UK Destinations That Could Pass For The Caribbean

Turquoise waters licking at fine, powder-white sand might remind you of the Caribbean, but sublime beaches like this can also be found in Britain. It's true that the U.K.'s coastline may be better known for rugged cliffs, like the iconic chalky Seven Sisters standing against the English Channel. However, you'll also find clear waters, pale sand, and sheltered bays from Cornwall in England's south to the Isle of Harris in Scotland's far north. And some of them are frequently named among the best in the world.

Some of the following beaches are easy to reach despite their relative remoteness. The Isles of Scilly can be reached by ferry and helicopter from Penzance or by Skybus from Land's End and Exeter. Others, including Luskentyre and Achmelvich, require quite a bit more effort but reward the journey with some of Britain's most breathtaking (and rural) coastlines. For travelers willing to make a trade of tropical temperatures for spectacular coastal scenery, these U.K. beaches and islands offer a convincing, albeit slightly chillier taste of the Caribbean in some of Britain's wildest corners.

On the west coast of the Isle of Harris, Luskentyre has the requisite white sand and green-blue water that we more commonly associate with a tropical island. At low tide, enormous stretches of sandbars and sparkling channels emerge across the bay, with the mountains of North Harris providing a beguiling backdrop. The view toward the Isle of Taransay is particularly striking. Luskentyre is exquisitely remote, best reached by bicycle via a 3-mile-long single-track road, but that isolation is exactly what makes journeys in this area of Scotland so spectacularly unique.

The Isles of Scilly are a haven of white sand, turquoise water, wild seals, and snorkeling. Made up of dozens of named beaches, including the white sands of Pentle Bay on Tresco and the vast Great Bay on St. Martin's, the Isles of Scilly are where clear water is punctuated with colorful sea flora. Tresco's Abbey Garden adds another tropical flourish, with more than 20,000 plants from around the world thriving in the mild climate. Another highlight is the charming honesty shops selling things like locally produced fudge and orchard-fresh apple juices from streetside boxes.

From Cornwall's scenic South West Coast Path, the views of Pedn Vounder are remarkable with golden sand curving around translucent turquoise water beneath granite cliffs. The beach sits beside Porthcurno on the Penwith peninsula, and at low tide the sand makes the beach's comparison to the Caribbean most convincing. Erosion has made the route to the beach unstable, but it's possible to walk from nearby Porthcurno Beach to Pedn Vounder when the tide is low. Just be sure to leave time for the return journey, as Pedn Vounder becomes entirely cut off at high tide.

Kynance Cove has almost everything you'd expect to find in the Caribbean, except here, there's the added drama of the wild green Cornish cliffs rising above it. White sand, turquoise water, and sculptural rocks fill this tidal cove, while caves and rocky islands become accessible when the tide is low. This is an excellent spot for hiking too, with the South West Coast Path linking Kynance Cove with Lizard Point — mainland Britain's most southern point — and the pretty cove and village at Mullion to the north.

As well as being one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales, Barafundle Bay, a part of the historic landscape of Stackpole Estate, is often called one of the world's best beaches. Here clear water is enclosed by limestone cliffs and backed by a lush woodland filled with wildlife. The beach's remote setting makes the landscape feel wonderfully detached from the mainland. There is no road, so to reach the beach, visitors need to walk along the Coast Path from the parking area along Stackpole Estate.

On Scotland's northwest coast, Achmelvich is a small sheltered bay paradise with soft white sand and turquoise water. The sand is rumored to be made from quartz and crushed shells, giving the beach its pale color. The surrounding rocky cliff landscape provides the clue that this is not the Caribbean but Scotland — a country of drama-riddled peaks and cinematic lochs. The bay is only around 650 feet (200 meters) long, but its sheltered waters make it popular for swimming and outdoor recreation, including everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to climbing and fishing in the summer.

Camusdarach, a thoroughly Gaelic name, does not hint at the beach's beautiful aesthetics, which could easily pass for the Caribbean. Here, there's a strip of white sand, crystal clear water, and photogenic rocky coves. As with many of the U.K.'s more rural beaches, there are few facilities directly on the beach, which helps preserve its wild atmosphere. However, hiking trails connect it with other beaches along the Silver Sands of Morar, and there's a campsite nearby should you wish to linger. From here, it's a short trip to Mallaig to catch the picturesque ferry to the breathtaking landscapes of the Isle of Skye.