My husband and I are interested in recommendations for a low-key beach vacation with beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and maybe windsurfing opportunities. We do not like the large ultra-luxurious resorts, and instead prefer casual, comfortable, and uncrowded. However, good service and good food is important. We are especially interested in the Bahamas, but would take other suggestions as well. Any ideas?

Based on my reading it sounds like Anguilla could be good for you. <BR> <BR>I don't have a specific url for Anguilla but check the following out: <BR> <BR>http://www.where2stay.com <BR> <BR>http://www.frommers.com <BR> <BR>http://www.travelthe.net <BR> <BR>

Amy, I have the perfect spot for you, off the beaten path and a bit of a challenge to get there, but WELL WORTH the trip. <BR> <BR>Harbour Island, is off the N. coast of Eleuthera and about a 15 minute flight from Nassau. It is a small quaint place with small hotels and resorts, nothing bigger than 30 rooms. GREAT food and <BR>one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world as per Islands Mag a few years ago. <BR> <BR>It looks like a New England 1700's fishing village. Gingerbread on all the houses, and most of the homes and buildings date back to the late 1700's and early 1800's <BR> <BR>My favorite place to stay is Runaway Hill, which is right on the beach with a nice pool and deck area. Breakfast and dinner are served on the porch overlooking the ocean, (very romantic) and the food is excellent. There is a meal plan so you don't have to walk around with money, unless you are going off the property. <BR> <BR>There are also several nice places for dinner overlooking the harbour side. <BR> <BR>You can easily arrange a snorkle trip to an outer island, or you can snorkle right off the beach, a reef about 100 yards out. <BR> <BR>The water is crystal clear and warm, like bathwater warm this time of year. <BR> <BR>Runaway only has 10 rooms, all with AC and ceiling fans and I am sure there will be one available if you call quickly. Dellareese, is the office manager please tell her HI. The nubmer is (242) 333-2150. <BR> <BR>Also if you type in Runaway Hill Club, Harbour Island, Bahamas in your search engine you will find a site for pictures. <BR> <BR>Also try the site www.where2stay.com for rates and more info. <BR> <BR>If you have any more questions, please feel free to post here or email [email protected] <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful time wherever you decide to go. <BR> <BR>tweedy <BR>

Vieques Island, off Puerto Rico. www.enchantedisle.com (I think) Stay at Inn on Blue Horizon, Hotel Tamarindo, or Tradewinds in Esperanza. Rent a 4WD and visit the extraordinary beaches on the military bases. Arrange a snorkeling trip at the dive shop in Esperanza. Definately not San Juan's casino style mega resorts!

Hi Amy, <BR> <BR>I showed my wife your post and we agree you would probably love Club Oasis Akumal (Mayan Coast, Mexico). It only has 110 rooms (all low-rise buildings), has great activities (including snorkeling right from the beach, windsurfing, volleyball...), good nightly entertainment (bands...), and very good food. In addition, service is second to none! You can also visit the Mayan ruins at Tulum (about 10 minutes by taxi) or the quaint village of Akumal (20 minutes by bike). Club Oasis Akumal is located about 1.5 hours south of Cancun (by bus). Let me add that it is NOTHING like Cancun. If you would like more information, write me directly. Oh yeah! Club Oasis Akumal also has a very good dive shop. <BR>

Dear Amy...Sounds like that ANY of the Outer Islands of the Bahamas would be <BR>perfrect. We were in Eleuthera and just came back from 8-days on Cat Island. <BR>Any of the outer islands are magnificent beaches and very very laid back, snorkeling, boating, etc. and above all...... relaxing, relaxing, relaxing! <BR>Have Fun! <BR>Have Fun!

Amy, <BR> We simply loved Na Balm Hotel (31 rooms) on the island of Isla Mujeres. Only 8 miles off Cancun. Playa Norte is simply the most gorgeous beach. They have a real nice restaurant and very reasonable and good snack bar on the beach with swings for chairs. It is only a 20 minute ride by boat and about $4 to get to Cancun. Boat runs every 30 minutes. So you can get a little night life and fine dining if you want. Other than the good restaurant at Na Balam there wasn't much else for fine dining. But we like to try small cafes. Our room for 4 cost about $140. My daughter even left her homework there and they mailed it back to us. VERY NICE PEOPLE. We stayed at in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Isla Mujeres. This is an awesome spot. (Fodors recommended it and we agreed) <BR> <BR>Marguerite

Both tweedy and bette have the right idea. The Out Islands of the Bahamas are what you are looking for. They have been Eleuthera, Cat Island and we have been the Exumas. The out islands are some of the best islands, with small resorts, people who love you to be there, some of the best food , fantastic beaches, laid back and just lazy days. While we were in Exuma we stayed at the Peace and Plenty "resorts" they have a Beach Club which at the time had 16 units and a larger "resort" in town I think it had 36 units. We walked into the town from the Beach club where as you walk most of the islander stop to see if you need a ride. We rented a couple of bike to ride to the far end of the island (bring water). We met up with another couple who we rented a small boat to skim around the island with for a day. We have vacation on many of the caribbean islands but if my wife say vacation is to be laid back, chillin time we will head back to exuma hoping it is still the same.

For a low-key vacation, I would recommend Virgin Gorda, St. John, and Grand Cayman, with VG being the most low-key and so on. Perhaps these islands are more expensive than the Bahamas (?), but then you get what you pay for. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these three, in my opinion.