Hello again ftrain,
I just spoke to a neighbor of mine--we both just returned 2 weeks ago from Turks and Caicos(Provo). They are considering investing and have researched many things, one being hurricane occurances. He says T&C has only been hit once, it is further east than the Bahamas. I was wondering if you could check into that, still getting trip insurance. There is alot of construction on Grace Bay Beach--but it is a "great" beach, better than great really. We stayed at a pampering small place Grace Bay Club. There is constructin noise at the hotel, be forwarded. That said, you could wisk her away to Parrot Cay. I don't know where you are flying out of exactly, willing to guess Provo is an easy flight. PC will water taxi you to the resort. We tried to see it while we were there as I would like to stay there at some point, but it fell through. Anyway not to get too lenghty here maybe you could do some research regarding weather and flights! Actually I was surprised to hear what my neighbor had to say, but if one is investing $$$$, one would really do the homework! Best regards, Carol

Of all places mentioned dont go to Bonaire! Its not pretty at all and hardly anything there, there are NO beaches (excpet for a few man-made)The snorkling / diving is great, but if you want to do anything else on your trip its not the place. Plus as a PP mentioned it takes a long time to get there.

I would just buy trip insurance and go for it.

Parrot cay is very pricey, but very nice. (the resort is the only thing on the island so if you want to be able to get out and go to dinner elsewhere, well you get my point)

But Turks and Caicos might not be a bad choice. or the Bahamas.

I was in a hurricane for my honeymoon and have been in several having lived in the Caribbean for several years. Our honeymoon trip was delayed as we got stuck in PR for a couple of days. But it worked out OK and we still got to our destination. Ours was the peak of the season which is Sept. 10.

Whatever you decided, just buy trip insurance.

DONT GO TO BERMUDA!!!!!! i just came back and it is SUPER expensive and there are way better islands. You cant rent a car so unless you rent a moped you spend a fortune on taxis, and the hotels are pricey and not that nice compared to other islands. I personally love St. Barths. I think it is charming, fun to explore, beautiful and relaxing. I also might recommend some eco tourism in Belize or Costa Rica. I stayed at a great place called Isle de France in st. barth where we had a private hillside bungalow. It was pricey but since the time you are going is considered low season you might get good rates. The other place i really like but it is not fancy is isle mujeres off the coast of cancun. You can rent a house for a week pretty cheaply and enjoy some nice beaches and very low key atmosphere. I really like it there but since it is your honeymoon you may want something with a bit more upscale options.

I know that this is very off topic, but my husband and I got married in February spent the weekend at local bed and breakfast and last month went on our honeymoon so that we could go where we wanted and have favorable weather. We actually ended up with a different honeymoon than we originally were planning, we went on a transatlantic cruise. The break between wedding and honeymoon actually gave made the official honeymoon more enjoyable because we had time to rest and get over the wedding planning. I also have to say as the bride the delayed honeymoon made me feel like a bride again and took all the stress away.

I was married in August and went on my honeymoon (long time ago) to Paradise Island in the Bahamas(long before the Atlantis). We had perfect weather. I think you have to pick a place that you feel you would like to go and buy the trip insurance. Last year, Florida was slammed in the US. I live in Virginia and a few years ago, Isabel crippled our area in mid Sept. So, nothing is totally hurricane proof.
You could fly west and go to San Francisco (neat city) and see the wine country. We were just there and it was very nice. The weather is the same year round. If you want Caribbean, I would pick a place that is easy to get to from your home destination. I am finding places like St. Lucia, St.Kitts, or some of the outer islands hard to get to from central VA. Youdon't want to spend a day traveling. The most popular places will be the easiest to get to: Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Thomas, Aruba, Grand Cayman are some of the more easily accesible islands. Don't discount Bermuda because of some other posters, it is really a lovely, friendly and safe island.

Wouldn't the Mayan Riviera also fit your needs?

However, hurricanes would still be a risk.

Look at Maroma or Royal Hideaway. For a more rustic experience, check into the beachfront cabana-type places in Tulum.

I originally had the idea of waiting and honeymooning at a "better" time, but my better half nixed that. She's worried that if we put it off we'll never get around to doing it. I've promised that would never happen, but she doesn't want to chance it. She wants a honeymoon immediately after the wedding. And she wants the Caribbean.

Here's another way of considering it, after talking more with her. Not sure how well any of you know Nantucket, but she said she'd love to find the Caribbean equivalent of Nantucket--namely, plenty of unspoiled, undeveloped terrain to go get lost on, but a vibrant town center for times when we want to be around other people, want shopping, or want some nightlife. Anybody have thoughts on what would count as the Caribbean Nantucket? That's sounding a bit like St. Barths. Regardless, I've made a lot of progress in the search, I have narrowed it down considerably, I talked to a travel agent on Friday who is pulling some ideas and packages together for me, and I'm really grateful for all of your feedback. Regardless of where we end up, it's going to be great.

We just did a honeymoon package at Long Bay Beach Resort, West End, Tortola, BVI. Great mile long beach, most of which is owned by the resort. Great resturants both on and off the Resort. Pool with swim-up bar. Recommend going for the Beachfront Deluxe rooms! Fodors comment about the "less than stellar service" is dated; new management. We thought the service and friendliness of the staff to be great!!

Even quieter than St. John. Only significant nightlife is the Party at Bombas Shack, every full moon...

For many years I'd go away in August and never got hit with a hurricane.

For a honeymoon, if you are real beach people, Anguilla is wonderful. It's a very safe island, the food is excellent, and the people there are wonderful.

I do not want to add to the confusion of choses however....what about the beautiful Hawaiian islands....especially Kauai.Kauai is sooo beautiful and is not over developed like some of the other islands.Check out this website:www.rosewoodkauai.com..my husband and I stayed there.Kauai is very romantic. Good luck! :S-

Look at Vieques. Stay at either Tamarindo, Hix, or Blue Horizon. Definitely a bit different from the more developed islands. Great restaurants. Wild horses (I almost hit one on my way back from dinner last weekend). The best beaches anywhere - the only catch is that you have to drive to them, but once you're there chances are you will be the only people on a mile long white sand beach that's as nice as anything you've ever seen.

As reluctant as I am to come to this conclusion, if I want to have ready access to a beach right outside the door of our room/cottage/hotel, St. Barth probably isn't the place for us, is it? Of greatest importance to my fiance is easy access to a great beach. St. Barth doesn't seem to be the place for that. But can someone clarify for me if Anguilla would offer other things to do in addition to the great beach outside our door--e.g., shopping and great restaurants?

Also, can anyone tell me if Harbour Island, Bahamas, has anything to do like shopping, sight-seeing or great restaurants, or is it basically just a beach?

What I'm boiling everything down to is that as much as she says she wants foliage, I can't help but feel like it's of less importance, and I increasingly don't feel like there is a place in the Caribbean where we can get lush areas, amazing beaches AND shopping/restaurants/things-to-do. Do I have that wrong?

One other question: I know this is the Caribbean board, but is there anywhere in Mexico that offers things like what I'm describing and that are as nice as the nicest Caribbean places? She's leery of extremely developed, touristy places like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. But maybe I don't know of other options offering great hotels but not overly toursity development.

Lots of folks compare Harbour Island, one of the Bahamas out-islands, to a tropical, New England coastal setting. There's a poster here named wantsomesun who frequently posts on his/her vacations on Harbour Island. Check out www.briland.com for a site that gives info on the island.

ftrain: Anguilla sounds like your place, especially Cap Jaluca. Some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, and some of the best beaches in the world are found there, it's trully a romantic spot. There is no shopping, BUT, ferries run between Anguilla and St. Martin all day, only 20 minutes between islands. St. Martin has some of the best shopping in the Caribbean. From Anguilla you can also take a day trip to St. Bart's or even Saba, so you can have it all!!
Harbour Island is a gorgeous beach, beautiful pastel colored new england looking town, but little shopping, just a place to relax.
In Mexico, you're only bet for what you're looking for is Maroma Resort, but you still have to travel to Playa Del Carmen or Cancun to shop. Mexico is very touristy in general.

If what you want is a beach right outside your door, St. Barts is the place for you. Look at the Eden Rock, Emeraude Plage, Tom Beach, or Les Ilets de la Plage - all on the spectacular St. Jean Beach. It's great people-watching too.

GO with Hawaii- I know you will lost travel time flying but stay in LA for the night or two- see the sights and then head to Maui for five nights. Its what she really wants to do and its your honeymoon. With only five nights you could also stay somewhere really pricey and have the time of your lives- just my two cents.

Wow, you have been given a ton of advice - so I'll add my two cents worth for your review. I am getting married in July, and I have chosen St. Lucia as my honeymoon destination. My number one pick would have been Hawaii also. My finace did not want the long flight to deal with. I have traveled quite a bit - Bahamas, St. Thomas, St. John, Maui, Cancun --and I have spent countless hours researching this trip. St. Lucia offers many of the things I wanted from Hawaii - lush, tropical mountain views, etc. I chose to stay at the Royal because I also wanted easy access to nice dining, and I wanted to be on a beach. The Royal is on Reduit beach, said to be one of the nicest on the island. I look forward to adventure & we plan to go on a sailing trip, visit the volcano, rainforest and do a bit of snorkeling. I hope this helps you a bit. [St. Lucia is also not in the heavy hurricane belt - always a concern, I realize.] As far as getting there - Delta has a flight direct from Atlanta, if you can get a flight from the coast there. I also only have a week. I got a great deal on Expedia booking a package. If you have not been to tripadvisor - I'd strongly suggest it. TONS of info there and reviews.

Good luck!