Bahamas help

Old Dec 1st, 2016, 02:39 PM
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Bahamas help

Overwhelmed and seeking help in finding best destination in Bahama out islands or Turks/Caicos or Caymans for a week @June 10, taking the following into consideration.

2 grandparents, 2 parents, 2 kids age 6 and 10.
Flying from Denver and Chicago and want to do it in a reasonable day without more than 2 flights.
Want 3 bedroom vacation rental on a nice swimmable beach. Near some restaurants/groceries but NOT near cruise ship crowds or lots of nightlife.
Could rent a 6 passenger vehicle.
Curious about weather as well.

All suggestions welcome! Thanks.
Jmins is offline  
Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 02:58 AM
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If you're considering the Out Islands, understand that you are going to get a much more rustic experience than T&C or GC, and that it will be more difficult to get there.

That said, June is a nice time in the Out Islands, though it will be warm. It's early in hurricane season, so the threat of a storm is modest (compared to September). You'll have the occasional shower, but sustained storminess is unusual.

In the Out Islands, I would suggest the Abacos -- one of the cays (Elbow, Green Turtle, Great Guana) in particular. One possible routing is DIA or ORD to MIA, on to Marsh Harbour (MHH). From there you will ferry to your chosen cay. From ORD you can get there early in the afternoon; don't know about Denver, since that depends on whether you can get to Miami in time for the MHH connection.

In the Abacos, you'll be renting a golf cart and/or boat to get around. None of the cays is large enough for standard rental cars. I honestly don't know whether the golf cart will manage 6 pax -- you might need to get 2.

You should be able to find a rental villa that will meet your requirements. Each of the cays I've mentioned has a settlement (Hopetown on Elbow Cay, and New Plymouth on Green Turtle are especially picturesque and charming -- think candy colored houses, white picket fences). There is no cruise ship traffic, really, in any of the Out Islands (other than the "private" islands), and no night life either. You'll find groceries (basic on the cays, more comprehensive in Marsh Harbour) and restaurants, and an utterly safe and friendly vibe that will allow you to let your kids roam free in confidence. And the beaches are beautiful.

The Abacos aren't your only option, but they are what I suggest for Out Island novices for relative ease of travel and more availability of resources. You can also find what you're looking for in Great Exuma, Eleuthera (Harbour Island if your resources allow), etc. So dig in, roll your sleeves up, and look at particulars.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 07:36 AM
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I personally would choose the out islands. Eleuthera is a quick hour flight from Fort Lauderdale which I presume is a direct from either Denver and Chicago.

On Eleuthera the Governors Harbour or North Palmetto point are pretty central to groceries. There are plenty of beachfront villas on VRBO or homeaway that can be rented at reasonable prices. The island is littered with tons of un-crowded gorgeous beaches. You need a car to explore.

Turks is nice and more developed with more upscale restaurant choices. Also has some very nice beachfront villas but at a much higher cost.

Grand Cayman is also lovely. Main beach is 7 mile beach in Georgetown which is where the cruise ships come in. The north end of 7 mile is more quiet. Condo rental is more the thing on 7 mile beach although I think there may be houses as well. Lots of fantastic restaurants on Cayman.

Overall Cayman and Turks will be more expensive. Your experience in the out islands will be slightly more rustic but more authentic in my view.
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Old Dec 2nd, 2016, 06:56 PM
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June is a great time to go to Grand Cayman. Since it is off-season. You can rent a 3 bedroom condo on Seven Mile beach for a reasonable price. Many excellent restaurants. Supermarkets are just like the US.

Condos have their own beach areas and are always uncrowded.

Weather is hot but not unbearable.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 02:35 AM
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All 3 are great choices but I would choose T&C for you because:

3 generations, out islands Bahamas require work to get to, and sometimes work once there. Big distances to explore, eat, etc. Great destination, but sounds like you haven't been to many places, I think it's better with more experience. Plus you want an "easier" vacation with grand parents and kids. Traveling to some can be a challenge(part of the adventure, but sounds for now you don't want adventure getting there). Even once there getting around can be
Challenging.

Caymans has more nightlife and more cruises

So sounds like T&C is best fit, easier to get to, no cruise ships. Extremely family friendly. Many resorts and villas to choose from, excellent restaurants, great beach
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 08:40 AM
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Thanks all..this is truly most helpful to get me started!
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Old Dec 16th, 2016, 07:18 AM
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We went to GC in June one year and it is a great destination for families. Lots of condo options and the food was very good on the island. We were at the Marriott hotel. The weather is hot in June but I think most islands are. We found the people very friendly and the island safe and a nice place to bring kids. Great snorkeling!
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