Caribbean Canary Islands New to cruising

Award-winning islands for winter sun escapes

With our wealth of sunshine islands to choose from, how to pick your perfect winter-sun escape? We’ve shortlisted the season’s best-in-class Islands. We know you’ll love them – but don’t just take our word for it…

5 min 23 Sep 2025

Editorial Team

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Our winter itineraries offer you a world of sunshine escapes on balmy islands the world over. In fact, there are so many to choose from, you may have trouble finding the one that suits you best. Of course, we’re biased when we say our island calls are truly special – so to help you choose, we’ve rounded up eight award-winning favourites and best-in-class destinations, as judged by independent travel experts.

Barbados

From vibing on glam beaches to exploring the island’s wild side, nobody does it better than Barbados.

CN Traveler Best Island for Action, Best Islands in the Caribbean, CN Traveller, August 2025

There’s always something to get your pulse racing on Barbados, whether it’s surfing the ‘Soup Bowl’ at Bathsheba, ziplining over a rainforest canopy or cheering on the horses at the Bridgetown races. For a true piece of Bajan action, being on, in or beside the water is your best bet. Snorkel amidst shipwrecks, swim with sea turtles and try kite and wing foiling on the windswept East Coast.

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Two parents with one child hugging on palm fringed beach in summer, Barbados, Caribbean

Fuerteventura

A beach-lovers paradise with wild, windswept bays, fine sands and crystal waters.

Which? Best Canary Island for beaches, October 2024

Its volcanic interior is spellbinding, but Fuerteventura’s beautiful beaches are this Canary Island’s biggest draw. They are for the most part vast and often empty, especially in winter (don’t worry, temperatures will still be a pleasant 18-24ºC) and they come in three colours – white, gold and volcanic black. Sotavento with its sandbars and lagoons, and family-friendly Grandes Playas de Corralejo backed by golden dunes, are standouts.

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Playa de Sotavento, Fuerteventura

Grenada

The ‘spice island’ sparkles with lush rainforests, stunning beaches and a sustainable foodie culture.

Sustainable Destination of the Year, The Caribbean Travel Awards 2025; Best Island for Natural Beauty, Best Islands in the Caribbean, CN Traveller, August 2025

Grenada is at the forefront of sustainable tourism, protecting its beauty spots and natural resources in innovative ways. Do your bit by finding out how the local bean-to-bar chocolate is made or visit its soul-stirring underwater sculpture park at Molinere, which both draws tourists away from fragile reefs and provides new ecosystems where corals can thrive. Snorkel among the evocative sculptures or view them from a glass-bottomed boat.

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A group of people in front of the Annandale Falls, Grenada, West Indies

Lanzarote

Iconic architecture, breathtaking beaches, classy wine and wild coastlines… what’s not to love?

Best Canary Island overall, Which? October 2024

It may not be your classic palm-fringed, golden-sand desert island (though it has plenty of palms and golden sand) but that’s what makes Lanzarote such a mesmerising destination. Its otherworldly volcanic terrain has been likened to Mars; it produces some of the world’s most exceptional wines, and thanks to artist César Manrique (who was the island’s champion and protector), the island’s intoxicating landscape and architecture are married in perfect harmony.

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Cueva de los Verdes, underground lake with amazing water reflection.

Madeira

From whale-watching to wine-tasting to hiking pretty Levada trails, this archipelago’s just awesome.

Winner, World’s Leading Island Destination, World Travel Awards 2015-2024

It’s only about twice the size of our Isle of Wight but Madeira, out on a limb in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa, has a diverse ecology that makes it a thrill to explore. Winter is the perfect time to hike the lavadas, a pathway of irrigation channels that traverse a UNESCO-protected laurel forest and landscapes lush in sub-tropical flowers. Hike done, sample some of its world-famous wines.

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Beautiful rural Madeira landscape.

Malta

The perfect mash-up of incredible history, cool cultural attractions, welcoming locals and tasty eats.

Most Desirable Island (Europe), Gold, Wanderlust Travel Reader Award 2024

The Knights of St John held sway over Malta for 250 years and were responsible for its imposing Baroque fortifications. They ought to feel daunting, but there’s a hedonistic, laid-back charm behind Valletta’s grandeur that beguiles visitors. English is widely spoken, which makes exploring the capital’s pretty cobbled streets, cafés and bars a breeze, while the medieval walled city of Mdina and ancient megalithic sites will spark your imagination.

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Azura in Malta

St Kitts

A Caribbean dream offering amazing days on shore for cruise lovers with a sense of adventure.

Caribbean Cruise Destination of the Year and Caribbean Adventure Destination of the Year, The Caribbean Travel Awards 2025

Not only does St Kitts offer the magical Caribbean trinity of rainforests, reefs and volcano; the lovable island also boasts a scenic railway, where you can drink in all this splendour at your leisure. The double-decker train hugs the northeastern coastline, with spectacular vistas of ocean, forest and Mount Liamuiga. Once you hop off, head for the impressive 17th-century Brimstone Hill Fortress or bliss out on a beach. If you prefer more active exploration, hire a bike, hit the trails and get closer to nature and local life.