This is the last undiscovered island in the Caribbean and a must-visit in 2026

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The Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis – what do these all have in common, despite clearly being some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations?

They are all plural, which means that there are obviously several islands to choose from when booking an unforgettable beach holiday.

I guess you could say we found the “deer” of the Caribbean that was tripping us up all this time.

Mine Addicted to sounds flashback suggests that this is why this unheard of island has gone under the radar.

As such, we at Travel Off Path have discovered what we believe to be the Caribbean’s last undiscovered island for the masses, hiding in plain sight for far too long.

When it comes to Grenada, even the most seasoned travelers may not realize that this paradise on the map is a multi-island destination.

Just a short ferry ride away, locals keep this quiet haven to themselves, but local experts are on hand The Caribbean Magazine have let the proverbial cat out of the bag and claimed this is a must-visit in 2026.

Discover The secret oasis of the Caribbean

Do Carriacou ring a bell? This does not apply to most travelers. Leave that to the Salvation Army at Christmas time.

The reason it’s not on most travelers’ radar is that it’s not its own country – it’s a dependency of Grenada.

But it’s being hyped this year as a must-visit destination in its own right – one that has been overlooked for far too long by Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and the aforementioned Bahamas.

You see, more and more travelers are venturing deeper into the Caribbean. That’s why countries that aren’t even known for their beaches are among the fastest growing, like Guyana for example.

Well, you shall find unparalleled beaches here in a postcard-free setting – that’s not the problem.

The problem is that many people think Grenada is a one-time getaway without digging a little further into the hidden gems of this beautiful island.

But 2026 is the perfect time to explore the lesser known, especially since it’s so easy to get to once you’re in Grenada.

According to Flight Connections, Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada offers four nonstop routes to major U.S. airports:

• Miami (MIA)
• Charlotte (CLT)
• Atlanta (ATL)
• New York City (JFK)

Why visit Carriacou over Caribbean icons?

What do Montego Bay, Punta Cana and Nassau all have in common, other than anchoring paradise islands with downright beautiful coastlines?

Busy at the worst times.

The truth is that we are all determined to go on holiday in sunny summers. The problem is that we’re all on the same timeline, and there aren’t enough lounge chairs at the beach or pool to accommodate everyone without using a selfie stick every now and then.

That’s Exhibit A, why Carriacou is so attractive.

Find it before others do by booking a trip to Grenada through one of the four airports mentioned above and making plans to venture beyond the main island and schedule a ferry ride with their notoriously hospitable locals (and few tourists).

Imagine open shores and turquoise waters seemingly untouched by booger-wiping children, lovelorn newlyweds and ‘untz-untzing’ spring breakers.

Book a ferry to Carriacou

Unless you’re Diana Nyad, you’ll want to take a ferry to get here.

Located 30 miles off the coast of Grenada, Carriacou is a common destination for locals visiting relatives, but not so much for holidaymakers, making it one of the Caribbean’s most authentic island destinations.

Ferries depart from Grenada’s vibrant capital St. George via 3 different operators:

The minimum journey is 2 hours, so be prepared to sit back for a moment and enjoy beautiful views of the open sea.

According to Rome2Rio, ticket prices range across the board from €30 – €40, which is easily justified for such a low-effort day trip or an idyllic stay.

Once here you’ll feel like you’ve found a home away from home, with around 6,000 tranquil locals there to hug you, show you the ropes and even prepare some very underrated traditional dishes.

Cornmeal cou-cou, anyone?

There are hotels here, but don’t expect a name brand or chain resort. In fact, this is one place where booking a holiday rental can be the way to truly feel like a local, something that is under heavy pressure in the Caribbean.

However, there is another way to reach Carriacou, and it will cost quite a bit of money as it will not save you much time.

You can fly with it SVG air for a 20-minute hop over islands.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

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