You’ve settled into your villa on St. Barts, sipped rosé at Nikki Beach, and strolled the powdery sands of Saline. But what if your Caribbean adventure could stretch beyond the horizon? Just beyond Gustavia’s harbor lie islands brimming with wild beauty, forgotten histories, and flavors you’ll taste nowhere else. Ready to explore?
The neighbors next door: islands within a 1-hour boat ride
Île Fourchue
A 20-minute sail north of Gustavia, this uninhabited volcanic crescent feels like your private Eden. Dive into waters so clear you’ll spot parrotfish darting between coral gardens. Local captains whisper about its nickname, “Forked Island,” earned by its jagged silhouette. Pro tip: Pack a picnic—there’s no infrastructure here, just sun-bleached rocks and the occasional yacht anchored offshore.
Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (15 miles northwest)
Split between French charm and Dutch vibrancy, this island thrives on contrasts. Land at Princess Juliana Airport (where planes skim Maho Beach) and spend the morning savoring buttery croissants in Marigot’s marché. By afternoon, switch gears: gamble at a Sint Maarten casino or dance to soca at a Simpson Bay beach bar. Ferries depart St. Barts daily; opt for a private charter to dodge the crowds.
Related : St Barts or Anguilla : which is better?
Day-trip gems: islands 25–50 miles away
Saba (30 miles southwest)
Rising abruptly from the sea, this Dutch-Caribbean “Unspoiled Queen” lures adventurers. Hike the Mount Scenery trail—1,064 steps through misty rainforest—to peer into a dormant volcano. Afterward, join locals at Brigadoon for conch fritters and tales of legendary shipwrecks. Fun fact: Saba’s airport runway is famously short; pilots require special certification to land here.
Statia (32 miles south)
History buffs, take note. Sint Eustatius (Statia) was once the Caribbean’s busiest trading port. Wander Oranjestad’s cobblestone ruins, where 18th-century warehouses still smell of salt and spices. Don’t miss the Quill, a rainforest-filled crater where rare orchids bloom. Ferries from St. Barts run twice weekly, but helicopter transfers offer jaw-dropping views of the archipelago.
Beyond the horizon: lesser-known escapes
Anguilla (45 miles northwest)
Forget crowded beaches. Anguilla’s 33 sugary strands—like Shoal Bay East—feel untouched. Book a table at Malliouhana’s sunset terrace for lobster ceviche paired with rum punch, then fall asleep to the rustle of sea grapes at Cap Juluca. Local insight: June brings the Moonsplash Music Festival, where reggae legends play barefoot on the sand.
Barbuda (70 miles southeast)
Two hours by private plane from St. Barts, Barbuda remains the anti-tourist destination. Its 1,600 residents share the island with wild donkeys and frigatebirds. Walk for miles along Pink Sand Beach (yes, it’s genuinely rosy), then tour the Codrington family’s 18th-century plantation ruins. Stay at Barbuda Belle—nine eco-luxury suites where the only soundtrack is waves lapping at your doorstep.
Why limit yourself to one island?
The Caribbean’s magic lies in its diversity. Charter a catamaran to hop between St. Barts’ neighbors, or let a local pilot guide you to secret snorkeling coves near Île Tintamarre. As one fisherman in Anse des Cayes told me, “The sea doesn’t belong to any map—it’s meant to be explored.” So, which island will you add to your story?
