Dominica has also been revamping its eco-resorts in 2025. Secret Bay is one standout, with 10 luxury villas home to two different microclimates. Its Cliffside villas emphasise open-air living – and are part of what makes this a favourite romantic escape. But my personal favourite is Jungle Bay. The seven nights I spent drifting off to sleep in my open-air (with mosquito netting), bay leaf-scented jungle hut here constituted some of the best rest of my life.
Getty Images2. St John
I’ll never forget arriving on St John for the first time by boat and feeling instantly transported by Virgin Islands National Park. Since nearly two-thirds of the island is protected by the national park – which covers roughly 7,200 acres of subtropical forests and mangroves – St John is somewhat synonymous with eco-tourism.
“Unlike other, more heavily developed Caribbean destinations, St John remains largely untouched and is considered by many naturalists to be the most striking and beautiful of the Virgin Islands,” said Andrew Macafee, Caribbean Specialist at WhereToStay, a villa rental provider with a large presence in the Caribbean. “The island’s emphasis on the preservation of its landscapes and wildlife makes it a really rewarding and relevant destination to visit.”
Beach cleanups, sea turtle monitoring and restoring coral reefs provide opportunity for travellers to get involved in preservation efforts while enjoying the island’s unique off-grid-but-accessible feeling.
St John’s beautiful beaches are now more accessible, too. In August 2024, the island reopened Caneel Beach to the public, which had previously been cordoned off as part of Caneel Bay, the largest private resort on the island. There’s no airport on St John, but 25 airports offer direct flights to its neighbouring isle, St Thomas. From there, it’s just a 45-minute ferry to St John.
