I know this topic has been hammered to death, but we loved the windward side of Oahu last Feb. Kailua Beach and especially Lanakai Beach were just gorgeous and so swimmable. We would like to find a similar place, closer to home, where we could walk to a nice swimming beach with a small town near for groceries and restaurants. We would rent a car. Please help. Thanks for your willingness to share your knowledge and experience.

Where is home?

Go to St. Barths. Take a look on my website www.iledestbarth.com
I travel every year to Maui and I know you would like the beaches on St. Barths.

Ingo

I assume that home is on the east coast since Hawaii is a long flight from here.
I second the suggestion of St. Barths. It is beautiful. If possible, we liked it better than Maui, and I loved Maui. There are the best little groceries in which to shop. Lots of great food!

Thanks to all who took time to answer. Home is in the middle U.S.--Kansas City, MO. We will definitely consider St. Barts. Any more suggestions?

Excuse me--It's St. Barths. Where is a good place to stay there? Thanks to all.

I visited St. Barts on a day trip from St. Maartin. I found St.B's beautiful, but very expensive. The people were a little more reserved than on some of the other islands.

Anguilla's beaches are lovely though the island is as expensive as St. Barths. Some beaches in the T&C are lovely especially the one at the Meridian Club on Pine Cay in T&C. St. Lucia had some lovely beaches. I do not know what deterioration of sand was caused by Hurricane Dean, if any. The beaches at Caneel Bay Resort on St. John are worthy of consideration but the resort is pricey. You can find some very nice beaches in the Abacos, just not quite hawaii, but more accessible, and 50-60% the cost of Hawaii.

Hi, again. I never can keep St. Barths or St. Barts straight, so on the other forums, we refer to the island as SBH. That way, we are covered!

As far as it being an expensive island....Yes, in terms of lodging, it was and we found a good deal at Emeraude Plage Hotel. Nice, clean, on the beach, but no pool.
The food was no more unreasonable than Maui or any other island, IMHO. There are good and reasonable restaurants to be found.

Just checking in.....