Article written by Mark Stevens. Photos by Sharon Matthews-Stevens.
Time for a confession. I don’t like people.
Compared to me, Robinson Crusoe’s a regular social butterfly. Consider me a sort of tropical Ebenezer Scrooge. Having said that, I do have one more confession.
I may not be a people person, but I do love beaches. Passionately.
For those who don’t like crowds…there are many beaches in the Caribbean where you’ll find peace and tranquility.
Sadly, I’ve visited innumerable beaches that have stolen my heart, only to return to find them occupied, by, well, people.
But there is good news: you too can experience swathes of sand far from the madding crowd. Just check out one – or all – of these five Caribbean beaches for people who don’t like people.
La Sagesse (Grenada)
Paradise found on La Sagesse, Grenada
Make your way to the most southeasterly reaches of Grenada, past the cricket pitch, down a rudimentary road, until you come out to a gorgeous hardwood restaurant and a former plantation great house.
This charming property played a key role in more modern Grenada history, but today the boutique hotel is as idyllic as it’s isolated.
But it’s all about the beach – one of my Caribbean favourites. No accident U.K’s Telegraph newspaper rated it in the Caribbean’s top ten.
Nowadays Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada claims part of the beach but that doesn’t detract from the solitude and sheer beauty.
Still a great beach for people who don’t like people.
Baradel Island, Tobago Cays (St. Vincent and The Grenadines)
You’d be alone if not for those turtles. Baradel Island, Tobago Cays
If you like sea turtles, iguanas and the abundant life populating the surrounding reefs more than you like people, then Tobago Cays, snugged down in a secluded St. Vincent and The Grenadines (SVG) corner, were made for you.
Most secluded beach in this archipelago? Baradel, home to a tiny spit of sand in its furthest corner. The sand is blindingly white. Snorkel here and share the waters with a fleet of sea turtles.
Do a beach barbecue on a nearby island: fresh lobster. Climb the trail on Baradel and see forever. Only thing missing is the crowd.
Sandy Island (Anguilla)
Freshest lunch ever! And away from it all; Sandy Island, Anguilla
Board a bespoke boat called “Euphoria” and make for Sandy Island just a kilometre off Anguilla’s north coast. Step ashore here and euphoria’s exactly what you’ll feel.
Unless you’re hoping for a crowd.
Circumnavigate the island by foot in roughly ten-minutes, checking out the coral formations on the windward side, alabaster sand on the leeward side. Basically one building here – sporting a turquoise roof, covered bar and picnic tables. Go for the catch of the day washed down by a signature cocktail. Then back to the sand.
This time around I’ve brought some friends and family. Two other couples share the beach.
Sorry about the crowd.
Tintamarre Island (St. Martin)
Tintamarre Island is part of La Reserve Naturelle, a national park, St. Martin
During past St. Martin sailing trips I often passed this tiny island roughly three kilometres off that delectable island’s northeast coast several times. Last time here I determined to stop here, dropping the anchor for an overnight stop, hitting the beach first thing in the morning.
A small amber sand beach is dominated by a pumpkin-coloured cliff at one end and rock formations at the other. The undulating hills of St. Martin hover above sapphire seas to the west.
Almost nobody here but you should plan to arrive early.
Or brush up on your people skills.
Frenchman’s Cove (Jamaica)
You don’t have to be Tom Cruise to enjoy a Cocktail on this beach; Frenchman’s Cove, Jamaica
Spread your blanket on the sand here and look around. Foliage-clad hills and rock outcroppings protect this sheltered cove, decorated by a gentle stream crossing one end of the beach, swaying palms offering welcome shade.
Now look more closely. May look familiar. Frenchman’s Cove was the filming location for “Cocktail,” that iconic Tom Cruise tropical treat.
Furthermore, the fact that Forbes magazine has rated Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica’s best beach, makes it tough to consider this as a prime beach for people who don’t like people, but its location a hundred kilometres east of Ocho Rios does earn it a place on this bucket list.
Let’s keep it our little secret.
Article written by Mark Stevens. Photography by Sharon Matthews-StevensFor twenty-five years the writing/photography team of Mark Stevens and Sharon Matthews-Stevens has provided editorial and photographic Caribbean content to a multitude of publications.
They’ve worked with newspapers from The Washington Post to The Globe and Mail, magazines from Travellife to Caribbean Business and Travel, and online publications from ATasteforTravel.ca to VacayNetwork.com. They have hiked the rainforests of St. Vincent in search of the Vinci parrot, sailed the waters off countless islands and traversed Jamaica in search of the world’s best jerk.
In addition to numerous other writing and photography awards, they have been recognized for their writing and photography fifteen times by the Caribbean Tourism Organization during their Canadian Media Awards events. Mark and Sharon are true Caribbean specialists.
