Which island would you recommend for a trip in mid July for anniversary? Of course we have worries about hurricanes.

Looking for good snorkeling, local flavor, some nightlife .

We've been and loved BVI, Virgin Gorda and Anegada, stayed Columbus Isle (water too warm in the summer), Cozumel, Riviera Maya (Akumal), and Hawaii numerous times. Flying from west coast.

Aruba, hands down, we have been there three times. We have been to a lot of other places but this is the only place we have returned to and maybe the only place we will we will go in the carribean again. It appears to have everything you listed and hurricanes are of little worry here. Some people comment that it is too Americanized but I have to disagree, try renting a jeep and going to the other side of the island, you will think you are on the moon in some places and may not see another person for miles. Aruba is whatever you want it to be, it has it all.

We were considering Aruba.

Where do you like to stay in Aruba. What is the difference between Palm Beach vs Eagle Beach? We would like property with a nice pool.

Is there snorkeling off the beach at any of the hotels?

Our anniversary is in July also (15th) we rarely celebrate that month because it's too hot and too many kids. We tend to wait until Sept, Nov or Dec to celebrate.

We loved Aruba also. Palm Beach contains a strip of high rise hotels. Across the street are numerous bars, restuarants, shopping and entertainment. Beach side are more bars, restaurants and water sports stations.

Eagle Beach contains low rise resorts that are more spread out. The beach area is wider also.

Depending on what you are looking for; activity or quite. The Radisson on Palm beach gets good reviews. In the Eagle Beach area, the Manchebo is adult's only, The Tamarijn gets good reviews. Amsterdam Manor is small and quiter, but is located across the street from the beach.

There is not good snorkeling from the resort areas. You can rent a car and go to Baby Beach, Arashi Beach, De Palm Island or the Mangle Haltos or take a beach hopping tour from De Palm or take a catamaran snorkel trip.

Hi Carol, KVR answered your questions about the difference between Palm and Eagle Beaches and about snorkeling off the resorts. We have stayed at the Tamarijn each of our three times on Aruba, best beach, never crowded and always great service. At the Tam, snorkling equipment is included so it is very easy to pick it up and go to any of the places for the day that KVR mentioned, plus a few more not mentioned. If you do decide on Aruba, I would suggest making reservations at the Flying Fishbone, you should do it soon in order to reserve a table on the beach down by the water, check it out on their website, very cool experience!

We have stayed at the Marriott in Aruba twice (on points). It is a huge complex, would probably have more kids in July than you would like. The Hyatt aruba has a very nice property as well (never stayed, just walked through). The Radisson also has a good reputation.
Now, I have never stayed, but have read a lot about Bucuti hotel on eagle beach. It is more adults only and I think a more expensive hotel than manchebo, but not sure.
Aruba is a great, fun, relatively safe island with good food and some gambling and nightlife. There are lots of watersports available. Snorkeling is not the best there, but you can go out on boats or over to baby beach. Still it is not an island known for snorkeling.
It does have the nightlife and lot of stuff to do. It is really a desert with hotels with lush greenery. I found the island itself not very attractive away from the resorts. Just dry and desert like. Some think that is what makes it unique. I am just not a desert person.
Not on your list, but a great island for snorkeling in is Grand cayman. The nightlife is lowkey and more beach bars, but good snorkeling, food and a very safe as well.
Bermuda is also a beautiful island with great food and snorkeling from the beach. Nice in July, but not a big nightlife either. Very pretty island though.
Have been to Puerto Rico. Although not known for it's snorkeling, my DH enjoyed snorkeling right by the hotel (the caribe hilton).
To me Puerto rico has the nightlife, gambling, sights to see,etc.. but it is not the prettiest of islands and has it's share of driving through some seedy stuff to get to the next destination. I have family there, but am not wowed or thrilled by the country. Has several very nice hotels and resorts. (Caribe Hilton, La Concha, El San Juan, Ritz, etc..)

Never been to Jamaica or Barbados, but don't like what I hear about the beach vendors. I would not like the constant barrage, but some don't mind or love that.

We stayed at the Marriott in Aruba and absolutely loved it. there are discussion boards out there and they have private rentals. We rented a condo.

The Marriott has the hotel and two timeshare properties all in a row. So, lots of pools and amenitites. It can get crowded. We went during school spring break (high school). My girls liked having the other teens around, but the beach was crowded. I have no idea how summer is there. I imagine with the timeshares, there are kids in the summer. But it is a great resort like gutzy said above.

My husband and I have been to all four of these locations and personally liked Aruba the least. Aruba does have it's positives (nice water and beaches, safe atmosphere, outside of the hurricane belt). We both felt that the island lacked personality and was missing the local flavor that we too look for when traveling.

We stayed at the Bucuti after reading about a million reviews and were much more impressed with the laid back atmosphere of Eagle Beach. Not only is the beach MUCH bigger, but if you are celebrating an anniversary having an all adult atmosphere helps create the more romantic feel you may be looking for. The hotel itself was very clean and is one that I would quickly recommend. The location is a short drive to the more touristy area. Getting around is very easy when you rent a car.

If you are visiting Jamaica, you will most likely feel more confined to the hotel. Even driving on their roads is intimidating! Traveling in a group would be much safer and probably more relaxing than venturing out on your own. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is fun! The people are also very kind and warm. Depending upon the hotel you stay at, a lot of them have someone from the hotel keeping vendors from entering their beach area (Barbados as well). For the little reasons listed above alone I would return to Jamaica before Aruba.

We love Puerto Rico. Yet again, great food and local flavor! Whatever type of atmosphere you are looking for, you can probably find it. For a honeymoon, I would suggest looking into one of the two islands off of the main island of Puerto Rico. Vieques is wonderful! Safe, fun for exploring, great beaches, very romantic and it has BioBay which is one of the most magical things I've ever seen! Vieques has a new W Hotel or cheaper, smaller options if you would prefer. Neat, neat place and highly recommended! Good bang for the buck!

We love Barbados too. Although Kauai, HI and Provo, Turks and Caicos are our current favorites, this is an easy third. Come on, they have monkeys! Great people...very great people! Warm and kind! You've got the good food and local flavor here too. We felt very safe exploring on our own and they have some of the most beautiful beaches and views. No dolphins though, that was a little weird. I spent almost a whole day waiting to see one before a lady told me they hardly visit Barbados. I would suggest staying in a nicer all inclusive. That way you have the option of staying in. The main roads are busier, but getting around really was not a problem. Taking the cheap excursion to see the turtles is also really fun! They honestly will just bump into you while they swim by. If you have your own car you can see some really neat and romantic places. Even without the dolphins, I still highly recommend Barbados also.

Anytime we travel to the Caribbean the threat of hurricanes always lingers in the back of our minds. Barbados and Aruba are safer bets than Jamaica and Puerto Rico. Try to stick with the more southern islands if this is a big concern.

If you decide on Puerto Rico go for Vieques there is a W Hotel there that is beautiful.
On the main Island, you can stay at El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan, it is walking distance to many great restaurants, museums, historic sites.
In the Condado area, 15 minutes from Old San Juan, there are many good options but I like La Concha it is a Reinassance hotel, beach is to rough but has great restaurants and pools and is also walking distance.