With its white-sand beaches and sparkling turquoise seas framed by palm trees, lush greenery and soaring mountains, there could hardly be a more romantic destination than the Caribbean. Whether you want to snorkel with spectacular sea life, indulge in a moonlit dinner á deux, have your cares massaged away or lounge together in a private cabana, the Caribbean offers the ultimate idyllic couples’ escape.
Each of the many Caribbean islands has its own unique history and vibe – and they all have plenty to offer to anyone seeking a romantic getaway. From vibrant Jamaica and the enchanting hidden gem Curaçao, to bustling Barbados and lush St Lucia, there’s something to suit every couple, whether on honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or just escaping everyday life for a taste of paradise.
What these islands – along with Antigua, the Bahamas and Grenada – all guarantee is laid-back luxury, gourmet cuisine, warm hospitality and delicious rum punch.
For fun-loving couples, Barbados is home to some world-renowned nightclubs and is said to be the birthplace of rum. Don’t miss a trip to the capital Bridgetown and head to Harbour Lights on a Wednesday or Thursday evening for a barbecue dinner with entertainment provided by fire eaters and flamboyant, feather-costumed dancers.
Barbados is also known for the splendour of its natural beauty. Couples can watch the sun melt into the sea on a romantic catamaran tour, or wander together along one of its many glorious beaches. Take it all in at Sandals Barbados or Sandals Royal Barbados – both resorts are steeped in romance, with atmospheric waterfalls, loveseats, and the scent of hibiscus wafting in the breeze. Like all 17 Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean, the pair, located side by side in St Lawrence Gap, are luxury, all-inclusive, couples-only and boast the brand’s signature Love Nest Suites. These take romantic pampering to another level: think stunning décor, butler service, private patios or balconies with couples’ bathtubs, all set in beautiful locations including beachfronts and clifftops.
Jamaica is the number one Caribbean destination for British travellers, made popular by the easy living vibe, jerk cuisine, reggae and excellent all-inclusive resorts. The first Sandals resort was opened by Gordon “Butch” Stewart in Montego Bay in 1981; now, there are seven on the island, including the new Sandals Dunn’s River. Nestled on a stretch of beach in Ocho Rios, it offers some of the most luxurious accommodation in the Caribbean, from its Coyaba Sky Rondovals – private, round villas, each with a pool and a soaking tub on the open-air terrace – to the Skypool Suites, which boast private infinity pools.
It’s close to Jamaica’s biggest tourist attraction, Dunn’s River Falls – a series of rock pools and cascades that tumble in stages 600ft down to the sea. For a less crowded experience, check out Blue Hole, where you can swim, hike, cliff dive, and even swing from a rope into the water. Elsewhere on the island, for adventurous couples, the four-hour hike up the Blue Mountain Peak – home of the coffee of the same name – will guarantee spectacular views, not to mention great memories. But Jamaica is only one of many enticing destinations that will pull at your heart.
The Bahamas, with its abundance of cays, is a playground for island hoppers, partygoers and watersports lovers. In Nassau, you’ll find fascinating pirate history and a bustling straw market, and at Sandals Royal Bahamian, there’s even a private island, complete with beach club, swimming pool, swim-up bar and spa.
For a scenic view, it’s difficult to beat St Lucia, where the pitons provide a picturesque backdrop. Active couples can hike Gros Piton, zipline through the rainforest or go for an early-morning horse ride along the beach. Sandals Grande St Lucian, Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach make the perfect bases for exploring the island. Pure opulence can be found in the Millionaire Suites at Sandals Regency La Toc, located at the resort’s summit, with 180-degree panoramic views of the ocean.
Antigua is perhaps the most elegant of the Caribbean islands, with English Harbour filled with colonial architecture. Antigua does beaches too, having one for every day of the year – yes, 365 sandy sweeps that’ll leave beach-lovers well and truly spoiled. Dickenson Bay, one of the best-loved, is home to Sandals Grande Antigua with its world-class spa where couples can enjoy a candlelit massage together.
Known as the Spice Island because it grows nutmeg in abundance, Grenada boasts sandy beaches, tropical trees laden with fruit, waterfalls, lakes, a dramatic coastline and even its own underwater sculpture park. At Sandals Grenada, set on Pink Gin beach, the Lovers’ Hideaway Village features soaking tubs in every suite as well as views of the freshwater lagoon.
For couples looking for something slightly off the beaten track, Curaçao, an island 50 miles north of Venezuela and 70 miles east of Aruba, is a mite bigger than the Isle of Wight and the birthplace of the liqueur Blue Curacao. Its capital, Willemstad, is a vibrant, Unesco-listed place lined with candy-coloured buildings, streets covered in hand-painted murals, cafes and art galleries.
A 30-minute drive away is the Sandals Royal Curaçao Resort, which opened in 2022. Among its star attractions is a two-tier infinity pool, where guests can enjoy watching the sunset with a daiquiri at the swim-up bar. If that doesn’t bring out your romantic side, we don’t know what will.
