The Best Caribbean Beaches for Kids

 

You’ve decided on a Caribbean cruise for your next family vacation, but which islands do you choose for your itinerary? If you’re sun-seekers looking for great beach days on your port days, you’ll want to bookmark this list of 10 great Caribbean beaches for kids.

Of course, there are hundreds and hundreds of beautiful beaches in this part of the world, so your choices extend way beyond these 10. But, it’s a great starting point to get you inspired and have you reaching for the sunscreen. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. Palm Beach, Aruba

Like all great beaches for kids, this popular one on the “happy island” of Aruba feels more like an ocean pool with calm laps rather than waves. With local hotels lining the beach, there is also the chance to meet other vacationing families (play mates for your kids).

2. Governor’s Beach, Grand Turk

Turks & Caicos is a dream for beach lovers and you don’t have to venture far to find the good stuff. Governor’s Beach is just a 10-minute walk from the port in Grand Turk, and offers your kids a quintessential, turquoise-colored backdrop for their fun in the sun—and in the water.

3. Turtle Bay Beach, Ocho Rios

With sugary sand, and the laidback sounds of reggae you’re guaranteed to hear, Turtle Beach, a short walk from the port in Ocho Rios, makes for a fun spot to take a dip while also getting a feel for the Jamaican way of life. It’s both bustling and beautiful, with plenty of activities on offer.

4. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

The postcard-perfect Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman  is famous for a reason. There’s plenty of sand and calm, crystal-clear water for kids of all ages to explore and even though it’s popular, you’ll be able to find a spot all your own.

5. Galley Bay Beach, Antigua

You’ve no doubt heard this island’s boast that it has 365 beaches. While it may take multiple cruises to try them all, Galley Bay Beach is a great flag-bearer of what you can expect across Antigua, with pristine sands and waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

6. Carlisle Bay, Barbados

The beauty of Barbados is that there is a beach for every type of water activity, including surfing and wind-surfing. But for kids, you can’t go past the calm waters of Carlisle Bay, located on the more sheltered west coast. At The Boatyard beach club (access fee required), older kids will love the floating island platform, trampoline and rope swing in the water.

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7. Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, Cozumel

Whether you visit on your own or as part of a tour, Chankanaab, located inside Cozumel’s National Marine Park, is a no-brainer during your visit to Cozumel. There is a protected beach with shallow waters, and kids can burn off energy at the playground or in the children’s pool. Additional activities are also available for an extra charge.

8. Secret Harbor Beach, St. Thomas

The beaches of the US Virgin Islands come in different shapes and sizes, from cute little coves to large stretches of sands dotted with coconut and sea grape trees. If you’re cruising to St. Thomas with kids, Secret Harbor Beach is a great pick for its serene, sheltered bay with calm waters, a raft in the bay and hammocks on the sand.

9. Cockleshell Bay, St. Kitts

St. Kitts is full of rich history and culture but for a relaxing day at the beach, especially with young kids in tow, head to the southeast end of the island (around a 15-minute drive from the port), where the whole family can swim in calm, shallow waters and enjoy beach bites and beverages at Cockleshell Bay Beach.

10. Cable Beach, Nassau

Many families who cruise to Nassau choose a shore excursion to the Atlantis mega-resort. For something a little more local and relaxed, head to this four-mile stretch of beautiful white sand and the clear waters the Bahamas are famous for. It’s great for snorkeling but you’re just as likely to spot crabs and small fish by wading into the water or strolling the shoreline.