Beautiful beaches of the Caribbean

1. Trunk Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands

Condé Nast Traveler has consistently voted this beach as one of the ten best beaches in the world. Trunk Bay is most famous for its underwater trail for snorkeling. The trail is marked off and 15 underwater plaques along the path identify the coral and colourful fish that inhabit the bay. On land, the C$4 admission fee allows you to tour the nearby historic Annaberg Plantation, with old sugar cane mills, sugar factory ruins, and the still-standing rum mill.

2. Magens Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands

National Geographic hails Magens Bay as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. This well-protected white sand beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, perhaps because of the beautiful turquoise waters. Visitors must pay C$4 to visit the heart-shaped bay and windsurfing, snorkeling and sailboat equipment can all be rented for those who want to play. But for those who simply want to relax and take in the scenery, chaise lounges can also be rented.

3. Pink Sand Beach, Bahamas

This is one of the world's most photographed beaches for a reason; the powdery sand is named for its salmon colour due to the snow-white coral sand intermixed with flecks of red plankton. Photo opportunities are best in the early morning before there are too many shadows to interfere with the beautiful pink hue. The beach also features a top dive site known as "Current Cut Dive," which is an 18-metre plunge into raging waters. We recommend staying at the Pink Sands Resort which sits right on the edge of the beach.

4. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

Picturesque limestone cliffs line either side of the beach, making for a gorgeous setting. Snorkeling is a must-do activity here to catch glimpses of the angel fish and parrot fish, and of course sergeant majors that thrive in the waters here. But if you prefer to relax on the sand, you may catch a glimpse of a nearby crab race.

5. Seven Mile Beach, Jamaica

Located on the shores of Negril, the golden sands of this secluded beach are perfect for a day trip off of your resort. We recommend trying some of the freshly squeezed juice from one of the vendors along the beach for approximately C$3 to refresh and rejuvenate you after being out in the sun. If you want action, jet-skis can be rented for about C$30 for half an hour. But, if you are simply there to relax, you can get an hour-long massage for about C$30.

6. Varadero Beach, Cuba

Also called "Playa Azul" or "Blue Beach," this 36km stretch consists of sand that looks like powdered sugar. This is the perfect beach for scuba-divers; there are more than 40 species of coral, a wide range of tropical fish, lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and 70 kinds of mollusks in this coastal oasis. The Scuba Cuba "Barracuda" diving centre guides divers through underwater caves, channels and passages within the coral reefs, offering a great view of all the local marine life.

7. The Baths, British Virgin Islands

Located on the island Virgin Gorda, the name of this unique beach comes from the pools of water in and around rock formations that flood with warm waters when high tides come in. Over the years, the waves have eroded some of the large boulders and left many caves and grottos to explore, providing for a stunning swimming adventure.

8. Pigeon Point, Tobago

This long coral beach on the northwest coast is home to the thatched-roof jetty which has become an internationally-recognized symbol of Tobago. The jetty is a structure that extends from the coast out into the water. However, the most beautiful features of this beach are the warm, aquamarine waters, powdery white sand and swaying coconut palms.

9. Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos

Claimed as one of the best beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, this 20km stretch of white sandy beach is absolutely stunning. Snorkeling Grace Bay is fabulous because of its crystal-clear waters and beautiful reef. Rental equipment is easy to find along the beach. The sunset is one-of-a-kind, so it's no wonder this famous beach is lined with luxury resorts. We recommend staying at the Sands at Grace Bay Resort, which looks right out onto this awe-inspiring beach.

10. Playa Flamenco, Puerto Rico

This hot spot has been kept as a nature reserve, so the white sandy beaches are in excellent condition and sparkly clean. The water is equally clean, and is excellent for snorkeling or diving. Bird-watching is very popular here and the beach is also a renowned spot for turtle nesting.