1st time in the caribbean. Where is the most wonderful place?
 

We are looking for the most beautiful place to go, snorkel, explorer, see....but there are so many small islands in the caribic...we are so confused...please give us advices...Thanks

First time visitors to the Caribbean are often confused. Since every island is different and has it's own special appeal it would help if you could give us more information about your likes, dislikes and what you are seeking in a island vacation. Keep in mind that no island "has it all". Do you want an island with lots of high rise hotels or would you rather stay at a small intimate resort? Do you enjoy dining at upscale restaurants or do you prefer casual fast food places or are you thinking along the lines of an all inclusive resort? Do you crave an active nightlfe? Is shopping important? Do you want an island that has casinos? Do you have a particular budget in mind (both for airfare, accomodations and meals)? When are you planning to travel? Do you want a destination you can reach direct from your departure city or are you comfortable taking several different flights (maybe in small planes) and/or a ferry to get to your island? Do you have in mind a flat coral based island with miles of white sand beaches or are you thinking of a volcanic based island with lush rain forests, waterfalls and small darker sand beaches? Are you the type of person who wants a full service resort or do you prefer the seclusion of a quiet out of the way inn? Do you want to be with people your own age? Are you the type who ventures out or would you rather stay close to your resort? The more information you can provide the easier it will be to recommend an island that will be perfect for you.

We have booked the 1st 5 nights at Barbuda, and now I have to look for the other 6 nights. I would like to have a place to snorkel. Calm and warm watter to swim, relax...Do you know about possibilities to go around in the other beautiful islands? I think there are so closely. and I am looking at the landmape and thinking I would love to go around, maybe in boats or flying...I do not know if is easy to do this(I would like to relax and not to have stress...what do you think...is possible?). Sunny, you have made so many important questions that I was more confused :) ... ok... I would like to have you help in that one.

Don't let the maps confuse you many of the Caribbean islands are not all that close together and travel between many of them will take a great deal of time away from your vacation. If you want to island hop consider doing a "crewed" (captain & chef) charter sail around the British Virgin Islands or down through St. Vincent & the Grenadines. These two island groups are perfect for sailing because the individual islands are only a few miles apart from each other, the waters are relatively calm and you are never out of sight of land. You can do a charter for about the same cost as a stay in a upscale hotel, it includes all meals, snacks and drinks and you'll be able to visit one or two different islands each day, you'll get plenty of time for snorkeling, swimming and just plain relaxing. I suspect that since you are already staying on Barbuda you will be flying in/out through Antigua. If that's the case, then you can easily get to Tortola (in the BVI's) or St. Vincent to link up with the charter boat (if you choose to go that root). Of course, you could still visit the BVI's and stay at a land based resort and take a day trip (or two) to one of the neighboring islands. The BVI's have a lot to offer as far as resorts, beaches and snorkeling.

hi salorina, yes it is possible.
barbuda is a very small, flat, quiet island. it is of coral not volcanic origin so the snorkeling should be very good. this is not an island overrun by tourism to say the least.
now for your next 6 days. for a taste of something different i would like to suggest that you try either st. lucia or st. john. both are tropical and very hilly. st. john is the quieter and definetly has better snorkeling. but st. lucia is dramatically beautiful. both of these islands are pretty laid back.
if on the other hand you would want to go someplace larger and more active - st. thomas. a very busy island but does have a some good snorkeling.
my advice is st. john.
you can fly to any island from antigua. the plane will be small and the view exquisite. the plane from antigua to barbuda is 20 mins, ferry is 3 hours. i mention this as you spoke of traveling by boat. so depending on where you go it could be a long ride.
forgive me if i am wrong but i wonder if english is a 2nd language for you. i am always in awe of the fact that so many of my fellow citizens of the world have been taught several languages while americans normally learn only english. where will you be traveling from?
if you haven't already take a look at www.barbudaful.net
have a wonderful trip !!

hi Sunny,
Thank you for your advices. I am looking a pair catologues and have to decide what to do. It's not easy to organise those hollydays...next saturday we will go to paradise??? I hoppe so...Do you know any address where I can look for the charters?

Hi,
My family and I are going to St John USVI in June.I have never been there but have read that the snorkeling is wonderful because there are alot of bays protected by coral reefs so it makes for calm and clear waters.
Also, it is not as commercialized as St.Thomas or St Croix.It has some nightlife but not overwhelming.We have been to Kauai and it was beautiful too.The flight was too long (11 hours)hope that you find somewhere nice.

Hallo Virginia,
My english is very poor and not good enough. I will beggin with english classes again... ;) I am comming from Switzerland. Have you been in Barbuda? I have had a look in this page...but, very strange...no restaurants...not so many pictures..we will stay in the beach house...do you know it???

I replyed to your "Crewed Charter" post.

Thank you Sunny;). Are you leaving in the caribbean?

have never had the pleasure of seeing barbuda. or switzerland. Yet.
i do quite a bit of travel research for friends - so find it easy to get information quickly, and found that site while i looked at barbuda.
and your english is certainly "good enough" to communicate everything you wished to find out from the fodorites. good luck with your ongoing studies and let us know how your trip turned out and where you went after barbuda.