Frenchfries

I am planning a mid-November trip to the Caribbean islands and am deciding between the US virgin islands and the Bahamas. I have the possibility for a stay at the Grand Bahamian Sandals resort, but the Bahamas have hurricane damage. I don't want to miss out on anything that might be closed or see a lot of damage. Since this is my first time to the Caribbean I want the perfect vacation. St Thomas looks nice and I would definitely go over to St John for a day as well as possibly a day in St Croix. And no hurricane damage. Not sure which destination to choose... help.

RobertoB

Here's an idea.....St. John and go over to St. Thomas for the day. November's a great time to go to the USVIs.

Schultz

I've been to the Bahamas and to the VI also. I've never been back to the Bahamas....went to STT for my 12th or so visit in the past 18 years this past August.

Personally I don't think there is much of a comparison if you are looking for a vacation in the caribbean. IMO, the Bahamas is a lot like south Florida with a British accent......the VI is definitely the caribbean.

Schultz

TedTurner

"the Bahamas is a lot like south Florida with a British accent......the VI is definitely the caribbean".
I wouldn't disagree with that comment if the discussion is limited to Nassau, Freeport, etc. But remember that the out islands have some of the Caribbean's best, unspoiled and unpopulated beaches. Most discriminating travellers consider Pink Sands to be superior to anything the USVI's have to offer. For those looking for predictable American/Canadian style resort luxury, the Four Seasons on Eleuthera is also far nicer than anything in the USVI's.

wantsomesun

I think you might have meant the Four Seasons on Exuma. I had to laugh thinking about a Four Seasons on Eleuthera. Windemere, was one of the nicest resorts in the carribean on Eleuthera, it's where Princess Di and Prince Charles had their honeymoon, but it is no longer operating.

There are several nice places to stay on Harbour Island, very upscale, like the newly opened Rock House, overlooking the bay. Also Pink Sands is very nice right on the beach with lovely accomodations. You also might look into Dunmore Beach Club and Romora Bay.

I was not aware there was a Sandals on GBI, could you mean Nassau? If so there is a beautiful Sandals on Nassau, and I understand it did not sustain much damage, there was some damage to their little island, just off shore, but that is already being repaired.

have a wonderful trip wherever you decide to go.

jacketwatch

Actually Teds comment about the out islands is true as far as I know. An aquaintance of mine stayed at one of the out islands and his description was that of unspoiled beauty. STT is pretty but very commercialized and dining is expensive. Not trying to be picky but the Bahamas are in the Atlantic ocean and not the Caribbean.

TedTurner

Not enough glucose in my brain. Whew. Cardinal sin at this board is to lump the Bahamas or Bermuda in with the Caribbean islands. And Exuma-Eleuthera isn't any better. I think it's time to get some food!

Frenchfries

I appreciate all the wonderful advice. Whether or not the Bahamas are technically in the Caribbean or not doesn't bother me... I am just looking for a nice island vacation. Which destination is better for the combination of sightseeing and hotel/beach lounging/relaxing (i.e. lots to do but nice to relax at too)? Sounds like STT can be quite busy... but then again what's there to do in the Bahamas?

Callaloo

If you go to Nassau or Freeport, you can pretty much have the same activities that you get in STT. If you head to the Out Islands, your activities will principally be water/nature related -- and there is no shortage of them.

In the Out Islands, there is, of course, the obligatory lounging on the beach. But in the Out Islands there will be no cocktail waitress shuttling drinks out to you; more likely, you will be all by yourself on a breathtaking swath of white or pink sand, perhaps with a cooler toting your favorite libations. You can dive, snorkel, go fishing, sailing, boating, or dolphin-watching. If you visit Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos, take a trip with Brendal or Lincoln Jones, which culminates with a lunch of just-caught fish on a deserted beach, cooked over a coconut husk fire. Some of the islands, like Cat and Andros, have wonderful mangrove creeks: very shallow and with crystal clear water that are a breeding ground for fish, rays and sharks. Take a kayak through one of those. Or rent a bike and visit the quaint settlements (like Hopetown in the Abacos) or other local sights (like the Hermitage on Cat).

If you want to get in touch with the people who live on island, visit a bar or restaurant and start talking. Or if you have a rental car, offer someone a lift -- not only is it safe, it's almost expected. West Indian culture is alive and well here.

In the Out Islands, shopping is an afterthought or a necessity, not a focal point. Watersports generally don't include jetskis. The pleasures are simpler and quieter.

I've also been to each of the USVI, as well as to the BVI on multiple occasions. Each has plenty to recommend it, but for my precious time and money, nothing in the Atlantic/Caribbean basin compares to the Out Islands of the Bahamas for sheer escape and stunning beaches.

As for hurricane damage to the Out Islands, Abaco suffered a good bit from Frances and Jeanne, but (sadly) they have been through this drill before (e.g. Dennis and Floyd in 1999) and by mid-November a semblance of normalcy will have returned. However, if you have any interest at all in the Out Islands, better bets would be islands further south in the chain: Harbor Island and Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, Andros. However, the Out Islands are not for sissies.

For more, read some of my trip reports at www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html.

(OK -- now that I've written my ode to the Out Islands (inspired by the nip in the air in Chesapeake country and my trip to Cat Island at the end of the month, no doubt), don't everybody come, please!)

jacketwatch

To the OP: If you want the beach and activities as you please then consider Puerto Rico. Lots of great beaches and lots to see ans do as well. They even have a rain forest to explore which we found very beautiful. Good luck with your decision. And Ted I hope you're full now.

Hana

Frenchfries -

I have visited the Royal Bahamian Sandals resort in Nassau - my brother was married there in 2001. We spent the day at the resort. You mention beaches in your previous post.

Unless they have made changes to the resort it doesn't have much of a beach at all - actually, while we were there only a couple of people were swimming. As I recall it's a very narrow strip of sand - everyone lounged around the pools - I don't even remember seeing lounge chairs on the beach. I understand they have an island that you can take a boat to and it has a substantial beach there. I can't tell you anymore about that but I can definitely say that there is not really much of a beach at the Sandals resort itself.
Have a good vacation.

CurtHF

Hi, I totally agree with Callaloo, above. Been to BVI, AmerVI, and PR, both ashore and all around on sailboats. If you like crowds, tourists, traps, etc. go there. If you want fantastic beauty, beaches, and just regular nice people, go the southern Bahamas. The northern Bahamas are ok, but mostly nothing but East Miami, Fla. Our choice island for everything but crowds, is Long Island, Bahamas. It has a luxury small resort, Cape Santa Marie, eco resorts, such as Chezpierrehahamas, or small clean motels like Ellen's Inn. But you probably will want to rent a car to see the total beauty of the island. Curt

VickiMeagan

To anyone who has answered Frenchfries, perhaps especially Callahoo: Please forgive me if this is out of line, posting like this (using up your space, Frenchfries); I am very computer-illiterate; tried to post my own question and it didn't work. We're planning a one-month stay on island of Eleuthera. Want "funky" rather than "fancy". Been trying to phone Tarpum Bay, Spanish Wells, and The Colony, to no avail. Am going to send a 'snailmail' letter. Are their lines down due to the hurricanes? Does anyone know of an inexpensive place other than those written in Fodor's? Thx. Vicki

wantsomesun

Vicki,

Are you looking to rent a house? If so you might check with Island Realty on Harbour Island. They know of lots of homes available on Harbour Island and N. Eleuthera.

You also might get intouch with the Bethel family (Asa and Ethel) in Palmetto Point. I have rented a house from them twice and loved it. They own/rent several houses in the area and they come fully equiped and most are right on the beach.

You also might try the www.briland.com board for more info on the area.

Spanish Wells, I think only has 2 hotels on island and one restaurtant, and several homes available for rent, but again, Island Realty should be able to give you the correct info on that as well.

Hope this helps, and have a great time.

Callaloo

Vickie, the lines may very well be down since the hurricane, so getting through to Eleuthera may be a challenge. You may have better luck trying to e-mail or call a cell phone number (forget snail mail -- getting mail to the Bahamas gives a whole new meaning to the term!). Do check www.briland.com to get suggestions of how best to get through.

My last stay in Eleuthera was quite a while ago, but we had a great time at the Rainbow Inn, which I believe is still in operation. Don't know if it's the kind of place I'd want to stay a month, mostly because it's on the water, but not on a beach.

RobertoB

Message to Vicki-

Try these sites for places to stay on Eleuthera:

http://www.eleutheraliving.com/

http://www.eleu.net/vacation.html

http://myharbourisland.com/rental.htm

Also a Eleuthera specific forum:

http://pub9.bravenet.com/forum/693744326

colin1960

Sandals Royal Bahamian is open for business,they had some cosmetic damage but closed for the month of Sept to do repairs.

bonmon62

Dear Callaloo, I see that you are going to Cat Island... I am working on getting there in Feb. I have two kids, husband, want to stay somewhere inexpensive. How do you get there? Do you fly into Nassau? Do they have american food? Do i have to bring my own food. I would like to have a small kitchen. Any info you can share would be great. Thanks.

Callaloo

bonmon62,

It's a bit easier to get to Cat Island now than it was even a year ago. For my upcoming trip, I'm flying the last leg on Continental/Gulfstream from Ft. Lauderdale; it leaves in the late afternoon, so you have lots of choices on how to get to FLL. (Last year, we had to fly to Nassau, stay overnight, then catch a morning flight on Cat Island Air.)

As for food, we ate most of our meals at Fernandez Bay Village, where we stayed. Not cheap (about $62 pp, per day), but a good mix of continental and Bahamian food. Dinners were buffet, and lunches were a la carte. Since we pretty much ate conch and grouper for lunch every day, I don't remember if they had any American staples like burgers on the menu.

We only stopped at one grocery store, to pick up some snack food, and the selection was quite limited and prices high. While you wouldn't go hungry, it probably wouldn't be great eating either. In a case like this, you might very well consider bringing in your own food, or at least your own meats and snack foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are prohibited from being brought in.

Good luck planning your trip. As they say on the Abaco Community Message Board -- "Abaco is not for Sissies." That goes about triple for Cat Island (but SOOOOOOO worth it, for my purposes).

RobertoB

Bonmon62-

We stayed on Cat Island this past June and stayed at a two bedroom stone house in Bennett's Harbour just South of Arthur's Town-Shangri-La. We ate in about half the time. We did bring frozen meat on this trip because I knew the selection would be limited on Cat. There's a grocery store in Orange Creek with a surprisingly good selection.

We did overnight in Nassau. Orange Hill Beach Inn, nice place near the airport. There is the Continental flight that goes into New Bight.