Cayman Islands

It is unlikely that the British, or anybody else for that matter, would have desired the Cayman Islands quite so much when they were first discovered. Columbus originally named the islands 'Las Tortugas' (The Turtles) because they were utterly covered in them. More worryingly, the word 'Cayman' probably derives from the Carib word, 'Caymanas', meaning 'marine crocodile', suggesting that the islands were also the favoured home of scores of lizards. In addition to this, the Cayman Islands have long been associated with the history of buccaneers and pirates, who once established hideouts here.

All of this is easy to forget as you luxuriate on wide, sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters that teem with coral reefs and marine creatures. The Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is particularly popular and deservedly so. Rather than combating pirate invasion, the closest you will probably get to exertion is diving in shipwrecks, walking through rainforest, and letting velvety stingray brush against your legs.

There are three islands in this British Overseas Territory: Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The latter two are the smaller of the Cayman islands and were discovered by Columbus in 1503. Sir Francis Drake explored the area in 1586, but it was 1670 before the islands came under full British rule. Grand Cayman was settled from Jamaica by 1672; Little Cayman and Cayman Brac were settled some time later and maintained a separate administration until 1877. The governor of Jamaica held administrative responsibility for the islands until 1962, when Jamaica itself became independent. Since then the islands have had their own governor appointed by the British Crown.

British Virgin Islands

Some may be aware that Norman Island, one of over 50 idyllic islands that constitute the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands, was supposedly the location that Robert Louis Stevenson based Treasure Island on. Today's visitors might not stumble across swashbuckling pirates or half-concealed troves of treasure, but they will find a highly prized booty of soft sand and gentle, teal waters.

The British Virgin Islands comprise sloping hills of green and the impressive Mount Sage National Park, but are really renowned for the nautical thrills on offer. Year-round winds provide exceptional conditions for sailing, and the British Virgin Islands happily celebrate this asset by staging frequent regattas and fairs. In addition, extensive coral reefs and famous shipwrecks are enough to entice anyone into the waters for a dive. For travellers who prefer to watch the sea rather than get into it, there is the breathtaking chance of spotting dolphins and whales criss-crossing the surface.

Jost Van Dyke is the party island, where holidaymakers and locals can shake their bodies to calypso and gulp down tasty cocktails.

Paradise does come at a cost. Overall, the British Virgin Islands are quite an expensive destination. But, for some, this is the necessary price of saving a Caribbean gem from over-commercialisation. If this is the intention, the British Virgin Islands are, for now, a resounding success.

Bonaire

Bonaire is a prime example of nature at it’s loveliest – it literally translates as 'good air'. On parts of the island, giant salt lakes loom on the horizon. Beneath the water's surface, rainbow-hued fish drift in between coral.

The second-largest island in the Dutch Antilles has desert-like terrain offset by inviting turquoise waters. Bonaire is paradise for watersports lovers. Some argue the diving and snorkelling is the best in the Caribbean, since Bonaire's relative lack of tourism means much of its coral has gone undisturbed. For those seeking sailing or windsurfing, the characteristic windswept postures of the divi divi trees show that Bonaire's warm, dry and breezy climate is ideal for these sorts of activities.

Bonaire is highly eco-friendly and keen not to impair the fragile infrastructure of the coral, nor unsettle Bonaire's serenity with heavy development and glitzy nightlife. Consequently, Bonaire's beautiful beaches and safe waters have remained intact. Flamingos still wander the landscape of multi-hued salt plains (some even say that they outnumber Bonaire's human population) and multitudes of birds seek sanctuary in Bonaire.

Barbados

Barbados is famed for its easy-going calypso culture, where a strong sense of history and culture fuses with a laid-back vibe.

On land
With music as one of its societal bedrocks, Barbados revels in a vibrant nightlife. Pristine sandy beaches and glass-clear water are hemmed with palms and vibrant flora on a backdrop of impressive 18th-century colonial streetscapes, like in the capital, Bridgetown. Land-based attractions run from lush botanical gardens and historic plantation houses to sumptuous tropical spas and first-rate golf.

At sea
From the little-developed rugged coastline of the Atlantic eastern flank to the attractive resorts of the Caribbean shoreline, Barbados offers world-class, warm waters for diving and snorkelling. Underwater caves teem with colourful fish amidst vibrant coral reefs.

Orientation
Mount Hillaby, the highest point in Barbados, rises to 336m (1,102ft) in the north-central part of the island. To the west the land drops down to the sea while the east stretches to rugged upland regions. Southward, the highlands descend steeply to wide valleys. An absence of any significant lakes or rivers means Barbados relies on rainwater-fed underground streams and springs for its water supplies. A mixed terrain comprises clay, limestone and chalk covered by a thick coral layer.

Global relations
Barbados’s geographic position has profoundly influenced its history and economic fortunes. Since the late 17th century the island has been a major link between Western Europe, Africa and South America. However, it is Barbados’s long association with Great Britain that has shaped the local character. Post-independence developments have done much to foster a heightened sense of cultural nationalism yet island traditions remain more Anglo-influenced than any other Caribbean island.

Bahamas

The quiet coves, sheltered bays and crowd-free beaches of the Bahamas offer visitors the intimacy of a secluded retreat within a surprisingly expansive archipelago. Twice the size of Spain, the Bahamas is actually made up of over 700 palm-fringed isles.

Totally tropical
Named from the Spanish baja mar, meaning 'shallow sea', the Bahamas is blessed with clear, turquoise waters that are home to ancient shipwrecks and a rainbow of coral reefs teeming with fish. Pastel-coloured seashells and clapboard houses painted in bubblegum hues sit amidst a tropical landscape dotted with vibrant blooms. On many of the Bahamas' most unspoiled coastal stretches, empty beaches offer total tranquillity with the occasional squawking of an exotic bird and gently lapping waves the only distraction.

Plenty to do
For a change of pace, head to one of the islands' bustling straw markets to haggle over spices, ceramics, handicrafts and local art. Enjoy diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and parasailing or take to the fairways of a world-class golf course for ocean-facing holes.

Bahamian beats
Umpteen Bahamian bars and clubs pulsate with island rhythms, from pumping goombay and calypso to Junkanoo beats. Discover riotous dance festivals that mix African slave-trade rituals with Bahamian tempo and American hip-hop twists. Or experience the age-old traditions and legends of the islands at local cultural celebrations amidst costumes, food and song

Aruba

It is not difficult to lean back and take it easy on an island such as Aruba. Its way of life is just the tonic for any frazzled visitor: like the aloe vera gel whose origin of plant is everywhere on the island, there is something here to soothe anyone's daily stresses and abrasions.

Oranjestad highlights
Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, dazzles any visitor with the orange facades that brightly array the architecture. The colour indicates the island's historical ties with The Netherlands - although seceded from it in 1986, Aruba's head of state is still the Dutch ruling monarch.

Oranjestad has some of the best duty-free shops in the Caribbean. There are also flamingos to spot in the national park, desert flora, caves with ancient drawings to explore and natural phenomena to discover.

Beaches and watersports
Arubans know that they live on an island with the best that Caribbean sea and sand has to offer. The sea is populated by creatures of all colours: parrotfish splashed in dazzling teal and gold are a popular sight in Aruba's waters.

There is something for everyone, with certain beaches regarded best for activities such as snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing and diving.

Antigua and Barbuda

Low-lying and volcanic in origin, Antigua & Barbuda form part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean and have certainly adopted the notoriously ‘Caribbean' way of life. This is a place to take things easy, stroll around markets, sip the fresh juices of coconuts and pineapple and meet friendly locals.

Unsurprisingly, Antigua & Barbuda's way of life is governed by water, and any visitor will find that their stay is too. Nelson's Dockyard in the English Harbour is at the forefront of Antigua & Barbuda's vast yachting and sailing scene.

Unlikely, but should you grow weary of Antigua & Barbuda's nautically themed activities, the area also abounds with colourful bird and insect life. Barbuda is an unspoiled natural haven for wild deer and exotic birds and boasts the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. There are also national parks and blow holes to discover, including, of course, the Devil's Bridge, a natural phenomenon crafted by the colliding of Atlantic and Caribbean surf.

Antiguans are proud of their human history too, especially as it documents their release from colonisation, slavery and sugar plantations. This keenness to remember emancipation is apparent as towns proudly proclaim names such as Liberta and Freetown.

Anguilla

What Anguilla lacks in size, it more than makes up for in that much-sought Caribbean asset: pristine, powdery beaches. Boasting 19km (12 miles) of white coral coastline, Anguilla's calm and polychromatic waters are enough to lure any potential visitor.

Comprised of several other islands and cays, Anguilla is rapidly becoming a holiday haven for the rich and famous. Brad Pitt, Robert de Niro and Robin Williams have all relaxed in the island's vivid blue ocean, no doubt sipping on expensive cocktails.

For those seeking an altogether cheaper type of cocktail, nothing can beat staring out at a Caribbean sunset while sipping an Anguillan tipple in one of the many beach bars. Those who like their food need not worry either, since restaurants on the island are excellent and offer a mixture of cuisines, with a natural emphasis on seafood and alfresco dining. Nightlife is centred on hotel nightclubs or barefoot dancing in those beach bars.

If you ever get bored of relaxing, there are loads of activity choices. Many resorts and hotels are situated on the beach and offer boating, snorkelling, fishing and scuba-diving equipment for adventurous types. For the culturally minded, Anguilla, despite its diminutive size, has around 15 art galleries to stroll around and observe Anguillan talent. Wherever you are though, those beautiful beaches are only minutes away.