My fiance and I are trying to decide between the Bahamas, St. Lucia, and the USVI for our early-August honeymoon. We're relatively young, but we don't need too much nightlife to keep us happy. I'd say our primary concern is being able to enjoy the beach/good restaurants and keep ourselves busy on whatever island we choose. Any suggestions one which island(s) make for a good week of fun in August?

We have been to all three of these. I think you would enjoy the USVI the most. You can check out any of the postings on the USVI to get more information. Lots of hotels and restaurants to choose from.

Can you give us an idea of budget? Also, hope you are aware that you will be travelling to the Caribbean during hurricane season...

Probably in the neighborhood of $4,000? I was wondering about whether cancellation insurance would be a wise investment. On that budget, it's hard for me to know where else to go to find warmth/beach without the potential for bad weather

A couple of things to think about:

1) When you say Bahamas you are talking about a chain of 800+ islands and cays, each very different. Which of the Bahamas islands are you considering? Some of the out-islands are perfect places for a quiet honeymoon and within your budget.

2) August is hurricane season and although the chances of a major storm affecting a specific island during a given week in early August is small you nonetheless have to consider the risk so perhaps you might want to consider purchasing Trip Interruption insurance (read the fine print to make sure the policy provides hurricane coverage).

3) St. Lucia is a very lush island and far enough south so that the hurricane risk is minimal but you may find the beaches there won't meet your expetations as they are mostly small "cove-like" beaches with darker sand (there's only one man-made white sand beach on the island).

4) There are lots of resorts, very nice beaches and good to excellent restaurants in the US Virgin Islands. St. John is the most expensive of the islands so if you want to make your budget go further check out resorts and hotels on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Have been to the Bahamas and the USVI and BVI. I'm not wild on the Bahamas, however, the Atlantis does provide a lot to do. If you go to the USVI, I would not go to St. Thomas - it is real commerical. However, you can easily get boat tours to the other islands.

Get a passport if you do not have one. If for no other reason, if you go to St. Thomas you will probably want to take an excurison to the BVI and you have to go through customs. Used to be you could use a birth certificate but new laws dictate a passport.

Have you ever snorkeled? If not, be sure to try it while in the Caribbean.

PS, Aruba is out of the hurricane zone.