Our Guide to the Five Best Party Islands in the Caribbean
Caribbean vacations are not just for balmy sea breezes and swaying palm trees anymore. Many travelers are seeking the best party scene under the sun for dancing the night away under the stars. Choose carefully, fellow roof-raisers. The best Caribbean party islands can be difficult to discern, but we’ve compiled five of the best to help you slay it in the islands.
1. St. Martin’s Buzzing Nightlife
Some Caribbean islands are known to wind down with the sun, but night owls will delight in St. Martin’s rousing nightlife. Discos, nightclubs and bars are plentiful on both the French and Dutch sides of St. Martin. If you’re a high stakes kind of player, head to the casinos on the Dutch side for all-night action and entertainment. Sailors and spectators alike won’t want to miss the annual Heineken Regatta where some of the world’s most seasoned sailors – and partiers – race for the cup!
2. British Virgin Islands Bustling Party scene
The British Virgin Islands are a tropical paradise of solitude and swaying palms by day, but once the sun drops under the horizon you can cut loose BVI-style – bare feet in the sand, and full moon over head. The island’s multiple full moon parties are well known. The annual Christmas in July beach party is a week-long boating flotilla with thousands of partiers in attendance. Willy T’s floating bar and Foxy’s bar are both legendary and have helped the BVI become recognized as one of the best Caribbean party islands. Foxy’s also hosts “Old Year’s Night” – a world-famous New Year’s Eve party not to be missed.
3. Dance in the Streets of Puerto Rico
Head to Old San Juan to dance the night away in the streets at La Placita de Santurce. This outdoor night club keeps things hopping with booming live music, and spills into multiple restaurants, lounges and late-night bars. Heading out on the water? The locals join jam-packed beach parties on some of Puerto Rico’s nearby offshore islands like Isla Palominos. But you’ll need to charter a boat to discover this secret local party scene.
4. St. Lucia’s Extensive Entertainment
Don’t let her sleepy villages and sun-dappled beaches fool you. When night falls St. Lucia can throw down some spirited nightlife to easily compete for best Caribbean party island. From lively “jump-up” street parties to club-hopping on buzzing restaurant strips, there’s plenty of options for night time entertainment. Rodney Bay Village is “nightlife central” with a mix of clubs and bars with live music including local soca and reggae acts. The island’s most famous “jump-up” – the Gros Islet Street Party – has locals and tourists alike partying in the streets until the wee hours.
5. Spice it up in Grenada
While Grenada may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering the best party islands in the Caribbean, it can hold its own with a vibrant cultural event calendar that includes everything from fishing tournaments to music festivals. One notable event is the SpiceMas Grenada Carnival held in August and lasting for over a week with a mix of colorful parades, bands and parties. Each January, Grenada Sailing Week draws hundreds of sailors from around the world. The festivities begin with their famous Welcome Party, followed by six more nights of partying with live music until the early hours.
If you’re ready to suit up and get down at one of these Caribbean party islands, we can get you there in unmatched style. Choose your island, choose your yacht and climb aboard to island-hop, or bar-hop, your way through paradise.
