Islands of the Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, is located in the tropics of the western hemisphere, and is one of the largest salt water seas, with an area of 2,754,000 square kms. Since the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, it has been a busy and an important shipping route. The Caribbean enjoys a tropical climate, with dry warm winters. The rainfall varies place to place, depending upon the warm, moist trade winds. The waters of the Caribbean is home to a variety of fishes and turtles, and has one of the most amazing coral reef formations. Following is a list of some of the most unspoiled, exotic islands of the Caribbean Sea.

The Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are located in the waters of the western Caribbean and belong to British overseas territory. The islands are famous for their calm, turquoise waters teeming with aquatic life and sun-kissed beaches. The Cayman Islands consist of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, and is located just 480 miles south of Miami.

Grenada
Grenada is a sovereign island nation located in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Its coastline is dotted with many beautiful beaches, like the Grand Anse Beach in St George's, considered to be in the list of world's top 10 beaches. Most of the island's tourism is centered in southwest areas around St. George's, Grand Anse, Lance Aux Epines, and Point Salines. Grenada consists of six small islands, all known for their exquisiteness.

British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands are on the list of the world's top five dive destinations, thanks to their crystal clear blue waters and breathtaking scenery. The scene is just not limited to its white sand beaches, but in its water's depth too, that holds century-old shipwrecks and the prettiest fishes ever seen. The British Virgin Islands comprise four main islands: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, besides fifty other smaller islands.

Saba
Saba is the smallest island of the Netherlands Antilles and is seeped in history. This tiny island is known for its colorful coral life. For preserving the corals and other marine life, and protecting it from the onslaught of tourism, the government, in 1987, designated waters around the island as Saba National Marine Park.

St. Martin
St. Martin is known for its vibrant nightlife and pristine beaches. It is the smallest island in the world, which is shared by the French, who call their side Saint-Martin, and the Dutch, who call their side St. Maarten. Each side of St. Martin has something remarkable to offer. The French offer the rich French cuisine, wine, beaches and designer clothes, while the Dutch offer a vibrant nightlife with discos, casinos and exotic drinks.

Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is an archipelago consisting of a cluster of islands, located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is a territory of the Republic of France. Like all things French, its known for its exquisite cuisine and wine. Its also called the Butterfly Island, owing to the shape of its two main islands that look like butterfly wings, joined together by a mangrove swamp.

Anguilla
The islands of Anguilla are located in the Caribbean waters of British West Indies. Anguilla has over 30 white sand beaches with clear waters. These islands, unlike other islands, have no mountains, with the flat terrain offering lots of sunshine and very little rain.

Besides the above, there are many more islands in the Caribbean Sea, each offering something unique, either through their geological positions or culture.