favorite carribean island

22 years ago

Would love to go the carribean. Not sure about a cruise or just hit one island. We are family with 2 children (8-12). Have been to Cancun, and although it was a fun trip, didn't care for the all the hotels lined up one after another and all the crowds. For those who have visited carribean islands, which would you reccommend? WE enjoy snorkeling and the beach, but would also enjoy seeing some beautiful scenery, etc. and not quite so busy! Thanks!

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Comments (11)

Janet
22 years ago
We've been to St. Croix in the USVI three times over the last 15 years. It's a great place to snorkel. You can usually walk into the water and find small coral reefs within a few feet of the shore and in 3-5' of water. You don't need to take snorkel tours to see a lot but there are lots of tours you can take to see even more. Most of the hotels are on the beach which is a big plus for us. Not a huge amount of nightlife but enough. I haven't been back since the casinos went in so that may have changed. The people have always been friendly. This is nothing like Cancun! We're trying to figure out when our next trip back is!
debbie_morgan
22 years ago
Turks and Caicos is a wonderful island for snorkling! The bluest, cleanest, warmest water there is!
We just got back from a family vacation ( 6 yr. old boy, 4 yr. old boy, two 15 yr. old girls) and had a wonderful time at Beaches all-inclusive resort.
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I'm not familiar with Aruba, but my brother & wife just got back from a week in Jamaica and, although they enjoyed their resort ok, they were more than a little turned off by the crime everywhere outside the resort, it seemed. I've heard the same thing from many people and so we've never gone there. What about looking into renting a condo of private vacation home instead of just a room? There are some great deals out there and more so this year. We like this route instead because it gives us more room to spread out, a living room to relax in and a kitchen for at least some of our meals. I like having a fridge to keep snacks, drinks and breakfast things in. It may run a bit more than a room, but the savings you get from breakfasts and even lunches in can make up for the difference. For me, though, the biggest advantage would be the extra space and not having to get little ones ready for restaurant breakfasts. Plus, when somebody needs a nap, there's abedroom or bedrooms with doors for quiet and the everyone else can be elsewhere in the home/condo enjoying themselves. Although not the Caribbean, we just reserved a condo for a Spring trip to Galveston Island, and found the selection to be priced very near or the same as that of a single room. The choice was a no-brainer for us. As for specific Caribbean resorts, I don't have many to suggest as, like I mentioned, we tend to rent homes or condos, but I can comment on some of the islands. Peter Island is nice, but was on the expensive side. It has a reputation of being very safe, though. Tortola, which is nearby in the British Virgin Islands is lovely, with a rain forest and mountain in the middle of it. I don't think there's a traffic light on the entire island, just roundabouts, but it's got beautiful beaches and is very laid-back. We especially like the north shore area, which has great vacation homes on the beach to rent. This would be the Long Bay, Apple Bay to Cane Garden Bay area. It's a very safe place to vacation. For a resort there, my choice would be The Sugar Mill, but probably not for small kids. The food is fabulous there, though! St.Thomas is fun and easy to get to. It's congested, though, and the traffic -and parking!- can be daunting at times. We rented a home there in the Peterborg Estates area overlooking Magen's Bay and it, like most there, came with its own gorgeous pool. The Coki Bay area is especially congested as is it's public beach. The two times we went, the air was redolent with the strong scent of pot . . . but the people are very nice. For resorts, the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Resort was very nice, although we didn't stay there. We had two lunches at the outside restaurant on the beach at Belongo Bay. It looked like a nice place, as well. St.John is flat-out gorgeous. Lush, green, tropical and it's very safe, from what we've seen and heard. We lovew it! The beaches are lovely and the water crystal clear. St. Martin/Sint Maarten: it may have just been us, but we weren't very impressed with this island. It came across as too crowded and a bit too commercial, but we did run across some pretty views and places. Puerto Rico, outside the cities you can find some nice places, but I wasn't crazy about it myself. Hope you find someplace that works for you. Let us know where you end up going. Lynn
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Marcia Thornley
21 years ago
Barbados is our favorite. We have been there 10 times is the last 12 years. A small island, it offers many different faces. The east coast, the Atlantic side is rough,rugged and offers beautiful scenery, the west coast offers miles of sandy beaches and clear water for snorkeling or swimming and the south coast has restaurants and night life. Renting a car and exploring the interior of the island is a lot of fun. We have found the people there very friendly and have never felt unsafe. A great place in the Carribean for a family vacation. Accomadations run from modest cottages and apartments to luxury hotels. All beaches are public so you can visit them all.
eileen_launonen
21 years ago
I agree I love Barbados as does my husband. I do think though a cruise is nice because you get a taste of several islands during the week. My personal opinion is a week is too long on any island unless your going to a BIG resort!
sunshine1151
21 years ago
Aruba is our favorite Caribbean island. Spent 17 days there. Didn't rain once. It's out of the hurricane belt. Beautiful beaches, sand and sun. No unemployment, felt very safe there. I would feel safe there travelling as a single woman too. Stayed in a timeshare , accomodations were great. I'd go back tomorrow if I could
Michelle_S
21 years ago
Definitely St. John in the US Virgin Islands! We got married there two years ago. Very little nightlife, no big cities, just small, friendly towns and beautiful beaches. It is safe and friendly, and can be explored with a jeep. There are great sightseeing places, and it would be perfect for the kids.

There are two main hotels but renting a villa is much cheaper and gives you the option to cook or eat out.
BombShelle
21 years ago
Aruba! We've been there twice and are considering returning in the spring. We've looked into other islands but none seem to measure up to Aruba. No rain, no hurricanes, little crime, gorgeous beaches, lots of great casinos, fine restaurants, shopping and the hotels are fab! Stay in the Hyatt...you won't be disappointed, believe me.
butterfly130
21 years ago
Visited Aruba on a cruise and enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed Grand Cayman (same cruise). We swam with the sting rays which was a thrill. Didn't get to see much more of the island but what I did see was beautiful. Seemed to be very lush and clean. Would love to go back again.
On the last cruise, visited St. Thomas and it is beautiful. Took a tour of the island.
San Juan was a disappointment when the tour guide drove thru residential area and there were bars on the windows or barbed wire on the fenced yard.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
19 years ago
I know this is an ancient thread, however, I want to add to it for refernce.
By far my favorite place is the french island Martinque.
It is completly different in feel than the other islands I've been to, about a dozen or so, and I love the french influence.
dayenu
19 years ago
I like Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos. It's small but scenic and very unhurried and perfect for snorkeling. And cheap cheap cheap.
DoggieMom
18 years ago
I hope the original poster of the message has been to the caribbean many times since they asked this question 3 years ago...LOL...but here is my vote: Tortola! It's incredibly beautiful with plenty to do and a great range of lodging choices, from beautiful resorts to private villas to more modest accommodations. My husband and I have been to Barbados, Anguilla, St. Thomas and St. John and although we loved different things about each island, Tortola is hands-down our very favorite!! I'm anxious to visit some of the places listed here, I think Grand Cayman next year. We're going to Old Bahama Bay on Grand Bahama this June for a short 3-night, 20th anniversary trip, it's a direct flight from Atlanta so no all-day travel needed.

favorite carribean island

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