CARB

For nearly 400 years, the Netherlands and France have shared the island known as St. Maarten on the Dutch side and St. Martin on the French. Home to 37 beaches and an array of tropical experiences, the island’s dual cultural profile sets it apart from other Caribbean destinations. Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side, is a bustling port with a lively waterfront, colorful shopping district, casinos, and restaurants serving international fare. Water sports, like sailing, and rainforest explorations are all within easy reach of its docks.

Gorgeous beaches, aquamarine waters, abundant sunshine and cooling trade winds have long been Aruba’s calling card. This Dutch island captivates with diverse outdoor options – world-class golfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and diving – the distinctly bent divi-divi trees and striking geological formations. The desert-like landscapes and rugged coastline of Arikok National Park are the focus of eco-explorations.

Norman Island is vintage Caribbean paradise: small, privately owned, uninhabited except for wild goats, and accessible only by boat or helicopter. On Norman’s north shore is the sheltered bay known as the Bight, one of the greatest natural anchorages in the British Virgin Islands. At the bay’s entrance, sea caves are renowned for snorkeling. Just offshore, the rock formations known as the Indians are another premier snorkeling spot.

Numerous islands and hundreds of tiny cays form the nation of the Bahamas. Small at just 21 miles long and nearly seven miles wide, New Providence Island boasts numerous white sand beaches as well as the vibrant capital of Nassau. In the lively city center, the National Art Gallery and Junkanoo Museum showcase the fine art, unique traditions and colorful crafts of the local culture that melds African, English and West Indian influences.

No airport, few vehicles, one village, beautiful palm-lined beaches – tiny Mayreau, the only inhabited island within Tobago Cays Marine Park, represents Caribbean pleasure, pure and simple. On the northern coast, Salt Whistle Bay is the island’s most popular anchorage. Its calm, sheltered waters and soft sands are great for swimming, sunning and snorkeling. Around the island, smaller bays and hidden coves, many rarely visited, offer even greater tranquility. Mayreau’s best views are found at the hilltop Catholic church, a quaint stone building featuring lovely stained glass and art work.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Marigot became St. Martin's capital during the reign of Louis XVI, who built Fort Louis to defend the colonial settlement's harbor warehouses. The formidable walls and cannons of the ruins overlook Marigot Bay and are well worth the short hike up. The town itself charms visitors with winding streets and colorful buildings. Restored St. Martinoise-style houses are now boutiques for luxury goods, all duty-free, while Marigot Market is a melting pot for local foods, spices, art and crafts.

Montserrat represents a unique opportunity to experience the forces of nature that have forged the mountainous idylls of the Caribbean. The northern half has earned the title of the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean thanks in large part to its rugged and lush landscape with its forest-cloaked hills and valleys of ferns, but also to its rich Irish heritage that has been a significant part of the culture for centuries. On the coast, black and silver sand beaches strikingly contrast with the vibrant blues of the sea for a view that’s unique to the rest of the Caribbean.

The yachting capital of Martinique, Le Marin sits at the head of a deep bay and has one of the largest marinas in the Caribbean. At the center of town is one of the area’s few historic sights, the 18th-century stone church of Église Saint-Étienne, whose design suggests an overturned ship’s hull. Businesses in Le Marin are oriented to sailors and yachtsmen, who enjoy the lively ambience in the waterfront bars and clubs. The nearby peninsula of Sainte-Anne is home to the island’s best beaches, the celebrated Grande Anse des Salines among them.

Surrounded by rugged terrain and lush vegetation, La Romana is home to crystalline waters, white sand beaches and impressive coral reef life. It's a gateway to charming villages such as Bayahibe, ecological trails and numerous golf resorts. In the town center is El Obelisco, painted with images of local Dominican life. Nearby Altos de Chavon is a replica 16th-century village and cultural center featuring artist studios, galleries, an archaeological museum and sweeping views of the Chavon River.

Of the four main British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is the smallest. Fewer than 300 residents call its three square miles home, but they extend a warm welcome to the sailors and yachtsmen who drop anchor in Great Harbour and White Bay throughout the year. Life here revolves around the surrounding seas – swimming, snorkeling, fishing and diving – and communing over a tropical cocktail and a freshly caught meal at one of Jost Van Dyke’s legendary beach bars and restaurants. The island’s rugged terrain is crossed with trails.