Hi guys,
My first trip to the Caribbean was to St John, last March. It was a beautiful island and we had a great time. Thinking of going back, but I'm also open to exploring other islands. I know St John is one of the best, so I'm wondering, is another unspoiled, beautiful island you might recommend?
Here are some of my thoughts:
1) Anguilla
2) St Lucia
3) Vieques
4) Nevis
5) Bonaire?
6) Puerto Rico (i know parts of this island are very commercial, but i like the idea of being able to fly direct here)

Here are some of the things important to me:

1) The Beach --ideally we'd have a place RIGHT on the beach, but at the very least, a water view (which is what we had in St John)
2) Town/restaurants/bars etc somewhat close. Ideally walking distance but if not just a quick jaunt in a jeep.
3) Beautiful undiscovered beaches, trails, etc.
4) Snorkeling (it seems the best snorkeling is in St John, will I be disappointed if I go anywhere else?)

Sorry, I posted this this before I meant to. Anyway, ideally we'd stay in a small place, perhaps with cottages, villas, not some huge hotel. We're only going from a Thurs night to Tuesday, so ideally not too much travel time.(Though a quick ferry ride or small connection is ok.)

Anyway --help! I'm just not sure if we should head back to St John, which was amazing, or if there are other places, equally as amazing, ready to explore.

You may want to check out my reports on Virgin Gorda. We're great lovers of St John and had wondered if we'd be disappointed in VG. No way!

I've been to Bonaire a couple times. It's mostly a diving and sailing destination. The beaches, such as they were, had a lot of sea grass. Lots of good restaurants and bars but I don't think it's anything like you're looking for.

Of the islands on your list, Vieques would qualify as the most unspoiled and undiscovered. I hear the few restaurants are fabulous and the beaches are fantastic. Get there while you can....it won't last long. Definitely on our list of new places to check out.

Bonaire had definitely been my favorite of all the islands I have visited. If you stay at the Divi Flamingo Hotel you are within wlaking distance of towand you have a beach. The water is gorgeous and there are many places aorund the island to snorkel and scuba dive. Best advice rent a car and discover all the hidden treasures of the island. Went in 2003 and plan on returning this year. I also went to St. Lucia in 2004 and it was a very nice island as well, but exploring is more difficult due to the terrain and the amount of time it takes to travel (it took us 2 hours to go 30 miles due to mountains, curves and narrow roads).

If snorkeling is high on your list of activities you might want to drop Nevis from your list. Sadly, there really isn't anywhere around the island that comes close to having decent snorkeling.

Anguilla has some very good snorkeling and 35 beautiful beaches but it is rather flat, arid and scrubby with very little natural vegetation. It does, however, boast over 80 restaurants (some quite pricey). If you do decide to visit Anguilla check out accomodations on Shoal Bay East - it's one of the few areas where you'll find a number of restaurants/bars within walking distance. Anguilla is not easy to get to so you might consider saving that island for a trip when you have a few more days to spend there.

Bonaire has great "off-beach" snorkeling but you may find it takes the better part of a day if not more) to reach that island so it might not be feasible for a shorten trip.

By the way, when you say you are "going from a Thursday night to Tuesday does that mean you are planning to leave your home city Thursday evening or that you'd arrive at your destination on Thursday evening?. It might make a difference in helping you decide which island to visit as you don't want to spend all your time travelling.

Poss's suggestion of Virgin Gorda is interesting (it meets just about all your requirements) but here again that island is a little difficult to get to so check out travel times from your departure city before settling on VG.

I have to agree with CaribbeanSoul that Vieques fits what you want to a "T". You can get there easily from Puerto Rico, it has wonderful snorkeling, plently of small unassuming accomodations on or near the water, uncrowded and undiscovered beaches and enough restaurants to keep you interested for the length of your stay.

Check out Turcs&Caicos,it has just about everything you want,and is alot closer.RWI is very nice,with condo type units right on one of the most beautiful beaches in the carib. Anguilla also nice but further,and harder to get around.