The 15 best beaches to visit this winter

The sea has washed away many famous footprints on this beach, from rock god Mick Jagger to Princess Margaret. Macaroni Beach is one of those celebrity favourite Caribbean destinations, far from the prying eyes of the press and flanked by an oasis of green. Picnic tables sit beneath the splayed fingers of palm trees where world class chefs execute artful dishes.

A smattering of millionaire villas hide in the trees and the beach is private so for those seeking to spend a night or two bobbing offshore, you'll need to know someone on the inside or sweet talk your way in.

On the southern tip of the The Bahamas' Abacos Islands lies Elbow Cay, which is home to the secluded white sands of coconut tree-lined Tahiti Beach. This idyllic spot can only be reached by foot, bike or boat, making it ultra exclusive and very much off-the-grid. Laze away a few hours indulging in a cup of rum punch, swimming its shallow waters, collecting shells, starfish and sand dollars, and, at low tide, wandering along its sandbar.

Almost 18 kilometres east of Placencia (which also has miles of gorgeous beaches) is a palm-studded island and national park. Perched on the edge of a shelf atoll, or faro, it is a protected area within the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Named for birds that used to breed here (and are still present), the caye is surrounded by shallow coral reef. 

If you're discovering Belize on a superyacht, set up beach camp on its south west end and snorkel from shore, then dive the eastern side. (It is a popular day trip from Placencia, though, so your jolliest hours here will occur after other guests have returned to the mainland.)

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“Cuba is surrounded by beautiful beaches,” says Plácido Sánchez Vega of Mega Yacht Services. And, he continues, the most interesting ones for people traveling via yacht are on the easternmost tip of Archipelago de los Canarreos, on Cayo Largo del Sur (Cayo Largo), on Cuba’s south coast.

This 23.3-square-kilometre mangrove-covered island’s white-sand beaches stretch for almost 26 kilometres along its south coast. Wander its eastern beaches to spot iguanas. For swimming, Vega recommends two of the western ones: Playa Paraiso, which is clothing optional, and busier Playa Sirena.

Following a stroll and dip, tender to nearby Cayo Largo coral reef for snorkeling or diving or, suggests Vega, embark on a sportfishing or fly-fishing excursion.

If you’re seeking a Caribbean beach that's one of the best toy-friendly destinations, consider Magens Bay, a large, calm anchorage in St. Thomas’ north. Surrounded by land on three sides, it’s quite sheltered, and, as it isn’t part of national park waters, it’s an ideal place for exercising Jet Skis, waterskis, wakeboards and Seabobs.

Afterwards, tender or paddle toward the small stretch of white sand before you for some land-based chill time — or, if you’re still craving movement, tackle the nature trail, which leads up to a viewpoint over the bay. Get a panoramic view of beautiful St. Thomas from this famous landmark 640 metres above sea level, the island’s highest point.