Looking for a shady spot on a beautiful white sandy beach, facing turquoise clear water for a week in January to celebrate our anniversary. Traveling with another couple. My travel agent booked Galley Bay, thinking I wanted an AI because I like to have some meals included. We have been to Caneel Bay and Little Dix Bay, and LOVED them. I have heard that there is no shade and rough waters at Galley Bay. Can anyone confirm or deny that for me? Thank you. And happy holidays!

Water can sometimes be "wavy" at Galley Bay - it depends on whether or not the sea swells are active during the time you are there. No way to predict but chances are good you'll see one or two days of swells during a January stay.

There's some shade from palm trees and palapas on Galley Bay but it's nothing like what you found at Caneel Bay or Little Dix Bay.

We've been to all three resorts - Galley Bay is nice but doesn't hold a candle to the other two. We'd go back to Caneel and LDB 9one of our favorite resorts) but once was enough for us at Galley Bay.

Thank you RoamsAround, this is just what I thought. Fortunately we bought trip insurance and are in the process of attempting to switch, as Caneel Bay still has availability. Since we are both on the same page, are there any other resorts you would recommend for the future?

If you liked CB and LDB you might like the following:

Cap Juluca or Cuisinart, Anguilla
Sandy Lane, Barbados
Peter Island, a private island resort in the BVI's
Eden Roc or Isle de France, St. Barts
Palm Island, a private island resort in The Grenadines
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Amanyara or Parrot Cay on Providenciales (Turks & Caicos)
Anse Chastinet, St. Lucia
Petit St. Vincent, a private island resort in The Grenadines

Thank you for your suggestions. I will definitely check them out!

For lush surroundings, nice beach though a number of units at an elevation Anse Chastinet is a great choice. Sandy Lane and Parrot Cay are over the top and are excessivive obulance, in my opinion. Peter Island is lovely but the food can be inconsistent just as we found in our 7-8 visits to Caneel.
Petit under new management with a beach front cottage may be great if they improved the food from the days of Haize Richardson.. I have not been to the others. I could throw into the mix Biras Creek for excellent food, very good service, but with a little hilly terrain you have carts and bikes to get around. Not an issue under 60+ But the beach is thib and does not compare to Caneel or LDB. I hope some of the above helps.