I am in the process of planning my honeymoon. We have definitley decided to visit the Caribbean, but cannot decide which island. Of course, we want it all

We definitely want good beaches, but we would also like someplace with fun restaurants and some eco-sports (hiking, kayaking, biking, etc).

Here's the kicker: we really don't want to go someplace that's overly touristy -- or overly remote. We're looking for a nice mix.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Our current top choices are Truks & Caicos, Anguilla, Antigua, St. Barts, St. Kitts and St. Lucia

When are you going? The time of year can be a determining factor (in terms of weather, price, etc.). Also, could you give us some idea as to price range, time you have for the vacation, etc. And, what type of terrain do you want? There are some very flat, dry islands and some that are the opposite.

From your description the first thing that came to mind was St. John, but that was not one of your picks.

Such good point! We are getting married in late May of 2004.

We definitely do not want to spend an OUTRAGEIOUS amount of money, but would like to splurge a little.

Oh, I should also mention that we would like to stay in a bungalow, versus a high-rise hotel.

Regarding terrain, my fiance is an outdoor nut. We would prefer someplace lush. I know we'll enjoy sitting on the beach, but I'm also sure we'll want to get out and do some fun activities.

Hope that helps. Thanks so much for any help!!!

Of the islands you're currently considering, St. Lucia is the only one that qualifies as lush. While Antigua does have a small patch of rainforest, most of the island is more on the arid side of the scale.

If you truly want lush, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines would be a great place to start looking. Ti Kaye Village in St. Lucia offers individual cottages as rooms and it's perched on a hillside with a staircase running down to the beach. Jalousie, also on St. Lucia, offers what they call villas and villa suites with private plunge pools that make for a romantic vacation. Although the rooms aren't bungalow style as you desire, Ladera Resort and Anse Chastenet both offer a very exotic getaway. There are lots of in depth reports on both of these resorts here at Fodor's if you do a text search.

Grenada also offers lushness and plenty of scope for outdoor activity, but unlike St. Lucia, most of its beaches are light-colored sand. You should check out La Luna for a romantic setting on a beautiful beach with individual cottages for rooms. Spice Island Beach Resort and Calabash Hotel are two other places to consider on Grenada, but I don't think that there are any free standing single-room cottages at either place.

You also might want to consider Young Island off the coast of St. Vincent. It's a private island retreat a few hundred yards off of the main island. Young Island could offer you privacy and romance while St. Vincent could offer you all kinds of outdoor activities.

Although not in your list, I agree with previous poster about St. John being a good match for you and your future spouse. It's not as lush as the others I've just mentioned, but it has nature a-plenty and beautiful beaches. Hope this helps--have a great time planning!

This is so helpful!!! Thank you for all the good advice and please keep it coming!!

Have you considered Jamiaca? I realize that it's not for everyone, but it has everything that you're looking for. We're going there for two weeks in January for our honeymoon and are travelling around the island and even hiking the blue mountains. Port Antonio is certainly lush and is a great location for eco-sports. Negril is great for beaches and night life. We're spending 4 nights in Negril, 4 nights at a place called Jakes in Treasure Beach, and 4 nights in Port Antonio.

Best of luck.

DC, another you MAY want to include in your list is St. Martin/St. Maarten. The Dutch side is more active and "touristy" but has fun restaurants and clubs. The French side (where you should stay) is more quiet, romantic with the best beaches, but still with great restaurants too. It has a little something for everyone.

Given your wants, you should prob. eliminate St. Barth's from your list. It is a FABULOUS island (just got back from my honeymoon there), but it's very quiet, and is much more appropriate for total relaxation, and not a lot of activities

A really nice place in Grenada that I read about recently in a travel mag is called the Bel Air Plantation. It looks really great with individual bungalows in pastel colors. It is new. Might be worth looking into.

We are going to Anguilla for our honeymoon in November...staying at CuisanArt Resort...have heard good things about the island and resort.

Check out ladera resort at St. Lucia. . . .just what it sounds just like what you are looking for.

Yes, but if you're looking for 'lush' and 'activity' Anguilla is NOT the place! It's very quiet, with beautiful resorts and stunning beaches. Arid inland. We love it but it's not for everybody. Sounds like you want somethign else. What about Nevis? It has a nice rainforest, excellent for hiking. Though not on a par with Anguilla's, nice beaches too. And not overly touristy. VERY friendly people.

Go to the British Virgin Islands! It's great for all kind of watersports, you'll find deserted beaches - check for accommodations at www.bviwelcome.com
Regine/KATITCHE POINT GREATHOUSE

Nevis. We went there for our honeymoon last year and it was amazing. Nevis has this huge gorgeous mountain that offers great hiking (through a rain forest) and biking. The town is wonderful; there are tours of the artists' shops (no, I couldn't get my new husband to do that). The water is gorgeous. Wonderful, wonderful place.

Sounds like Dominica would be perfect for you. It is not so touristy and has alot of eco-tours and such. Enjoy, Larry.

We had it all and then some at the Galley Bay resort in Antigua. My husband planned the perfect honeymoon there for us in mid-June of 2000. There are under 75 rooms (63 I think) and half of them were occupied. What can I say? Tons of privacy- the beach was to ourselves 90% of the time, it's the ultimate paradise- clear water for most of the mile and half beach- there is a bit of coral in front of the ocean front suites, but that is where we stayed, so noone ever swam in front of our room. Golden, powder like sand, a very natural setting on the resort with a lagoon-like ntaural pool and a bird sanctuary with a real lagoon on the back side of the resort where you can walk. The food was gourmet and coursed- it's all inclusive, a new menu is typed daily. Two restaurants- both open air and on the water with amazing views of the turquoise sea. The water was so warm. Since we went there we have never been the same- we were spoiled and it was a perfect start to our life together. The staff were polite and always approporaite with the amount ofd contact and conversation- they were pleasant and likable- we were especially fond of the manager named Mike (I hope I am remebering correctly!) from Batavia, NY- we are from the Rochester area too,- anyway, he was so nice - as everyone was. The massage I had left me changed as well- it was all truly amazing. Every day was a dream at Galley Bay... we took a tour of the island with three other couples from England, shopped twice at St. John's (in town) and a lot at the boutique at the resort - and we made friends with everyone we met on the island- highly recommended to stay in the oceanfront suite or cottage- we did the suite- the ocean is a few feet away and you will have a patio with chairs and the flowers and gardens are also amazing. sorry this was so long!

DC---I feel like we posted the same exact thing!!! Enter a search for "howlermonkey." I am thinking that St.John may be the best for me and I have the same criteria listed in my post that you listed. I am thinking of staying at the Coconut Coast Villas. www.coconutcoast.com But I worry about hurricane season. I will be honeymooning either mid-June or the 2nd week in July. At first, I did not want to go on my honeymoon right away because packing is very stressful for me, but I am now worried about hurricane season so I may just go to St.Johns or someplace like it right after I am married in June.

Nevis Nevis Nevis. Low key, no casinos, very friendly people, many choices for accomodations. Nisbet, Golden Rock, The Hermitage and check out The Old Manor. They have a beautiful two bedroom cottage situated right at the base of mount Nevis and next to the pool. It's perfect. Check out their website or zoomandgo.com has many photos of accomodations on Nevis.

I was just about to say "have you considered Nevis?" and then I saw Susan's post! Nevis has absolutely everything you are looking for, a beautiful rainforest for hiking, not 'overly touristy or overly remote', plus the friendliest people I have ever met on any of the islands (and we have been to many). If you want to stay at a nice 'eco-hotel' I recommend the Golden Rock, right next to the rainforest. If you want to stay on the beach I very much recommend Nisbet Plantation which is where we stayed - the best service we ever experienced at any hotel, and an excellent restaurant.

Just noticed I'd already posted here and said the same thing! Sorry about the deja vu.