emccort

All of you well-traveled people help me out. What is the most beautiful Island (Natural beauty, people, sights to see, things to do, beaches, ect..) to visit?

sceneisle

Of the 49 islands I have visited, Maui, St. John & Bora Bora are at the top of my list.

Sunnyboy

I assume since you've posted this question on the Caribbean Board you are seeking information about the Caribbean islands and not islands in other parts of the world. That said, it's hard to pick out one particular island as being the "Most Beautiful" especially when those with the most natural beauty tend to be the volcanic based islands and are likely to have less spectacular beaches than the scrubby coral based islands with their miles and miles of white sand beaches. Add to that the variables of people and what you you are seeking in sights to see and things to do make it even more difficult to pinpoint an specific island. For sheer natural beauty, the volcanic based island of Dominica is high on the list as are the islands of St. Vincent, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Saba and Grenada (before the recent hurricane) but these islands are not noted for their beaches. On the other hand islands like Anguilla, Aruba, Anegada, the Turks & Caicos, many of the Bahamas Out-Islands and the Caymens have spectacular beaches but they are relatively flat and arid with little natural vegetation so, to some people, they are not not particularily attractive as far as natural beauty is concerned.

Islands like St. John, St. Thomas, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, St. Martin, Antigua and St. Barts offer a good combination of hilly terrain, some lush interiors and very nice light sand beaches but you don't find dense rain forests, lots of waterfalls and as much flora and fauna as on the islands I mentioned at the start of this post.

When choosing your "Most Beautiful Island" keep in mind that no one island has it "all" but that doesn't mean you can get something close to what you want. Make a list (in order of importance) of the things you are seeking in a vacation location. You can then research each island to find the one that most closely matches your requirements.

One of the great things about traveling around the Caribbean is that there are so many islands to visit that it would be ashamed to confine yoursel to only one particular destination.

ejcrowe

Hi, Eric--I can only ditto what Sunnyboy has already said. Of the islands I've visited, St. Lucia would win for natural beauty--we stayed near the Pitons, which have to be one of the most picturesque places in the world and thought the thick, lush foliage with the beautiful exotic flowers was incomparable.

Guana Island in the BVI and Nevis are both close seconds when it comes to sheer natural beauty. As for the locals, my husband and I felt as if we have practically been adopted by the folks on Antigua from our several visits there, and by the folks on Jamaica from our single visit there last month.

It really all comes down to personal preference, I suppose. What are you and your fiancee looking for for your honeymoon?

greenfieldhunter

spent a winter sailing down island starting with a month in the Virgins in '89. Nevis and St. Kitts were my favorite islands for beauty and the friendly locals.

denboy

I would say Grenada despite the hurricane last September.Much has returned to normal in a short period of time, the trees are already growing again and the flowers are back in bloom.
The island has some very good beaches o which the best is Grand Anse which curves round over 2 miles long with white sand.
The majority of the sights have reopened including the nutmeg processing stations, all the islands waterfalls, spice gardens and the delightful chocolate factory and don't forget the rum distilleries.
There are plenty o places to stay and i you are going in the not too distant future many hotels/villas have special offers to ecourage tourists to visit.

StanKase

Having traveled to about 12-13 of the Caribbean islands I would say St. Lucia, Nevis,and St. John. If you are into lush terrain and what is under the water St.John would be my choice.

Carib_dreamn

My vote also goes to Grenada....of the 13 islands I have been to in the Caribbean - it is and always will be Grenada!

Knowing

For natural beauty, there's no place quite like Jamaica. We enjoyed everything from the people to Dunn's River to the beaches. The bartenders serve up the icy fresh drinks and there are some very fine accomodations. For most people, it's also a convenient flight.

mpmellum

Bora Bora, Moorea, Yasawa chain in Fiji, Kuaui, Maui, Jamaica, St Lucia, St John, Barbados, St Vincent, Mustique, Guadaloupe, Antigua, St Martin, St Barths are the lushest and to me the most beautiful. However the best beaches are Aruba, Anguilla, St John, Playa Del Carmen, Turks and Caicos (all desert climates). Their sand is the whitest and that makes the water more of a turquoise color which becomes a dark blue in deeper water. St John has both lush terrain and beautiful beaches.

Tuxedocat

If you've noticed, the island most consistently mentioned is probably St. John in the USVI. The other advantage of the Virgin Islands is that they are all so close together and all so different one from the other. You can take a boat trip and visit as many as 4 in one day and still make it back for the cocktails. I think the reason St. John is mentioned alot is because it is 2/3 national park and therefore much less developed. It is also no bigger than 3 miles by 9 miles and thus quite "do-able" especially for a visit of 1-2 weeks. Dozens of uncrowded and even deserted beaches, 2 harbor towns with laid-back bars and cafes and lots of feral donkeys, goats, mongoose, and iguanas. Miles of hiking trails and breath-taking views. We've been there 8-9 times and still haven't managed to run out of new things to do and see.

cartera

Tuxedo -
I'm looking into St. John for June. Could you post some of those websites - or email me at [email protected]
A villa would be great and I started looking on the web but know so little about the island that I didn't know on which area to focus.

Jill_Fish

I've been to every Caribbean island and hands down, without question, it's St. Barths...if you can afford to get there and stay there...it's well worth the extra money you might shell out versus a more touristy island destination. The beaches on St. Barths are the best, the food is fantastic, and the people kind and generous. Check it out at http://www.st-barths.com/a_cam/index.html

Enjoy,
Jill

argos

Dominica, if you want natural beauty this is it hands down. (not much else)

bebe0711

St Barths NO QUESTION for me!! Like someone said, if you can afford it.go there! So we1l worth it! Out of 9 Carribbean islands I have been to my favorite is St Barths. Then next in line is Barbados...but 2 totally different feels.

iguanamama

One of my favorite spots would have to be Peter Island - a short ferry ride from Tortola...My husband and I stayed there on our honeymoon. Very romantic - most of the year it is adults only. Let's not forget about Virgin Gorda also!! Little Dix Bay is gorgeous - and what about the Baths???!!!

aks

St Johns- Trunk Bay.

Rich_F

Overall, the 4 larger Islands (Greater Antilles) have the most to offer: Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Rep - have it all! They have mountians, rainforests, rivers, waterfalls, caves, cliffs, beaches of all types, great snokeling, culture and music. However, most travelers don't see much of these islands, because of the sheer size & length as well as population of these islands.

I just return from a trip to Jamaica. I rented a car, then circled the entire island in a week. The sheer beauty and dramatic views were so incredible. So many types of beaches - coves, bays, long, short, white sand, tan, beige and grey sand beaches. I rafted eight miles on a calm river (Rio Grande) with both veiws of Blue Mountians (7,400 ft) and dense tropical forest - WOW!

My most beautiful "small" island is
St. John and the veiws of BVI/USVI. Also, Grenada and St. Lucia are the most lush and dramatic.

christiegr

Kauai Hawaii was perfect. Lush vegetation,mountainous,canyons,beautiful waterfalls.It was not too commercialized and roosters and chickens were running around everywhere.The snorkeling was great at Kee' Beach on the North shore in June.
I have been to Aruba too, it was not very pretty , dessert and the snorkeling was not any good.
We are going to St John in June and hope that it will be a better trip, more similar to Kauai.

Dreamer2

Sunnyboy,
I always admire your posts. You are so patient, and your information is well-written and organized.

Could you please help me one more time? I had intended to take my family to Nevis, but am afraid my teens will be a bit bored, and I would like a nicer beach. I considered St. John or St. Thomas, but then thought I'd be sacrificing either beautiful beaches if we go to St. T or "things to do" (such as shopping or touring historical sights) if we go to St. J. Now I'm leaning towards Puerto Rico because I am looking for the following: cool pools with atmosphere, beautiful beach, rain forest, historical sights, shopping, and snorkeling and/or horseback riding. Do you think I'm finally on the right track? And (don't laugh! ) - is PR considered Caribbean enough?!

Thanks again for additional advice.