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Bahamas Out Islands OR Turks & Caicos for family of teens?!

Bahamas Out Islands OR Turks & Caicos for family of teens?!

Old Dec 11th, 2014, 11:33 AM
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Bahamas Out Islands OR Turks & Caicos for family of teens?!

Hello,

I see there has been a similar discussion on this subject but our needs are twisted just a bit differently. So, sorry for any redundancy.....

We're looking at another big summer vacation (summer '15)--this time, to the Caribbean. Our family includes our two teenage "monsters" (girl age 15 and boy age 13) They are at the age now where they are a handful--demanding, "bored", embarrassed by us, etc. So, we have a couple of needs: our kids, and then what WE like (places with character, semi-off-the-beaten path BUT WITH enough activities, and great LOCAL joints to eat and drink at. Having said that, I want to avoid at all costs anything overly touristy. So, for us, that leaves out Nassau and Freeport. The Out Islands look great. Maybe either Eleuthera, Exumas, and/or Harbour Island. We're looking at 10-12 days I would say, and would consider up to two locations between those days (ie, two islands max). Things we would all enjoy would be beginner scuba diving (we are certified, kids would require classes) and/or snorkeling, water activities (maybe rent a boat for a couple of days and island hop if simple/easy, local restaurants (I am a borderline "foodie" especially if it is "local"), some light local history, biking, etc. You should know that we live on a barrier island in South Carolina so the beach, itself, is not the big draw like it might be for others. We LOVE the beach, but our trip would evolve on things AROUND the beach rather than catching rays on the beach all day.

Alternatively, the Turks and Caicos came highly recommended for families by a friend of mine who lives in Puerto Rico. Which place has more local "character" and local "culture" by which our kids (and both my wife and I) can experience? Are there other semi-populated islands of the Turks and Caicos that might have more "character"? With either place, we're NOT looking for the all-inclusive resort (I would rather stay home but a more mom-and-pop Inn or Lodge (a swimming pool would be good to include as well). As I'm writing this, I realize that one thing I am trying to "give" to our kids is, indeed, a new culture or way of life for them to experience. We have traveled to Belize and Dominica and both had very cool, dominant cultures that were memories for life.

Any feedback from those of you who've been to both places (and with teens) would be quite welcome.

Thanks to all!
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Old Dec 12th, 2014, 04:23 AM
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How about Staniel Cay? You'd probably have to get 2 bungalows, but sounds what your looking for. (without knowing your budget, Fowl Cay might work for you too- gorgeous 2-3 bedroom homes with really nice power boat included)

Staniel Cay rooms come with a small skiff to explore, so you can island hop easily every day. Food there is a amazing (you want the meal plan, which also includes the boat).

Stop to see the swimming pigs, sand bars, tame sharks, iguanas, etc. Different cay for everything.

Or go to Great Exuma, again you can explore the different Cays every day (but more expensive to do as you hire daily boats)

Kids are funny, you'd think they'd get bored, but they adapt! My now 13 year old has been to Turks many times, and to San Salvador, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Abacos, Exumas (both Great and Staniel), Nassau, Paradise, Grand Bahama, .....loved them all!
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Old Dec 14th, 2014, 02:15 AM
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Blamona,

Thanks for the info. Well our budget is probably a bit less than what is needed for those beautiful places---maybe $6K for a week max.

I would add something about my 13 year old son. He is an budding fisherman who has found his passion in life already. So we will want to find places to salt water fish--fly fishing, which is something he's just starting to learn, would be awesome. The Staniel Cay Yacht Club looked incredibly nice, but not quite sure if we can stay within our budget when all is said and done.

From your travels (I see you've been to numerous islands), is there a perfect balance for us that would suffice our daughter in terms of some local places for shopping coupled with these sorts of water activities?
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Old Dec 14th, 2014, 07:11 AM
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Staniel Cay is less than other options.

So you know, fly fishing is hugely expensive in Caribbean

My husband paid $400 on exumas

Tci can go for $800

Most places aren't just cast a reel off the beach as many places are national parks and make it illegal-- why it's so expensive

Fishing is good at:

Exumas,Bimini, TCI

Snorkeling is good at: Tci, San Salvador, Eleuthera, andros

Sailing and boats are good at: Staniel Cay, exumas, Abacos With excursions Tci

Harbour Island is expensive, as is Tci

Locals restaurants, any of the Out Islands. Budget is tight in Tci, restaurants are expensive



Overall Tci is not as commercial as Nassau or Freeport, but not as local rustic as out islands

You're either going to have to compromise wants or up your budget.

Summer is a little easier and usually has specials

Consider air can be costly- at least a third of your budget

I still think Staniel Cay fits best for all criteria
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 06:43 PM
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Hi Nomad4-
we have been to SCYC twice and love it but I would look at something different for your budget and needs. I don't know if you use TA as well but a recent trip report about this property came to mind when I read your mail- see below for link.
We have been to GE and you will find that you can fly there on major carriers from the US (GGT is Georgetown, Exuma)- renting a car is easy and the driving is easy as well.
I think with the waterfront location (here or elsewhere), kayaks, paddleboards, dinghy, wade in flats fishing, etc. that it might be a great place to consider-
On a Sunday, take a water taxi from town to Stocking Island to the Chat-n-Chill for the weekly pig roast for some social time-
food in the out islands- or the Bahamas in general- is not a foodie's heaven but just adjust and have fun or buy your own local seafood and cook gourmet meals at home.
Here is the house/area I mentioned (we have NOT stayed there but elsewhere on the island and recommend Exuma to you to consider):

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...s_Bahamas.html
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Old Jan 2nd, 2015, 02:34 AM
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Ishkribbl,

This place looks pretty interesting and definitely would be within our budget, even without a "meal plan". I will dig some more into this option. What I like is the fact that a boat could be included and that you are already on a main island for sightseeing and heading into town (7 miles away)...that part is good for our kids as well. I also like that US Airways can take me right to the Exumas. Staniel Cay, as Blamona stated, gets very expensive when all the transportation costs from Ft. Lauderdale are included.

Again, thank you for your experiences and sharing some knowledge!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2015, 05:27 AM
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Not to bring up negatives, but sounds like money is tight (so you need to account this for staying there)

Car rentals (if you're 7 miles away you have to have one) runs $85-$100 daily, gas around $6 a gallon

Staying there you'll do a lot if driving, youre off the beaten path

Moriah Cay is amazing! Looks like you can kayak there. All other Cays will require a motor boat (usually $350 plus for a half a day)

You can drive to Georgetown on Sundays for free ferry over to Stocking, other than that you have to pay the water taxi to Stocking on other days

Check with airlines about checking in a cooler with food-- this will save. Other than that, there's a handful of restaurants in Georgetown, and an excellent one at Coco Plum beach, about 14? Miles from the house rentals

Exumas are all about being on a boat and exploring the Cays. You can drive to Tropic of Cancer Beach (stunning!) but majority require water eventually, and kayak will get you only a couple close by)

Im not trying to sound negative, trying to be realistic! I did both, stayed at Great Exuma 1 trip, Staniel Cay on another. When all was paid for, Staniel Cay ended up being a bargain! And was cheaper than Abacos, Harbour Island, etc

The only Out Island that is mainly by car (where you save on boat rentals/trips) is Eleuthera and San Salvador. Eleuthera is done by car, and many beaches to explore.

Exumas is done by boat-- and actually hard to see majority of them from 1 base. (although expensive, so worth it, now there's a day trip by power boat from Great Exuma to Staniel Cay area-- you see swimming pigs, iguanas, tame sharks, sand bars and Thunderball Ghrotto in 1 day, but it's around $250 plus pp)

Exumas are amazing, my opinion the prettiest water in the world. It will be fantastic regardless which you choose, but being realistic, Staniel Cay is a bargain for what you get!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2015, 06:51 AM
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Granted, it was 2 years ago and the price is probably somewhat higher,but we paid Thompson's Car Rental $490 for 9 days (4 door Honda Accord with AC)- shop around. Also, the island is not that big so even driving the car every day and exploring all of Great and Little Exuma we did not buy gas until we were ready to return the car. You really do not need anything but a car (no 4 wheel drive needed imo) so get the type that is most gas economical.
We paid Minn's $125 a day (for 7 days- the daily rate goes down incrementally depending on how many days you rent it) for 17' Boston Whaler. The gas was additional but I don't think we used a great deal of gas since the rental range is limited. We used the boat every day for hours on end.
I have corresponded with the owner of that property I sent you the link to and while the kayaks are free, he charges $150 a day for the 15' whaler BUT you can take it wherever is safe so you would be seeing more and different areas than you are allowed to with a rental from Minn's that must stay in Elizabeth Harbour - not to mention that you would not really want to drive into town every day (but certainly could) to get to the rental at Minn's. You an also rent his larger boat but only with a captain so he might be a good idea as far as taking you on a trip farther that requires a larger boat/more powerful motor. I would bet he offers attractive prices to his renters for fishing or island exploration trips.
The place looks perfect for a base for wade-in fly fishing! The owner lives very near by or next door and is a professional fly fishing guide according to the website. I also notice in the photos that the kayaks are rigged for fishermen.
I read very good reviews of the place and am considering it for ourselves later in the summer of 2015. We can fly Delta direct to GE from Atlanta in case that is an option for you from S.C. There are a lot of rentals on the island so look at vrbo, etc.
I love SCYC and agree it is well worth it for all the things that are included. I just know that we spent less overall elsewhere so I am suggesting GE in that regard.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2015, 06:53 AM
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http://www.the-bahamas-car-rentals.com/thompsonscars/

still looks very reasonable!
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Old Feb 5th, 2015, 09:24 AM
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We usually go for 2 weeks in July and we split our time between Great Exuma and Long Island. There is a ferry between the two islands on Tuesdays. We usually fly to one island, stay there for X number of days, then ferry over for the rest of the trip and fly home from that island. Long Island is known for bonefishing. There was a small article about it in the recent Garden and Gun "Hidden Caribbean" edition.
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Old Mar 20th, 2015, 01:14 PM
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Ishkribbl,

Well after extensive research, we've booked a late June week at the rental you recommended via Tripadvisor that's south of Georgetown. Looks like a very good deal with kayaks included and boat rental cheap!

I'll give you an update after the trip. Thanks for the reference.
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