Although a Caribbean island, Puerto Rico is also an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. If the endless beaches on this island could talk ,they would no doubt tell you stories of pirates and smugglers – the most famous was El Pirata Cofresí, who was born into a wealthy Puerto Rican family in the 18th Century, but turned from a fisherman to a pirate as it was more lucrative!
With pirates long gone, visitors to the island will now experience a beautiful medley of Spanish and American influences, and the kind of tropical beaches which are perfect for both sun worshipers and surfers.

Formally a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Dutch influences can clearly be seen – especially in the architecture on the island of Curaçao.
There is some debate as to whether this group of island consists of three islands – or five, including Aruba and St Marten, which for this article we have covered separately.
One thing is for sure – all of the islands have the kind of beaches which make the Caribbean famous, including Curaçao, which has a staggering 38 miles of them, with 38 secluded coves!

Another one of the British Territories, this volcanic island is different from the others – in the north it has black sandy beaches! Not what you’d expect from a Caribbean island huh?
Coral reefs and rocky caves also line the north of the island, making it picturesque above the water and rich in marine life below.

Another French territory, this rugged island has an interesting blend of French and West Indian culture. Known as the isle of flowers because of its rich, lush, tropical vegetation, bright in colours. However, they are not the only things which are colourful – its coastlines are dotted with brightly coloured houses too, which make this island very pretty indeed.
This island is also great for active, outdoorsy visitors, as there is so much to do here – it’s a walkers paradise.

This French territory sits in the south Caribbean, and from above its two main islands look like a butterfly. So much so it is known as le papillon (butterfly in French)!
This island retains its French identity quite strongly – locals say the following of the five islands, “decidedly French yet undeniably Caribbean”.
Another example of a varied landscape – these islands change from tropical rainforests into white sandy beaches in a blink of an eye.

Another British territory, consisting of three islands – the largest is Grand Cayman and loved for its beaches and incredible diving. The second largest is Brac and is known for great deep sea fishing, while Little Cayman, the smallest, is home to a very diverse mix of wildlife. However, there really is nothing British about these islands, warm waters lap white sandy beaches, where manta rays, whales and dolphins are frequently seen.