Sunsets in the Caribbean don’t get nearly as much attention. But they should. Those gorgeous stretches of sand and sea (well, at least the western-facing ones) are every bit as spectacular in the light of the setting sun, with Easter egg–colored clouds floating overhead. Especially when you have someone to share them with.

For centuries, sunsets—particularly sunsets over the sea—have inspired romantic musings. In his epic poem Evangeline (published in 1847) Henry Wadsworth Longfellow put it like this:

Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden want o’er the landscape; Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together.

With all that melting and mingling and fiery touching, it’s no wonder so many sunset-watching spots seem custom-tailored for couples. Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach, for example—though public, and actually closer to five-and-a-half miles—is long enough that starry-eyed duos find plenty of space for intimate evening strolls or picnics. And at St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain resort, honeymooners (or wannabes) can soak together in private infinity pools—some as large as 900 square feet—while watching the sun go down.

In the Caribbean, though, romance doesn’t always have to mean seclusion. It’s hard not to have an enchanted evening at Jamaica’s famous Rick’s Café, for instance—lingering on the cliffside terrace for grilled seafood and Tropitinis, then dancing to live reggae music as the sun dips low. The same can be said for gathering among island locals on Antigua’s highest hill, Shirley Heights, with its sunset views over sweeping beaches and sailboats bobbing at anchor.

Of course, each one of these spots can be the perfect setting for romance—as long as you bring the right person. But that’s not up to the islands; that’s up to you.

Peter Island Resort, Peter Island

Every evening, this resort runs a “Sunset at the Loop” tour for guests. Participants are taken to an overlook of Deadman’s Bay on the west side of the island and plied with hors d’oeuvres and bubbly while they watch the sun set over neighboring St. John.

Mount Sage National Park, Tortola

Set within a tropical refuge, the Mahogany Trail winds a quick 300 yards up to the summit of Mount Sage. At 1,716 feet, it’s the highest point in the Virgin Islands—and the best place to watch the sun set.

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

From this resort’s west-facing rooms you’ll see the sky’s red-orange hues reflecting off the Caribbean; upgrade to a suite and you’ll get a panoramic lookout from a private infinity pool.

Boqueron Beach, Puerto Rico

Head to this mile-long stretch of white sand on Puerto Rico’s southwestern coast—and keep your eyes peeled for the famed “green flash,” (caused by refracted light rays) right before the sun disappears below the horizon.

On the Rocks restaurant at Eden Rock Hotel, St. Bart’s

From the open-air deck of this French restaurant overlooking St. John’s Bay, you’ll have a front-row seat for both the sunset and the schools of parrot fish that dart beneath the surface of the sea.

Sunshine’s Grill, Nevis

The outdoor tables at this laid-back spot on Pinney’s Beach are an ideal place for watching the sun drop behind the green hills of St. Kitts (and for sipping some locally famous “Killer Bee” rum punch).

Landfall Park, San Salvador, Bahamas

A simple stone cross at Fernandez Bay, on San Salvador’s west coast, commemorates Christopher Columbus’s first landfall in the New World. Many a visitor has snapped the sun setting into the water with the monument in the foreground.

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Though it’s actually a little less than six miles long, this powdery crescent on Grand Cayman’s western coast has plenty of room to spread out a blanket for a sunset picnic.

Rick’s Café, Jamaica

This bar and café perched on Negril’s West End Cliffs is famous for the spectacular sunset-viewing from its expansive terrace—and also for the wild after-dark parties that spill onto the beach below.

Shirley Heights, Antigua

From the highest point in Antigua—where the remains of General Shirley’s 17th-century fort still stand—the sun sets beautifully over English Harbour and Galleon Beach. Go on a Sunday night and you’ll meet locals who gather there for a regular sunset party.

When many people think of the Bahamas, the first thing that comes to mind is the stretch of fancy resorts and casinos that line the beaches of Nassau, Paradise Island and Cable Beach. Many of the smaller islands of the Bahamas, like Harbour Island, break that stereotype. Pink Sands Beach is the place to go for natural beauty, elegant resorts and most importantly, three miles of perfectly pink sand and gentle waters. The ocean is ideal for swimming – warm throughout the year and generally calm, protected from the rolling waves of the Atlantic by a coral reef.

The vibe is laid-back, and around the island you will find tourists mingling with the locals in a relaxed and friendly small-town manner. However, don’t mistake laid-back for rustic: the unique resorts and hotels offer privacy in tropical hideaways, ranging from the luxurious to the simply charming. Here, the perfect day starts stretched out on a chaise lounge on the coral sands and ends on the turquoise bay, where you’ll want to snag a table at one of the bayside restaurants early to celebrate the sunset. How you fill the hours in between the sunrise and the glorious sunset is up to you! Go for a snorkel; navigate your own walking tour around town; visit a straw market; test your fishing skills catching bonefish; or keep the day’s main event island-appropriate, i.e., slather on more sunscreen and settle back in your chaise lounge until it’s time for another sunset and a steamy plate of cracked conch.

Getting There
Nearest Major International Airport: Visitors can get a flight from Nassau, Bahamas (30 minutes), or Fort Lauderdale or Miami, Fla. (1 1/2 hours), to the North Eleuthera Airstrip. From this small airport, visitors can take a taxi to the ferry dock and catch a boat to out-of-the-way Harbour Island.

Ground Transportation
As the island is small, most travel around Harbour Island can be done on foot. Some visitors may want to rent bicycles or electric golf carts — most hotels can arrange for these rentals.

Timing
The Bahamas is blessed with good weather most of the year, and for the most part, water sports and activities abound on Harbour Island year-round. The best time of year to visit is from December to May when the temperature hovers around 70-75 degrees F. Tropical storms are a possibility during the rest of the year, when the weather is warmer and the climate more humid.

Lodging
The lodging here may be less commercial than what you will find on the main destination islands in the Bahamas, but that doesn’t mean it is not as glamorous. The hip and sophisticated Pink Sands Resort (toll-free: 1-800-688-7678; or: +1 (242) 333-2030) lures many celebrities to its prime location on the beach and offers airy suites and cottages and gourmet meals included in the equally extravagant price. The neighboring Dunmore Beach Club (toll-free: 1-877-891-3100; or: +1 (242) 333-2200) is like an older and more elegant sibling to the Pink Sands, offering a posh and snazzy setting – jackets are required to enjoy dinner at the clubhouse. The Coral Sands Hotel (toll-free: 1-800-468-2799; or: +1 (242) 333-2350) is a good choice for families and couples looking for a luxurious retreat at more reasonable prices.

Cuisine
Conch is king in the Bahamas, and in the tiny town of Harbour Island, diners may be surprised by the number of creative conch dishes that are cooked up by local chefs. The Poseidon (+1 (242) 333-2350), at the Coral Sands Hotel, is touted as one of the best restaurants in the Bahamas, and serves up its famed White Conch Chowder. Angela’s Starfish Restaurant (+1 (242) 333-2253) is where the locals go to enjoy cracked conch and other comfort foods including chicken potpie. Various takeaway stands on the island offer authentic and inexpensive treats like conch burgers, conch salad and, for the non-seafood eaters, salads, burgers and sandwiches, which are perfect for a simple picnic lunch.

Travel Tips
The laid-back, noncommercial feeling of Harbour Island is a welcome vacation for many, but keep in mind that small islands generally do not offer the same wealth of organized activities available at larger resorts, especially for children — be prepared to relax and create your own fun.

While You Are There
Harbour Island serves as the perfect outpost for a SCUBA diver’s paradise. From Eleuthera, divers can explore wrecks along the Devil’s Backbone, and even the rare underwater remains of a train wreck. Also, check out Seagrapes on Colebrook Street for some live Bahamian music, or venture into the local dive, the Vic-Hum Club. Though the club’s appearance may be intimidating, the locals’ friendliness and a tasty rum punch are more than welcoming.