The 3 safest undiscovered Caribbean islands without crowds and cheaper prices

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Safe. Calm. Affordable.

Finding all three in the modern Caribbean usually feels impossible. But if you’re willing to bypass the major tourist centers and trade the mega-resorts for a little commute, there are three more breathtaking, untouched islands hidden in plain sight.

It’s becoming incredibly difficult to find islands that aren’t paved with mass tourism and astronomical prices.

The moment a destination gets a huge deepwater cruise port or a massive all-inclusive resort chain, the crowds pour in and local prices skyrocket.

But Untouched, affordable places exist. If you’re willing to bypass the major hubs and take a fast ferry or short commute, there are still some absolute gems hidden in plain sight.

Here are 3 of the safest, most authentic Caribbean islands that offer pure tranquility and incredible value.

1. Saba

If you want completely escaping the standard Caribbean resort crowdSaba is the ultimate move. Known as the ‘Unspoiled Queen’ of the Caribbean, it is technically a special municipality of the Netherlands, but it feels like a completely different world.

• The atmosphere: There are literally no beaches here; just a huge, lush volcanic peak rising straight out of the ocean. Because it doesn’t have vast stretches of white sand, the all-inclusive resort crowd is completely eliminated, leaving the island completely tranquil and incredibly affordable.
• The ground experience: The hiking here is world class. You can climb Mount Scenery, which is technically the highest point in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. Underwater, Saba Marine Park is a heavily protected bucket list spot for divers. It’s definitely the perfect place to wander around with your camera and capture the misty cloud forests and dramatic ocean cliffs.
• The wow factor: The architecture is strictly regulated, so each house is painted white with a green roof and red shutters. It feels like a beautiful, historic fairytale village fell straight into a tropical jungle.
• My best tip: The flight to Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Saba has the shortest commercial runway in the world. It’s a thrilling, incredible experience, but if you want to save some money and skip the dramatic landing, take the 90-minute Makana or Edge ferry from St. Maarten.
• Safety: Like all destinations on this list, Saba has a Level 1 Advisory from the US Department of State. Combined with travelers who give Saba a score of 90/100 on our Safety Index, you can enjoy the sun without any worries!

2. Nevis

While St. Kitts gets the huge cruise ships and heavy foot traffic, the small sister island of Nevis remains wonderfully untouched. It is a lush, volcanic paradise that has fiercely protected local culture and history.

• The atmosphere: The island is dominated by Nevis Peak in the center and dotted with historic 18th century sugar plantations that have been converted into beautiful, very affordable boutique inns. The pace of life here is wonderfully slow, and violent crimes against tourists are virtually unheard of.
• The ground experience: You share the winding roads with wild green velvet monkeys and lost goats. You can spend your days walking through the spectacular Botanical Gardens, exploring the ruins of Hamilton Estate (the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton) and relaxing in natural volcanic hot springs.
• The wow factor: Pinney’s Beach is beautiful and stretches for three miles with soft sand and calm water. Unlike the busy beaches of the Bahamas or mainland Mexico, you almost never have to fight for a place to put down your towel.
• My best tip: Don’t leave without spending an afternoon at Sunshine’s Beach Bar and Grill. Grab their famous “Killer Bee” rum punch and order some rustic, perfectly grilled local barbecue and just watch the sunset over the water.
• Safety: Nevis has a Level 1 safety rating from the US Department of State and scores a generous 85/100 on our Safety Index.

3. Anguilla

Anguilla is known for its ultra-luxury villas and celebrity guests, so it tends to be completely written off by budget-conscious travelers. But there’s a huge misconception that you have to be a billionaire to get there.

• The atmosphere: Since Anguilla does not allow large cruise ships and requires a ferry or small plane from St. Maarten, the huge crowds simply never come here. If you skip the five-star resorts and book a local guesthouse, boutique hotel or Airbnb, this island is shockingly accessible and very authentic.
• The ground experience: The island is flat, coral-based and surrounded by 33 of the most stunning, powdery white sand beaches in the world. Shoal Bay East is consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world, yet it remains incredibly peaceful and tranquil.
• The wow factor: Every beach on the island is completely public. You’ll have the exact same access to the dazzling turquoise water as the people paying $2,000 a night at the mega-resorts, without paying a dime for entry.
• My best tip: Skip the expensive resort dining rooms entirely. Rent a car and spend your trip beach hopping to the local spots. Places like Blanchard’s Beach Shack or the local grills in Sandy Ground serve up incredible, huge plates of jerk chicken and fresh Johnny cakes for a fraction of the costgiving you the ultimate premium island experience on a budget.
• Safety: Anguilla has a Level 1 security rating from the U.S. Department of State and scores a generous 93/100 on our Security Index.

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To view the latest advisories from the U.S. Department of State, click on the links for each destination below:

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our editor-in-chief and writer. After years of reading, writing, and obsessing about travel (while traveling as often as possible, of course!), he wants to give readers the best and most balanced experience possible when exploring the site.