Which island is known for having a strong heritage of piracy and buccaneering?

Tortuga, an island off the northwest coast of Haiti, has a well-documented history of piracy and buccaneering, particularly during the 17th century. The island served as a base for buccaneers, who were often privateers and former pirates that engaged in raiding Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbean. Its strategic location made it an ideal hideout and operational center for these seafarers. The environment of Tortuga, with its numerous coves and access to trade routes, provided both safety and opportunity for pirates.

The history of Tortuga is intertwined with the broader narrative of Caribbean piracy, especially during the Golden Age of Piracy, which peaked during the late 1600s to early 1700s. Many famous pirates, including Henry Morgan and Blackbeard, were known to have visited or operated from this island.

In contrast, while Haiti has its own tumultuous history, including slave revolts and colonial strife, it is not primarily recognized for piracy. Barbados, while it has its own rich colonial history and was once a prominent sugar plantation society, is not typically associated with piracy to the same extent as Tortuga. St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, has