mishi

My fiance and I are having a difficult time planning our honeymoon in October because of weather risks. We are considering the St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, St Vincent, Grenadines region hoping not to get hit by a hurricane...we are prepared to get insurance just in case!

We love lush, tropical places with lots of nature, wildlife, and beach/water activities...not arid. We have also considered the Pacific coast of Mexico, and would consider going back to Costa Rica...which we loved!

We want a small barefoot luxury type resort...like Ladera on St Lucia or Laluna on Grenada...willing to splurge for honeymoon...but don't want to travel too far between islands! I have found a few places like this but am overwhelmed with all the islands/options and need help. I am just getting more confused trying to gather info from other posts! We would be willing to fly between two islands...but don't want to deal with a lot of complicated and long travel while on our honeymoon.

What two islands would be best to combine based on our interests, logistically how would we combine them, and what small open air luxury resorts would you recommend?

If anyone has a better idea than the Carribean at this time of year we are willing to consider other options. We appreciate whatever help you can give us...we're desperate for help!

mishi

Another question for you experts. I am a little freaked out about flying on small planes. These commuter planes that travel in the Carribean...are they small and likely to cause air sickness? I am fine on big planes...but never been on a small plane. What airline do you recommend...in light of my concerns? Are there ferries...and if so...how long is the trip...and is it a rough ride...likely to cause sea sickness? Both my fiance and I are not so good in choppy waters. It may seem silly and over cautious...but I just want to avoid any issues that may cause anxiety since we are going away to relax!

xkenx

The farther south you go, the less likely a hurricane. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao are arid. Trinidad & Tobago are very tropical in feel, as are Grenada and Barbados. Beaches on St.Lucia are so-so, and more into the hurricane belt. If you are doing 2 islands, Grenada and Barbados have flights between them. Even with small planes, the air in those latitudes is pretty stable, little chance of motion sickness. IMO, between Barbados and Grenada, you'd have a varied experience. A small boutique hotel on Barbados is Treasure Beach--only 29 of so suites on a nice beach. Barbados has a cave, nature preserve, incredible tropical gardens, plantation houses, entertainment, water sports. See www.barbados.org and
www.treasurebeachhotel.com

A_Traveller

Theres no one answer to your questions regarding planes and ferries. The planes used by the comuter airlines will vary in size from small 6 or 8 seaters to the larger ATR's that hold 64 passengers. The other factor is different airlines use different aircraft and not all airlines fly to every every island. The smaller planes are actually fun to fly in as they fly at lower altitudes (usually around 3,000 to 5,000 feet) and at slower speeds. You get excellent views of the islands as well as the take-offs and landings. Some airlines use mediund size planes (Dash-8's) which fly at altutidues around 10,000 feet while others use the ATR's and fly at 15,000 to 18,000 feet.

As far as ferries are concerned, that too varies from island to island. Typically you'll find ferries only go between islands that are close to one another. Whether the ride is smooth or bumpy will depend on wind and current conditions on the day you sail. Most ferry trips are under 10 miles and take an hour or less but then again there are exceptions. Without knowing which islands you are plannig to visit no one can give you any specific information.

virginia

hi mishi, congratulations on upcoming wedding. it sounds like hawaii should be a consideration for you. lots of nature, wildlife, beaches, activities... not arid. AND out of the hurricane belt! there a dozens of hawaii experts on the us boards to suggest a specific island/resort if this interests you.

mishi

Thanks so much for the replies so far. We are not having any luck planning this honeymoon! I checked out Treasure Beach and they are closed from May until November this year...so that's no good! We considered Hawaii but it is too far away...we are flying out of New Jersey...and we don't really like the big hotel atmosphere which seems to be prevalant there. It's good to know there are so many travel options between these islands. Does anyone have any suggestions on which two islands to combine that would be easy to travel between? Please keep the ideas coming!

sleeepy

Aircraft: you can fly to St. Lucia on a commercial jet n/s from Phili or NC (it's about 4.75 hours).

Site-seeing at other places from St. Lucia: you can take a catamaran trip to Martinique for a day (20 miles from St. Lucia). St. Vincent/Grenadines trip is also popular from there (and if you can afford it, I would not miss it), but you will have to fly on a small aircraft.

There are no guarantees re hurricane season - it generally ends November 30 and must consider predictions that this year will be as bad as last year, if not worse. But it's truly a crap shoot - take your chances; you could end up with sunny, dry weather the entire time. Season generally peaks August/September.

You'll have to read the fine print on your travel insurance. Our hotel would cover cost for a Cat 1 hurricane or more, but if it were a tropical storm, tough luck. I was in St. Lucia in Novemer (1st week) and weather was great considering it rained 1.5 days out of 7 (tropical depression which formed Alpha, I think). You could have no rain - there are simply no guarantees. Plus, a lush island like St Lucia will have brief rain showers regardless of the season.

JimC

If you've got the insurance for the trip, I wouldn't rule out some of the other islands. Grenada, after all, was crushed by a hurricane last year.

One thought on islands. St. Kitts and Nevis. They don't necessarily have open air resorts, but they have charming plantation/boutique properties. You can ferry between them. The beaches are not outstanding but still very nice. Lush, lots of nature, etc. on both islands. We honeymooned on Nevis and had a great time. Hawaii is another option.
jim

xkenx

Mishi, Coral Reef Club on Barbados is a class act. Family-owned for some 50 years. They have (I think) about 100 rooms, but spread out in low rise plantation-style bldgs and cottages on beautiful grounds and beach. There is an adjacent underwater park for snorkeling/diving. See www.coralreefbarbados.com

Kaymit

Hi

I am throwing in my vote for St. Lucia (where I spent my honeymoon in June a few years ago)

St. Lucia is at the southern end of the hurrican zone and less likely to be hit by a major hurrican. That said they are in the hurricane belt but most storms are not reved up enough to be major hurricanes yet when they do happen by St. Lucia.

We stayed at Ladera and it truly was paradise in the CAribbean. It was and still is the most romantic place I have ever stayed.

I have a full trip report and lots of St. Lucia and Ladera pictures. Just email me at [email protected] and I will get you the link

Kay

troptrav419

A popular idea is St. Lucia (Ladera) and Canoan Island in the Grenadines (Raffles Resort). This would offer you luxury, excellent value, beautiful scenery and a pampered honeymoon experience.

DianeC

How about one of the small islands in the Grenadines & Barbados? Barbados is the gateway to many islands including antigua, which is a lovely friendly island. Can't help with hurricanes, it is just the luck of the draw, but we went to Antigua in October a couple of years ago & the weather was lovely.

StanKase

From what I have read over the years and experienced first-hand the Western Caribbean is more prone to hurricanes in the latter part of the season mid-Aug. to very early Nov.(I know they say Nov. 30 but in past 10 years I don't remember oner around Thanksgiving.

The eastern Caribbean usually gets hit June-Sept. on average. That said what about Biras Creek on British Virgin Gorda, Bitter End (is a little too busy with boat people) and Little Dix Bay Resort is lovely with excellent food but may be too big if you compare it it to Ladera.Peter Island is very nice, though a bit stuffy for my taste and you cannot call it lush either.
Hate to confuse you about locales but you may want to reconsider.
I think there is now a non-stop from Newark to Ohau and you would take a 737 to Kauai which is very...very...lush or to Lanai. The Keole Lodge is lovely and the food is exceptional but you need 9 days to make the flight worthwhile.
Hope some of this helps.

KeyGal

I too was very afraid of small planes, but the first trip I flew on one (between St. Martin & Anguilla) was so magical, I've been fine with them since and we take a 3-seater every year between Montego Bay and Negril. On that first trip back to St. Martin, we literally flew over a rainbow! I found out that when you're over a rainbow, it appears as a full circle, not an arc.

iw

I, too, am a hesitant flier, but the small (13 seater) plane that we took from St. Kitts to Nevis was fine. Actually, besides being crowded, it was quite fun! What can happen on a 5 minute flight, right? I also love those two islands.....we are returning for our 2nd year in a row. I am taking a ferry between the two this year and am not the least bit concerned. I have booked a trip to Aruba due to its southern location in hurricane season, but it is a dry island and not that pretty, IMO. I haven't been to the islands that you listed, so I can't respond to that. There are many experts on those islands. I can say that those are on my list to explore and you have many experts on this forum who can give you loads of info. Good luck!!

CGleason

My husband and I got married last October and honeymooned in Barbados. We LOVED it. We stayed at the Reeds House, a private villa on a fantastic beach, with a maid/cook. We could not have dreamed of a better time. It was so relaxing. The people on the island are so sweet and friendly. We can't say enough good things about it. We rented through Island Hideaways but you can also go through Bajan Services. Dining out was fabulous but eating at the villa was spectacular too. there is something to be said about laying on a practically deserted beach all day then going up to you oceanfront villa and having your dinner served to you on your outside dining room. We can't wait to go back.

xkenx

CGleason, At Reed's House, was the beach sandy, did it have any shade trees, and was there wade-in snorkeling? We've seen some photos which suggest a rocky beach. Thanks.

Ike

Mishi.........go to Bermuda.......you can fly there from Newark in no time.......Bermuda is one of the nicest places to visit the East side of the U. S. It's not Hawaii but it's every bit as nice if not nicer than any island in the Caribbean. I have been to Bermuda 3 times the past 10 years and it's super nice. I have been all over the Caribbean at all different times and you want to avoid a hurricane, have a nice wedding and get there in a reasonable manner then go to Bermuda. The Reefs and Cambridge Beaches are two nice hotels. The two Princess hotels are very nice also. Go to Bermuda have a great honeymoon and then go to the Caribbean for an anniversary later when you have the time to do so. I promise you will love Bermuda. The Caribbean has a lot of poverty that's easy to find if you stay at a place long enough. Bermuda is a much better place to visit in comparison. When you have time later go back to an island like St. Bart's or St. Lucia to settle your desires. You can get to Bermuda easily, have a great honeymoon, the food is fantastic, the people are very nice and the scenery, night life is very nice. Have a nice honeymoon............

CGleason

We were also afraid of that. We live near cape cod and are use to very sandy beaches. We were there for 10 days. When we first got there the weather was perfect and so was the beach. By day 3 or 4 it only got better. There were a few rocks but it definetly is not rocky. There was a slight step dowm into the perfect sandy ocean floor and very soft sand. The end of the 10 days the waves got bigger and it got a little rocky. I have been to Trunk Bay and tons of Hawaiian beaches, cape cod beaches and this was one of my favorites. Some of the units have a shady courtyard area. most of it is full sun. The photos don't do it justice!! I am happy to email you some.

perchy

I, too, am honeymooning in Oct. '06. Barbados is on the list of places we are considering. So are St. Kitts/Nevis. I, too, am getting more confused the more I read.

- We like to snorkle. I know St. Kitts is not the best for snorkeling, but is it awful?

- We don't like crowds.

- We like being in comfortable but tasteful clothes. Luxury resorts where we need to dress up and eat at pricey restaurants isn't for us.

- But too cozy, like a small plantation, scares me. What if you don't feel comfortable with the people.

- We like lush, which is why we rules out Aruba.

- We want to relax.

A package that includes meals or doesn't is the next big question, and I know that matters back on the island you pick.

Can anyone add to this thread s'more?

mishi, have you decided yet?