What's our best alternative to St John?
 

My BFF and I have been going to St. John for years (primarily staying at Caneel Bay) for the week after Thanksgiving...and are looking for a change. What are your recommendations for a different island where the beaches are great (and not crowded)?

Turks and Caicos and... Turks and Caicos. I love St. John, too, but Turks and Caicos is just as good, if not better for beaches and food.

The only other island that comes close of the ones we've visited is Nevis, but it takes forever to get there from the U.S. Turks is very easy- Jetblue flies from JFK nonstop in about three hours.

How about Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda? Sister property to Caneel on lovely island.

it really depends on what you are looking for in an island.

Virgin Gorda - similar in topography to St. John with plenty of wonderful beaches and terrific walk-in snorkeling. With the exception of The Baths (very popular with tourists and day-trippers) the beaches are never crowded.

Anguilla - flat arid island with 35 spectacular white sand beaches and over 80 restaurants. One the busiest day you'll be virtually alone on most of the beaches. If you happen to find a "crowded area" simply walk a few hundred yards in either direction and you'll be virtually alone.

Nevis - lush island with plenty of rain forests and somewhat darker sand beaches lined with lots of palm trees and dense foliage and hardly a soul on them.

Barbuda - flat limestone/coral based island with miles and miles of white and light pink sand beaches as far as the eye can see. You can walk along the beach in one direction for hours (maybe even the entire day) without encountering a soul.

Turks & Caicos - this island chain (most people go to Providenciales but there are several other islands) has some of the best beaches you'll find anywhere. While you'll encounter "people" near your resort a short stroll will put you all by yourself.

Any of the Bahamas Out-islands such as Long Island, Cat Island, the Exumas, Eleuthera, etc. (there are more than 700 islands and cays in the chain). Beaches stretch on "forever" and are never crowded, even those areas right in front of the various resorts.

Virgin Gorda

Thanks, everyone. We've been to Little Dix before and don't want to return to Virgin Gorda....but you've given me some great options to research!