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.

By Joshua Pramis

Caribbean hotels have always been a reliable standby for tranquility, crystal-clear ocean views, and amazing beaches. But now, many of the tropical islands are seeing fresher, chicer hotels sprouting up, bringing a new level of luxury to the entire region.

Take the Seven Stars Resort in Turks and Caicos, where even the smallest room—a one-bedroom studio—is a spacious 620 square feet. It’s plenty of room to fit a kitchen, which each room has—from a galley in the studios to a gourmet kitchen in the Presidential Suite. But if en-suite cooking isn’t what you had in mind, the resort’s restaurant, La Pergola, offers an array of international cuisines as well as Caribbean-inspired dishes. And to rub away the last vestiges of home, the on-property spa offers a wide range of treatments, including the option for in-room treatments and poolside massages.

If the Grenadines are your destination of choice, head to tiny Bequia and the even-smaller Firefly Hotel, which has just eight rooms. The resort overlooks 30 acres of vegetation—including the only banana plantation on the island—and a short trek through the on-property coconut grove will lead you to a secluded white sand beach (hint: the snorkeling gets rave reviews). For an off-property excursion, check out the old-school Caribbean look and feel of the island’s many shops and restaurants, where you can order anything from burgers and pizza to Caribbean classics like roti and callaloo.

Then there’s the classic Puerto Rican escape, La Concha. Built in 1958, the hotel just reopened after a $220 million renovation, bringing a modern, soothing look and feel to its public areas and 248 guest rooms, most of which offer an ocean view. For dinner, stop by the hotel’s signature clam-shaped, poolside restaurant, Perla, where you can indulge on contemporary American seafood dishes. Take advantage of the restaurant’s 4,000-bottle wine cellar, but don’t feel overwhelmed—the service staff attends weekly wine lessons taught by the restaurant’s chef, Dayn Smith, and can assist with your selection.

These are just three of the hotels making noise in the Caribbean.