Never been to the Caribbean
 

My husband and I want to go somewhere in the Caribbean for our 30th in June. I've been checking out all the islands and resorts, etc, but there's so much info out there. I would love some help. All inclusive sounds nice, but they are all so large. Yet they have all the things you want. I'm not fond of crowds. Romantic is a must. Use of water sports equipment (kayaks, snorkel, etc). A place that really captures the atmosphere of the islands. Laid back, but with places to go visit. Beaches to lay on or walk on. It must have an ocean view. Just everything you think of when you think Caribbean. And naturally, not overly expensive. If you could go only one place in the Caribbean, where would you pick? Thanks so much.

Bermuda is romantic with pink beaches/turquoise water. The island is manicured with flowers.

Dress code in restaurants.

Would skip all inclusive.. so you can eat wherever you want.

If you want very laid back, I might pick St. Lucia. It has waterfalls, very lush, scenic.

Out of these 2, St. Lucia has the Caribbean flair. And Bermuda isn't technically a Caribbean island.

Out of Bermuda & St Lucia,
I think I'd return to Bermuda first - since its closer and the pink beaches are stunning.

Can you also recommend where to stay on these islands?

If I could only go one place and it was a special anniversary year, I would go to Grenada and stay at La Luna. Grenada still retains a strong Caribbean culture, and with plenty of other things to do after tiring of the beach. La Luna seems like a romantic place to stay, right on a beautiful beach, very laid back. :)

Most of the all inclusive hotels are in Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

You can find smaller AI hotels in Antigua, Barbados and Aruba.

It might help to get more responses, if you list where your flying from, your budget and specific amentities your looking for in a hotel/Island.

You might also purchase a guide book and read about each Island to help you decide what fits your critieria.

Reviews of Hotels and Islands:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/

We'll be flying from Philadelphia. I'm looking for ocean front, view and sound of the surf if possible. I thought I found the perfect place, but some people had posted some negative reviews. But one place said it's under new management. Long Bay resort in Tortolla, BVI. The reviews were 2007, not that long ago. But it was small, right on the ocean, included breakfast, but for other meals you could eat other places. I'd also like a place where we can get snorkel equipment and even a scuba lesson on site or nearby. In my research I became interested in BVI and the area near them. But I like hearing what you all have to say. Thanks again.

I think that Bermuda is an idea worth consideration. June is a very good time to be there and I guess that is why Bermuda was always the favorite honeymoon spot for June Brides.
In Bermuda, I would pick Cambridge Beaches. It is small, with very good service and a great location. As suggested above, check it, and others, on tripadvisor.com.

I think St. John is beautiful and fits most of your needs. But Caneel Bay, where I'd like to stay (though I never have), is pricey.

Two other ideas:

The Buccaneer on St. Croix, staying in a Doubloon suite (which is quite luxurious and would give you the sound of surf). Great restaurants on STX, Buccaneer gives you a great breakfast and free snorkeling from their shore and free into to scuba lessons in their poo.

Harbour Island, Bahamas - gorgeous pink sand beach, good restaurants. Very small, not much going on, and snorkeling not terrific. But also a romantic spot.

Isn't planning fun?

Go to Bermuda and check out staying at the Reefs Club.
I love Bermuda.

Another island that gets great reviews here is Nevis. (next to St. Kitts.) The Reefs in Bermuda has a sister hotel there called Nisbet Plantation. Have heard good things.

BVI's are very nice. Try Little Dix Bay Resort.

If you want to go the all-inclusive route I would go with one of Couples resorts... either Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril. They are adult-only, very tropical, wonderful food and tons to do. It doesn't feel crowded because its so spread out... it's also not as commercialized as the Sandals and Club Med type places.

If you go with a non AI, St.Lucia is my favorite island! It's so lush and tropical! St. John is also beautiful.

Look up Palm Island in the Grenadines it's just wonderful.It has everything you are asking for i.e small,romantic,peaceful with trips down to the Beautiful Tobago Keys and Mayreau.
You have to fly to Barbados with the resort putting on a flight to Union Island then a short speedboat trip over to Palm to be met on the dock with a welcoming cocktail.
Lastly it is A.I but nothing like Sandals etc.
Wherever you decide enjoy your first trip to the islands.

tobago without a doubt (not Trinidad) great beaches, great shopping, easy to travel with rent a car, relaxed and good value,

Do keep in the mind that hearing the sound of the surf from your room and having air conditioning in your room are almost always mutually exclusive! :)

Also, can you define what would be overexpensive to you? Budgets vary so much from person to person that what I consider pricey you might consider moderate, or vice versa.

Not all all-inclusives are large, sprawling places. Some are quite intimate. If you truly want AI that is also smaller and romantic, you're usually talking about the more expensive ones, so again, an idea of your budget would be helpful.

If I were planning a fantastic beach vacation and wanted a resort but on an island with lots of things to do, I would actually second mymoosie's recommendation of LaLuna resort on Grenada. I stayed there in 2006 and just loved it, however I'm very glad I didn't get the meal plan there as I found Grenada to be one of the most rewarding islands to just get out there and explore, including its varied restaurants.