We're looking for our "next" island. <BR>We have been to Bermuda this summer and came back very satisfied. The island was just breathtakingly beautiful and SAFE in our opinion. It is not a 3rd world country and we weren't afraid to go for a walk late in the evening. We did like the wide, pink beaches with green/blue waters a lot. We also appreciated the historical sites very much. <BR>Would like to find something similar. Some reports here seem a bit scary, especially when it comes to safety. Please help with suggestions. Thanks !

Some lovely islands where safety is not an issue to worry about at all include Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, St. Barts, to name a few. There are others - this isn't meant to be an all inclusive list. <BR> <BR>A lot might depend on other factors - like how much or how little nightlife you want (none of the above are great destinations for nightlife), whether you're a shopper, eat casually or like good restraurant experiences, etc. St. Barts has excellent (although expensive) shopping. St. Barts and Anguilla both have excellent (and expensive) restaurants. Virgin Gorda and Tortola are good sailing & snorkeling/diving spots, but shopping and dining are kind of limited. All have beautiful beaches (especially Anguilla)and lots of quiet.

We prefer the BVI because of the very friendly people and the English slant to things including accent. It's not touristy, the people are wonderful and well educated, but compared to Bermuda (which I have visited twice), it is way more mountainous, has many fewer glitzy resorts, and aims at low-key, comfortable resorts in an EXTREMELY beautiful setting. <BR>There is definitely no Disneyworld setting such as you have in Bermuda, which is to say that nothing is manicured like the grass in Bermuda, you'll find goats in the street, but you'll also find views and scenery that are stunning compared to Bermuda. <BR>I loved Bermuda, but I have to say that the BVI has been better. Resorts there must remain (by law) no higher than a palm tree, and since offshore banking is the primary industry, you will find no such thing as resorts piled on top of resorts. They are spaced out, small, and cozy. Try these which have websites: #1 Frenchman's Cay, #2 Ft. Recovery, #3 Sugar Mill. They are mid-range and are on Tortola. Over on Virgin Gorda you'll find #1 Biras Creek, #2 Little Dix Bay, and #3 Olde Yard Inn. The first two are upscale, the third is mid-range. You might also consider in the upscale category Peter Island Resort which has its own island, but offers its own ferry to Tortola. Note that most of these are a decent ferry ride to St. Thomas for incredible jewelry shopping.

Thank you Paul & Joel for your inputs ! <BR>We've been reading different posts and doing some research and we're still to decide between US and British Virgin Islands (more specifically St. John and Tortola). Thanks also for the specific names of resorts/hotels w/web addresses -- I'll check them out in a second ! It's good to know the islands are so close together that you can actually take a short ferry ride and see some of them...We liked Bermuda's manicured lawns and houses, but don't mind goats on the roads either, as long as it is a safe place. As far as night life, we would not mind going out a couple of times -- we like people watching-- but as far as our hotel, we'd like to be far away from "noise". <BR>Thanks again.

We are returning to Grand Cayman again for Thanksgiving this year. We love Bermuda also but like the smaller size of Grand Cayman. Safe to walk or ride bicycles at all hours. The food is out of this world and reasonably priced. Snorkeling is the best we have ever experienced. <BR>Where ever you go ~ HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

My own preference between St. John and Tortola would be to choose St. John because of the unlimted wonderful beaches that are wonderfully calm and Caribb-like with great snorkling right from the beach. Of course, the resorts are limited to Caneel Bay and the Westin but there are options of condos and villas on St. John with lots of choices! I also like the proximity to the BVI's and St. Thomas and since most of the island is still Nat'l Park, it is lovely and pristine! Tortola has a couple of nice beaches but does offer a very different experience than does St. John but then, since I am a beach potato, I will always opt for the most and the best beaches. For some great BVI resorts, alto not on Tortola, go to www.scubamom.com for her reviews. Both are much more "casual" and laid back, just right for limin', than is Bermuda but you might find yourself doing more trekking and day trips from Tortola since the other BVI's do offer fantastic beaches. While on St. John, if in a villa, you will only have to jeep it. Caneel Bay is a lovely property with 7 beaches otherwise most places (except for a few very expensive villas) are not right on a wonderful beach!

Believe me, Anna, with the exception of Grand Cayman, ALL of these islands will greatly disappoint you compared to lovely Bermuda! TRUST ME!!!

From what I have heard few islands compare to Bermuda but each have there own uniqueness. Having travelled to numerous islands in the caribbean I would have to suggest the Turks and Caicos Islands. This island mostly consists of islanders and those from the around the wolrd whom now call this place home. There are numberous white beaches with crystal clear water, excellent snorkeling just a few yards from the beach and very friendly people. If you do go however you should deffinetly stay away from the hotels and rent a villa. The best vilas are Oceanpoint but there are numerous others to rent. You can go to www.turksandcaicos.tc to check out more

Anguilla would be a great choice. I have been once and my parents have gone every year for the past 6 or so years. <BR>The water is perfectly clear and the soft sandy beach stretches for miles. I nor my parents have ever felt unsafe there, people are very friendly. You've got your occasional goats and chickens crossing the road, but it's not alarming. If you want some piece and quiet and your own part of the beach, I recommend staying at the Allamanda Hotel. It's not super deluxe like Cap Jaluca, but you get a nice room with a kitchen and you can grill out by the pool. Restaurants are expensive, but hey it's vacation.

Anna, <BR> <BR>My wife and I have been to Bermuda and enjoyed it very much. We then went to Grand Cayman, and thought it was great as well. Of course the things that both have in common is safety (low crime), good food, great beaches, fantastic snorkeling/ SCUBA and being somewhat expensive (but worth every penny). Bermuda has better shopping, is much more beautiful and scenic, and less more "sites" to see. Grand Cayman on the other hand is more relaxed and more convienient since you can rent a car to get around. If you plan on going on a vacation to relax, enjoy the beach/ocean and food, and stay for only 5 to six days max., I'd say Grand Cayman is a really good bet. A must at Grand Cayman is staying at the Westin which is on seven mile beach. The Westin is the ONLY hotel that I would suggest staying at in GC. Take care.

Must disagree with Anonymous. (Also, I rarely believe people who say "Trust Me.") We've been to Bermuda several times as well as Grand Cayman, the USVI and the BVI. We loved Bermuda and were ambivalent about GC (would definitely not return), love the Virgins. The beaches, waters and snorkeling are incomparable as well as offering lovely landscapes with abundance of mountains and valleys. St. John is a beautiful island, uncommercialized, and 3/4ths of the island is Virgin National Park, so you won't find the island crowded unless the cruise ships dock in STT and ferry people over to Trunk Bay. Those days, we avoid Trunk and opt for one of many other great beaches. Lovely villas for rent on the island that have their own pools, hot tubs and incredible views - at a reasonable cost. I do not think you would be disappointed in St. John or Tortola, Virgin Gorda or even the little island of Jost Van Dyke, all of these three being part of the BVI. Their cities are certainly not as developed as Hamilton, but I think you will enjoy for all they offer.