7 Swimming Spots in Caribbean and Mexico You Probably Never Knew About
Nothing inspires serenity quite like seclusion. Being away from the masses and communing with nature can soothe the soul.
Here are a few places in the Caribbean and Mexico where you won’t have to wade through the crowds.
Little Bay, Anguilla
They say the best things come in small packages. So it is with Little Bay. Tucked away on the northern coast of Anguilla, it’s a secluded cove with soft sand and turquoise seas.
You can only get there by boat, or if you’re adventurous, by climbing down the steep surrounding cliffs. Charter a boat, rent a kayak, or look for beloved local, Calvin, under the tamarind tree at Crocus Bay, and he’ll gladly take you over and pick you up whenever you are fully sated and ready to leave, if you must.
Enjoy a picnic lunch, snorkeling and the joyous sensation of finding a hidden treasure.
Secret Harbour Beach, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
One of the smaller and lesser known beaches on St. Thomas, Secret Harbour Beach is located in a tranquil bay on the island’s east end. When approaching by sea, you just might miss Secret Harbour, tucked in a protected cove at Nazareth Bay.
The calm waters make Secret Harbour great for swimming. Snorkelers can explore the rocky coastline on both sides of the bay and marvel at coral beds alive with reef fish, lobsters and other sea life.
Anse Mamin Beach, St. Lucia
Anse Chastanet beach is St. Lucia’s premier snorkeling spot since it leads right into a marine reserve. However, you’ll find the real gem tucked just around the corner from Anse Chastanet - - Anse Mamin beach.
Accessible by a 15-minute walk or a quick boat ride, Anse Mamin is Anse Chastanet’s more rustic soft-sand sister. Soak up the sun or take advantage of shady spots where you can chill out and take a much-deserved nap.
Point of Sand on Little Cayman, The Cayman Islands
This powdery white-sand beach stretches over a mile long on Little Cayman's eastern shore and is the kind of place you could hang out all day and still not want to go back to your hotel.
Collect shells and snorkel -- because the beach is a turtle-nesting site in spring, you won’t find any amenities on this beach. But truth is, you likely won’t miss them. The solitude and lapping of waves sets the stage for a romantic picnic at sunset. You can get there by car or bike from anywhere on Little Cayman. The island can be reached by a short plane ride from Grand Cayman.
YS Falls, St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica
While the YS Falls aren’t exactly secret, they aren’t well known to many visitors. The YS Falls are located on Jamaica’s South Coast, 50 miles south of Montego Bay. Wash away your cares in the seven waterfalls, some of which cascade into natural pools. If you’re feeling feisty, take a canopy ride: Glide from the top of falls to the bottom, with the help of a guide. After all the water fun, stroll through the lovely gardens.
Playa del Amor, Marietas Islands
The Marietas Islands are home to Playa del Amor, known as “the hidden beach” -- a wide hole with a hidden beach invisible from the outside, offering shady and sunny areas, and crystal-clear water. This secret spot is only accessible by swimming or kayaking your way through a 40-foot tunnel before reaching this natural treasure. Once there, relax or snorkel the Pacific waters with its colorful reefs, flora and fauna.
Colombier Beach, St. Barts
The secluded beach of Colombier is an entire bay, accessible by boat or foot. It is the last beach on St. Barts and not served by a public road. With the only access being by boat or a 20-minute hike from the port of Gustavia, locals love uncrowded Colombier Beach. Talk about being private. The only building around is the deserted villa of David Rockefeller, who built the property in the 1960s.
Author: Sheryl Nance-Nash