Hello Fodor friends,
Need suggestions for a December quick 4 night stay in the islands. Would prefer a nonstop flight/ferry ride from northeast US to destination.
We have enjoyed and frequented St.John,Jamacia,Turks&Caicos,Bahamas.
Want to try something new.
We enjoy laying on the beach, snorkling and good food doing nothing but relax.
Thanks for your thoughts.

Where specifically will you be traveling from? If coming from the NYC area you'll have a wider range of direct flights than from any city other than Miami.

Try flying to San Juan, PR, and then taking the fast ferry to Culebra for great beaches and good snorkeling.

You could fly to St. Thomas and then ferry to Tortola or Virgin Gorda. Excellent snorkeling, nice beaches. Probably most comparable to your St. John experience.

You could fly to St. Maarten and then ferry to Anguilla. Fantastic beaches and food, less great for snorkeling.

If you can get a direct flight to Grand Cayman, it also has wonderful beaches and snorkeling.

Then again, when you tag on the ferry time to some of these places, it's just as quick to connect on American Eagle in San Juan to several other islands.

Sounds like Grand Cayman might be an island you would enjoy. It fits everything your looking for and it's a quick flight from northeast.
Sandy

American flies nonstop to Barbados from JFK and MIA. Wonderful island, with something for everyone.

Yes, Anguilla is on my short list or St. Maarten or Nevis. Just want to visit a different island.
Flying out of Philly through Miami or San Juan.
Forgot to mention, we want to avoid the cruise ship ports.