There’s nothing quite like relaxing on a Caribbean beach with no worries in the world except deciding which tropical cocktail to order next, and on a cruise vacation, you’ll have the chance to do this at a different beach every day!
With crystal clear, turquoise waters and soft white sand, you’ll find some of the world’s best beaches in the Caribbean Sea, and while you’ll find beautiful beaches on every island, there are a few that outshine the others.
This list could have been hundreds of beaches long, as there are plenty of gorgeous beaches to discover throughout the Caribbean–from the Bahamas to Puerto Rico and beyond.
When visiting on a cruise ship, however, you have limited time to explore each island, so it’s important to make sure the beaches you visit are somewhat close to the cruise port.
Luckily, many of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches are located just a short ride away from cruise ports in the region. Here are the top 11 most beautiful beaches you can easily access from port while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Trunk Bay, St. John
One of the most idyllic beaches in the Caribbean is Trunk Bay, located in the Virgin Islands National Park in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Trunk Bay is nothing short of a tropical paradise, and it even has an underwater snorkeling trail providing information about marine life and coral formations. Amenities on the island include food and drink stands, bathroom facilities, beach chairs, and snorkel rentals.
You can reach Trunk Bay through an excursion or from the Cruz Bay Ferry Terminal in St. Thomas. A taxi is required to reach the ferry terminal from the cruise port.
Related: Guide to visiting St. John on a Royal Caribbean cruise
Magens Bay, St. Thomas
The most famous beach on St. Thomas is Magens Bay, a one mile stretch of beach with calm waters and fine, soft sand. Due to its beauty and proximity to the cruise port, it’s an extremely popular destination for visitors to St. Thomas.
There are enough amenities on the beach to get you through the day, with bathrooms, showers, a restaurant, concession stand, a bar, and beach chair/umbrella rentals.
Taxis or shuttles are available to reach Magens Bay, which requires a 15 minute drive up and down mountainous terrain, offering stunning views of the island. Taxis are more economical than booking an excursion, especially when traveling with larger groups!
The only downside to Magens Bay is that it can get very crowded, especially when many ships are in port!
Related: Things to do in St. Thomas on your Royal Caribbean cruise
Orient Bay Beach, St. Martin
Located on the French side of St. Martin is Orient Bay Beach, a 1.5 mile long stretch of pristine white sand with turquoise waters.
The southern end of the beach has many beach bars, restaurants, and hotels whereas the northern end has few services but more peace and quiet.
Be sure to taste French cuisine while at the beach, with several French restaurants and bakeries located nearby.
Related: Top things to do in St. Maarten on your Royal Caribbean cruise
While many cruisers flock to Maho Beach in St. Maarten for the chance to view airplanes soaring overhead before landing at the airport adjacent to the beach, Orient Beach provides better swimming and lounging conditions.
Note: The southern end of the beach is clothing optional.
Playa El Cielo, Cozumel, Mexico
El Cielo means heaven in Spanish, and that should be enough of an indication that Playa El Cielo is heaven on Earth!
Located on the southwest coast of the island of Cozumel, Playa El Cielo cannot be reached by road. The best way to reach this slice of paradise is by boat, and you’ll find several excursions visiting the beach.
Most tourists visiting Playa El Cielo tend to snorkel, as this area of Cozumel has incredibly clear water and an abundance of marine life, including starfish and stingrays.
Related: Things to do in Cozumel on your Royal Caribbean cruise
Valley Church Beach, Antigua
The small nation of Antigua and Barbuda has a whopping total of 365 beaches, one for every day of the year!
Valley Church Beach is one of the best on the island of Antigua and is located around 20 minutes by car from the cruise port. Located in Valley Church Bay, the beach has calm seas and unbelievably blue water.
While there are a few hotels and places to eat near the beach, it remains relatively undeveloped, making for a more serene beach experience than many of the others on this list.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent at the beach.
Related: Excursion Focus: Valley Church Beach in Antigua
Eagle Beach, Aruba
While visiting Aruba requires a little more travel time compared to visiting islands closer to the United States, it’s certainly an island worth seeing.
Aruba is covered with breathtaking beaches, but the “best” is usually considered to be Eagle Beach, a wide stretch of soft white sand leading to the most turquoise and clear water you’ll experience on the island!
Eagle Beach is also home to two Fofoti trees, a twisted tree that grows on the beach and is shaped by Aruba’s strong wings, leading to the trees always pointing in a south-easterly direction. These trees are an iconic symbol of Aruba and make for a great photo opportunity!
Eagle Beach is located around 3 miles from the cruise port in Aruba, so reaching the beach via taxi is recommended. Some shore excursions may also include a stop at the beach.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Seven Mile Beach, located on the island of Grand Cayman, is consistently listed as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. This ~6 mile (not 7 mile!) stretch of white-sand beach is the perfect setting for visitors looking to unwind in paradise.
Due to the beach’s size and popularity, there are plenty of amenities along Seven Mile Beach, with no shortage of restaurants and bars to enjoy during your time on Grand Cayman.
Seven Mile Beach is conveniently located just a 10 minute drive away from the cruise port in Grand Cayman, making the beach accessible via taxi or bus.
West Bay Beach, Roatan
One of the most common port stops on a Western Caribbean cruise itinerary is the island of Roatan, located north of mainland Honduras.
West Bay Beach is a beautiful tropical landscape, with a palm tree-lined sandy beach and incredible snorkeling right off shore. Many beach resorts, hotels, restaurants, and bars are found at West Bay Beach, as well as a plethora of activities like snorkeling, diving, and parasailing.
Photo by Billy Hirsch of cruisehabit.com
Roatan is famous for its diving and snorkeling opportunities, and a coral reef is located swimming distance from the beach.
The beach is located around a 30 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. You’ll also find several excursion options providing transportation to and from West Bay Beach.
Barefoot Beach, Labadee
When you arrive at Royal Caribbean’s private destination of Labadee, Haiti, you’ll likely be amazed by the gorgeous scenery of the peninsula. Green mountains and small coves dot the landscape that is surrounded by beautiful and clear water.
While all of Labadee’s beaches make for a wonderful port day, one of the best is Barefoot Beach, reserved for suite guests on Royal Caribbean.
An upgraded lunch buffet and bar are available at the beach, along with cabanas available to reserve. There are more than enough complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas available as well.
Related: First timer’s guide to Labadee
Jalousie Beach, St. Lucia (Sugar Beach)
St. Lucia is most easily recognizable by the Pitons, which are two mountainous volcanic plugs rising over 2500 feet above sea level on the coast.
Situated at the foot of the Pitons is Jalousie Beach (Sugar Beach), a small, white-sand beach located in a cove that offers gorgeous views of St. Lucia’s unique landscape. When you picture St. Lucia, you’re likely picturing the view you’ll see from Jalousie Beach.
At the beach are a few restaurants and the Sugar Beach resort. Snorkelers and scuba divers can enjoy the underwater marine reserve at the shoreline of Petit Piton, the smaller of the two Piton mountains.
Reaching Sugar Beach takes around an hour and a half by car from the cruise port, so it’s recommended to book a tour to the beach, especially if you have limited hours in St. Lucia. Some tours may reach the beach via speedboat instead of by car.
Great Anse Beach, Grenada
Photo credit: Varun Kapoor (no changes made)
The small island of Grenada boasts over 45 beaches, but the most popular beach on the island is Great Anse Beach. Spanning two miles long, Great Anse Beach offers ideal Caribbean beach conditions with plenty of amenities.
A variety of beach activities are available at Great Anse Beach including water-skiing, parasailing, and snorkeling. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent.
If you’re looking for a more secluded beach, check out Morne Rouge Beach, located just a 5 minute drive from Great Anse Beach. This beach will have even calmer and clearer waters than Great Anse Beach with fewer crowds.
Great Anse Beach is located five miles from the cruise port in Grenada. You can reach the beach via taxi, public bus, or water taxi. A water taxi is the quickest option, taking only 10 minutes or so to reach the beach from the ship.
