First Time Caribbean Vacation
 

First time going to the Caribbean. Graduation trip for my daughter. Family of 4. 20 and 17 year old kids. Looking for white sand long beaches, palm trees, possibly gambling and excursions. We went to Hawaii a few years ago and loved being able to drive away from resort and beach hop and get to see the island. Also loved being able to walk from the resort into town and go to different restaurants. Any Caribbean islands fit that description? Barbados? One option was Curacao but the beaches were not quite what my daughter is looking for. Punta Cana is an option as the beaches look beautiful but I feel we will be stuck in the resort for 7 days. Baha Mar in the Bahamas another option but once again I feel we will be stuck at the resort. Aruba looked too much like a desert and to Americanized. I am guessing we will not get everything we are looking for but any suggestions would be greaful. I am exhausted trying to decide!

Check out Grand Cayman Island. Also Turks and Caicos.

Check out Virgin Gorda (in the BVI's). It's a smaller island that's easy to navigate - you can drive from one end of the island to the other end in less than 30 minutes. The island boasts more than a dozen golden sand beaches scattered around the island. If budget allows, stay at Little Dix Bay Resort. It's in a secluded area on a beautiful stretch of beach and a 20 minute or so walk to Spanish Town (the main town on the island). You can take short hikes to other nearby beaches or drive to many others in 5 to 15 minutes. If LDB is above your budget range there are several other resorts that are on or near the beaches but, in some cases you may need transportation to get to Spanish Town.

Another island to check out is Anguilla. It' boast 35 uncrowded white sand beaches and about 80 different restaurants. There are lots of different resorts scattered around the island, a few within walking distance of town or small villages and restaurants. The island is relatively small and easily drivable.

"Looking for white sand long beaches, palm trees, possibly gambling and excursions"
As above, plus
Petite Anse des Salines and Plage dese Salines at Martinique
Beaches at Les Saintes
Anse de la Perle and Grande Anse at Guadeloupe
Deep Bay, Galley Bay beachand Pigeon Point at Antigua
Kockleshell and Frigate Bay at St Kitts
Simpson Bay at St-Martin
etc. etc.

I think Barbados and Stmaarten wont disappoint. also rodney bay on st lucia. You all have things close by for fun