The Best Caribbean Islands to Spend New Year's Eve

Everyone has their own New Year’s Eve traditions. Some like to party the night away with family or friends, and some sip champagne in the quiet of their living rooms while they watch New York “ball drop” on TV. Others go out for a night on the town, attending concerts and living it up at bars and restaurants.

However, there’s nothing wrong with breaking tradition once in while! So, may we suggest a Caribbean vacation this New Year’s? Here are just a few good reasons why you should spend New Year’s Eve in the Caribbean:

You can escape the cold, wintry air and blustery snow storms.
The sunny skies of the Caribbean will liven your spirits and banish depression.
You can leave the noise and traffic of the city behind you, and exchange it for deserted beaches, and most importantly– peace and quiet!
Think about it– relax on the beach by day, party by night! That’s the Caribbean way.

Beautiful Heywoods Beach in Saint Peter Parish, Barbados

Caribbean Islands to visit for New Year’s Eve

Turks and Caicos

This Caribbean country is a great place to spend New Year’s for several reasons. First of all, they have a unique, centuries-old tradition called “Junkanoo Jump Up”. As soon as midnight rolls around on New Year’s Eve, revelers take to the streets wearing colorful, bejeweled costumes and sing and dance for hours on end.

Similar to Carnival or Mardi Gras, the festival includes parades that you can watch in the Grace Bay area or Provo. It began back in the 16th century, when slaves gathered to celebrate the one day off they were given each year around Christmas time.

Get in on the action in the Grace Bay area during New Year’s, and enjoy the view of Grace Bay beach at your very own villa, available to rent from Key Caribe.

St. Barths

St. Barths becomes a haven for celebrities during New Year’s. Paul McCartney, LA Reid, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Russell Simmons have all been known to spend their holidays on this normally quiet, peaceful island. The late artist Prince performed at private parties there.

Late at night on December 31st, you can watch fireworks explode over Gustavia Harbor. Book your accommodations in the Gustavia area for a front row seat to the colorful bursting light show.

There’s also a regatta race around the island for sailing lovers, and Nikki Beach will host its annual beachfront ball. The 2019 theme is surrealism, so grab your Salvador Dali and Joan Miro inspired attire and go!

Luxury and elegance await you in private villa in Gustavia, St. Barths…

Barbados

Did you know that in Barbados, they refer to New Year’s Eve as “Old Year’s Night” ? There are plenty of parties and festivals to attend here– after all, Barbados is known as “the party island”.

You can watch fireworks on the Southern coast near the Hilton Hotel Resort. On the West coast, they launch near the Sandy Lane area, the Mango Bay Resort, and Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown.

The cruising club at Carlisle Bay throws an Old Year’s Night party each year, which is the perfect spot for seeing the fireworks display nearby.

Caribbean wedding — The Villa Cherub House in Barbados is a fabulous place to spend New Year’s Eve

Bonaire

This tiny Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela packs loads of New Year’s fun for everyone. In fact, the night of December 31st is quite the scene. Revelers everywhere break out their firecrackers and celebrate in the streets. Some businesses even light a long sequence of firecrackers called a “Pagara”.

Most restaurants in Bonaire are open for business on New Year’s Eve, and many hold lavish parties. There’s a huge fireworks show at Buddy Dive. In addition, since Bonaire is known as a diver’s paradise, diving just has to be involved during New Year’s festivities: you can actually book a night dive to view the fireworks from underwater.

bonaire diver — Night diving to see the fireworks from underwater? Yes, please!

The Bahamas

The Bahamas offers a wide variety of activities for New Year’s Eve. You can attend parties at local restaurants, hang out with friends at a lively bar, or set up your very own private sunset picnic on a deserted beach.

Whatever you do, it’s sure to be fabulous in the Bahamas. Even the famous singer Fergie is headed to the Bahamas for New Year’s 2018. She’s scheduled to perform in the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis on December 31st, starting at 9 pm. Bond Nightclub at Baha Mar will hold their annual New Year’s celebration with midnight champagne and a fireworks display. They’ll have a DJ performing some favorite tunes.

It doesn’t get any better than this—a private Bahamas villa with a view of the ocean…

And then, of course, there’s the Bahamian Junkanoo festival. People of all ages and walks of life gather to celebrate what they have in common– everyone begins the new year together. Performers prepare for months to put on acrobatic shows, concerts, and dance numbers.

The festival begins with a parade, in which Bahamian culture is proudly put on display by local citizens dressed in colorful, elaborate costumes. After winding through the streets, revelers reach their final destinations, where they will party until the new year has begun.

Bahamians really get the party going during the New Year’s Junkanoo Festival!

So,what are you waiting for? Reserve your space in the Bahamas today and get in on the New Year’s Junkanoo fun!

Whether you choose Bonaire, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Barbados, or St. Barths, you’ll definitely experience something different this year if you choose to spend New Year’s in the Caribbean.

You can find tips about what to pack for a Caribbean trip, and where to eat on various Caribbean islands here in the Key Caribe magazine.

Wondering how to find the best prices for plane tickets and accomodations?Read How to Prepare for Caribbean Travel.