This is my 1st time to the Carribbean so please offer any information. I am a late 20's single traveler who will be going to the caribbean around labor day. I need advice on which island to visit. These are the things I'd like to have if possible:

1) great nightlife(I am young and would like to mingle with others.)
2) adventure(things such as hiking, snorkeling,vegetation,daytrips??)
3) possible ability to visit nearby islands
4) nice beaches & local cuisine
5) not to americanized yet not too desolate

Please help fellow fodorites with any information possible. Thanks a million.

You might consider the BVI - it has all the things you're looking for! Moderate (but fun) nightlife (no casinos though, if that's your thing), hiking, snorkeling, daysails, several islands accessible for day trips (all with different character), beautiful beaches, good food, safe, friendly, non-commercialized and not overly poverty-stricken. A very lovely and laid back place.

Would you give some consideration to a cruise? Windjammer Barefoot cruises I think has a singles cruise scheduled around that time. The ship would be the Polynesia. This would meet all your needs and they are running some specials if interested check out wwww.jammerbabe.com and Windjammer Flotilla for info and WJ directly www.windjammer.com I have never taken a singles cruise but a regular WJ cruise would meet the criteria too.

Thanks 4 all the info so far. Im traveling with a group of upper 20's aged people. We want culture, water sports, and uniqueness. We will also want the party atmosphere. I initially looked into puerto rico but it seems too big an island to explore fully. I was also recommended Belize but not sold on that. Thanks again on all the advice.

For a wonderful introduction to the Caribbean, I'd suggest going to Barbados. It has some of everything any island can offer except for gambling and a volcano. Lovely people, lush green tropical setting, clean air, pure water, wide range of hotels, beaches, water sports, sightseeing such as caves, tropical gardens, animal preserves, plantation houses, submarine ride. Outstanding restaurants and entertainment, both in hotels and independent. All revolves around a British/Caribbean culture so you don't feel like you're just in tropical America. Barbados is a really special place with a strong economy, not dependent only on tourism, so a visitor experiences a sense of a place which is beyond just a resort on a beach. Barbados is hardly ever hit by a hurricane. Weather is perpetual summer, with water temps. over 80 deg. even in winter. Lowest hotel rates are mid-April to mid-December, with a big jump in high season. Calmest water for swimming/snorkeling is on the calm
west coast north of Bridgetown. see www.barbados.org

Consider Puerto Rico. Your 1st 4 requirements are easily met and actually Old San Juan is pretty neat really. There is a rain forest to hike through and nearby are isles such as Culebra and Vieques.

just a perspective: provo in turks and caicos is a Very small island. i have just returned from my 3rd trip there. was able to find several spots i had never gotten to before. my point is that its unlikely you could see all or even most of any island in one trip so maybe keep puerto rico on the list.

Around Labor Day rates usually are very reasonable in the Caribbean--it is peak hurricane season.