April

My fiance and I are getting married October 21 and are trying to decide where to honeymoon in the Caribbean. We love the beach, water sports, snorkling, but also want a place where there are fun things to do besides the above. We have heard great things about Aruba and either of the Virgin Islands. Any suggestions on where to go? <BR>Thanks! <BR> <BR>

Sara

Due to the fact you will be honeymooning in October I would choose Aruba because it is south of the hurricane belt. Here's a site with great rates: <BR> <BR>http://www.travelunlimited.com

Marta

If you do a search on this site on Aruba, you'll see many posts stating that Aruba is a VERY windy island. Also, October is the hurricane season in the Virgin Islands, so you should take adequate precautions (i.e. insurance)-- do a search on this site re: what to do when travelling during hurricane season. Good luck!

Karen

Hi April: We have been to Aruba and St. Thomas twice and St.John once. In Oct. the weather will be iffy if not worse in the USVI. As far as Aruba being windy that diffently is an over statement. There are trade winds in Aruba, and thanks goodness there is. It would be hard to do anything in that heat if it were not for the breeze. I think putting up with a breeze and sunny conditions far outway worrying about the possibility of a hurricane spoiling my honeymoon. Don't get me wrong St.Thomas and St. John are wonderful vacation destinations. However,Aruba is closer to a sure bet. Have a great honeymoon wherever you go. Karen

Karen

October is pretty risky in the Caribb due to hurricane season but when the USVI remains hurricane free, the weather is absolutely delightful in October. We travel there each October and have had to "change" only a couple of times because of a hurricane! Especially right before/after a hurricane has passed the weather is delightful!!! Aruba is windy ... windy all the time and those "cooling breezes" were a steady wind making beach time uncomfortable due to sand blasting across the beach! Those Divi Divi trees are bent over and grow that way because of the steady winds!!! So choose carefully and if the decision is the VI, make sure you explore "trip insurance." Aruba will certainly provide you with more activity, nitelife, gambling and a more Americanized commercialized destination!! The Virgin Isles will give you the oppportunity to explore other closeby islands in the BVI and some of the most pristine and lovely lonely beaches!!!

April

Thank you all so much for your advice!

Michelle

I was looking at the same islands last year for my honeymoon! We almost chose Aruba because it is said to be drier (even in October), but it is also very desert-like. I live in Phoenix and didn't want that. We wanted a bit more lush and tropical. I did ALOT of research and ended up with only 2 choices: Virgin Gorda, or St. John. Chose Virgin Gorda (Little Dix Bay)because it was the safest, and most intimate. St. John has lots more nightlife and people, but Virgin Gorda is it for us (less than 2000 islanders). I could go on & on with where to go and what to do there. In fact, we are returning to Virgin Gorda in 3 months, but this time we're including 3 nights on St. John (Caneel Bay) since it's not just our intimate honeymoon this time. e-mail me direct and I'll give you the full scoop on BVI.

JanGail

Aruba would be my choice-- we <BR>stayed there last July and had a <BR>wonderful time! June through November is hurricane season and <BR>I sure wouldn't want to risk my <BR>honeymoon in a region known for <BR>hurricanes! In fact, September and <BR>October are considered the peak <BR>or riskiest months for hurricanes. <BR>Aruba is a windy island, and the <BR>winds can range to very gentle to <BR>to enough to make it difficult to read <BR>a newspaper on the beach. We <BR>were never "sandblasted", and <BR>even if anyone experienced that, <BR>you can move a few feet in another <BR>position and that makes all the <BR>difference. The wind also keeps the <BR>heat from being unbearable and is <BR>really a hidden blessing. Also parking yourselves under a shade hut blunts some of the wind as well as protect you from the sun. Two beaches to choose from: Palm Beach where all the high rise hotels are located; day activities such as watersports, casinos, and other nightlife are located there. <BR>Another beach, Eagle Beach, is <BR>quieter and more laid back-- the <BR>beach is wider, less crowded, topless <BR>optional, and the low rise hotels are <BR>located there. For a guarantee that <BR>your honeymoon will not be spoiled <BR>by a hurricane, go to Aruba. Curacao <BR>and Bonaire are also located outside <BR>the hurricane belt. Barbados, Grand <BR>Cayman are other islands that <BR>is not known for frequency of <BR>hurricanes, even though they are <BR>technically located within the <BR>hurricane belt. <BR>Congrats on your upcoming marriage <BR>and may your honeymoon be one <BR>to remember with smiles and loving <BR>thoughts! <BR>JanGail <BR>

Michelle

By the way, Virgin Gorda is known to be "exempt" from hurricanes, so there's no worry there.

Lee

I used to live in St. John, USVI, and I would definitely recommend going further south in Oct. That is a prime hurricane month, plus many parts of the USVI are dirty, the locals can be rude to tourists, and overall, there are just so many other places to go in the Caribbean that are nicer. I've spent time in Bonaire, which is part of the same chain that Aruba belongs to, and I was very impressed with the diving, the island, and the people. It really depends on what you want to do - for nightlife, Bonaire would be a little quiet. I am spending my own honeymoon this July in Dominica, St. Lucia, and The Grenadines, all southern islands. If you want lush, more S. Pacific-like, you might try St. Lucia or Dominica. Both are somewhat quiet compared to islands that have casinos and big resorts. Again, it depends on what you want - the quieter islands tend to have friendlier people and are less "touristy" (less t-shirt shops, camera/jewelry shops)but can be somewhat limited as far as night life. If you want beaches, snorkeling/diving, waterfalls, hiking, bird watching, etc, you might check out St. Lucia, since it's large enough to have some resorts, but not as popular as some of the other destinations.