Kristy88

My husband and I want to go somewhere tropical in the Spring 2011. Tahiti has always been my dream, but we don't have the time or money right now for that. I've been to Kauai, but my husband hasn't and he would like to go there or some island that's either lush or mountainous/hilly. I know the snorkeling isn't as good in Kauai as alot of places in the Caribbean. We thought of St. John USVI, but coming from California we have a 5 hour flight to Miami, a layover and then another 2 1/2 hour flight to St. Thomas - then have to take the ferry to St. John. Although we can visit the BVI and do other things while we are there.

Is there another Caribbean island you recommend that doesn't take so long to get to yet would be somewhat lush or mountainous? Also one that I don't have to worry about Malaria or Dengue Fever. I thought of Grand Cayman, but it's pretty flat. Not sure if my husband is going to be happy with that since he isn't a "lay around on the beach type of person". Or do you think Kauai is probably a better bet than any of the other Caribbean islands? Also, I love to snorkel and want to go somewhere with beautiful, calm clear water and be able to rent kayaks.

RoamsAround

Obviously, the closer your destination is to MIA the quicker you'll be able to get there. Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the USVI's are the closest "lush, mountainous" islands to MIA. Of those the USVI's offer the best snorkeling opportunities which makes St. John perfect for what you are seeking.

Any other island (that is further south) is going to take you more time. As you've already found out getting to the Caribbean from California is difficult and time consuming - there's simply no way around that. You are going to have to make some concessions in accepting the time needed to reach your destination. Honestly, if you are balking at the time it takes to get to St. John perhaps you should save the trip to the Caribbean when you have more time. FYI - as a general rule the lush mountainous islands (such as St. Martin, Antigua, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Lucia, Grenada) do not have very good snorkeling - that's what makes the USVI's and the BVI's exceptional - they are hilly, somewhat lush and have very good to excellent snorkeling.

Have you considered the Bahamas or the Turks & Caicos? They are much closer to MIA and many offer some decent snorkeling BUT none are hilly or can be described as "lush".

Kristy88

I had considered those. I've been to the Bahamas and it was nice. I think if I was going to go to a flat island though it would be Grand Cayman. It seems alot of people like that island.

I also thought of the Yucatan Mexico or Cozumel. I can fly direct from Los Angeles to Cancun and just take the ferry over from Playa Del Carmen. Although I'm not too sure about feeling safe about the food, mosquitoes etc. in Mexico. I know the Yucatan and Cozumel are flat, but they do have jungle.

suze

Coming from California, going to Hawaii makes a lot more sense and definitely gets you the "lush, mountainous, hilly."

The USVI are tiny islands and quite dry.

For the Caribbean, I'd say Jamaica most closely fits.

virginia

if you have 10 days or 2 weeks the trip to st. john would be worth it.
if not, cozumel is very nice, but has that flat look and not lots to do. has good nightlife.
you could stay on the maya riviera coast (south from cancun to tulum).
tons of resorts (ai or hotel),condos & villas. good snorkeling. more to do in close proximity than on any island. ruins to tour (coba, tulum, chichen itza), ziplines, caves/cenotes to explore, diving/snorkeling, duty free shopping, horseback riding (in jungle or on beach) kayaking in biosphere, atv jungle rides, 2 great eco-marine parks (xel-ha & xcaret) golf/tennis, fishing (bone or deep sea).
there is some dengue. less than southern lush islands and central america. according to cdc the entire caribbean is experiencing more cases than normal. the food is tasty & safe. nobody drinks the water. all resorts purify and villas provide bottled water in 5 gal jugs.
locogringo.com has all the info you need on one site.

Kristy88

It's actually 5-7 days we will be spending there. I am not objected to flying that far to St. Thomas/St. John if it's really worth it. I know it's a hassle, but there is always going to be a negative no matter which route you take.

Kauai is alot easier, shorter trip since you can fly direct. It's lush and beautiful, but the only thing it's missing is the beautiful turquoise water that alot of the Caribbean and Tahiti has. That's my only drawback from going there. I showed my husband videos of Grand Cayman, Bahamas and Cozumel and he just isn't impressed. When I showed him St. John and Kauai he loves those.

suze

I guess I'm not excited because USVI is the one place I've ever vacationed that didn't excite me and that I would never return to. It just didn't do it for me. St. John is an itty bitty island and nothing like Kauai (imho).

Kristy88

Suze did you snorkel in Kauai? If so, was the water pretty and clear? I know it wouldn't be as nice as Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, Cozumel or Bahamas water, but was it nicer than say - St. Lucia's or Grenadas?

suze

Kristy~
No, I have never even been to Kauai, I know it from photos and reading about it. I've only been to Oahu and Maui in Hawaii. And I've never snorkeled anywhere. In the USVI I was on both St. Thomas and St. John.

I've not been to any of the other Caribbean islands you're asking about. Hopefully others will see this post and chime in with better information for you.

virginislandtraveler

Kristy,

I've been to Kauai and I lived on St Thomas/St John in 2007/2008..

If you go to the Virgin Islands, by all means consider St John..the jewel of the caribbean..Beautiful views and beaches..However, much smaller that any Hawaiian Island.

The caribbean has a completely different personality..Not as developed, steel band music and the locals are are equally diverse...

You will love St John, but a trip from California would be tough going..Kauai actually has similar beaches along the north shore where they filmed "South Pacific" and not as developed as Oahu or Maui...The prices are also cheaper in Kauai..

If you want to learn more on the Virgin Islands..ck out my site:

http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com

And have a great trip..

Kristy88

Thanks Virginislandtraveler! I will take a look at your site. I think we've narrowed it down to either a land vacation on Kauai north shore or a Caribbean cruise. If we take an eastern Caribbean cruise, it stops in St. Thomas and we can take the ferry over to St. John for the day so at least I'll be able to see it. It also goes to other islands I want to see. I'm just not a good flyer and even 5 to 5 1/2 hours seems long to me, but at least both choices you only have to fly once (either to Kauai or Florida for cruise).

virginia

couple other points.
-caribbean water is warmer than hawaii so more comfortable for snorkeling
- you must fly between hawaiian islands. if you stay on st. john you can do day trip excursions by boat to all the bvi except anegada (which is a bit too far) or there is a ferry system if you wish to spend several hours on one island.
if you choose st. john the caneel bay resort is fabulous with 7 of it's own beaches.

if you're going to cruise maybe look at ships that sail from san juan too.
where in cal are you flying from?

Kristy88

Virginia - LAX. The problem with sailings out of San Juan is no direct flights go from California to Puerto Rico either. So I might as well just be doing the land trip to St. Thomas/St. John if I have to do the connecting flight in Miami thing. I just don't really want to do connecting flights - much less one for 5 hours to Florida and then another 2 1/2 - 3 hours to Caribbean island of choice. It's much easier for East Coasters to fly directly to St. Thomas or wherever without having to take a connecting flight and they're there in about 3 hours time. But St. John would be my choice if I could just go to one island in the Caribbean.

suze

That's what I did to get to Jamaica this summer. Seattle to Atlanta on a red-eye. Atlanta to Montego Bay in the morning arriving around noon. I think that's just the reality of getting from west coast US to the Caribbean?

So to your original question, while I don't think Kauai is "better" I do know it's easier to get to as far as the plane ride, when you're starting on the west coast.

Kristy88

Suze what did you think of Jamaica? My husband saw a documentary on that and now he wants to go there. I hear it's kind of dirty and the people are pushy. What did you think of it?

suze

Well personally I love Jamaica but it is definitely not for everyone. I have been to Negril 3 times and would happily return in a heartbeat. It is an extremely poor country (when you say "dirty"), quite rustic and somewhat primitive still in many ways. I find the local people to be friendly, but again because the country is so poor, yes sometimes the vendors come across as "pushy" in dealing with tourists and trying to make a living off them.

There's a good thread on this forum right now called "Aqua Negril Resort" that has a lot of people's different observations and perceptions about visiting Jamaica.

colleen62

Look into Belize. Amazing snorkeling! We've snorkeled many times in Hawaii and that can not compare with Belize. There are direct flights from Houston. When we went we split our time between the Jungle (LOVED IT) and the beach. At the beach we went on 2 snorkle trips to the barrier reef and a fishing trip. In the jungle horseback riding and a hike into ATM (amazing caves. Just an idea. It would give you a chance to snorkel and some more activities for your husband.