Completely different from each other.

Don't know anything about you, what are your vacation tastes, what do you want out of it, what time of year are you traveling?

Tell us mire about you to help out!

Grenada: Lush scenery, friendly people, good restaurants, great hotels, lots to see and do.

Abaco: Cute, great beaches and sailing. Limited restaurants, moderate hotels/inns. Laid back and simple

Two completely different holidays and destinations.

blamona and Carib_Ian: Thanks for the feedback! Some additional information: This is a high school graduation trip for my son. Wife and daughter (age 21) are coming. As noted, leave in June (19th) and will stay one week.

His original request was "an island vacation". I think he was thinking beaches. Fishing. Snorkeling. Good food, particularly seafood. We landed on Grenada original after looking at where my frequent flier miles could take us, expected costs and forum feedback. We didn't go the Aruba or Cancun route because I didn't want them running off and wanting to party all night in a strange place. This Abaco thing came up just this week, so it's kind of thrown a wrench in the equation as I think that's where my wife would like to go (to be with her brother/sister in law). Would be nice to have access to a boat, but seems like there's not much character or scenery in the Bahamas (we've been to Paradise Island, but that's about it for that country). Grenada seem to be more of the "True Caribbean" experience.

Not looking for an expensive, AI kind of location. We'd be happy with a 2 BR place that has a kitchen so we can eat in some.

Any other thoughts you'd might have would be appreciated!

Don't judge the Abacos by your experience of Nassau. Lack of character and scenery are simply not the case for the Abacos; it's just different from Grenada (and I know whereof I speak, having visited each at least 4 times).

The Abacos are loaded with charm and character, especially the cays. Tiny settlements with no car traffic, pastel painted saltbox houses, picket fences, a history entwined with American Revolutionary times, the most picturesque lighthouse in the Bahamas. And the beaches -- oh, the beaches! The landscape is flatter than Grenada, and Grenada is greener and has more geological interest, but the snorkeling will be better in the Abacos. And the island-hopping in the Abacos is wonderful, especially if you have access to a boat.

I'm not trying to talk you into one or the other -- just making sure you give each one a fair shake. Check out my webpage (with trip reports from both, as well as photos), for more information: www.islandtime.homestead.com.

Callaloo: Wonderful comments and loved the blogs. Am reading them with great interest. It's funny, but this becomes a very difficult decision. With a son going off the college, the goal is to give him "an experience" he'll remember for ever. I'm really torn between staying with the original plan of going to Grenada, which by all rights appears to have wonderful beaches, snorkeling, food, people etc., to going with the wife's wishes and changing everything (with associated costs due to frequent flier miles!) to Abaco, which appears to have better snorkeling, boating etc. options if her brother gets the boat.

both destinations are great options. i have some thoughts.

1. if you go to abaco your trip becomes more about your wife & her brother than about your son. plus the more people on a trip the more complicated it becomes - when different people feel like doing different things. some get up early & ready to rock others like to ease into the day slowly/ bed early vs bed late/ like burgers vs likes seviche etc

2. grenada is very,very different than anywhere in the states. tropical, lush, Very different culture. it might make a more lasting memory - and this might be one of the last times your family will have to spend time like this together

3. unless brother will never have boat again you can do that another time

We have not been to Abaoco for years but went twice in the 1980's for fishing. One of the most costly aspects of fishing you do noyt have to worry about since you have the boat othrer than maybe chippimg in $200 for gas. As said the beaches are quite nice. I would assume the coral by now is bleaches as it is in much of the Bahamas and Caribbean but it may be no worse now, It was not as good as St.John 20 years ago but I have been to Grenada in the last 4 years and the snorkeleling is limited though the overall eb=nviriment has more of a tropical feel that Abaco,I cannot comment on current dining but 2 places sounds awfully low. Overall cost of trip should be 15+% less including air to Abaco. Kayak.com cabn give you the various flight options and costs.
Congrauations.