What Is the Least Touristy Caribbean Island? The Secret You’ve Been Craving

So... you want paradise without the crowds?

Let’s be honest—when most people say “Caribbean vacation,” they’re picturing cruise ships, all-inclusives, and packed beaches with overpriced coconuts. But you? You’re different. You want quiet. Authenticity. That “I’m the only one who knows this place” vibe. Yeah, I’ve been there too.

I actually had this convo with my buddy Derek last month over coffee. We were both complaining about how some islands feel more like outdoor shopping malls now than real cultural destinations. He looked at me and said, “There’s gotta be somewhere out there that’s still real.” Spoiler alert: there is.

The top contender: Saba – the unspoiled queen

Tiny, volcanic, and totally off the radar

Saba is this rugged little dot in the Caribbean Netherlands, just south of Sint Maarten. Population? Under 2,000. Beaches? Technically none (yep, no long stretches of sand). Tourists? Barely any.

But that’s the magic.

Saba is all about the mountains, the jungle, and the insane diving. It’s a diver’s dream. And the people? Super welcoming, without that “please tip me” energy you sometimes feel elsewhere.

I went there in 2019. Took a tiny plane from St. Maarten—like, propeller plane with four other people tiny—and when we landed, I swear it felt like arriving in Jurassic Park. I stayed in Windwardside, a sleepy little village with no chain hotels, no clubs, no fake reggae bands. Just silence, fresh air, and the sound of roosters in the morning.

Why Saba stays under the radar

No mega resorts = no cruise crowds

Most Caribbean islands have given in to mass tourism. Saba hasn’t. It doesn’t even have a beach you can lie on for hours—just small coves and cliffs and deep ocean drops. That’s why the cruise ships skip it. And thank God for that.

It’s not easy to get to (but worth it)

Okay, real talk: getting to Saba takes effort. You fly into St. Maarten, then either take a terrifyingly short plane ride or a rocky ferry. But honestly? That’s the price of admission for peace.

My stomach hated that ferry, but my soul loved what came after.

Other low-key Caribbean islands to consider

Dominica – for the nature lovers

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is all rainforest, waterfalls, hot springs, and hiking trails. Fewer resorts, more eco-lodges. If Saba sounds too small, this is a solid plan B.

Montserrat – the island that time almost forgot

After a volcanic eruption in the '90s wiped out half the island, tourism kind of… paused. But what’s left is this haunting, gorgeous, peaceful place with black sand beaches and almost no one else around. It’s like a time capsule.

I met a couple there who were literally the only guests at their hotel. They loved it. Me? I'd go back just for the peppered fish stew.

Is Saba really for you?

The truth: not everyone will love it

If you need nightlife, endless beaches, or fast food chains, run away. Saba’s for hikers, divers, and anyone who wants to hear themselves think. It’s slow, quiet, and totally unpolished. Some people say it’s boring. I say it’s a blessing.

I actually had doubts halfway through my trip—no beach, no nightlife, Wi-Fi was spotty. But then, on day three, I hiked Mount Scenery. Fog rolled in. Everything was green and still. I just stood there, breathing. No phone. No stress. No noise.

And I thought, This is exactly what I needed.

Final verdict: Saba is the least touristy Caribbean island (and that's a good thing)

There are a lot of places that pretend to be off-the-beaten-path. Saba? It actually is. It’s raw, it’s real, and it forces you to slow down. That’s rare. That’s precious.

So if you’re serious about escaping the crowds and finding something genuine—something quiet—book that bumpy ferry or that tiny plane. Take the detour. Saba is waiting. And she’s not changing for anyone.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.