bobbietilkens

Hi there -

We will be honeymooning in June for three weeks and want to go somewhere where the snorkeling is good, but also where there are enough other things to do so we don't get bored.

We were thinking Belize, but are bummed that you can't really snorkel from the beach anywhere (excursions are expensive). We also thought about St. Lucia, but we are afraid we might run out of things to do!

We definitely want to relax, but would also like some culture, history, jungle, volcano....basically somewhere with lots of exploring, not somewhere where we "shouldn't leave the resort alone."

Any ideas?

Thanks!

kmb1116

Have you thought about doing multiple islands? Our honeymoon is in June as well. We're doing 4 nights on Anguilla to relax on the beach and have some nice dinners, then 2 nights in St. Martin for shopping/casinos, and then 6 nights on St. Kitt's to go hiking/horseback riding/day trip to Nevis. I think all the islands will have some kind of culture and history. I don't know if St. Kitt's has good snorkeling, though.

steviegene

Im jealous. Having 3 weeks is great!
I would do multiple Islands.

The snorkeling is good all around the Virgin Islands - and there are some really great resorts.

Maybe a week on St. John, week on Virgin Gorda, and week on St. Croix? Ive only been to st John, but am currently planning a trip to St Croix - and have been doing some extensive research on the virgin islands in general. St John is full of natural beauty, with hiking trails and great snorkeling. Virgin Gorda is secluded with interesting sites such as the Baths. and St Croix is a bit more built up, with interesting historic sites - such as Sugar Mills and the old town of Christiansted.

Or if you have a really high budget, there are some secluded resorts on tiny secluded islands that you could visit.

Joepa

Does it have to be the Caribbean for some reason? As nice as it is, I would shoot myself somewhere between week 2 and 3 if I was there that long. It could just get very monotonous.

With that much time, I would consider going to more remote places. Hawaii. Tahiti. Europe/Greek Islands. All will offer more to do as well as more romance, culture and exotic ambiance than the Caribbean.

xkenx

Three weeks any one island will probably bore you. Outstanding snorkeling for a week or so is St.John. Less snorkeling but fascinating cultural/exploring islands (and fine for getting around safely) are Barbados and Grenada. Barbados is a coral island with lots to seen and do. Grenada is lush, volcanic, unspoiled, much easier to get around than St.Lucia and better beaches. LIAT airlines island-hops within the eastern Caribbean.

meta

We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii and it was the best. We visited 3 islands and I truly believe Hawaii is a great place for a honeymoon for how often do you get all that time off.

Knowing

Three weeks is a huge amount of time. I would go to Hawaii and island-hop. There are so many activities and renowned cuisine to be found. You will get first class service and a rich ambience. We actually got married in Hawaii and it is the ultimate setting for a honeymoon as it is relaxing and romantic.

firstclassfishing

The best snorkeling is in Consumel Mexico but all Caribbean have nice reef special the Dominican republic in the Caribbean site in la Romana there is an small island named Catalina is the best place for diving and snorkeling.In la Romana you have much things to do like para sailing,safari,fishing,speed boat,sailing,Saona island and of course chopping.

I hope it help you.

Peter

vinceygirl

3 weeks I'd start in St. Lucia, then onto St. Vincent and Young Island for a few days ferry to Bequia and work your way thru the Grenadines finishing up with 2-3 days on Grenada.
With this itinerary I guarentee you won't get bored and you will get to see what I consider to be some of the best and most versatile islands of the Caribbean. IMO the best part is that you have a mix of tourism as well as some of the least tourist spoiled destinations.

vinceygirl

Forgot to leave you a website
www.svgtourism.com
www.traveltalkonline.com
www.caribbeantravelforums.com

TomCayman

Three weeks....hmm

I'd do a week or so on one island, then sail from that island on a cruise (eg Windjammer) for the second week, hopefully disembarking on your second island (or else simply flying there at the end of the cruise) for a few days, then (as you'll likely be connecting through a US gateway), a couple of days in a top end hotel in the US on the way back.

StanKase

As for snorkeling the Caribbean and Bahamas is quickly becoming little fun for active snorkelers. This is due toglobal warming and pollution from ships and building on the various islands. The American Scientist said that some 40-50% of the coral in the V.I. is dead or dying and therefore coral is gray and therefore less fish, sea fans, colorful sea anenomes, etc. The only few remaining quakity islands are a FEW spots in and around VG, ie. Cooper Island, and 2 spots on VG. A few near Jost Van Dyke and Tortola, and the best in and around St. John-near Caneel Bay Resort. Also, Grand Cayman, Curacau, Bonaire. Andros Island and Stella Maris (Bahamas) and maybe 2-3 more.

girlonthego

Go to Hawaii and island hop there. There is a lot to see and do with everything from a large city, Honolulu, to a live volcano, Big Island, to lush and beautiful, Kauai and Maui.
It is a long trip and you will rarley have three weeks in a row to go there.

Or go to Europe, Greek Islands, Tahiti,etc...

bobbietilkens

Great suggestions - the reason we are not venturing to Hawaii or Southeast Asia (my #1 pick) is that we just got back from viet nam and china, and the traveling is long and tedious. We don't want to come back from our honeymoon wiped out from 30 hours on a plane!

Right now, we are thinking about either Honduras or Venezuela. Would love to hear your thoughts!

laplaya

The weather in Bermuda will be really nice in June. Other areas may be too hot. Bermuda has beautiful, pink beaches.
Restaurants (for dinner) have jacket/tie dress code.
Its fun to rent scooter there to tour island! They do NOT have cars to rent. I think 1 week is enough to see the island.

girlonthego

I have not been, but friends went to Costa Rica for 10 days and loved it. A real high adventure trip. Not sure about snorkeling?
I would check government warnings about visiting certain countries. I would think Venezula would be a country that could easily be put on the 'no go' list because of all of it's political problems.
In the Caribbean, I know St. John is supposedly beautiful with good snorkeling. So, why not tie in three weeks going from St. John to the British Virgin Islands. There are some very nice resorts there. I think in places like St. John and the BVI's you can wander freely. In places like Venezula and Hondoras, you may have problems exploring freely.
I would still consider Hawaii. Not sure where you are from, but it would offer everything you want. Plus with three weeks, other places like the Greek Islands would be beautiful. There are so many places. Have fun deciding. If you are an eastcoaster (US), then you can go to the Caribbean almost anytime. It is close and a week is plenty of time to relax and enjoy an island. I would go a little further for a three week trip.

steviegene

Be careful to check weather reports.
I think the central american countries have "rainy seasons" due to their tropical climate/rainforests.

I don't know when the rainy seasons are, but it would be safe to check it out.

Joepa

"We don't want to come back from our honeymoon wiped out from 30 hours on a plane!"

Where do you live? If you are anywhere in the continental U.S., Hawaii will be at most 12, Tahiti at most 14, and Europe/Greek Islands at most around 12. Some of these will probably be much less depending on where you are traveling from. Anyway - with 3 weeks, I'd much rather spend a few extra hours on a plane to get to an exotic destination with lots to do that I may not ever get the chance to go to again (unless it's common for you to get this much time off), rather than 3 weeks in Honduras or the Caribbean where by week 2 our most exciting activity of the day will be to count the mosquito bites on our bodies.

It's your honeymoon, though. If you are dead-set on this, you may want to post your question on the latin american board.

worldwideboat

Would you consider chartering a sailboat? Many boats have discounts for honeymooners and it is a great way to explore the islands. You would probably get bored staying just in one place for 3 weeks.

You can check some boats here:
www.boatcaribbean.com

Honeymoon discounts:
www.boatcaribbean.com/honeymoon.php

Pappy

If a snorkling trip in Belize is too expensive for the OP, I doubt he can tackle a chartered sailboat for a week. Too much about his plan makes no sense here. 3 weeks on one island? He doesn't want to be wiped out after the plane ride back? How about shaving one day off the trip so he has a day to recoup at home?

I doubt any amount of good advice will be able to save this honeymoon.