Hi All! I could really use some help in planning my romantic vaca! In past I have stayed at the antlantis in Bahamas (too commercial) & Sans Souci- Ochos Rios (Loved it).
For my first vaca with my boyfriend, we are looking for beautiful beaches (WARM water), crystal waters for relxing & romance, and other things such as kayacking, horseback riding, snorkeling, maybe scuba..I also very much appreciate a lush grounds at a resort, and romantic secluded beaches..

So I have narrowed down my search to Longbay Beach Resort in Tortola or Jalousie Plantation (not the AI pkg) in St. Lucia.

If I choose Tortola, could I visit the Baths? Also, what else do u recommend I do there? Or should I stay on St Thomas, or another island?? If I chose St Lucia- what do u have any advice?? I am interested in the helicopter tour of the rainforest..I appreciate any info u can give me!!! Thanks

The beaches on Tortola are much better than those on St. Lucia, so if you are looking for beautiful water, I think you'll find it more easily in the British Virgin Islands. You might also look at staying on Virgin Gorda. But I think you'd enjoy the ambience of the BVI more than St. Thomas, which is pretty built up and commercial (even though it has some lovely resorts such as the Ritz-Carlton). Snorkeling is pretty good at Jalousie Plantation in St. Lucia, and the setting is superb between the Pitons, but it's a bit isolated, though you can go to Ladera for dinner. Jalousie does have a nice beach, but it's man-made. Visit the Baths if you can ... or visit Spring Bay Beach, which is nearby and similar but not as busy as the Baths.

To give you a more useful point of comparison, I would also say that the beach at Jalousie is comparable to that of San Souci and the snorkeling opportunities are much better.

Thanks Doug! I am still undecided as both places are expensive for not being all inclusive, compared to some others! I feel a bit lost- there's soo much to see in the caribbean! But I dont wanna spend more than I can afford. ya know? any recommendations of great places you have been to??

I am also looking into St Croix ans St Thomas..anything u know about these islands??

Loved Tortola! We stayed at Coconut Point and ate breakfast at Long Bay every morning. They have a nice buffet and you can sit seaside and have your breakfast! Lovely!

The beach is great and always deserted! You can also hit Smugglers Cove from there and enjoy that great beach!

You can take the ferry from West End to Virgin Gorda to visit the baths. Or you can take a snorkel trip (also leaves from the Sopers Hole marina).

Haven't been to St Lucia, but plan on going.

Have fun what ever you choose.

Peace, Greenie

Tortola and St. Lucia are two of my favorite spots in the Caribbean that I've visited.

While it's true that the beaches in the BVI are more quintessential Caribbean beaches, St. Lucia's beaches have a lush, tropical beauty to them that is also lovely. The beach at Jalousie isn't exactly manmade, as it was a natural beach, but they did import tons and tons of white sand to make it look attractive.

Our stay at the Jalousie back when it was a Hilton was my first trip to the Caribbean. It's an absolute stunner and is much more beautful and lush than any other hotel grounds in the BVI. The water is clear and good for snorkeling right off the beach at Jalousie and at Anse Chastenet, not far by water taxi. The water looks darker, however, because it gets deep very quickly (volcanic islands have this trait) compared to places like the BVI where there is a more gradual shelf at the water line.

Both islands will give you ample opportunity for the activities you mentioned. And while I found the snorkeling from shore in St. Lucia and Tortola to be pretty comparable, the snorkeling offshore in the BVI or from other islands in the BVI is much better.

You don't say when you're planning to travel, but if you can go in the offseason this year, you can find a nice package at Jalousie at LuxuryLink. They've been regularly offering 7 night packages at Jalousie that include daily breakfast and one dinner that have sold for $1400-1800, which is a good deal.

On Tortola, staying at Long Bay would put you in easy distance of Smuggler's Cove, which greenie already mentioned. It was probably my favorite beach on the island when we visited--I just wish it had more shade after 11:00 am! But there's pretty good snorkeling there and nice, calm water that's simply gorgeous.

Overall, Tortola has better roads and is smaller, so it's much easier to get around by rental car than on St. Lucia. St. Lucia somehow felt more Caribbean to me. Tortola isn't exactly overdeveloped or Americanized, but it did feel more modernized to me than St. Lucia did. I would return to either one in a NY minute, however.

Maybe you should look at some more modest resorts and broaden your view to more than just Long Bay. I'd recommend Sugar Mill Hotel on Tortola or even ICIS Villas (though the latter is quite modest, it's on a perfectly lovely---albeit isolated---beach). If you want to look at a big-ticket resort, consider Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda, which I'd rate much higher than Long Bay. You might also look at Peter Island. Guavaberry Spring Bay on Virgin Gorda is, again, a more modest but perfectly lovely place, and it is near the Baths. I'm very fond of St. Thomas and St. Croix (I actually like the latter more than any other Virgin Island, despite its problems). I've stayed at the Buccaneer and love it, but it's expensive. Usually, I tend to go for much more modest places myself. I love Carringtons, but it's just a B&B and not near the beach. On St. Thomas, Pavilions and Pools is nice; the Ritz-Carlton there is the best the chain's best Caribbean resort by a mile. YOu can get a lot of recommendations for the Virgin Islands from these forums, so definitely read around. Everyone has a favorite.

Hi Sarah

I have been to both Tortola and St. Lucia. Tortola has great beaches and you can go to sevreal near by islands. The diving is very good in the area.

I spent my honeymoon on St. Lucia at Ladera right up the mountain from Jalouise. St. Lucia is hands down the most beautiful island in the Caribbean but the beaches are not superior like Tortola. Don't get me wrong they are nice we went to the one at Jalouise and ate in several of the restaurants as well. The dving is suburb by the Pitons and the views are amazing. There are several restaurants in the are but none ar einexpenxive. There are several at Jalouise, of course Dasheene at Ladera and there is "Bang Between the Pitons" that has a great floor show on Wed. night. It is right by Jalouise. There are sevral restaurants in near by Sourfriere as well.

I have a trip report and pictures of St. Lucia, Ladera and Jalouise just email me at [email protected] and I will get you the link.

But for beautiful beaches and crystal clear water then Tortola and Long Beach is a great choice but if the activiities and rain forrest as well as stunning views then St. Lucia is the best choice.

Good luck in your decision. You can go wrong with either.

I want to thank everyone for their help! This is very reassuring I still cant decide what I want most out of this once in a lifetime trip..nice beaches or beautiful rainforest?? AHHH I cant decide!!

I think I may go with Jalousie in St Lucia..maybe Tortola next year??

You really cannot go wrong with either destination. Have a great time!

LoL Sooo I think I have decided on Belize! Ok its verry close between belize (Jaguar reef lodge) and Jalousie- st lucia) does anyone have any last min opinions on this decision??? anyone know about belize??? THANK YOU!!