warm water in December
 

We have a free flight on Jet Blue and want to go to the Carribean in a couple of weeks. They fly to Bahamas, St. Martin, Aruba and Puerto Rico. My two young adult children are also going. We prefer more adventure, less touristy travel, but right now my biggest concern is warm water (I'm from Las Vegas and a major wuss about cold water). Where would you recommend?

Not Bahamas in winter. Water in PR and everywhere else south and east will be over 80.

Anywhere but the Bahamas. If you want less touristy travel, then go to Puerto Rico and get out of San Juan immediately ... head for Culebra or Vieques.

i would go to Aruba,the beaches are so pretty.

The water is warm in St. Martin and the food is great.

You can fly to PR & then over to Culebra (small island off of PR). More info. about Culebra can be found at http://culebrablog.com .

Warm turquoise water, white sand beaches, & a relaxing, laid back little island.

Terrie
Palmetto Guesthouse, Culebra

So it sounds like you are saying that the water is warm about everywhere but Bahamas. Looking on the internet, it said most places were 78 degrees and you may need a wetsuit. So I am excited that you guys say the water is warm - I will take your word for it! Thanks so much

We spent 2 wks. in Provo, T and C last December over Christmas and the water was warm and fabulous!

Although Aruba is not my favorite island, it usually offers the best weather in December. We've been to several other islands at that time of year ( Jamaica, Cayman Puerto Rico, Barbados) and sometimes had less than perfect weather- lots of clouds, some rain/showers for part of every day.

I have been to Puerto Rco, the US virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbados, Aruba, Curacao, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Mexico during Christmas week. They all had ocean water warm enough for swimming.
I would think you and your family would find the most "adventure" and warm weather in Puerto Rico or Mexico.
Aruba is very nice, but is also very Americanized.

I am fresh off the plain from Puerto Rico, San Juan and I loved it!
However beware that weather is changing from day-to-day. We had an awesome 5 days with last 2 days of the pure rain. It should change today and I hope it will for those who just arrived.

I want to comment on Culebra or Vieques.
We went and were highly dissapointed. Trip to the port, 1hour 45 min ferry ride. When we've gotten there it was a ghost town. On the beach 1 woman with grilled chicken and flies all over it.
No restaurants, nothing.
But wait!
When you get there - soldiers only letting you occupy some part of the beach because they are looking 'for bombs left 40 years ago'. What a thrill! I almost laughed! But I was too scared I might set off the old bomb so I did not. :-))
So I would skip islands.

I am about to write more today. Got to go shopping, take care and consider staying in San Juan.
I will tell more, promise. Good Luck!

Most of the southerly islands have warmer water. 78 degrees sounds warm, but considering the temps for most of the year for water area 84 - 86 degrees, it may feel cooler than you would anticipate.

Lois