Caribbean Islands

It is difficult to describe the Caribbean islands in geographic terms. What we now call the Caribbean (West Indies) is a region comprised of many island countries, dependencies and territories. This region starts just south and east of the Gulf of Mexico (below the Straits of Florida - USA), extends west to the Atlantic Ocean. Click here to view a map of the Caribbean (West Indies). The Caribbean Sea is bound on the east and south by the land mass of Mexico, Central and South America. Current Time Nassau, Bahamas The Caribbean islands are separated from the Atlantic Ocean by three main island groups: Bahamas (to the north) The Bahamas consist of over 3,000 individual islands and reefs. The most popular of these islands are Nassau and Freeport. Greater Antilles (centrally) Cuba Jamaica Puerto Rico Hispaniola Haiti (occupies roughly 1/3 of the island) Dominican Republic (occupies the balance) Lesser Antilles (southeast) – divided into two groups Leeward Island Antigua and Barbuda St. Kitts and Nevis British Virgin Islands – about 50 (mostly uninhabited) Anegada Tortola Virgin Gorda Anguilla Montserrat Windward Islands Dominica St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Grenada Barbados Click here to view a map of the Caribbean Islands (West Indies). More Destinations Netherlands Antilles – part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Bonaire – located off the coast of South America Curacao – located off the coast of South America Saba and St. Eustatius – in the northeastern Caribbean, below Anguilla Saint Maarten – in the northeastern Caribbean, below Anguilla – on the opposite side of island (south) from St. Martin. The French and the Dutch peacefully share this 37 square mile island. Current Time Oranjestad, Aruba Aruba – an autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Aruba is located off the coast of South America. French West Indies Martinique – south of Dominica and a French overseas department. Guadeloupe – north of Dominica and a French overseas department. St. Barthelemy (St. Barts) St. Martin – on opposite side of island (north) from Saint Maarten. The French and the Dutch peacefully share this 37 square mile island. British West Indies Cayman Islands – south of Cuba the Turks and Caicos – north of Haiti, approx. 600 miles southeast of Miami Also in this group are the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and Montserrat listed above under Leeward Islands. British Virgin Islands Anegada Tortula Virgin Gorda US Virgin Islands St. Croix St. John St. Thomas San Andres – off the coast of Nicaragua, but belongs to Colombia Mexico – Conzumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen Belize - Central America Bermuda – approx. 900 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina Click here to view a map. PS: Get more in-depth information about the Virgin Islands by visiting our exchange link partner: The U.S. Virgin Islands; America's Caribbean Paradise: Travel and vacation info. Insider tips and secrets to the best places to visit in the U.S.V.I. Exchange Link Partners - How you benefit using our outgoing links. Other Destinations of the Caribbean Islands (In the southeastern Caribbean) Grenada Margarita Martinique – a French overseas department St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Click here to view a map. Martinique Cruise Free by Trading Your Talents Simply Talk About Your Hobby, Passion, or Interest Cruise Opportunities Great e-Books for Free, Cheap or Discount Travel Cruise the Caribbean Islands Cruise Terminology Cruise Travel vs. Land Vacation Home Page for Cruise Vacation Advisor