flutter. Paradise
Island in the Bahamas
is the best of both worlds.
Let's go! Don't let the name confuse you. Perched a bridge-span
north of the Bahamian capital Nassau, Paradise Island is no isolated outcrop.
But then, it doesn't pretend to be. Famous for its mega-resort Atlantis
- where a casino, waterpark and aquarium jostle for attention - this is a place
for brash escape. Nor should you be fooled by Cabbage Beach - not a vegetable
patch but a curving crescent where you can doze off the affects of the night
before. Stay (of course) at the Atlantis itself.
Top tip: If the Paradise-Island thing becomes too intense,
wander west along the beach until it fades away to a needlepoint at its left-hand
tip. Rare tranquillity resides here.
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Chris Leadbeater is a freelance travel journalist. He writes regularly
for the Daily Mail. His favourite destinations are Cuba, the USA and Paris.