I know I know why not just go to Key West. Well I have been able to make it to the beach several times in the past years but my DH has not and we have not spent much time in the Caribbean and thought it would be fun. We love almost everything about Key West but want also to be able to spend beach time on a white sand and blue water beach. We love Key West because of it's laid back feeling as well as great casual restaurants and the many great happy hour spots. We enjoy music and riding our bikes around and love meeting others. So I am looking for a Caribbean island as close to all Key West has to offer.
Thanks for any help.

My vote is Grand Cayman--better beach than Key West, lots of dining, laid-back but pretty Americanized.

Thanks for the info we stopped there once on a cruise but it was soon after the hurricane. It's hard to get a feel for a place on just a cruise stop will check it on the net!

Antigua, Turks and Caico Islands St. Thomas, St. Johns. All have great beaches. I am sure there are bike rentals anywhere. I have been to Key West and I did not care for the so called beaches. You could even go to Playa Del Carmen in Mexico. I know they rent mopeds, and also do not discount Bermuda. A lot of moped rentals, and lovely beaches.

the "life" on provo, t&c is extremely laid back compared to key west which i would consider by comparison a very busy place. you won't really find any music or entertainment.
i would not want to ride a bike around st. thomas as it's huge, and roads hilly and windy without breakdown lanes. also spread out so hard to go from bar to bar.
i do think grand cayman would work for you if you stay on the south end of 7 mile beach.
or near 'the gap' on barbados. come to think of it barbados might be just what you are seeking. gap has all kinds of shopping, night and day life, excursions available and caters to a younger more active crowd.

and you might think about cozumel besides playa in mexico.

I too would recommend Playa del Carmen. It's a great town for walking with plenty of neat restaurants and bars. The beach is nice too. But, stay on the north side and not in the Cancun like all inclusives south of the ferry dock.

Another really neat place is Isla Mujeres just north of Cancun.

I actually went to Playa del Carmen for the first time because someone said it reminded them of Key West. That was quite a few years ago, and Playa has grown alot and gotten much busier.

Now, I much prefer Isla Mujeres. Smaller, but lots of great restaurants.

Also, Ambergris Caye is Belize is described as 'Key West 20 years ago'. Ambergris doesn't have the great beaches, but the water is blue and the beaches are better than Key West.