Opération Pays Propre reports on its 29th edition in Martinique: 950 participants, 18 natural sites cleaned and 6.137 tonnes of waste collected. Behind these figures, a collective mobilization reminds us that the protection of Martinique’s landscapes also relies on organized actions that are passed on.
950 participants in the field
On the natural sites concerned, the gesture is simple, but it says a lot. Picking up a piece of garbage, filling a bag, moving forward as a group, taking a new look at a place you thought you knew. For the 29th edition of Opération Pays Propre, 950 participants took part in this environmental action in Martinique.
The mobilization brought together 15 companies, 8 associations and 8 schools. This mix of players gave the action a special significance. The challenge goes beyond cleaning up afterwards. It’s also about making young people, in particular, understand that abandoned garbage doesn’t disappear from the landscape. It damages the soil, beaches, paths and marine environments, and undermines what makes the island so valuable every day.
6.137 tonnes of waste collected
The results of Opération Pays Propre are clear: 6.137 tonnes of waste were collected this year. The clean-up involved 18 natural sites. This figure is a measure of the work accomplished, but it also forces us to look the problem in the face. If so much waste can be removed in just a few days, it’s because the pressure on natural areas remains high.
In Martinique, environmental issues have a direct impact on living conditions, natural heritage and tourism. A polluted natural site becomes a degraded area. It also weakens a place of memory, of walking, of family transmission and sometimes of economic activity. Through this operation, the participants are not protecting an abstraction. They are acting on places that local residents frequent, pass through or tell stories about.
An initiative launched in 2010
Since its launch in October 2010, on the occasion of the Fête des Entreprises, Opération Pays Propre has become a long-term project. The idea was to unite employees around a public-interest initiative: the clean-up of remarkable sites. Since then, two operations have been organized each year in partnership with the Office National des Forêts, and the initiative has opened up to companies, individuals, associations, schools and local authorities.
This development is important. It shows that an event originally conceived for the corporate world can become a broader civic event. The presence of schools is particularly important. It gives Opération Pays Propre an educational dimension. Children don’t just hear about the environment. They see what is thrown away, what accumulates and what needs to be removed.
Over 335 tonnes since launch
With this new edition, the operations carried out since 2010 total over 335.2 tonnes of waste collected and more than 23,474 participants. These two figures put the initiative on a new scale. Opération Pays Propre remains a local event, but its cumulative results tell the story of a long-term mobilization.
This continuity is essential. An isolated clean-up can leave a lasting impression. A repeated, measured and organized operation creates a collective memory. Companies, associations, schools and volunteers become links in the same chain, each with their own role, resources and presence on the ground.
A collective organization
With Opération Pays Propre, success depends on more than just the number of volunteers. It also requires logistics. The report cites the Office National des Forêts (French National Forestry Office) for its support in organizing the operation, supplying garbage can bags, supervising volunteers and disposing of waste. The Office de l’Eau provides financial support. Alizé Environnement, CACEM, Cap Nord, EKIP, Métal Dom and SMTVD are involved in waste management. The communes also contribute to waste removal.
This distribution of roles reminds us of the obvious: protecting a territory requires coordination. Voluntary action is essential, but it must be supervised, secured, financed and backed up by proper management of the waste collected.
Protecting the country, together
The strength of Opération Pays Propre lies in this meeting of concrete action and shared responsibility. On an island where natural landscapes are part of daily life, tourism, family attachment and collective identity, each piece of waste removed is also a way of looking at the country.
The Creole phrase put forward is: “Ansanm an nou protéjé péyi nou”, meaning “together, let’s protect our country”. It sums up what’s at stake. This mobilization is a reminder that protecting Martinique is not just a matter for big decisions. It also begins on a natural site, bag in hand, with the desire to leave behind a cleaner place than the one we found.
Opération Pays Propre is an environmental initiative organized in Martinique to clean up natural sites and raise awareness of the impact of waste on land and marine environments.
The 29th Opération Pays Propre brought together 950 participants, including 15 companies, 8 associations and 8 schools. The results show that 6.137 tonnes of waste were collected from 18 natural sites.
It helps to protect Martinique’s landscapes, living environment, natural surroundings and tourist image. Since 2010, over 335.2 tonnes of waste have been collected, with more than 23,474 participants.
Dushi, in Papiamento, can mean sweet, good, pleasant, tasty or darling. In the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, this word circulates between the street, the kitchen, music and intimacy. It’s a Caribbean way of recognizing what feels good.
A word heard in everyday life
If you step off the plane in Aruba, Bonaire or Curaçao, you’ll soon hear it. On a sign, in a conversation, on a T-shirt, at a snack bar, at the market, in a song. A shop assistant may talk about a dushi cake. A mother may call her child dushi. A friend may say that an evening was dushi, not because it was spectacular, but because it left a good warmth in the memory.
Translation is not enough
Translation helps, but it’s never quite enough. Dushi comes close to “soft”, “sweet”, “good”, “delicious”, “lovable”, “darling”. Yet none of these words really covers all her territory. The same word can describe a beloved person, a successful dish, a pleasant moment, a familiar landscape or a way of being. Its strength lies precisely in this flexibility. The word doesn’t classify. It connects.
In everyday speech, the word doesn’t always have the same intensity. It can be tender, familial, greedy, friendly or simply positive. That’s why it’s important to understand it within the sentence, depending on the tone, the connection and the situation.
Papiamento or papiamentu: a language of passages
In the ABC islands, the language also carries this history of passages. We generally write Papiamento in Aruba, and Papiamentu in Curaçao and Bonaire. This spelling difference does not erase a common base. It is a reminder that the language was built in societies that were close, but never identical.
Linguists describe Papiamento as a Creole with an Ibero-Romance base, marked by Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch, with other contributions from Caribbean and Atlantic circulations. Its history began in Curaçao. The work of linguist Bart Jacobs places the emergence of Papiamentu in the second half of the 17th century, following the capture of Curaçao by the Dutch West India Company in 1634. The result is not a museum language. It’s a language of family, commerce, song, cooking and school.
Important official recognition
Papiamento’s institutional status also reflects its cultural significance. In Aruba, it has been recognized as an official language alongside Dutch since 2003. In Curaçao, Papiamentu is an official language alongside Dutch and English. On Bonaire, in the Caribbean Netherlands, Papiamento is also recognized in public life, notably in education, administrative dealings and the judicial system.
What the word says about the ABC islands
Dushi becomes more than just a pretty word. It condenses a way of talking about the world without separating the emotional from the concrete. A coffee can taste good. A person can be dear. A song can strike a chord. The word doesn’t have to choose between heart, body and palate.
Other islands have their own words of tenderness. In Martinique and Guadeloupe, “doudou” can refer to a loved one. In Caribbean English, “sweet” can mean pleasure, taste, enjoyment. But Dushi, in the ABC islands, retains a particular amplitude. It moves from sentiment to food, from person to place, from intimate detail to collective identity.
An intimate word becomes a collective symbol
In Aruba, this dimension is visible right down to the national anthem Aruba Dushi Tera, adopted with the flag on March 18, 1976. Here, the word is not just an affectionate adjective. It qualifies the land itself. It transforms the island into a beloved presence. That’s why we must avoid reducing the word to a tourist slogan. Before it was printed on objects, it was already circulating in people’s voices.
Perhaps that’s where its uniqueness lies. Dushi doesn’t try to impress. He recognizes what’s important: a simple meal, a special person, an island that’s sweetly named. And next week, RK Words changes horizons: heading for Trinidad, with “lime”, a verb that describes the Caribbean art of spending time together without a precise agenda.
Dushi can mean sweet, good, tasty, pleasant or cherished, depending on the context. In the ABC Islands, the word can refer to a loved one, a successful dish, a touching song or a pleasant moment.
Dushi is mainly used in Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, the three ABC islands. The word belongs to Papiamento or Papiamentu, a Creole language spoken in this Dutch-speaking part of the Caribbean.
Dushi is more than just a translation. It expresses an emotional relationship with daily life, food, people and land. In Aruba, it even appears in the national anthem Aruba Dushi Tera, where it describes the island as a beloved land.
On Saturday March 28, at the Centre Aquatique Pierre Samot in Le Lamentin, the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 press conference was more than just an information meeting. Over the course of an hour and a half, organizers, athletes and partners presented much more than just the sporting program: from April 3 to 8, Martinique will host the 39th edition of the Caribbean’s leading junior aquatic event, ten years after the first edition was so memorable. Twenty-four nations. Three disciplines. A home territory that knows it.
A bid driven by collective memory
In 2024, at the Caribbean Aquatics Association Congress held in the Bahamas, two bids were put forward to host the 2026 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships: Saint Lucia and Martinique. The vote was clear-cut: some thirty votes for Martinique, ten for Saint Lucia.
Behind this result is a story. The 2016 edition, the first ever to be held on home soil, left its mark on the minds of all those who were there: coaches, delegation leaders, officials. In 2024, when it came time to vote, many still remembered that week.
"It was a beautiful edition, and one that will always be remembered."
The other factor was more concrete: Sainte-Lucie did not yet have its own pool. Martinique, on the other hand, can count on the Centre Aquatique Pierre Samot in Le Lamentin, with its ten-lane Olympic pool, 800-seat grandstand and 25-meter warm-up pool. One of the best facilities in the Caribbean.
The organization also emphasized its capacity to welcome delegations from outside the basin, with several accommodation solutions mobilized in the south of the island, supplemented by other structures if necessary. This logistical aspect, rarely secondary in this type of event, reinforced the credibility of Martinique’s bid.
Three disciplines, 24 nations, a demanding format
The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 will bring together 24 countries: 21 English-speaking Caribbean nations, plus Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana. The swimming races will take place over four days: heats in the morning, finals in the afternoon, from Saturday April 5 to Tuesday April 8. Artistic swimming gets underway on Monday during the lunch break, with solos followed by technical events. The duets and teams round off the program on Wednesday morning. On the same Wednesday, the open water event takes place over five kilometers in the Anses d’Arlets.
Competitors: Benjamins (11-12 years), Minimes (13-14 years), Cadets (15-17 years) do not enter as individuals. They are national selections, with the best swimmers from each territory. To enter the Martinique selection, swimmers must satisfy a time grid established over the previous two seasons, which only selects swimmers capable of reaching the finals.
In the minds of the organizers, selection is based on a simple logic: to score points, you have to enter the final, and to enter the final, you have to be among the top eight times in the morning heats. In other words, the swimmers selected are supposed to have a level that enables them to play a real role in the competition, and not just participate.
The Martinique delegation at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 has 61 swimmers: 36 in racing, 12 in open water, five of whom also race, and 18 in artistic swimming. The team is led by five captains: Jean-Naël Zozime and Maxime Auguste-Charlery for boys’ racing (15-17 age group), Cyrielle Manin and Sayanne Guivissa for girls’ racing, and Nohemy Marajo for artistic swimming.
Water as starting point and destination
When asked how he got started, Jean-Naël Zozime, captain of the boys’ selection, answers straightforwardly: “I was introduced to swimming so that I wouldn’t drown. Cyrielle Manin, captain of the girls’ selection, tells much the same story: she almost drowned as a child, and that’s what led her to learn to swim.
These two testimonies, heard just a few minutes apart, say something important about this territory. Two young Martiniquans, initially frightened by the sea, who are now representing their island against twenty-three Caribbean nations. This is more than just a sporting achievement.
"Swimming is a tough sport. You can't expect it to be easy, but with a lot of perseverance, anyone can do it."
Nohemy Marajo, artistic swimming captain, has been practicing for ten years a discipline that the public still knows little about. She explains it concretely: learning choreographies on dry land, rehearsing them in the water, controlling your breathing under the surface while your legs draw figures above. It’s a sport that’s as technically demanding as it is physically demanding, and has as much to do with ballet as it does with endurance.
"You have to know how to endure, how to save every last breath to finish the choreography."
The conference of the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 also pointed out that artistic swimming is still a confidential discipline in the Caribbean, due to the infrastructure it requires and the level of preparation required. It requires three-dimensional work and very thorough technical preparation, as well as the support of outside professionals, particularly in dance and gymnastic preparation. For the supervisors, the challenge of CARIFTA is twofold: to support those who are already practising and to encourage new vocations.
What the coaching team observes in these youngsters is a constant: they train, take their exams, compete at weekends, and do it all over again. “Generally, swimmers perform well in their studies too, because they’ve worked on this rigor on a daily basis.” What you learn in the pool also applies elsewhere, and the organizers insist on this daily requirement: it’s not enough to qualify, you have to be able to show up on the day, in a sport where regularity and discipline count as much as talent.
Medals from the hands of the island
The way an event rewards its champions often says a lot about what it stands for. At the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026, the medals were made in Martinique from noble woods: pearwood for gold, mao bleu for silver, mao ghani for bronze. A craftsman from the Nord-Atlantique region produced them, Joseph Galliard signed the engravings, and a local seamstress made the pouches in the three colors of the Martinican flag.
The initiative was spearheaded by the event’s godmother, Coralie Balmy, a former top-level swimmer who had taken part in the CARIFTA four times in her career. An eco-responsible and identity-affirming initiative, hailed as a first on the Caribbean scale.
Every Caribbean athlete who reaches the podium at the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 will leave with a piece of Martinique, a unique medal made by local craftsmen, unlike any other.
The conference also specified that trophies would accompany these awards, and that the medals had yet to receive their lanyards before the competition opened. Here too, the aim is clear: to make each award a sporting, local and symbolic object.
A week that mobilizes the whole territory
The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 won’t just be played out in the pools. Between 1,500 and 1,800 people are arriving in Martinique: swimmers, staff and families spread out over several hotels in the south of the island. Every day, around 150 volunteers ensure the smooth running of the event: former swimmers, parents, locals who sometimes have no direct connection with swimming, but who wanted to get involved.
Among them, the officials play a decisive role: some 26 officials from the Caribbean will reinforce the Martinique officials, bringing the number of people around the pool to around fifty for each morning and afternoon meeting. In addition, there will be first-aid attendants, reception teams, people in charge of awards, delegation escorts and areas open to the public.
Welcoming delegations to the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 was also thought through in detail. They all had to arrive on April 2, at different times of the day, sometimes very early in the morning, sometimes late at night. In conjunction with the transport company and SAMAC, a precise plan was drawn up at the airport to ensure smooth exits, transfers to buses and settling into accommodation, with particular attention paid to meals depending on the time of arrival.
The opening ceremony of the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026, on Friday April 3 at the Georges Gratiant stadium, is free and open to all: 2,800 seats to fill. The group “Nou Pa Sav” will accompany the parade of delegations. On Saturday, April 4, Les Hommes d’Argile will be on hand as the delegations arrive on site, offering a strong cultural backdrop intended as a symbolic first encounter with Martinican identity. Throughout the week, Martinican cultural groups will be on hand to ensure that visitors leave with a living image of the region, not just competition results.
The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 ceremony is scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 p.m., and will be broadcast on a giant screen, as well as relayed by media partners and via YouTube for wider distribution in the Caribbean. The ambition is clear: to make Martinique the center of the Caribbean for the duration of the event.
In addition to sport, the organizers of the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 also have an economic and cultural objective. Bringing in up to 1,800 people means filling accommodation, generating consumption, encouraging car rentals and putting the hotel and restaurant sectors to work. It’s also a way of showcasing Martinique’s culture, notably through the entertainment planned for the opening ceremony and the arrival of the delegations.
The open water event at Anses d’Arlets also serves as a reminder that the sea is a living, fragile environment that deserves protection. The association’s representative at the conference sums up its mission simply: “learn to swim to discover the seas and protect them.”
This educational dimension goes beyond drowning prevention. It also touches on the appropriation of water by the people of Martinique, the discovery of the discipline by the youngest and the broader desire to reinforce the region’s aquatic culture in the long term.
An assertive island
A phrase uttered at the end of the conference sums up the general mood: “We’re ready, and we’ll make the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 a collective success and a great source of pride for our region.”
What the delegations take away with them on the evening of April 8 is more than just a ranking. It’s an image of Martinique, a territory that knows how to welcome, organize and assert its identity. For six days, the whole Caribbean will be there. It’s up to Martinique to show what it can do.
But the organizers of the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 also want to leave their mark after the event. The Ligue de Natation de Martinique ended the 2024-2025 season with some 2,540 members, around ten affiliated clubs and, generally speaking, 7 to 8 clubs involved in competition. With this in mind, the CARIFTAs are not intended as a parenthesis, but rather as a possible catalyst to encourage vocations, boost membership and establish swimming as a permanent fixture on the Martinique sports scene.
The organizers of the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 have also chosen not to reproduce the large village of 2016. In 2026, the activities surrounding the competition are to be more focused, with one day in particular being highlighted, in order to concentrate energy and attendance rather than scattering the highlights.
The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 is the 39th edition of the Caribbean’s leading junior aquatic event, held in Martinique from April 3 to 8. Twenty-four nations are taking part in racing, artistic and open water swimming, in categories ranging from 11 to 17 years of age.
The swimming race and artistic swimming events take place at the Centre Aquatique Pierre Samot in Le Lamentin. The 5-kilometer open water event takes place in Anses d’Arlets on Wednesday April 8.
Tickets are available on cariftamartinique2026.com and on the Ligue de Natation de Martinique social networks. Prices: €10 in the morning, €20 in the afternoon for adults, 4-day pass at €125. The opening ceremony at the Georges Gratiant stadium is free of charge.
Twenty-four countries are taking part: 21 English-speaking Caribbean nations, plus Martinique, Guadeloupe and Guyana.
The Martinique squad is led by five captains: Jean-Naël Zozime and Maxime Auguste-Charlery for boys’ racing, Cyrielle Manin and Sayanne Guivissa for girls’ racing, and Nohemy Marajo for artistic swimming.
In the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela, Bonaire is a territory in a class of its own. Less publicized than its neighbors Aruba and Curaçao, the island has built its identity around one central principle: the protection of its environment. Here, the sea structures the economy, landscapes and customs, while tourism development has been gradual and controlled. For travelers, Bonaire offers a clear picture: a compact island, visible natural areas, an accessible coastline and an organization geared towards sustainability.
An island structured by its marine park
Since 1979, Bonaire’s entire coastline has been protected by the Bonaire National Marine Park which completely surrounds the island. This marine area regulates nautical activities and aims to preserve the coral reefs, considered among the best preserved in the Caribbean. One of the island’s special features is the direct accessibility of its marine sites. Diving and underwater observation can be carried out from the coast, without the need for a boat. Marked access points allow visitors to enter the water without disturbing protected areas. This model of environmental management has made it an international benchmark for marine conservation. It attracts a specific public, attentive to the quality of ecosystems and the regulation of uses.
An arid, contrasting landscape
Contrary to the classic image of the tropical Caribbean, Bonaire has a drier landscape. The island is characterized by semi-arid vegetation, modest relief and vast open areas. This is due to its position south of the hurricane belt and a more stable climate, with limited rainfall. To the north, the Washington Slagbaai National Park covers a large part of the territory. This terrestrial reserve protects a diversity of environments: hills, rocky coasts, wetlands and habitats for numerous bird species. It offers a different view of the island, one that complements that of the coastline.
The saltworks, an emblematic landscape
To the south of Bonaire, the salt pans are a striking feature of the landscape. Exploited for centuries, they form vast basins where seawater is evaporated to produce salt. The colors vary from pink to white, depending on the concentration of salt and the micro-organisms present. These areas also attract colonies of pink flamingos, which find favorable conditions in these environments. Their presence reinforces the ecological interest of the site and contributes to the island’s visual identity.
A capital on a human scale
Kralendijk, Bonaire’s capital, concentrates administrative, commercial and tourist activities. The town is characterized by its colorful buildings, open waterfront and simple organization. The town’s limited infrastructure means that traffic flows smoothly and there’s a direct link to the coast. Daily life is visible: local shops, markets, services and interaction between residents and visitors. This proximity contributes to a more direct experience of the area.
Supervised, specialized tourism
Tourism has developed around specific niches, notably diving and nature observation. The island does not rely on large, massive complexes, but on human-scale structures: hotels, apartments and villas. Visitors generally come for longer stays, with a focus on the environment. This orientation limits tourist pressure and favors a more stable economic model.
Access and organization
Bonaire is accessible via Flamingo International Airport, with connections to North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Locally, travel is mainly by car, making it easy to explore the whole island. The organization of your stay is often based on an alternation between marine activities, exploration of natural areas and rest periods. The island lends itself to progressive discovery, without excessive concentration of sites.
A different Caribbean
Highlighting Bonaire means proposing a different interpretation of the Caribbean. The island’s approach is not based on volume, but on the preservation and rational use of resources. For travelers, Bonaire offers a coherent experience: a clear territory, an accessible sea, distinctive landscapes and environmental management. It is for those who seek to understand the territory as much as to enjoy it, in a Caribbean where nature remains central.
Bonaire lies in the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela, alongside Aruba and Curaçao. The island is part of the Dutch Caribbean and is a special municipality of the Netherlands. It is accessible via Flamingo International Airport, with regular flights from Amsterdam, the USA and several Caribbean islands. Once on the island, travel is mainly by car, making it easy to cover the entire territory.
Bonaire is internationally renowned for the quality of its coral reefs and for its model of environmental management. Since 1979, the Bonaire National Marine Park has protected its entire coastline. One of its key features is direct access to dive sites from the coast, without the need for a boat. More than 80 marked dive sites enable you to observe coral, tropical fish and other marine species, often in very favorable conditions. This accessibility, combined with strict regulations, contributes to the preservation of the island’s ecosystems and its reputation.
Bonaire mainly attracts travelers looking for an unspoilt environment and a quieter form of tourism. The island is particularly popular with lovers of diving, nature and wildlife observation. It is also ideal for those wishing to avoid the big seaside resorts and opt for a more autonomous stay, with a more relaxed pace. Tourism is deliberately kept to a minimum, allowing a more direct experience of the territory.
The Caribbean beaches confirm their place among the world’s most admired natural treasures, according to the 2025 edition of the World’s 50 Best Beaches. This international recognition once again highlights the richness, diversity and quality of the region’s seaside resorts. Thanks to a rigorous methodology, this ranking highlights places that are preserved, accessible and unforgettable.
A demanding and recognized ranking
The ranking World’s 50 Best Beaches is based on the opinions of over 1,000 travel specialists: journalists, influencers and editors. Caribbean beaches are featured prominently, demonstrating their global appeal. Each site is evaluated according to five specific criteria: natural beauty, water and sand quality, respect for the environment, accessibility and overall visitor experience.
A field assessment
The members of the jury surveyed dozens of coastlines, taking precise notes and analyzing the atmosphere, tranquility and quality of the water. The result is a selection of the finest seaside resorts in the world, designed to provide guidance for both those who love secluded spots and those who are passionate about the seaside.
Canto de la Playa (Dominican Republic): a discreet gem at the top of the regional rankings
In 2025, Canto de la Playa established itself as the most outstanding in the region and 6ᵉ worldwide. Located on the southern tip of the island of Saona, in Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, accessible only by boat.
Unspoilt nature
At Canto de la Playa, there are no hotels or visible businesses. Just a beach of pristine white sand, turquoise waters and coral reefs teeming with marine life. This unspoilt setting attracts lovers of pure nature and snorkelling.
A haven of peace for visitors
The atmosphere is calm, almost silent, with only the sound of the waves and the wind blowing through the palm trees. From many Caribbean beaches offer moments of tranquility, but Canto de la Playa stands out for its authenticity. It’s particularly pleasant to visit from October to November, when the sea is at its calmest.
Grace Bay (Turks & Caicos): the perfect harmony between nature and comfort
Another striking name among Caribbean beaches, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos Islands, is ranked 10ᵉ in the world. This beach on the island of Providenciales is renowned for the softness of its sand and the transparency of its waters.
A perfectly landscaped site
Grace Bay stretches for over five kilometers, with a coral reef providing natural protection from the currents. This guarantees ideal conditions for swimming and water sports. The beach attracts a varied public thanks to its comprehensive offer: luxury hotels, water sports and local gastronomy.
A destination to suit all profiles
Among Caribbean beaches, Grace Bay embodies the ideal compromise between natural beauty and quality amenities. It attracts families and honeymooners alike.
Other Caribbean jewels in the 2025 ranking
Caribbean beaches are numerous in this prestigious list. Each offers a distinct ambience and experience:
Each offers a distinct ambience and experience:
- Shoal Bay East (Anguilla, #14) : very clear sand, crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming.
Seven Mile Beach (Cayman Islands, #23) : lively place, ideal for families and water sports enthusiasts. - The Baths (British Virgin Islands, #29) : famous for its granite rocks and natural pools.
- Ffryes Beach (Antigua and Barbuda, #31) : calm and serenity, far from urban areas.
- Grand Anse (Grenade, #32) : friendly atmosphere and golden sand.
- Bahia de Las Aguilas (Dominican Republic, #34) : a secluded, unspoilt setting still little known to the general public.
- Meads Bay (Anguilla, #35) : a relaxing beach with calm waters.
- Klein Bonaire Beach (Bonaire, #44) : a diver’s paradise with a remarkable seabed.
Recent entrances and emblematic sites
The 2025 edition welcomes a number of territories for the first time: Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands and Bonaire. This diversity is proof of the vitality of the region’s seaside offerings. Among the already famous beaches, Trunk Bay (Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands) continues to seduce with its underwater trail and sparkling sand.
Why are Caribbean beaches so attractive?
Caribbean beaches are renowned for the variety of their landscapes. Some, like The Baths, are intriguing for their geology. Others, like Grace Bay, are reassuringly comfortable. This diversity means that every traveler will find a place to suit his or her needs.
Accessibility and uniqueness
Some beaches require an effort to reach (Canto de la Playa), while others are located in the immediate vicinity of hotels and infrastructure (Grace Bay). This contrast between wilderness and developed areas is what makes all the Caribbean beaches.
The 2025 edition of the World’s 50 Best Beaches illustrates the influence of Caribbean beaches on a global scale. Canto de la Playa in the Dominican Republic, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, Shoal Bay East in Anguilla… all these names evoke singular seaside experiences, nurtured by a preserved natural setting, waters of rare clarity and a warm local welcome. The region remains, more than ever, a benchmark for those wishing to experience sea and sand of remarkable quality.
