AnneSm

NO DOUBT, 12 MILES OF WHITE SAND:

GRACE BAY BEACH, PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

or

PINE CAY, TURKS & CAICOS

Cooper

Another vote for White Bay !

HowardC

Have been to Anguilla and Provo over 20 times and love them both. No AI's on Anguilla--The only one on Provo is Beaches which is large and touristy. Lot of condo type accomodations with kitchens which we prefer. Our favorite is Coral Gardens because of the reef right in front. Although Anguillas beaches are very nice Grace bay beach on Provo beats them. Colors of the water are awesome. Anguilla and Provo beaches have 7 mile beach Grand Cayman beat hands down. Paridisus Punta Cana is very nice and an AI with about 7 resturants and the beach very nice but the resort is large and touristy. Has lots of kids and adult activities. I personally wouldn't lock myself into an Ai on Provo or Anguilla. Too many good restaurants in all Price ranges to try

blamona

In the world or just Caribbean?
World (and some in Caribbean)
Maldives
Provo (Turks and Caicos)
Anguilla
Exumas, Bahamas
Harbour Island, Bahamas
White Bay Jost Van Dyke
Treasure Cay, Abacos, Bahamas

cdt

Well, I like White Bay also, but if "long walks" are among the criteria, it doesn't pass muster.

Don't even think about the Westin on St. John.

Our favorites so far are Grace Bay and Negril's Long Bay, but I have a question for the Anguilla fans:

Can you really take long walks on Anguilla's beaches? My map shows them at no more than about 1.5 miles long.

gottagoaway

Wow! everyone is giving me plenty of investigating homework..ha ha
You mentioned Coral Gardens in Anquilla. Is the beach real rocky because of the reef? I do not want to wear my water shoes to swim. I absolutely loved Negril beach so if the places you all mentioned are close to that beach, I'd be happy. Is food expensive on Provo and Anquilla? safe? I have gotton food poisoning before eating off a resort so I am very careful with food. (in Curacao)We want to take the kids but do not want to go where it will overcrowded like Atlantis in PAradise Island. Is that how Beaches resort is? Considering Provo.(Coral Garden, Royal west Indies), Anquilla,(Ren. Bay Hotel, Great house) Playa Del Carmen(Iberostar) or Grand Cayman(Westin or Comfort suites). Which is best for kids? (15, 7) They love to swim, snorkel and hang on a nice white sand beach.Also, needs to be an island with a hospital because my daughter has a seizure disorder. (just in case) Thanks to all for help! Although I travel alot and have been to many islands, its sooo nice to have the help before planning another.

HowardC

To CDT--There are over 30 beaches on Anguilla but you are right. None longer than a mile +. Not like Grace Bay Provo.

To Gottago--No rocks on Grace bay beach by Coral Gardens. Food--Very good restaurants in all price ranges. Lodging--Can't recommend Anguilla Great house. Rendezvous Bay is closing for renovations but don't know when. If you stay there you want to get a villa. If snorkeling is a priority Shoal Bay beach East is the best--Look into Shoal Bay Villas and Ku' as well as Serenity. Carimar beach club on Meads bay is nice but no Pool or restaurant and snorkeling isn't that great. In fact snorkeling on Provo is better than Anguilla.

Food is a little more expensive on both islands because a lot is imported. There are very good restaurants in all price ranges on both islands. Do a HowardC search on this site to pull up my previous posts and trip reports on both islands. Both islands have hospitals.. Check out www.luxurylink.com. Beaches on Provo flies Charters in from Boston and NY and is very touristy and crowdwd. All suites at CG have kitchens so that will help cut down on food costs.

gottagoaway

Thank you so much for all info. It sounds like you recommend Provo. over Anquilla..? Is Coral Gardens good for children? hows the pool and activities? Is there another place you think is better in Provo. for kids? are there any hotels besides Beaches with water slides? I want my kids to enjoy the islands like we always do. They have been to Bahamas so any place else is good if it meets my requirements..great beach! calm, clear, snorkeling nearby, water activities, ...no rocks. It seems most feel Provo. is best..?

VegasM

I don't have kids but I hear that The Sands is very kid friendly. I'm staying there on my 1st trip in May so I don't have first hand experience, but I hear a lot of people say how kid friendly it is. They have three pools that look very nice and sits on a great stretch of beach and is only a 20 minutes walk to Coral Garden for great snorkeling.

HowardC

The Sands is an option but they are starting construction of a couple of resorts nearby. Very nice pool. Not a lot of kid activities at most resorts on Provo or Anguilla with the exception of Beaches which has a kids club but your older one probably wouldn't enjoy. Don't think there are any water slides on Anguilla or Provo with the possible exception of Beaches. Coral Gardens has two pools nothing special but fine to take a dip in after being on the beach. Check out www.wherewhenhow.com for various provo info and activities.

blamona

While it's easy to compare Anguilla and provo (Turks and Caicos),In my opinion Anguilla is more couples, more honeymoon, Provo is more kid friendly.

Beaches has small slides.

We have a 4 year old, and had an 8 year old and a 13 and 14 year old with us in Provo. That beach is so spectacular, not a single one got in the pools! Didn't even miss them.