What Caribbean Island for Family with Kids?
 

Here is my fantasy island? What island and specific resort do you feel meet these criteria? I'm having a very hard time zeroing in on a specific plan for my family this June, and would much appreciate advice from experienced Caribbean travelers:<BR><BR>1) Can get there with American Airlines FF miles for one week in June.<BR>2) Great white sandy beach with calm water and good snorkeling.<BR>3) Not too arid - pretty green vegetation.<BR>4) Some culture and history or other interesting sightseeing. Can't lie on a beach all day for a week.<BR>5) Children are ages 11 and 13. Do not want to expose them to nude/topless beaches or wild groups of drunken 20-somethings.<BR>6) Low rise - non-hotel feeling rooms. Natural setting. Don't like the Las Vegas feel (e.g. Atlantis).<BR>7. Other families and enough for kids to do that is healthy - no casinos. Prefer a place that might have a night-time entertainment akin to the luaus in Hawaii.<BR>8. Reasonably safe.<BR><BR>Notes:<BR>We live in California but don't like Mexico and have been to Hawaii too many times.<BR>Price range - hoping to spend less than $300 per night - don't want an all-inclusive.<BR><BR>Have ruled out Jamaica (been there and don't feel safe - hate the overbuilt all inclusives and hedonism places. Have ruled out Grand Caymen...there is simply not enough to sightsee there...considering Barbados, Bermuda, St. Thomas, ...<BR><BR>Thanks much for your ideas.

I have been to all of the Caribbean islands, so I will share my personal experience here. Bermuda would be an excellent choice given your criteria. The only issue would be that you would have to take a taxi everywhere, as tourists must ride scooters on the island. I have had a few accidents in my travels in Bermuda, so I don't think I would want my children on a scooter. This is a pretty minor drawback, however. Have fun!

We too are from CA, and I have 3 suggestions-1)St John. We took my 3 kids and stayed at Maho Bay and they have been talking about it ever since. Maho Bay is camping in canvas cottages on stilts, and definitely not luxury accomadations. Caneel Bay is beautiful, and would definitely fit into the luxury category.<BR>2) The Bitter End in Virgin Gorda While Virgin Gorda is dry, there is a lot to do at the Bitter End. You can dive, snorkel, take excursions, take sailing lessons, etc<BR>3) Belize--while not exactly caribbean, Belize is very safe, the people speak English, they are very woarm and friendly, and accomadations, while not fancy, are pretty reasonably priced. You can go cave tubing, go on jungle tours, go see ruins, dive, snorkel, and the beaches are beautiful, and it is very green. Belize was one of our ports on our CHristmas cruise, and we all did different excursions, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and we had 7 kids ranging from 9 to 16. In fac, I might also suggest NCL's Sun, which is what we were on. All the kids had a blast, and you can also have some time to yourself without having to watch them all the time. <BR>Hope it helps<BR>Joyce

i am from the east coast and wonder why you would go to the caribbean when you could go to Hawaii? i find it hard to believe that you have been to hawaii too many times!!! the caribbean doesn't even compare to hawaii, i don't feel that the caribbean is worth the trip from the west coast when considering hawaii...we just returned from Hawaii and the 12 hours of flying is well worth it. We go to the caribbean only due to time constraints. Do yourself a favor and stick with hawaii or try belize like the previous message indicated.

I would suggest St. Thomas. Bolongo Bay Village is a condo community with full and mini kitchens. Some are beachfront and others are mountainside with a view of the water. There are also a few resteraunts onsite. Snorkeling in Meghans Bay is great too. Beautiful beach, breathtaking views, and calm water. Other resorts are Sapphire Beach or The Wyndham Sugar Bay. Plenty of resteraunts available too. I think the kids would have a great time at The Wyndham.

I have also been to most of the Hawaiian Islands, and Cancun, puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo. If you want a change of scenery go to Virgin Islands, you can shop and do the touristy thing in St. Thomas and enjoy the beauty of the beaches on St. John all in the comforts of English speaking, safe environment of the U.S. Virgin Islands, for your family vacation. Yes, it's far from CA, where we also live, but the ocean/beaches can't be beat. <BR>We are taking our teens and 11 year old on Adventure of the Seas cruise to So. Carribean this summer, I'm sure they'll have a ball, as they loved Cancun 2 years ago.

Well Tom, I live on the East cost and have been to Hawaii 4 times and have to say that I much prefer the caribbean, as does my husband. A # of those trips were freebies and we stayed in the best hotels, but I still prefer the caribbean. Not everyone feels that Hawaii is the greatest place on earth. don't get me wrong, I like it, it just lacks a certain something.<BR><BR>Leslie, in June I would go to Bermuda. The beaches are incomparable, my favorite of anywhere, and I've been to the Phi-phi islands. Elbow Beach and Southampton Princess have kids programs. Also LOTS of charming cottage colony hotels if you don't like high rises. Maybe Pink Beach club, Reefs or Dainels head (over water cottages). It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Lots of sightseeing, if you can tear yourself away from those beaches, charming town, caves, forts. <BR><BR>Try it, I don't think you'll be disappointed. We flew American when we went last October. <BR><BR>Oh and you DON'T have to take a taxi everywhere! They have an excellent, inexpensive public bus system. Runs frequently all over the island. We used this when we went with our kids last June.

Similar question:<BR>--- FF from Washington, DC, on United or British West Indies Airlines<BR>--- kids are 10 and 12<BR>--- want to go over Christmas<BR>--- don't mind nude/topless beaches<BR>--- Have been to Costa Rica and loved it<BR><BR>Possible options as far as I can tell with respect to non-stop flights:<BR>Barbados, Puerto Rico<BR>Not sure about Antigua, US Virgin Islands, Trinidad/Tobago

Hi Leslie. Had to reply...as we have the same fantasy island in mind. We LOVED Hawaii, but it's not in the near future for us soon. We are on the East coast with a toddler.<BR>November 2001 we went to St Thomas/St John. It's a good choice. Here's a run down.<BR>-After much deliberation, we chose Sapphire Beach Resort for the family factor. We had a villa (2 floors with full kitchen, private balconies on both floors, 2 baths, pull out sofa, master suite upstairs with a cathedral ceiling and sitting area). <BR>-You are directly on the beach here, unlike many facilities. The view is gorgeous with a bay like setting surrounded by views of St John & the BVI.<BR>-Good snorkeling here with a marina to rent gear by the week or day on premises - guests get free snorkel gear for a couple hours each day.<BR>-The pool is practically next to the ocean. We a beach bums, but the pool is more swimmable with the perks of the ocean view.<BR>-There are 2 restaurants. Not the best, but convenient at times. There is a very good one up the hill though.<BR>-You can rent a car from Budget on the premises. Book on-line for the best rate.<BR>-You are a quick drive to the ferry in Redhook, maybe 5 minutes. Also, you are not far from grocery stores in town.<BR>-The staff was fair to friendly.<BR>-The room was clean, but not squeeky. However, the room layout and view far outweighed this.<BR>-There was entertainment on the weekend in the lounge, but the summer is quieter there. <BR>-St John is a treasure, but the accommodations on that island were not ideal with out young son. DO VISIT it more than once. You can tour it, snorkel, kayak, go horseback riding, etc.<BR>-There is much to do on St Thomas. many beaches to venture to. Do see Mountain Top. National Geographic named it one of the most beautiful vistas in the world. Do the Paradise Point Tramway at sunset - but skip the quick gondala ride and drive to the top. There is a great view of the port and a nice bar to have a daiquiri, with hammock seats, live music, little shops and woman who takes pictures with parrots on your shoulders and or head. Oh, and of course try the shopping.<BR>Good luck. <BR> <BR>

There are several choices. <BR>1. St. John- great middle location for day trips to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas for shopping. I personally would not stay on St. Thomas as it's too commercial.<BR>2. TCI- Provo. Very rustic. No cruise ships. Lots of day trips to pick from. Snorkeling heaven. No wild partying, very laid back but extemely expensive. May be able to get a package w/ AA. <BR>3. Tortola- Fly to St. Thomas, catch the ferry. You can hike Mt. Sage, day trip to Virgin Gorda- the baths, day trip to St. Thomas for shoppping. Also very laid back, no partying or public nudity. Water is not too calm in certain spots though. Very mountainous & green.

I would reconsider Grand Cayman. We went there 2 years ago for 10 days and had a fabulous time. Activities besides beach and pool that kept us busy included visiting the town (museums, shopping), Rum Point, exploring the historic pirate towns along the coast, the sea turtle farm, diving, snorkeling, botannical gardens, submarine ride, and stingray city. You can also island hop to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. I would return again. There was plenty to do for 10 days.

Just a suggestion to look into Timothy Beach Resort in St. Kitts. Snorkeling right at resort. Also, Qualie Beach Club in Nevis. Properties can be found online (Google).

Dee plane, dee plane...

We took our children to Bermuda. It didnt work out well for us mostly because there was a stationary front over the islands for 7 straight days- we only were able to snorkel once for a few minutes.(Our daughter got a double ear infection and we left a day early.) Beaches gorgeous, bus transportation fine but extremely PACKED like sardines. My husband had been there as college student and was disappointed how the flavor had changed-traffic; he wouldnt even consider ridng a scooter with us, it was entirely too dangerous. People are wonderful. We stayed at Mermaid Beach which was a disappointment. $350 nite but it was on a great beach- place was a dump. All of us are fair skinned and my husband wanted a place w/some culture and lots to do, (as too much sun and we would have nothing to do once ya get sunburned). Unfortunately we had NO sun!!! Water rough the entire time. Hawaii can be that way too. From Ky its a long way to go also. St.Thomas is nice and St Johns but esp. St Thomas has an incredible amt. of poverty when you step away from your resort. Bermuda is pristene everywhere. Now our kids are teens and we are going to North end of ("7 mile beach"), Grand Cayman. We play lots of games and enjoy each others company- also read a lot. So when we get tired of snorkeling we will just have a good time and relax .

Leslie,<BR>What did you decide? I'm thinking along similar lines, and would like to reap the benefits of you research!<BR>Thanks!<BR>