fykodha

Greetings!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...461&highlight=

In a recent topic we talked about islands in the South Pacific (Tahiti, Fiji, etc.). Tahiti islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, etc.) have the most beautiful scenic beaches. I prefer Fiji. Fiji islands offer a nearly comparable island paradise and is less expensive. People speak French on the Tahiti islands. There is minor regional conflict among people on Fiji islands.

I have read good reviews on islands in the Caribbean including Anguilla and U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John). What is the overall best island destination in the Caribbean? Comparable to islands in South Pacific?

Ocn Vw 1K

Please follow the discussion in our Travel->Caribbean forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

TheCrackedJack

Honestly, there is nothing comparable to those islands in the Caribbean. That's why people spend all that money and time to fly out there.

That doesn't mean you can't find beautiful islands in the Caribbean, you certainly can.

St. John and Saba rate high for great views and scenery and certainly can make you feel like your away from it all. Take a look or search the Luxury hotels forum and you'll see some high end resorts that can rival some of the best in the world.

ohioflyer

St Lucia in the area of the Pitons comes closest in the Caribbean to looking like a South Pacific island. You mention people speaking French and I'm not sure if you see that as a plus or a minus--people in St Lucia speak a patois that is heavily based on French, but everyone also speaks and understands English. St Lucia has excellent beaches (although not the very best in the Caribbean), great snorkeling, lots of lush green scenery, a drive-in volcano, hot springs (including a hot spring waterfall), and its hilly, winding roads offer some of the most fun driving in the Caribbean. If you've never been to the Caribbean you may find some of the St Lucia people to be a little edgy, in some cases like Jamaicans lite.

Anguilla is a very different island--flat and dry, with beautiful beaches and some highly regarded expensive resorts.

St John is blessed with a huge national park. Some may find it too crowded in the area outside the park, and/or too Americanized. Snorkeling is excellent, and if you want to camp in the Caribbean this island may be your best choice. You certainly don't have to camp: there are well-known high-end properties, and lots of villas to rent. It may be hard to find a really good value middle-range place.

Saba does have great views, snorkeling and diving, and great people, but its lack of a beach puts it lower on most people's list.

Obviously the "overall best island destination in the Caribbean" will depend on what you are seeking. Your overall best island destination may be different than mine.

dannythecat

Harbour Island! It's a small island off the northeastern tip of Eleuthera, reachable only by water taxi or private yacht, and the pink sand beach on the eastern shore of the island is simply spectacular. It's a favourite destination for fashion and swimwear photo shoots (the lone tree, located on the northwest part of the island, has had many a model draped over it in its time), and it really does look just like the photos. We spent a wonderful week there, and would return in a heartbeat.

Kagehitokiri

turks & caicos >

parrot cay has beachfront villas.

the upcoming RC will also have beachfront villas.

the upcoming MO will have some overwater villas, though im not sure theyll be managed by MO.

johannesj

Ohioflyer keeps beating me to the reponses so all I can say is ditto with regards to points raised about St. Lucia (may be biased because I am St. Lucian) and Anguilla.

It would be helpful if you included a bit more details of your preferences.

fykodha

I enjoy swimming at beautiful beach under clear blue water. Its water is so clear you can see the shadow of things reflected from sunlight under water. The ocean is beautiful especially around sunrise and sunset.

slawecki

every place i have been in the carib has been hot as hell. and usually pretty humid. way too much of it has cruise boat access.

check out peter island.

bdesmond

Aruba/Bonaire/Curacao have the constant tradewind which actually diminishes this quite a bit. Also usually only in the 80-90 degrees F range.

mkt

Virgin Gorda

SCL767

[QUOTE=slawecki;10137800]every place i have been in the carib has been hot as hell. and usually pretty humid. way too much of it has cruise boat access.


Check out the Grenadines

BostonPaul

My personal favorite is St. John, hands down. It is most definately more crowded on days that the ships are docked in STT, but you cannot beat Trunk Bay for snorkeling...

For smaller, less populous islands, I also really love Nevis. MUCH less crowded than the USVI, and the moutains rising behind the golf course at the Four Seasons is something I can never get enough of...

Have never been to the South Pacific, but I find it hard to believe that anywhere on earth can be that much more beautiful than the Caribbean.

skye1

That actually puts it higher on mine, in the sense that it's "lack" of overdeveloped beach front resort props makes it less crowded, etc. and it's lack of a place for cruise ships to park keeps them away, and it's intriguing airstrip keeps big planes away. Def. for everyone, 'tho...if one didn't snorkel, hike, or scuba, than yep, probably not high on the list.

Bonaturtle

definitely check out the Grenadines. I spent a week on Palm Island, which is accessible by boat from Union Island. Pretty amazing. But you also have Canouan, Mustique, Bequia, Mayreau, Petit St. Vincent which are all great for that "middle of nowhere" feel with great views.