Top ten islands in the Sunny Caribbean

1. Dominican Republic

Capital: Santo Domingo

Language: Spanish

Religion: Roman Catholic

Currency: Dominican peso

National Dish: La Bandera; beans, rice and chicken (stewed) guisado.

Local Saying:  In the DR you can always fit one more person in the bus.

Watch out for: Sanky-Pankies (smooth talker-beach walker).

Forming one side of the Caribbean’s second largest landmass, Hispaniola, sharing a border with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is one of the less developed tourist destinations and therefore an option for the budget conscious, but don’t let that fool you. The many tourists that visit know the rest are missing out. A variety of airports make this an accessible option. The north coast of the island sports choppier seas that are a must for the wind and kite surf fraternity. For the adventurous try your hand at the Samana Zipline tour or for a more genteel pastime try the Punta Espada Golf Course, Punta Cana.

2. Anguilla

Population: Just over 12,000.

Language: English

Capital: The Valley

Wildlife: Home to the endangered Brown Pelican

Size: 16 miles long, 3 miles wide.

Number of beaches: 33

Fact: The name Anguilla means eel

Experts would argue that Anguilla possesses the finest beaches in the region; some accolade considering the competition. This tiny British protectorate is dominated by white sandy beaches where top-notch restaurants dare each other to see how far into the waters they can stretch.  The national sport of boat-racing is a delight for seafaring aficionados. Even in high season it can feel like you have destinations like Barnes Bay all to yourselves.  Plan your trip around the Festival Del Mar and you will realise unspoilt does not necessarily mean quiet.

3. St Lucia

Do say: Iconic and Volcanic

Capital: Castries

Language: English/French patois

Life expectancy: 78 years (women)

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar

Fact: Features the only drive-in volcano in the world.

When we dream of the Caribbean we see St Lucia. The warmth of the people is legendary, as is its stunning natural beauty and the forested twin peaks rising from the sea. There are areas of this island that are refreshingly inexpensive like Soufriere on the island’s west coast, catering as much for couples as it does for families. The island is not predisposed to tacky entertainment but revels in activities like snorkelling, sailing and golf and tennis. This jewel of the Lesser Antilles is home to many endangered species and the verdant rainforest are a bird watchers paradise.

4. Dominica

Don’t say: Last of the Carib-beans.

Capital: Roseau

Language: French/English

Religion: Roman Catholic/Protestant

National Dish: Dominica’s national dish is the mountain chicken, (frog’s legs)

Life Expectancy: 73

Fact: Home to 3,000 Carib Indians, the last bastion of this once populous tribe.

If its nature you wish to see then Dominica is the place for you. The Morne Diablotin National Park is dense with rainforests, waterfalls, bubbling lakes and teeming wildlife. The picture perfect salt and pepper beaches are a change from the ubiquitous white sand affair of the Caribbean. Explore the Fort Shirley ruins or take a ride along the rivers where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. But don’t let Dominica’s wildlife grab too much attention at the expense of Calibishie Bay, where you can cool your feet in the shallows while locals serve up home-cooked fresh and tasty seafood.

5. Bequia

Don’t say: Bequia, it is pronounced Bek-Weh

Language: English/French patois

Capital: Port Elizabeth

Population: 5,000

Area: 7 sq miles

Flight Times: from Barbados 55 minutes

Bequia is perfect for those in search of a little touch of luxury without being overtly exclusive. It is a popular haunt for sailors of the Caribbean but stands out for its beaches, of which the beach named after Princess Margaret is the obvious choice. She liked to pop over from neighbouring Mustique. The islanders welcomed her and they’ll make you feel welcome too. If this idyllic setting is not enough and it’s shopping you prefer, then look no further than Port Elizabeth or a boat trip to Kingstown, St Vincent will only take you a short hour.

6. Grenada

Do say: Spice up your life!

Location: 100 miles north of Venezuela

Capital: St Georges

Language: English

Aka: the Spice Isle

National Dish: Oil-Down made with breadfruit and served with Golden Apple Drink, which also happens to be the national Drink

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (and US Dollar, of course).

The beach on the postcard that you send back home to chillier climes will likely be Grand Anse, two miles long and favouring the islands hottest hotels. But there are more secluded places along the northern tip for those who want to take care of the cash in their wallets. Friday means happy hour, so stroll down to Prickly Bay Marina for drinks and live music.

7. Turks and Caicos

Do say: The Shangri Las of sandy beaches.

Capital: Cockburn Town, Grand Turk Island.

Language: English

Location: 550 miles south of Miami.

Currency: US Dollar

Population 30,000

If all inclusive family holiday resorts are what you are looking for, then the Beaches Turks and Caicos is one of the finest to adorn the 12 mile long Grace Bay. The resort has superb facilities throughout to occupy children, while you sip on a chilled rum and coke, dumbfounded by the sight of the aquamarine sea. They say the Turks and Caicos are relatively undiscovered; not for much longer. Our lips are sealed.

8. Barbados

Fact: Tourists love Barbados. They keep coming back (39% return rate is one of the highest in the Caribbean)

Capital: Bridgetown

Fact: Third oldest Parliament in the world at 398 years.

National Dish: Coucou & Flying Fish, a recipe made with corn meal, okra, and flying fish.

The beautiful sing-song accent of the Bajans would lull a baby to sleep. Barbados is notoriously expensive but that doesn’t deter visitors. Perhaps it’s the high quality gourmet food (ask Michael Winner). The Crop Over Festival is a popular time, celebrating the ending of the sugar cane season and climaxing with the spectacular Carnival Parade.

9. Jamaica

Do say: How do you like your coffee (answer: Blue like the Mountains)

Capital: Kingston

Currency: US Dollar widely accepted.

Fact: Ian Fleming built his house ‘Goldeneye’ in JA and wrote ten novels there.

National dish: Ackee and Saltfish.

Jamaica’s assertive culture offers the best entertainment for many families. Treat the locals with respect and they will offer you enduring politeness and old world charm. No ‘small island’ mentality but a culture striving to be seen as something other than a tourist destination. However, as a tourist destination Jamaica has breadth and scope. Resorts like Beaches Boscobel offer the complete package for families in search of that perfect Caribbean experience.

10. The Bahamas

Size: 700 islands (of which approx 40 are inhabited).

Capital: Nassau

Location: The islands cover an area 100,000 sq miles (incidentally not actually the Caribbean, but the Atlantic).

National Bird: The Flamingo

Fact: Woodes Rodgers, the first governor of the Bahamas, was also a former pirate.

Population: 320,000. (200,000 live in the capital).

Another favourite family destination are Paradise Island (no need to ask where its name derives) or Grand Lucayan, two of the most outstanding islands in the Bahamas. Aruba not only offers great family value, but also casino’s and sparkling nightlife to accompany white sandy beaches and that signature aquamarine sea. If you don’t like to walk try a horse safari. For those who can’t ride, drive a 4WD instead across the islands national park.

Hopefully you have found what you are looking for, but if you are still not sure where to holiday in the Caribbean, don’t worry: There are at least another 7,000 islands to choose from. Happy hunting!

Author bio: Clive Wedderburn is a freelance writer/editor who studied literature and journalism. His interests include travel, architecture, business development and marketing. Beaches.com offers luxury family vacations in some of the Caribbeans’ most bountiful locations.