Fancy two holidays for the price of one? Our expert reveals the best twin-island Caribbean breaks for a double dose of winter sun - from bargain St Kitts and Nevis to a Bahamas bonanza

With more than 30 nations and territories, the Caribbean offers astonishing scenic variety that ranges from mighty volcanic peaks and rain-forested valleys to pancake-flat coral cays.

Its diverse cultures are equally engaging, with influences that include British, French, Dutch and Spanish – so it’s no wonder many of us want more than a one-stop holiday.

​‘Twin-centre bookings are up 20 per cent on last year with popular pairings including Grenada and St Lucia and Antigua and St Kitts,’ reports David Pointer, Caribbean product manager at regional specialist ITC.

Many islands are connected by a short flight or ferry ride, and tour operators offer packages that make moving around as effortless as sipping a rum punch. From the pink sand beaches of the Bahamas to the flamboyant birdlife of Trinidad, here are a dozen island-hopping holidays to book this winter.

HONEYMOON HEAVEN - BARBADOS AND CANOUAN

Barbados' Cobblers Cove is everything you could want from a Caribbean getaway...

...but adding in a Canouan stay, with a visit to Soho Beach House, can take things to the next level

Far from the hullabaloo of the south of Barbados, Cobblers Cove is a perfect start to a romantic getaway, exquisitely designed with a small beach and Speightstown’s restaurants close by.

Spend a few idyllic nights then catch a 50-minute flight west to tiny Canouan in St Vincent and the Grenadines, where there’s an outpost of Soho House with treats that include spa therapies, mixology lessons and the chance to swim with turtles.

Book it Seven nights departing November 22 from £4,739pp, including BA Heathrow flights, three nights with breakfast at Cobblers Cove, four nights room-only at Soho Beach House Canouan, inter-island flights and transfers (caribtours.co.uk).

FAMILY TREAT - ANTIGUA AND VIRGIN GORDA

Stunning beaches and crystal-clear water make Antigua highly appealling

Virgin Gorda can also be visited at the same time by taking just a short flight between islands

With a flight time of 8.5 hours, Antigua is appealing if travelling with youngsters. Once landed, it is a 20-minute transfer to the all-inclusive Blue Waters Resort, which has three beaches, nine pools and an activity-rich kids’ club.

Boost your fun by then taking an hour-long flight west to the British Virgin Islands. Stay at Rosewood Little Dix Bay, on Virgin Gorda, with a half-mile of golden sand, mid-century decor and a mini farm for kids.

Book it Seven nights departing October 24 from £4,953pp adult, £3,740pp child, including British Airways flights from Gatwick, four nights all-inclusive at Blue Waters Resort, three nights with breakfast at Rosewood Little Dix Bay, inter-island flights and transfers (bviholidays.com).

BARGAIN BREAK - ST KITTS AND NEVIS

The scenic railway on St Kitts is a quirky, fun activity on the island

It's best enjoyed with a stay in Nevis, too, and a stop at the botanical gardens

These beautiful islands are a ten-minute speedboat ride apart – a good pick for first-time visitors.

On St Kitts, take a ride on its scenic railway that trundles through the sugar cane and visit the World Heritage-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress. On Nevis, enjoy a three-mile beach, play a round of golf or visit the botanical gardens.

Book it Seven nights departing December 13 from £1,735pp, including BA Gatwick flights, four nights room-only at Timothy Beach Resort, St Kitts, three nights with breakfast at Oualie Beach Resort, Nevis, boat and road transfers (juststkittsnevis.co.uk).

BIRDING BLISS - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Trinidad and Tobago are best for exploring different bird species

Tobago's beaches are not to be overlooked, either, where visitors can try snorkelling

This year Tobago celebrated the 250th anniversary of its hilltop Main Ridge Forest Reserve, home to 128 bird species.

The island also has snorkelling and diving with a great base being the treehouse-style Castara Retreats eco-lodge. For even more exceptional birding, fly 25 minutes south to Trinidad where you can awake to the sound of toucans at the Asa Wright Centre, hike ten miles of trails and track the oilbird.

Book it Seven nights departing December 13 from £2,275pp, with BA Gatwick flights, four nights room-only at Castara Retreats, three nights full-board at Asa Wright Centre, inter-island flights and transfers (justtobago.co.uk).

ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY - BARBADOS AND ST VINCENT

Kick off your stay at Sandals Barbados, with entertainment galore

What better way to bring a Barbados break to a close than to head straight to nearby St Vincent? 

Sandals’ adults-only all-inclusive resorts offer much more than a stimulating choice of bars and restaurants – nightly entertainment, watersports, diving for the PADI-certified and gratuities are all included.

Start your partying at Sandals Barbados, with its rooftop pool and bowling alley, then fly 55 minutes west to a sister Sandals in mountainous St Vincent to enjoy rainforest hikes, whale-watching tours and snorkelling cruises.

Book it Seven nights departing October 21 from £3,349pp all-inclusive, including Virgin Atlantic Heathrow flights, four nights at Sandals Barbados, three nights at Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines, inter-island flights and transfers (sandals.co.uk).

BAG A TAG FLIGHT - BAHAMAS AND CAYMAN ISLANDS

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, makes for a bustling city break

Combine this with a short flight, less than two hours, to Grand Cayman

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both offer ‘tag’ flights, where aircraft from the UK land at one destination then continue to another an hour or so later – and this extra leg provides a smart way to get to a second island.

If you like things full-on, combine Nassau, capital of the Bahamas – expect golf, water parks and casinos – with Grand Cayman. The flight time between the two is 1h 40m.

Book it Seven nights departing November 8 from £2,199pp room-only, including BA Gatwick flights, four nights at the British Colonial Nassau, connecting flight to Grand Cayman, three nights at The Sunshine Hotel (britishairways.com/holidays).

PARADISE BEACHES - ST MARTIN AND ANGUILLA

Hotels in Anguilla, such as luxury resort Malliouhana, pictured, are stunning

Anguilla is reachable via a 20-minute ferry from French-speaking St Martin

If dream sands and a bewitching turquoise sea are essential, head to the low-lying British Overseas Territory of Anguilla. Its beaches are immaculate and hotels, such as the Malliouhana, offer complimentary yoga. Arrive on a 20-minute ferry from French- speaking St Martin, where the place to stay is Belmond La Samanna.

Book it Seven nights departing November 19 from £6,246pp, including Air France Heathrow flights via Paris, three nights at Belmond La Samanna, four nights at Malliouhana, ferries and breakfasts (tropicbreeze.co.uk).

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY - GRENADA, BEQUIA AND BARBADOS

Boutique hotels in Grenada, such as family-run Calabash Hotel, makes for a perfect base

Continue your foray into boutique establishments with a stay at the Bequia Beach Hotel on the Grenadine island of Bequia 

ITC’s ‘Ultimate Caribbean Island Hopping Adventure’ features three of the Caribbean’s best family-run boutique hotels.

Four nights each are spent at Calabash Hotel in Grenada, the Bequia Beach Hotel on the Grenadine island of Bequia, and The Sandpiper in Holetown on Barbados.

Book it A 12-night break departing February 1 is from £6,895pp, including Virgin Atlantic Heathrow flights, inter-island flights, transfers and breakfasts (inspiringtravel.co.uk).

EXPLORE THE BAHAMAS - ELEUTHERA AND HARBOUR ISLAND

Eleuthera in the Bahamas promises a serene beachside experience

Then you can hop over to Harbour Island to soak up the vibrant ambience

You could spend a lifetime discovering the 700 islands of the Bahamas. Fly into Nassau, then take a 30-minute flight east to the isle of Eleuthera where The Other Side has a dozen serene white rooms and a private beach.

Afterwards, for a buzzier experience, take a boat ride to old-money Harbour Island with its restaurants, sand-on-the-floor nightclubs and expansive pink sand beach.

Book it Seven nights departing November 14 from £3,745pp, including three at The Other Side, four at Pink Sands Resort, inter-island flights, transfers and breakfast; flights to Nassau extra (fleewinter.com).

FLOAT YOUR BOAT - ST LUCIA TO ANTIGUA

Sunbathing and cocktails not for you? Try a sailing holiday instead 

Sailing holidays where you book a cabin on a skippered yacht or catamaran are a good way to see the Caribbean without the crowds, with nightly stops varying from quiet coves to lively harbours.

SailTies offers voyages on a Swan 51 yacht that visits six islands with up to ten crew and passengers on board, no experience required.

Book it Eight nights departing January 31 from £1,680pp B&B; flights into St Lucia and back from Antigua extra (sailties.net).

ROAM AROUND BY FERRY - ST LUCIA TO GUADELOUPE

Alternatively, explore the region by ferry or catamaran, from St Lucia to Guadeloupe

Island-hopping in the Caribbean doesn’t have to be a package deal. L’Express des Iles is a fast-catamaran service connecting St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and Guadeloupe, with fares from £102 return with luggage.

Further north, Makana Ferry links seven islands. Visit the islands’ tourist offices for accommodation options.

Book it frs-express.com, makanaferryservice.com.

NINE-ISLAND ODYSSEY - ST KITTS TO ARUBA

Finish up a multi-island tour with a small group trip in sunny Aruba

Fancy a multi-island Caribbean tour that isn’t on a cruise ship? Join a small group trip south from St Kitts to Antigua, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad – then west to Curacao and Aruba.

Book it A 19-night adventure departing February 16 is from £9,950pp, with transport, tours and some meals; flights into St Kitts and back from Aruba extra (undiscovered-destinations.com).