Have been to Antigua. Beautiful, but not lush enough to captivate interest without other stuff to do. Really prefer the likes of French Polynesia but need something a little closer to home. Possibly narrowed it down to Bahamas or Turks & Caicos. Like: beaches, snorkling, off roading, good seafood. Dislikes: having to constantly fend off people selling, selling, selling. Have I narrowed down the right two locations?

If you like lush, you will NOT be happy at either the Bahamas or TCI. They are both flat wastelands. Bahamas is swampy and TCI is scrubby--almost desert like. For a French Polynesia feel, you need to go to a volcanic island--like Martinique or St.Lucia.

Parts of the Bahamas are indeed lush and rainforesty. In fact alot of fruit is grown on Eleuthera (pineapples, coconut, tomato).<BR><BR>The Family Islands are much more laid back with breathtaking views of the water, not much in the way of hills, but beautiful crystal clear water and some of the best diving and snorkling in the carribean.<BR><BR>You also won't find anyone "selling" anything on the beaches in the out islands.<BR><BR>The Bahamas are made up of over 700 islands only a very few are even inhabited.<BR><BR>You might enjoy Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Bimini, The Berry Islands, the Abaco's, Cat Island, Long Island to name a few.<BR><BR>Hope this helps and if you need any other info, please let me know.<BR><BR>tweedy

Although the beaches of Turks are amazing, if you are looking for lush, do not go!! Last of the true desert islands!

Thanks for the informative replies. anon and penney,I guess I was a little off course. <BR><BR>Tweedy, I appreciate the extra information on the other islands, but in terms of lodging this year I've already got an arrangment with timeshare and none of those places are an option. Great info though. I'll keep it for future reference.

Turks & Caicos is the place to be. I was in the Bahamas in December, and was greatly disappointed.

Turks and Caicos.