Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Leeward Islands

Find inspiration for your next migratory trip south ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Leeward Islands]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to the Leeward Islands Hi all, Come February, you might be looking for a migratory trip south to escape the darker and colder winter months. To provide you with some inspiration, we're highlighting the best of the Leeward Islands. Distinct from the Leeward Antilles, the Leeward Islands lie to the east of Puerto Rico in the Atlantic Ocean, just above the Windward Islands. This archipelago includes the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Saba, and a multitude of Saints and Sints, from Barthélemy to Martin to Kitts and Nevis. Much like other Caribbean destinations, there are picturesque beaches where you can unwind with a piña colada in hand. However, within this cluster, you'll find lesser-visited islands where you can get your [outdoor adventure fix]( and enjoy everything from ziplining to scuba diving with turtles. For those seeking a more glamorous and luxurious vacation, [St. Barts]( fits the bill, where you can rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Check out our curated list of articles of our favorite things to do and see in the Leeward Islands. [EXPLORE LEEWARD ISLANDS]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Saba Island]( The Caribbean’s Most Magical Island Is One Most Tourists Have Never Heard Of Saba isn’t even a blip on the large cruise ship radar, mostly because it’s one of the most physically difficult islands to reach in the Caribbean. It’s a harsh volcano about 30 miles from St. Maarten, five square miles with virtually no coastline, only reachable by ferry or prop plane. But Saba is an escape from reality, a place completely removed where the outside world never gets in. [READ MORE]( [St. Kitts]( This Caribbean Island Is Packed With Adventure, but Most People Can't Even Find It on a Map While Nevis is known as an island of leisure, St. Kitts is living proof that big things come in small packages. Relaxing as it can be, it’s also an island that runs on adrenaline, with an inexhaustible list of outdoor activities to keep energetic travelers, well, exhausted. [READ MORE]( [US Virgin Islands]( The Essential US Virgin Islands Travel Guide, From Beaches To Where To Eat Together with St. Thomas and St. John, St. Croix is one of three main US Virgin Islands, a territory that also comprises around 50 smaller landmasses in the Caribbean Sea. Here’s your essential US Virgin Islands travel guide from one traveler who’s already itching to go back. [READ MORE]( [Guadeloupe]( 7 Reasons You Should Be Visiting Guadeloupe, France’s Caribbean Jungle Paradise Though it’s one of the larger Caribbean territories, it somehow gets forgotten in North America’s collective consciousness, which is a shame. While it doesn’t boast a ton of sprawling all-inclusives or draw glamorous celebrities, it is the perfect way to experience both France and the Caribbean. [READ MORE]( [swimming with Turtles]( Dive in, Help Out: Save Sea Turtles While Snorkeling at This Luxe Resort A unique, popular activity on the island is taking a turtle tagging trip, during which guests will free dive with a researcher to safely catch turtles. The turtles are measured, tagged, and released in partnership with the resort’s conservation organization. Guests who book the experience will receive information from the resort partner’s marine conservation team on how to track the migration paths of their tagged turtles once they return home. [READ MORE]( [St. Barts]( How To Make the Most of St. Barts, the Caribbean's Luxurious Celebrity Playground When you venture beyond the beach clubs and Rosé-all-day, you’ll find an island with stunning natural wonders and very unexpected history. It has gone from desert wasteland to an elite playground in barely half a century. But more than that, you’ll find an island that’s unlike any in the Caribbean, both in its European ambiance and rugged arid terrain. [READ MORE]( [Little Bay, Anguilla]( The 15 Best Lesser-Known Beaches in the Caribbean There are a lot of beaches across these islands, and if you talk to some locals or people who go there frequently, you’ll learn about some spectacularly secluded spots where your private beach dreams can come true. Best of all, they’re all open to the public. Here are 15 beaches in the Caribbean where you’ll find plenty of scenery and not many people. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Saba Island]( Saba Is the 'Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean' and the Perfect Island Escape for Nature Lovers Saba, a volcanic Caribbean island and municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is famously known as the “Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean.” As a leader in sustainability and recycling in the region, the entire five-square-mile island is powered by solar energy from two solar parks. A visit to this tiny island is a trip centered around stunning natural beauty, unmatched diving experiences, and a charming local community. [READ MORE]( [snorkeling]( The 7 Best Outdoor Adventures in the British Virgin Islands Nobody goes to the British Virgin Islands to stay indoors. When you’re ensconced in islands of bright green mountains crashing into perfect azure waters, it’s like visiting an all-you-can-eat nature buffet. So you’ll want to stuff yourself full of it before getting back on your cruise ship or on a plane back home. [READ MORE]( [St. Croix]( Where To Go Bioluminescent Kayaking in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands St. Croix is a U.S. Caribbean territory and has multiple spots around the island with bioluminescent activity. The most well-known is the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve in the middle of the island’s north side. The mangrove-filled park nurtures the perfect conditions for glowing waters, where you’ll find both dinoflagellates and comb jellyfish in the bay’s warm waters. [READ MORE]( [St. Barts]( 9 Must-See St. Barts Beaches and Beach Clubs for 2023 This French territory is known for being the go-to beach destination of celebrities and the ultra-rich, who are often photographed lounging at exclusive beach clubs and private resorts. However, what may be surprising is that most of the island of St. Barts is undeveloped and natural. And better still, all 30-plus beaches on the island are public, including the beaches in front of the fancy beach clubs and hotels — anyone is welcome to use any beach. [READ MORE]( [Airplane near beach]( Fly To This Caribbean Island and You’ll Land Right on the Beach — Almost If you’re the type of flier whose eyes are always glued to airplane windows, book a trip to Sint Maarten, the Dutch half of the Caribbean island that also hosts French Saint Martin. The flight into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) will make your whole vacation. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [St. Barts]( Festivals in St. Barts: 7 Island Parties You Don't Want To Miss St. Barts is a Caribbean gem that sparkles with beauty, luxury, and adventure. It also has a reputation for being a playground for extremely rich vacationers, and while it’s true that it is rather high-end (and expensive), it has the same free activities you’d find at more “affordable” Caribbean islands. That includes snorkeling, soft beaches, mountain hikes, beach bars, and kayak tours. [READ MORE]( [island street food]( To See the Best of Sint Maarten, You Need To Indulge in the Island's Street Food Sint Maarten has a special culture among Caribbean nations. The island is split between two European countries: On one side of the island the Dutch, and the French on the other. But on this 37-square-mile island, there are more than 120 nationalities, and each has had a hand in creating Sint Maarten’s present-day culture. The best way to experience that culture, in my opinion, is through food. [READ MORE]( [Bokit]( The Caribbean’s Best Sandwich Is a Mix of History and Deep-Fried Joy Quintessential Caribbean cuisine is bursting with zest and character. There is a fusion of taste here that just can’t compare to any other region. Creole, African, European, and Asian influences have all contributed to the history of island food. Guadeloupe is a prime example of how the blending of ingredients can create a sensational dish. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Island resort]( [Island resort]( [Island resort]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [Custom]( [Twitter X]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States