What Caribbean islands are not part of the Caribbean?

The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, considered as the Lucayan Archipelago and do not border the Caribbean Sea, they are technically part of the West Indies but not the Caribbean.



While often lumped into "Caribbean" travel brochures for marketing purposes, Bermuda and the Bahamas are geographically not part of the Caribbean. Bermuda is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, nearly 1,000 miles north of the Caribbean Sea, and is actually closer to the coast of North Carolina than it is to any Caribbean island. It is a volcanic archipelago that relies on the Gulf Stream for its temperate climate. The Bahamas (and the Turks and Caicos Islands) are located in the Lucayan Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, north of Cuba and the Caribbean Sea. While they share a similar tropical aesthetic, culture, and history with Caribbean nations, they are technically Atlantic islands. Furthermore, islands like the Azores or the Cape Verde Islands are sometimes confused with the Caribbean by novice travelers due to their island status, but they are located in the East Atlantic near Europe and Africa. In 2026, travel experts emphasize this distinction because it affects weather patterns; for instance, Bermuda has a distinct "winter" where it is too cold for swimming, unlike the year-round heat of the true Caribbean islands.

People Also Ask

Some of the most dangerous Caribbean Islands to visit are Haiti, Trinidad, Tobago, and surprisingly Puerto Rico. These islands have more crime in general, and you should visit with increased caution. It doesn't mean they can't be visited, but you should take extra precautions.

MORE DETAILS

Jamaica is the third largest of the Caribbean islands, and the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean Sea. Situated 90 miles south of Cuba, 600 miles south of Florida, USA, and 100 miles south-west of Haiti, Jamaica is approximately 146 miles long, 51 miles wide, and has an area of 4,411 square miles.

MORE DETAILS

Costa Rica borders the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, at 3,819 metres (12,530 ft).

MORE DETAILS

Listed at number 115 on the GPI, Haiti is the most dangerous country in the Caribbean Islands as of 2022. By far the most dangerous threat to U.S. tourists is kidnapping for ransom. Reports of convoys being attacks, protests, and other violent events are also common in Haiti, as well as armed robberies.

MORE DETAILS

The safest island in the Caribbean is St. Barts. But Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, and the Virgin Islands are also comparatively safe Caribbean destinations. Notably, though the Bahamas are a popular destination, they're also one of the most unsafe islands in the Caribbean.

MORE DETAILS

It's more affordable While Costa Rica is generally not a cheap destination, the Caribbean coast is somewhat less expensive than the Pacific, partially due to the lack of luxury accommodations and dining options you can find on the Pacific side.

MORE DETAILS

Which is the richest island country in the world? In terms of GDP per capita, Bermuda is the wealthiest Caribbean country and one of the richest island countries in the world.

MORE DETAILS

The Caribbean is home to thirteen sovereign island nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago (on the continental shelf of South America).

MORE DETAILS