Private islands in the Caribbean are a dream not only for travel addicts but all those people who enjoy exotic travel destinations and summer vibes.
When you imagine your dream vacation with white sandy beaches, warm tropical sun, sunset cocktails, and exotic music, what’s the first destination that comes to mind?
I’ll give you a hint.
The Caribbean!
Caribbean Islands: Quick Overview
For those of you who haven’t had the chance to visit the Caribbean, I’ll share a few words on it:
The Caribbean Islands are an archipelago consisting of more than 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, primarily located between North and South America. They are subdivided into several different regions: the Lucayan archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the ABC Islands.
Some Caribbean islands are independent sovereign states, like Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Barbados, and The Bahamas. However, most are dependent territories, including the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao), the Cayman Islands, the US Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and others.
I’ve been fortunate to explore and admire the beauty of some of the Caribbean’s most famous islands, like Jamaica, The Bahamas, the ABC Islands, and the Cayman Islands. But what truly left me in awe were the small, lesser-known private islands—hidden gems tucked away in the stunning Caribbean Sea!
If you are visiting the Caribbean on a cruise, be sure to read my detailed blogs on the Caribbean cruise ports!
7 Private Islands in the Caribbean to Visit on a Cruise
1. Amiga Island, Haiti
If you imagine a paradise on Earth, it has the form and shape of Amiga Island, located a 20-minute boat ride off the coast of Labadee, Haiti.
The island is small—walking around it takes just about 10 minutes. It’s lush with greenery and natural shade, surrounded by coral formations and reefs, perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts.
What makes this island ideal for those seeking tranquility and untouched nature is its simplicity. Aside from a small toilet, a cash bar, and basic beach amenities like hammocks, sunbeds, and lounge chairs, there’s nothing else to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
Drinks are available at an affordable price, but no food is sold on the island. Occasionally, you might spot a few locals offering souvenirs.
This is a true paradise for those looking to unwind—relax on pristine white sands, swim in crystal-clear waters, and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a few blissful hours.
How to Get to Amiga Island
You can visit Amiga island either through a Royal Caribbean shore excursion (if your cruise itinerary includes Labadee cruise port) or through a tour agency if you are staying in Cap Haitien (a region located on the north coast of Haiti).
If you’re cruising with Royal Caribbean and making a stop at Labadee, the company’s private beach resort, consider taking a tour to Amiga Island, just a short 20-minute boat ride away.
You can pre-book the tour on Royal Caribbean’s website, which is recommended due to its limited capacity, or secure your spot onboard.
The visit to Amiga Island typically lasts up to three hours and includes a scenic boat ride, a complimentary Amiga Island signature rum punch, and free access to beach chairs, sunbeds, and hammocks.
I’d say the island is ideal for almost everyone, except those prone to motion sickness, as the boat ride to and from Amiga Island can sometimes get a bit rough!
If you’re traveling with kids who enjoy more active beach time, staying in Labadee might be a better option since Amiga Island doesn’t offer water-related activities (aside from snorkeling, which I didn’t find particularly impressive).
That said, Amiga Island remains one of my favorite private Caribbean islands and is definitely worth adding to your bucket list if you’re visiting Labadee or Cap-Haïtien.
2. The Starfish Island, Belize
Starfish Island is a small private island located in the north of Belize, and 9 miles southeast of Belize City, the largest city and former capital of this Caribbean country.
Starfish Island gets its name from the numerous starfish and conch crabs found in the surrounding waters. The island even features a starfish pond, where trained staff allow visitors to hold one of these fascinating creatures. I gave it a try, and it was such a unique experience—it felt amazing to feel the starfish gently move on my palm!
If you’re planning to swim in the sea, I highly recommend bringing water shoes (unlike me, who forgot!) since the entry can be quite rocky.
The island features a local restaurant serving delicious traditional Caribbean dishes like grilled chicken, rice, beans, and macaroni salad at very reasonable prices. If you’re visiting with a cruise ship, you can book a tour that includes lunch, so you won’t need to worry about food.
There’s also a bar on the island (I paid $5 for a coconut), a souvenir shop (I got my sunglasses there for $15), and options to rent snorkeling equipment. For an additional fee, you can enjoy activities like a waterpark or kayaking
For cruise guests, sunbeds and chairs are typically included in the tour package (though it’s always a good idea to double-check). If not included, they are available for rent. The island also provides toilets and changing rooms for visitors.
The beach itself is pleasant, but the limited beach space and restricted swimming areas—due to coral—were a bit of a downside for me.
How to Get to Starfish Island?
Cruise lines often feature Starfish Island as a shore excursion that you can book onboard if your itinerary includes a stop at Belize cruise port. Alternatively, you can arrange a visit through local tour agencies in Belize.
If you’re arriving by cruise ship and book a tour, a tender boat will pick you up and take you to Starfish Island in about 15 minutes. Once there, you’ll have full access to the island’s amenities.
3. Pearl Island, The Bahamas
If you’re staying in Nassau, Bahamas, don’t miss the opportunity to join a tour to Pearl Island, a charming private island just a 15-minute boat ride (8 miles) from Nassau, the vibrant capital of the Bahamas.
Pearl Island is a true gem of the Caribbean, featuring a stunning white sand beach and a signature white lighthouse. You can even climb the lighthouse to enjoy postcard-perfect views of the island and its breathtaking surroundings.
Suggested article: Nassau Cruise Port: Top 10 Things You Can’t Miss!
Many independent tour companies offer Pearl Island tours, but if you’re cruising, you can conveniently book a tour onboard your ship. These tours often include lunch and a complimentary rum punch, though it’s best to confirm the details with your cruise line when booking.
On the island, there’s a restaurant serving simple yet flavorful Caribbean dishes—I remember enjoying some delicious fish there. A bar is also available for drinks, and you’ll find toilets and changing rooms to ensure a comfortable visit.
For water activity enthusiasts, Pearl Island offers a 20-minute guided snorkeling session with an instructor, complete with all the necessary equipment. Sometimes this is included in the tour price, but it’s best to double-check.
If you prefer to unwind, you can simply relax in the sun or swim in the island’s crystal-clear waters. In addition to sunbeds, beach cabanas are available for rent.
Explore the Pearl Island tours
4. Blue Lagoon Island, The Bahamas
Blue Lagoon Island, located just a short distance from Pearl Island, is a must-visit destination in the Bahamas. A scenic 20-minute boat ride from Nassau cruise port takes you to this enchanting island, owned by a local family with a rich and fascinating history.
Blue Lagoon Island is also a natural habitat for dolphins and sea lions, making it an ideal spot for visitors of all ages to enjoy wildlife encounters and the island’s beauty.
Blue Lagoon Island offers a variety of tours and programs from Nassau port, including cruise ship shore excursions.
Visitors can choose from educational experiences like the Dolphin Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, or Dolphin Swimming, as well as activities like Segway tours, Eco-Nature walks, and watersports.
For those looking to unwind, the island provides plenty of spots to soak up the sun or enjoy a delicious meal at a large buffet-style restaurant serving a mix of local and international cuisine. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Blue Lagoon Island has something for everyone!
Hosts and staff on Blue Lagoon Island are friendly and helpful, so you won’t have any difficulty getting around. There are also VIP beach packages, where you can enjoy all-inclusive service, plus a private beach area reserved only for guests with a VIP package.
Blue Lagoon Island is larger than the first three islands I wrote about and therefore has so many things to offer for all visitors. I fully enjoyed it, and I can’t wait to go back!
Check out Blue Lagoon Island tours from Nassau
5. Balmoral Island, The Bahamas
Before diving into Balmoral Island, I should mention that I haven’t personally visited it, but my colleagues have, and they shared fantastic feedback about their experience.
Balmoral Island is yet another beautiful private island in the Bahamas, located just off the northern coast of the port of Nassau. Similar to Pearl Island and Blue Lagoon Island, it offers stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and well-equipped beach bars with cabanas, sunbeds, umbrellas, and fresh, delicious food.
The island also offers animal interaction programs, like the dolphin and stingray encounters.
My colleagues enjoyed the island and they said they did some snorkeling as well, which might be a good idea for all lovers of underwater activities.
Regular ferry boats operate daily from Nassau to Balmoral Island. If you’re on a cruise, most major cruise lines offer shore excursions to Balmoral Island, which you can conveniently book onboard.
Check out Balmoral Island tours from Nassau
6. Klein Bonaire, Bonaire
Klein Bonaire, meaning “Little Bonaire,” is a small uninhabited island located about half a mile off the coast of Bonaire cruise port.
Unlike private islands, Klein Bonaire is part of Bonaire, one of the three ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) that belong to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
These islands are situated in the Leeward Antilles, a region of the Caribbean, approximately 80 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela. Bonaire, the smallest of the ABC Islands, is renowned for its natural beauty and rich marine life.
I wanted to highlight Klein Bonaire because it’s part of the protected Bonaire National Marine Park—a stunning marine reserve where I had the incredible opportunity to go snorkeling. It was, hands down, one of the best snorkeling experiences I’ve ever had!
Klein Bonaire is a nesting ground for sea turtles and boasts a rich diversity of marine life and vibrant coral reefs. The underwater scenery is absolutely mesmerizing—better than anything I’ve seen on the Discovery Channel!
While I didn’t have a GoPro to capture the magic, my colleague, a diver, shared some amazing photos, so we can all admire the underwater beauty of Klein Bonaire together!
Klein Bonaire spans 6 square kilometers and is completely flat, with no toilets, facilities, or even shade. It’s a pristine natural area, untouched by human development, offering a truly wild and unspoiled experience.
Reaching Klein Bonaire is simple and convenient. Water taxis from the port of Bonaire are readily available and offer round-trip transfers for a reasonable fee (though I can’t recall the exact amount).
For cruise ship passengers, it’s even easier. Just outside your ship, you’ll find local vendors offering various tours, including transportation to and from Klein Bonaire. If visiting this natural gem is your priority, finding a water taxi won’t be a problem.
There are also several shore excursions offered by a cruise company including not only the snorkeling in Klein Bonaire but also smaller boat/catamaran cruises around Bonaire and some island sightseeing tours.
When I visited Klein Bonaire it was on a Samur Siamese junk so I truly had a unique and authentic experience, which I absolutely recommend to everyone!
7. Renaissance Island, Aruba
When people ask me which Caribbean island is my favorite, I usually dodge the question—it’s so hard to choose with so many stunning islands and incredible places to explore! But if they insist, I always mention Aruba as one of my top three favorites.
I’ve even written an article about how to see the highlights of Aruba in a single day. However, in this post, I want to highlight the stunning Renaissance Island, a place I haven’t personally visited yet but absolutely deserves a mention.
Suggested article: Aruba Cruise Port Guide (+ Top 10 Aruba Shore Excursions)
Renaissance Island is an exclusive paradise accessible only to guests of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, with complimentary water taxis departing every 15 minutes to transport visitors to and from this private oasis.
This luxury tropical retreat features stunning sandy beaches and chic beach bars like the Mangrove Beach Bar and Papagayo Bar & Grill. The island’s standout attraction is the flock of wild pink flamingos that roam freely on Flamingo Beach, an adults-only area.
Visitors can get up close to these elegant birds and capture postcard-perfect photos!
An interesting fact about Renaissance Island is that its beaches are the only private ones in Aruba—all other beaches are public. I highly recommend visiting some of Aruba’s stunning public beaches, like Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Baby Beach, and Arashi Beach.
For a detailed Aruba travel planner, check out my article Aruba Highlights in a Day. Aruba is truly breathtaking, and no matter where you go, its beauty is guaranteed to leave you speechless!
Explore Aruba tours and activities
To Wrap Up
The Caribbean is all about vibrant summer vibes, stunning sandy beaches, exotic rhythms, and a laid-back lifestyle that feels like paradise.
If you haven’t cruised to the Caribbean yet, it’s a must-add to your travel bucket list. And if you have, but are looking to explore something new, these private islands might just inspire your next adventure!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more exciting Caribbean adventures!
You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Western Europe, Baltic & Scandinavia, USA & Canada, Australia & New Zealand
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