Is there such a place?
Jul 18th, 2011, 05:01 PM
#1
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Is there such a place?
To avoid post vacation blues. I decided to start panning for next trip. The only problem is so many islands so ll time and money! So would love your suggestions and advice in choosing where to go.Thought I would compile a list of favorite things on islands we've visited and see if one might have several of these.Thank you for taking time out to read and hopefully respond. Research is part of the fun! Here are some of the loves.
St.John-snorkeling from beach,having own vehicle
Hawaii-Stunning scenery
Grenada-People,less developed,lush,waterfalls
Jamaica-people,lush,good grub
Jost Van Dyke-great beach,secluded
Puerto Rico-good food,fun
Mayan Riviera-great snorkeling, nice beaches, cenotes
I will trade white sand for lush anytime,we live in Grayton Beach, so have a nice beach at our doorstep.But if somewhere has both that would be awesome. Most important are diving,snorkeling,hiking,and meeting new people.If anywhere has sup that would be amazing! Seems everywhere I go I'm thinking wish i had my board.I realize this is probaly far fetched. But hey a girl can dream......thank you again hopefully you are feeling irie!!!
St.John-snorkeling from beach,having own vehicle
Hawaii-Stunning scenery
Grenada-People,less developed,lush,waterfalls
Jamaica-people,lush,good grub
Jost Van Dyke-great beach,secluded
Puerto Rico-good food,fun
Mayan Riviera-great snorkeling, nice beaches, cenotes
I will trade white sand for lush anytime,we live in Grayton Beach, so have a nice beach at our doorstep.But if somewhere has both that would be awesome. Most important are diving,snorkeling,hiking,and meeting new people.If anywhere has sup that would be amazing! Seems everywhere I go I'm thinking wish i had my board.I realize this is probaly far fetched. But hey a girl can dream......thank you again hopefully you are feeling irie!!!
Jul 18th, 2011, 05:51 PM
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ejtipton,
I can't wait to hear what sorts of answers you get because the place you are looking for sounds wonderful! I have not been to Grenada (near the top of my bucket list) or Jamaica but love the others (where have you been in PR?). I live only a couple of hours from you and you do live on one of the US's most gorgeous stretches of white sand beach so I can relate to that. When we returned in June from our most recent trips though we have noticed more and more than our beaches are great, sand is white but the water just does not have that color, does it??
I also do a lot of research and also start researching when I get home from a trip to get over the post-trip letdown. I did a lot of research last year for a trip we did not end up taking to Roatan, Honduras- has you been there? I also researched- although not as extensively- Belize. Just wondered if either of those fit into your picture of what you are looking for next.
Again, I can't wait to hear the responses and get out my pen!!
Thanks for posing such an interesting question!
I can't wait to hear what sorts of answers you get because the place you are looking for sounds wonderful! I have not been to Grenada (near the top of my bucket list) or Jamaica but love the others (where have you been in PR?). I live only a couple of hours from you and you do live on one of the US's most gorgeous stretches of white sand beach so I can relate to that. When we returned in June from our most recent trips though we have noticed more and more than our beaches are great, sand is white but the water just does not have that color, does it??
I also do a lot of research and also start researching when I get home from a trip to get over the post-trip letdown. I did a lot of research last year for a trip we did not end up taking to Roatan, Honduras- has you been there? I also researched- although not as extensively- Belize. Just wondered if either of those fit into your picture of what you are looking for next.
Again, I can't wait to hear the responses and get out my pen!!
Thanks for posing such an interesting question!
Jul 19th, 2011, 09:30 AM
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St. Lucia would be a great fit. I call it a "mini Kuai". And if you stay at Jalousie Plantation nestled between the Pitons you'll even get a white sand beach too along w/the lush rainforest, mountains, etc. (note-the beach is man-made, but gorgeous! Otherwise there's a black sand beach just around the corner from there at Anse Chastenet)
www.jalousieplantation.com/
And Virgin Gorda is nice too-like St. John but less built up.
www.jalousieplantation.com/
And Virgin Gorda is nice too-like St. John but less built up.
Jul 19th, 2011, 05:57 PM
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Agree with previous: St Lucia might be a good fit. Has some of the best scenery in Caribbean, is very lush, is drivable (although it's a bit challenging...I mean "fun" at times), has lot's of seclusion (in selected places), great hiking and waterfalls, and great people.
If you want white sand beaches and more activities, go the northwest locations like Rodney Bay. If you want more laid-back and secluded, but without the white sand beaches, think southwest coast, between Marigot and Soufriere. We stayed at Ti Kaye a few years ago, and it was great.
Another island choice is Tortola. You've been to the VIs, so you know what it's all about.
If you want white sand beaches and more activities, go the northwest locations like Rodney Bay. If you want more laid-back and secluded, but without the white sand beaches, think southwest coast, between Marigot and Soufriere. We stayed at Ti Kaye a few years ago, and it was great.
Another island choice is Tortola. You've been to the VIs, so you know what it's all about.
Jul 20th, 2011, 04:15 AM
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Not too far from u in
orangebeach.com
villagetannin.com
Grayton is an aweome beach
none whiter in Carib.
love Seaside.fl
For great diving ruins adventure
consider Belize Amergris...
http://www.victoria-house.com/Packag..._Specials.html -
Packages and Specials availalbe at Victoria House, Belize
www.robertsgrove.com
www.cavesbranch.com
www.mayan-traveler.com
www.belizefirst.com
Good info to review... Usually hop Spirit.com to Cancun cheaply and go down via Tulum xel-ha.com to Belize
first class for the price of coach.
Honorable mention..
runawayhill.com valentinedive.com small intimate
Harbor Island PINK sand beach amazing cool little hideaway
anthonyskey.com Roatan
great diving/vibe
not as varied as Belize though...
weather2travel.com winter less rain best for CA/Carib...
SA/ usually konaweb.com for me in fall...
Happy Hunting!
orangebeach.com
villagetannin.com
Grayton is an aweome beach
none whiter in Carib.
love Seaside.fl
For great diving ruins adventure
consider Belize Amergris...
http://www.victoria-house.com/Packag..._Specials.html -
Packages and Specials availalbe at Victoria House, Belize
www.robertsgrove.com
www.cavesbranch.com
www.mayan-traveler.com
www.belizefirst.com
Good info to review... Usually hop Spirit.com to Cancun cheaply and go down via Tulum xel-ha.com to Belize
first class for the price of coach.
Honorable mention..
runawayhill.com valentinedive.com small intimate
Harbor Island PINK sand beach amazing cool little hideaway
anthonyskey.com Roatan
great diving/vibe
not as varied as Belize though...
weather2travel.com winter less rain best for CA/Carib...
SA/ usually konaweb.com for me in fall...
Happy Hunting!
Jul 20th, 2011, 04:15 AM
#11
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Not too far from u in
orangebeach.com
villagetannin.com
Grayton is an aweome beach
none whiter in Carib.
love Seaside.fl
For great diving ruins adventure
consider Belize Amergris...
http://www.victoria-house.com/Packag..._Specials.html -
Packages and Specials availalbe at Victoria House, Belize
www.robertsgrove.com
www.cavesbranch.com
www.mayan-traveler.com
www.belizefirst.com
Good info to review... Usually hop Spirit.com to Cancun cheaply and go down via Tulum xel-ha.com to Belize
first class for the price of coach.
Honorable mention..
runawayhill.com valentinedive.com small intimate
Harbor Island PINK sand beach amazing cool little hideaway
anthonyskey.com Roatan
great diving/vibe
not as varied as Belize though...
weather2travel.com winter less rain best for CA/Carib...
SA/ usually konaweb.com for me in fall...
Happy Hunting!
orangebeach.com
villagetannin.com
Grayton is an aweome beach
none whiter in Carib.
love Seaside.fl
For great diving ruins adventure
consider Belize Amergris...
http://www.victoria-house.com/Packag..._Specials.html -
Packages and Specials availalbe at Victoria House, Belize
www.robertsgrove.com
www.cavesbranch.com
www.mayan-traveler.com
www.belizefirst.com
Good info to review... Usually hop Spirit.com to Cancun cheaply and go down via Tulum xel-ha.com to Belize
first class for the price of coach.
Honorable mention..
runawayhill.com valentinedive.com small intimate
Harbor Island PINK sand beach amazing cool little hideaway
anthonyskey.com Roatan
great diving/vibe
not as varied as Belize though...
weather2travel.com winter less rain best for CA/Carib...
SA/ usually konaweb.com for me in fall...
Happy Hunting!
Jul 21st, 2011, 07:28 AM
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I think it's going to be tough to beat St John since you know how great it is. It really has just about everything you like except the caves.
I sure haven't found anything that matches it (yet).....but someday I will get to the south Pacific to test that theory!!
I sure haven't found anything that matches it (yet).....but someday I will get to the south Pacific to test that theory!!
Jul 21st, 2011, 09:34 AM
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Actually, as I read it, the poster doesn't need white sand beaches 'cause s/he lives near one. Prefers lush.
TO that end:
1). Go back to Grenada.
2) The southwest part of St. Lucia near the Pitons. To amend what kellybeaches said, the beach at Jalousie Plantation is a natural beach, but they have imported white sand to overlay the existing sand, and hence the misconception that it is man-made.
3) Less lush than St. John, but Virgin Gorda offers less crowds, a more laid-back vibe, and a similar topography, all with good snorkeling and great opportunities to take daytrips to other parts of the British Virgin Islands.
4) Less lush, more off the beaten path is Bequia, part of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. It has an incredibly strong West Indian vibe and it feels very old-world Caribbean, minus the slavery and racial tension. Tiny island. Daytrips to other Grenadines.
TO that end:
1). Go back to Grenada.
2) The southwest part of St. Lucia near the Pitons. To amend what kellybeaches said, the beach at Jalousie Plantation is a natural beach, but they have imported white sand to overlay the existing sand, and hence the misconception that it is man-made.
3) Less lush than St. John, but Virgin Gorda offers less crowds, a more laid-back vibe, and a similar topography, all with good snorkeling and great opportunities to take daytrips to other parts of the British Virgin Islands.
4) Less lush, more off the beaten path is Bequia, part of St. Vincent & the Grenadines. It has an incredibly strong West Indian vibe and it feels very old-world Caribbean, minus the slavery and racial tension. Tiny island. Daytrips to other Grenadines.
Jul 21st, 2011, 10:43 AM
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ejcrowe- glad I was not the only one that wondered what the references to Orange Beach, Tannin or Seaside had to do with looking for Caribbean trips since she lives right there about 2 planned community/towns away from Seaside!
Thanks for the info on Grenada and Bequia. We loved Virgin Gorda so it is good to know those others have similar characteristics.
This thread is interesting to me so I hope others keep contributing ideas for the poster-
Thanks for the info on Grenada and Bequia. We loved Virgin Gorda so it is good to know those others have similar characteristics.
This thread is interesting to me so I hope others keep contributing ideas for the poster-
Jul 21st, 2011, 11:15 AM
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Just returned from a cruise with stops at Belize & Roatan. My husband is a scuba diver and we've heard of these places for years. Note - all we saw were the cruise ports - but they were both dirty and riddled with crime. I'm sure you could find a vacation spot at one of them but they both made me very nervous. Roatan appeared to have more foliage but there are so many other safer places in the Carribean. Have you considered Cayman Brac (diving, hiking & bicycling) or Little Cayman - awesome diving.
Jul 21st, 2011, 02:32 PM
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I really hate to hear that but we are not cruisers. I think I understand that the places I was considering are not remotely near the cruise docks and I was already told to avoid that area. I really hope that some of the other parts of the island (Roatan) and the places I have considered in Belize (did your cruise go to Belize City? I think that is pretty far from the areas in Belize that look pretty). Thanks for the feedback.
Jul 21st, 2011, 05:36 PM
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Wow! Thank you guys..... Funny after working many years in Seaside it kinda just makes me queasy 
My mind is spinning with research. I'm leaning toward return trip to Grenada(she's a beauty) but, hard to ignore St.lucia.More expensive and not as easy to get around. I kinda felt cheated with my trip to Grenada last time,flight was delayed in San Juan for 72 hrs!!!! However Belize is still on my mind. It has everything we're looking for. Just seems like somethings missing for me.Think it might be that great Caribbean culture..
ish,what didn't you like about Roatan? Dive wise lokks awesome. However as mentioned I live in a funky beach town,and it seems kinda similar.
Any suggestions for less expensive lodging in St.Lucia? Hubby almost fell over(Sheesh)nahhh, we are planning three trip right now. One with older kids more of a mission trip.One with the likkle fish,all 4 of them and one just us. So doing some moderate budgeting.
Thank you, ereyrtime mon......
My mind is spinning with research. I'm leaning toward return trip to Grenada(she's a beauty) but, hard to ignore St.lucia.More expensive and not as easy to get around. I kinda felt cheated with my trip to Grenada last time,flight was delayed in San Juan for 72 hrs!!!! However Belize is still on my mind. It has everything we're looking for. Just seems like somethings missing for me.Think it might be that great Caribbean culture..
ish,what didn't you like about Roatan? Dive wise lokks awesome. However as mentioned I live in a funky beach town,and it seems kinda similar.
Any suggestions for less expensive lodging in St.Lucia? Hubby almost fell over(Sheesh)nahhh, we are planning three trip right now. One with older kids more of a mission trip.One with the likkle fish,all 4 of them and one just us. So doing some moderate budgeting.
Thank you, ereyrtime mon......
Jul 22nd, 2011, 03:45 AM
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Hi ejtipton.
It was ahw1001 who did not like Roatan or Belize. I was the one who planned the trip but had to cancel it. We were very disappointed not to go and still plan to do that at some point. I had booked a 4 night snorkel package at Anthony's Cay then 4 nights at Barefoot Cay- both appealed to me for different reasons and I thought with a car at BC that we could see more of the island whereas we would be going out on dive boats twice a day at AK and would not bother with a car there. Most of the advice I got and what made me what to go was from people I know firsthand.
I know Grayton Beach (still love the Red Bar after all these years) so I think I know exactly what you are saying. The Central America forums on Fodors and TA have helpful information if you think you are leaning in that direction. There are direct flights to Roatan from ATL and from Houston, I think, maybe it was Dallas- either way, it made for a faster trip than places we are interested in going that take all day traveling from our areas. I would love to go to Grenada but the flights are $$$$ from here and take so much time- what did you fly and from where before? More often than not we go out of PNS. Does the new airport in Panama City make for easier traveling?
It was ahw1001 who did not like Roatan or Belize. I was the one who planned the trip but had to cancel it. We were very disappointed not to go and still plan to do that at some point. I had booked a 4 night snorkel package at Anthony's Cay then 4 nights at Barefoot Cay- both appealed to me for different reasons and I thought with a car at BC that we could see more of the island whereas we would be going out on dive boats twice a day at AK and would not bother with a car there. Most of the advice I got and what made me what to go was from people I know firsthand.
I know Grayton Beach (still love the Red Bar after all these years) so I think I know exactly what you are saying. The Central America forums on Fodors and TA have helpful information if you think you are leaning in that direction. There are direct flights to Roatan from ATL and from Houston, I think, maybe it was Dallas- either way, it made for a faster trip than places we are interested in going that take all day traveling from our areas. I would love to go to Grenada but the flights are $$$$ from here and take so much time- what did you fly and from where before? More often than not we go out of PNS. Does the new airport in Panama City make for easier traveling?
Jul 22nd, 2011, 03:55 AM
#19
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http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...ras-roatan.cfm
ejtipton-
I bookmarked this trip report- some very nice photos and good information- last year when we were to go - you might enjoy it.
ejtipton-
I bookmarked this trip report- some very nice photos and good information- last year when we were to go - you might enjoy it.
Jul 22nd, 2011, 03:58 AM
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OOPS- pasted wrong thing- sorry- HERE (I hope) is the report I was talking about with all the pictures.
http://www.hitherandthither.net/2009...gust-2009.html
http://www.hitherandthither.net/2009...gust-2009.html
