Anguilla

Idyllic Shoal Bay East – a shimmering 2-mile stretch of brilliant pinkish-white sand strewn with tiny crushed shells – is still miraculously blight-free. There's a handful of small-scale resorts and villas as well as a string of laid-back beach bars along the sand, but it's surprisingly quiet, even in high season. Bring your snorkeling gear (or rent some on-site), as the glassy turquoise waters are perfect for underwater observation.

A trip to this tiny solar-powered islet is the quintessential Anguilla dream experience. Picture pure white-sand beach fringed by palm trees, translucent waters for snorkeling amid the turtle- and grouper-filled coral. The on-site restaurant runs hourly boat shuttles from the second pier in Sandy Ground and cooks up delicious barbecued lobster, chicken, ribs and other tasties. The bar serves island-inspired cocktails including potent JoJo rum punch. Buy tickets at the office in Sandy Ground (reservations requested but not necessary).

Legendary reggae star Bankie Banx transformed huge piles of driftwood and old boats into what's essentially a giant tree house on the beach. Phenomenal live music plays regularly; with luck, you’ll catch Bankie or his musician/cricketer son Omari Banks performing. After knocking back a signature Dune Shine (ginger, pineapple juice, white rum and bitters), you'll never want to leave.

Perhaps topping even Anguilla's tiara of beaches, this twin island some 6 miles (10km) northwest of Sandy Ground seduces with its pristine white-sand beach and some of the region's best snorkeling and diving. On land, a restaurant-bar feeds hungry tummies with grilled foods, salads and sandwiches (mains US$18 to US$50) and also rents beach chairs, umbrellas, kayaks, SUP and snorkeling gear. A shuttle operated by Calypso Charters leaves Sandy Ground at 11am and 12:30pm, returning at 2pm and 4pm.

Anguilla’s lone museum is curated by island historian Colville Petty who has amassed an astonishing and eclectic assortment of artifacts to chronicle milestones in Anguillan history. A wander through the different rooms lets you experience a well-curated timeline of events, from the settling of the ancient Arawaks to Queen Elizabeth II's 1994 visit and 2018's Calypso King.

The food-obsessed on Anguilla name Veya among their favorite restaurants. Hidden amid tropical gardens with a koi pond and waterfalls, the rambling upstairs lair exudes an ambience that feels both mysterious and sophisticated. The perky Caribbean-Asian fare (jerk-spiced tuna, lobster with passion-fruit sauce) dutifully follows suit while mellow live jazz or blues is piped in from the stage below.