Best island for food and beaches
 

My husband and I are looking for a good island option for a week early December from Miami

We're mid 30's looking for white sandy beaches, with a few good restaurant options to walk or drive to. We love activities too so snorkelling, kayaking, diving, walking. Ideally we want to stay away from the cruise ship spots or resorts and happier in boutique hotels but as long as we have dinner alternative options to walk to and a bit of a buzz or life around.

We're looking at spending around 2000-3000 between us

Thanks!

Does that budget include airfare? If so, where are you flying from as airfare could have a big impact on how much you have left for accommodations, food and activities.

If by "early December" you mean BEFORE December 15 then your budget may be workable as "High Season" kicks in after 12/15 which is the most expensive time of the year in the Caribbean.

If white sand beaches are a high priority skip St. Kitts & Nevis as beaches on those islands have darker brown sand and even some black sand beaches. Also snorkeling is not a strong point on either island. Simply put no one goes to St. Kitts or Nevis for the snorkeling and diving is just OK.

Curacao and Aruba will have the white sand beaches you crave. Aruba is very Americanized and might be too crowded for you but it will tick off everything else on your list. It's a popular island so you might be able to get some decent airfares which will help ease your food & accommodations budget.

I don't know much about Curacao as it's one of the few islands I haven't visited but it is somewhat quieter than Aruba so it just might be exactly what you are seeking. I'll let other chime in on the merits of this island.

If your budget allows Anguilla might be your best choice given the requirements you listed. The island has 35 spectacular white sand beaches and over 80 different restaurants, some of which are among the best in the Caribbean. There is some decent snorkeling, a few dive sites, calm waters for kayaking, no cruise ships and a good selection of smaller "boutique style" resorts. Depending on where you stay some resorts are in close proximity to walkable restaurants. Anguilla is one of the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean but it does tick off all your "must have" boxes. If you are willing to stay in a mid-range or lower tier resort/hotel and you go before the "High Season" rates go into effect you should be able to do the trip on your budget.

One thing to keep in mind (no matter where you go in the Caribbean) - if you want to stay in a place that is away from big resorts and cruise ships you'll have to give up having a wide selection of restaurants and night spots in close proximity. To paraphrase the line from the movie Field of Dreams - "If you build it they will come" which in a nut shell means the more "facilities" there are in a given location the more people there will be. You cant have seclusion and be within walking distance of everything.

No it doesn't include airfare.

But thanks for the detailed response. I think Anuguila would probably be top of my list but it's another flight away and we'll have been travelling from the UK so it's a bit of a slog.

Perhaps Aruba then or Curacao sound like good options. We're not trying to stay away from crowds just the tacky tourist side of things.

sorry typo! Anguilla

Anguilla for beaches and fantastic restaurants.

Really sounds like Turks and Caicos or Cayman Islands ticks your boxes better

Anguilla is scrumptious, but water activities are lacking, (many are banned) and nightlife is on the low side. Beaches and restaurants are some of the best in Caribbean though

Aruba, I find snorkeling to be just okay. Water not quite as clear and pretty as Anguilla, TCI, Caymans

Caymans probably comes closest to your wants-including snorkel, activities, nightlife

TCI for me is nicer than Caymans, but more like Caymans was 20 years ago--nightlife is mellow (although Fish Fry on Thursdays and Danny Bouys can be fun, just not much bar hopping other than those and night pass to Club Med) The beaches are long--miles and miles, and water activities everywhere.

Don't discount St. John in Virgin Islands, which ticks your boxes.

Curacao beaches just okay.

Majority of islands (including all mentioned) sooner or later you need transportation, either taxi or rental car. No island has a town walking distance to beaches and everything. While islands are small, towns are usually away from tourist strip.

Unless you consider Mexico, especially Playa Del Carmen, which ticks ALL of your boxes.