st. maarten or Martinique??
 

I am going to be honeymooning in April, but only have 5-6 days (out of tampa, florida). We are interested in going to an island with a European influence (especially french), great food, and good shopping and snorkling. Which of these places would fill that bill the best? (or do you have another suggestion??
thanks!

It's a shame you have only 5 days, or I'd strongly recommend the newly renovated Club Med in Martinique, but the one in Guadeloupe is also very nice. I don't think either of these resorts really offers anything less than a week but you might check. I think either of these two islands would suit you best if you are looking for French atmosphere.

St. Martin, though certainly French, is still fairly American-influenced, though much more so in the Orient Beach area on the French side or anyplace on the Dutch side. But if you don't want to do Martinique, this is probably your best bet, so stay on the French side. La Samanna would be the best choice for a honeymoon, but it's REALLY expensive. At a more down-to-earth price point is the Grand Case Beach Club. But that's in the culinary capital of St. Martin. You'll have to drive or take a boat excursion to find good snorkeling. And the best beaches in St. Martin don't have hotels on them, so do get a car, but the island has a lot to offer.

thank you so much for the reply!!!
joan

None of the French islands have very good snorkeling. Martinique is the most beautiful; St.Barts is like a slice of the French Rivera--tres chic, with the food and shopping, not particularly scenic. For a very British flavor, Barbados is wonderful--lovely people, wide range of hotels, restaurants, beaches, sightseeing, decent snorkeling. Vibrant Afro-British-Caribbean culture.

Martinique and Guadeloupe are both very beautiful with interesting visits, great landscapes and good restaurants.

For a honeymoon, in Guadeloupe, I would say go to La Cocoteraie hotel in St François, or in Martinique, try the new Cap Est Lagoon resort.

Unfortunately the snorkeling in St. Martin is as poor as Martinique. Eleuthra on the other hand had pretty good snorkeling 5 years ago. But with global warming (killing a lot of coral in the Bahamas/Caribbean I cannot say what the current condition but the others never rea;;y had snorkeling of any quality, a few schools of fish and not much more. I would say the if you would pass on snorkeling the Club Med on Martinique is bit nicer than Guadelope, in my opinion. I think they have 5 night packages at some Club Med's.
The luxury Sandles on St. Lucia is adults only, lots of honeymooners from what I read. Also, you can check by putting " Club Med-St. Lucia in the Seach box and come up with several Fodorites impressions. Snorkeling is just o'k and equal to Barbados, in my opinion. The last 2 have lush tropical areas and Barbados has nice beaches. Look further.

Great snorkeling beach in Martinique is Anse Noir, south of Fort de France.
http://www.zananas-martinique.com/en...anse-noire.htm

In Guadeloupe, there are snorkeling and scuba diving sites around Malendure and Pigeon Island (Jacques Cousteau Underwater Reserve).