My husband and I are wanting to travel in June to an island in the Caribbean. I have never been before but he has been to the Bahamas. We are looking for an all-inclusive resort where we can be lazy on the beach but also do water activities or island tours, etc. He would also love to do skydiving. I was looking at Aruba, Punta Cana, and Saint Maarten. I dont want too many people around. Thanks for your advice!

Not many people around with your other criteria is a contradiction. AIs cater to "masses", it's how they can offer it-and if there's much to do, again, because there are people around to do them.

Skydiving, I've never seen it done on any island, especially the size of St. Martin or Aruba--I have seen parasailing at most islands, would you settle for that?

The most common AI offerings come from Punta Cana, Mexico, and some in Bahamas and Aruba. Personally it would be disservice to do AI in St. Martin, as it is considered the gastronomical capital of the Caribbean, and offers beyond excellent restaurant experiences.

Are you willing to give up many people around? If not you'll have to give up the rest--I've personally found Mexico to offer the most activities. Punta Cana (although I ventured out and explored) I found to be more of the stay at the resort type place. St. Martin, again, is all about eating out, and has jet ski and parasailing.

Don't forget Jamaica. I just returned from Negril, although I choose not to stay at all inclusive resorts, there were a couple right along seven mile beach that looked attractive. And, you aren't isolated and can explore the rest of Negril easily.

we were in Playa del Carmen (south of Cancun0 a few years ago and saw several tourist sky diving - they would land on the beach.

Agee with others who say if you want AI and you want close to "activities" you are going to be around other people. Remember the famous line from the movie Field of Dreams - "If you build it they will come!". People go where there are things to do and conversely people set up businesses where there are customers. Nobody in their right mind would set up shop in a secluded spot where there are no customers.

Like Blamona, I also have never heard of sky diving in the Caribbean. Would your husband be interested in scuba diving? Or deep sea fishing? If so, Grand Cayman may be a good choice for you. Beautiful beaches, but you are not going to find any AI's. Sting Ray city is a great activity. There simply aren't a lot of places out there where other people are not going to be around.

In February, there's an event on Ambergris Caye in Belize called 'Boogie in Belize'. It's a skydiving event, and jumpers come from all over the world to skydive over the reef for a week. Some even skydive into the famous Blue Hole.

During this event tandem skydives are offered for sale. I know lots of people who have done them, and love them. Me, I'm way too big a chicken.....

I agree that 'not a lot of people around' and all-inclusive resorts are necessarily a contradiction in terms.

If you're willing to give up the AI, "the Cliffs" area in Negril Jamaica is gorgeous, fairly isolated, with many interesting non-resort type places to stay.

Punta Cana is a completely man-made area, fabricated for tourists doing AI. It would fit your other requirements, but you'd hardly be alone!