With 7,000 islands across the Caribbean, finding a little bit of peace and quiet should be easy enough, right? What a joy of a challenge, to narrow it down to five sweet spots, where luxury comes quietly, subtly, the beaches are pink and pristine, birds outnumber people, the marinas are made for multiple yachts, and villas come with private pools and immediate access to nature. Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy these tucked-away, dreamy destinations.
The Potlatch Club, Eleuthera, Bahamas
A phoenix of the tropics, The Potlatch Club has been resurrected several times since its days as a pineapple plantation on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. In the 60s, a trio of New York socialites claimed it as their own, recruiting Sri Lankan-born architect Ray James Holman Nathaniels – credited with introducing modernism to the Caribbean – to overhaul it. Whitewashed cottages and villas became the escape of choice for Elizabeth Taylor and Greta Garbo; Paul and Linda McCartney honeymooned here in 1969 (Sir Paul even penned ‘Bathroom Window’ on Potlatch stationery). Guests would celebrate “potlatches”, said to be lively parties when they would give away or destroy valuables to reaffirm health, wealth and familial bonds. Sadly, the bonhomie led to no money, and the club went under in the 80s.
Fast forward to 2016, when high school friends Jamaican-born Bruce Loshusan and Cuba-hailing Hans Febles happened upon the Lost-like overgrown estate – “the weeds were taller than us” – while on a beach walk, sinking their toes into the famously pink sand and syncing minds on a new project. They bought 12 acres “for a steal” and, after seven years of renovations, The Potlatch Club was back. The essence remains across the restored cottages – plus three villas and two garden suites with private verandahs – while a contemporary design touch applies pastels, shades of blue and woven accents, keeping the vibe breezy and elevated. Guests can gather to dine beneath an ancient banyan fig tree at the resort’s all-day restaurant, or keep to themselves, plotting their own potlatch. Local tip: abandon anti-social tendencies for the Fish Fry Fridays, an Eleuthera tradition.
Ocama, Dominican Republic
On the very tip of the Dominican Republic’s peaceful and protected northeastern Samaná Peninsula is Ocama, a brand new, eight-villa retreat on 35 secluded acres overlooking Rincón Bay. Here, appreciating the environment is the top priority: Ocama is set between two nationally protected areas, Cabo Samaná and Cabo Cabròn, in Las Galeras, a scenic hour-long ride from the marina in Puerto Bahia. Each of the three-storey, multi-bedroom villas, tastefully done in natural woods and stone, was built “to collaborate with nature rather than disrupt it”, and have been seemingly magicked onto the jungle-dense hillsides in the ideal position to take advantage of the sea breeze. Step through your door into an immediate scenic walk and soundtrack – this is a prime birding region – but there’s so much more to do: hike to waterfalls, watch for hundreds of migrating humpback whales, horseback down isolated virgin beaches, even via ferrata. Guests also enjoy the comfort of a five-star spot, including 24/7 concierge service for all those “book a massage on the pool terrace overlooking the ocean” needs.
Musha Cay, Exumas, The Bahamas
In the Exumas, about 85 miles south of Nassau, is an archipelago of 11 sugar-sand islands where visitors have been known to disappear. Literally. Thankfully, this isn’t some Bermuda Triangle mystery – think of it more as an extravagantly private, buyout-only escape where guests can dine in a “secret village that’s accessed through a hidden statue in the jungle”. Welcome to Musha Cay, with experiences designed by none other than David Copperfield. In 2006, the longtime Vegas illusionist bought the islands as a private retreat, adding “owning a resort” to his list of accomplishments, just under “making the Statue of Liberty vanish” and “levitating a Ferrari”. Copperfield’s compound has five homes that sleep 24, sheltered by three uninhabited islands, along with an outdoor cinema called Dave’s Drive-In (cheeky, as there are no cars here), a Balinese beach pavilion and an underwater sculpture garden. At low tide, it’s possible to walk the three-mile sandbar that appears like a mirage – it can also be prepared for al-fresco dining, with the waves lapping at your back. Join the likes of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who was married at Musha Cay, and Tyler Perry, a guest here (and Exuma neighbour), where $37,500 can disappear nightly.
Over Yonder Cay, Exumas, The Bahamas
Over Yonder Cay is a single, magnificent private-island resort in the Exumas, surrounded by turquoise water and run almost entirely on wind and solar power. AI will likely copy photos of this place someday and surface it as the answer to “what is barefoot luxury?”. A deep-water marina can accommodate multiple yachts at a time, though you won’t have to jostle for access – guests typically buy out the entire place. At 72 acres, this former fishing outpost is now designed for “those who live without limits”. Pick the villa that fits your personality: the main one, Meridian House, has a 12-seat cinema and its own spa; East Cove has a three-tiered infinity pool; West Sands sits beachside with a firepit and hot tub, while South Point delivers the sunrise and sunset views. Fancy a round of golf in the middle of the sea? There’s a nine-hole, par-three course at Over Yonder Cay, along with a floodlit tennis court, two pickleball courts, beach volleyball, basketball, two fully equipped fitness centres, a croquet pitch, a fleet of crewed motorboats and sailing yachts and every water toy imaginable. If you get bored, it’s not the island’s fault.
The Beach Club, Barbuda
Barbuda continues its impressive renaissance with the upcoming opening of The Beach Club in 2026. Part of the nature-first Nobu Beach Inn, it will be set on the pink-sand southwest of Barbuda – known as one of the Caribbean’s ‘last untouched beaches’. More than two miles long and sprawling over 400 acres, Robert De Niro first set eyes on the dream-like location 30 years ago, and is now getting to realise his vision for it along with co-founders James Packer and Managing Partner Daniel Shamoon (also owner of the recently revitalised Hermitage Bay, over on Antigua). The intimate Nobu Beach Inn itself will be complete at the end of 2026, with a collection of its private residences now available by invitation (all owners must first become members of The Beach Club). It will total 36 bedrooms across 17 cottages, with an indoor and outdoor spa, oceanfront pool, racquet courts, kids’ club, omakase sushi bar, and – of course – its destination beachfront restaurant, Nobu Barbuda, open since 2020. Also under development is a private oceanfront clubhouse, exclusively for owners and their invited guests.
