palmtree2384

We are going to the Caribbean first part of May and I'm trying to decide between these three islands? We are looking for the white beaches, don't need a lot of nightlife, but would like some things to go do and explore, such as snorkeling, boat rides, exploring the island, maybe some golf. Mostly just want to have some peace and quiet and friendly people. Least amount of tourists the better What do you think the weather will be like this time of year? Will it be warm enough?

blamona

No real snorkeling at any choice
Gorgeous beaches at all 3
Great Exuma easiest by boat, other 2 by car mostly (although there are some excursions)
No golf at Long, Anguilla golf extremely expensive (expensive at Exuma too, but not quite as much)

Anguilla has more stuff to do, Bahamas off the beaten path

Exumas has swimming pigs! (so much fun) and pig roasts on Stocking Island

mnag

All three have excellent beaches. Long island just went through a major storm. I would worry about what resorts and/or restaurants are up and running although by May I would expect you would be ok. North of the island is less affected than the south. Your best bet would be Cape santa maria. Certainly meets your requirement of quiet, friendly people and beautiful beaches. Exuma is great also. More of a boating destination but you can certainly stay on Great Exuma and hit some beautiful beaches (w/o the boat). Anguilla is one of my fav islands but a bit less quiet than the other two (this is just relatively speaking). Wonderful restaurants and beautiful resorts but one of the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean.

RoamsAround

May is a great time to visit any of the islands on your list. Weather should be warm and sunny.

Least amount of tourists will be on Long Island and Exuma (depending on which of the Exumas you visit). Anguilla will have more tourists but is still pretty "low key".

Most snorkeling around those islands will require a boat rather than finding "walk-in" sites.

All those islands are about "beaches" so if by "things to do" you mean walking on the beach, reading on the beach, sitting on the beach or swimming off the beach you'll be in 7th heaven. Other than that and boating there's not a whole lot of land activities.

All those islands are relatively flat, arid and scrubby so "exploring" might mean just going to a different beach.

In short, all three meet your requirements. One is not necessarily better than the other, they are just different destinations.

palmtree2384

Thank you for the information. It kind of sounds like they're all about the same? Can anyone tell me some of the differences in them?

RoamsAround

Other than the points mentioned above perhaps this will answer your question:

Long Island - 81 miles long, 3.7 miles wide for a total of 230 sq. miles. Population of about 3,000.

Exuma - An archipelago of some 365 islands and cays stretching some 130 miles with a total land area of 72 sq. miles. Great Exuma is the largest island in the chain with an area of almost 61 sq. miles. The chain has a population of about 7,300.

Anguilla - 16 miles long, 3 miles wide with total area of about 35 sq. miles. Population 13.500

blamona

on paper might sound the same, but way different experiences

Anguilla is expensive, classy, amazing restaurants

Out Islands are laid back, sleepy, off the beaten track

I've been to both Great Exuma (land stay) and Staniel Cay. Everyone agrees that as much as I'm in love with the above, Staniel Cay Yacht Club is one of the best vacations ever--over the water bungalows, each room comes with a skiff to enjoy. Only 1 restaurant but the food is off the charts! Swimming pigs, tame sharks, sand bars, most beautiful color of water

Not to confuse you but I'd do any destination above in a heartbeat

palmtree2384

Thanks everyone. I have decided it's going to be Anguilla, and since the other two are pretty close we'll do those together when we have more time. So now, any information about restaurants and things to do there would be great! I know that it is known for it's food, but my husband is kind of a meat and potatoes and BBQ kind of guy. So I don't think he'd really appreciate the fancier type of restaurants. Is there casual type places that are really good? Appreciate any information. Thanks a lot.

RoamsAround

Go to the Anguilla Forum on Tripadvisor and click on the "Restaurants" link - you'll be directed to a list of the 125 different restaurants & beach bars on island all with anywhere from 10 to 350 reviews of each place. Everything that could possibly be written about eating/dining on Anguilla can be found there.

Also, use the "Things do do" link on that same page (or do a google search using the same topic) for lots of helpful information. Keep in mind though that most of the listings will be for "points of interest" and/or different beaches you can visit. As for actual "activities" Anguilla is low key so other than the typical water related activities like daysails, snorkel trips, boat rides, fishing, swimming, etc. there's not a whole lot "to do" on the island.

blamona

As a PS, while not impossible, it's actually really hard to combine more than 1 Out Island in Bahamas, it's hard to combine both parts of Exumas. Requires usually overnight in Nassau or Ft. Lauderdale, or private charter plane.

So you're best off doing 1 trip Exumas, 1 trip Long.

Again, while not impossible, it is hard!

beachykeen

E's Oven, Straw Hat. Blanchard's Beach Shack. Mango's.
Smokey's-go n Saturday and listen to the Musical Brothers.
Nat's Place (Palm Grove). For great Mex/Tex go to Picante.
For excellent Italian food-Dolce Vita.
There are a lot of food trucks that and BBQ gills around the island.
I have never had a bad meal anywhere on AXA. Mostly great meals,and a few good ones

Tailman

Cat Island. Sammy T's Beach Resort. No tourists to speak of. Friendliest people in the world. You MIGHT see a whopping 2-4 other people on beach.
I've been 9 times. This year I am renting a house on the highest elevation (Casa Loma) so I can look at an acre of land at HillTopVillageBahamas dot com