I am a NJ mom with a college age daughter looking for a beach vacation with my daughter. We only have 4-5 days so don't want to spend half of it travelling. Where can we go that only takes 3 to 4 hours from newark or nyc? NONSTOP flight is a must, as well as easy to and from airport since we don't want to rent a car. Also - want to stay on the beach and be able to walk to shopping and restaurants (unless there is a fantastic all inclusive - but we stayed at an all inclusive in Jamaica and did not like it, so....) please help as must book soon or we will be killed by price of airfare
help - any and all suggestions will be welcomed - by the way - please - we DO NOT WANT spring breakers anywhere near us - they are very rowdy and we want peace and quiet
thanks!

Check out Turks and Caicos Islands ( Airport code PLS) Direct flights from NYC.
Look at anything on Grace Bay--mostly Condo's, 12 mile white sand beach, many dining options, check out The Sands or The Somerset

Since time is an issue T&C is an option but also consider Puerto Rico at the Caribe Hilton which is the only really nice hotel not far from the airport. Then you can go to Old San Juan for a 4-5 hr. shopping trip and dinner by taxi. If you go to Viesques it will take an extra 2 hrs. after 4 hrs. from PR but you will have lovely beaches and nice snorkeling and relaxing envirnonment but NO shopping to speak of. It will take you just as long overall to get to T&C.

It is not as fancy as the other suggestions but I have a daughter the age of yours and think I undertand what you are looking for- what about Isla Mujeres, Mexico? Fly to Cancun- direct surely- take a cab to the ferry and the short ferry to the little peaceful island of Isla. There are several nice places to stay right on a lovely beach. You can walk to restaurants and (such as they are) little shops. It is safe and friendly- small and easy to navigate. It is a world away from Cancun. If you are looking for something laid back, simple but relaxing, look at some of the websites for Isla.

you can do st. thomas from jfk nonstop on delta or aa in 4 or 4 1/2 hrs. i love secret harbour beach resort, but it's not in walking distance to anything. the island has lots of restaurants and duty free shopping in charlotte amalie.
you can fly to provo (pls) on aa in 6 1/2 hrs w/stop in miami or nonstop from jfk but it's $1034 each. as czack says anyplace on grace bay beach - regent grand & ocean club west are fairly centrally located.
jet blue will fly you to st. martin non-stop. lots of good restaurants.
or jfk to barbados nonstop in 5 hrs on aa.
finally my best suggestion is grand cayman. nonstop from jfk on cayman air in 4 hrs. from the airport it's about 15 mins to most of the seven mile beach resorts. gorgeous beach. plenty of restaurants/shops you can walk to. this is known as a more expensive island which should discourage most spring breakers.

My vote also is for Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos.

We're heading back there for the 2nd time in 6 weeks.

We're staying at "Ocean Club West" and these are the reasons we like it:

Ability to walk to 10 or so restaurants, so no need for a car.

Free shuttle to golf course.

Enough beach chairs so that you don't have to get to the beach at 7am just to snag one. And what an outstanding beach it is.

Condo with a balcony to have breakfast on. Kitchen for snacks, etc. Dinner out every night.

Great restaurant for lunch.

Easy to get to.

If this sounds good to you, don't hesitate to go.

Try Grand Cayman Island. A little pricey but you did not state your budget level so I thought I would share. Cayman Airways I checked has nonstop from NYC. I am from Chicago. I went 2 years ago with my college age daughter and we had a good time. We stayed for 4 nights. Stayed at the Westin. You can walk for miles on Seven Mile Beach. Stay in central 7 Mile Beach area. We had no spring breakers encountered until we went into Georgetown for shopping. There seemed to be a lot of spring break crowds from the cruise ships there. But nothing wild, just good behavior, it was daytime. Grand Cayman is too expensive for college kids. Good luck. Carol

wow - thanks for all of the suggestions - I can't find a direct flight to T&C on the dates of our travel - looks like grand cayman may be just what we are looking for - I truly appreciate everyone's suggestions!
thanks so much

nursecarol
I was wondering if you would mind sharing some info about the weather in grand cayman early March....
I have heard it's windy - is that true? will we be able to hang out on the beach all day? also -are there any places to eat or shop that you would recommend we visit while we are there?
or anyone else who has been to grand cayman? while the other suggestions sounded wonderful - grand cayman was the easiest to find a direct flight exactly in my narrow window of time....

Hi njmomandaughter We went in mid March 2 years ago, stayed 4 days, and had gorgeous weather. Lo 80's, strong sun (we came home with an envious 4 day tan), wind was not an issue. Like I said if you stay in central 7 Mile Beach area (7 Mile Beach is divided into 3 areas: North, central and South) central area has the best beach. We stayed at the Westin and across the street is a casual restaurant called "Eats" where we ate for almost all of our meals (we are not foodies) mostly to go. Large portions, reasonably priced. Check out caymanactivityguide.com for useful information. You will have to join (it's free and harmless) to view posts and it's easy to navigate. Also try tripadvisor.com for reviews of potential accommodations. Lastly, caymanvacations.com shows where condo accommodations are located on which beach and a description of the beach areas (North, Central South. We took a cheap bus on a 10 minutes ride into Georgtown for shopping. Hope this helps in your planning. Feel free to ask any more questions. Maybe others can provide additional comments.Carol.

this page gives you an accurate weather history: http://www.wunderground.com/history/...Cayman+Islands

we're going in april so i'll look forward to a trip report when you and dd return.

there is stingray city where you stand in 3' of water and rays come up for you to watch and touch.
there is a turtle farm, botanical garden and butterfly farm.
you might enjoy a visit to the bernard k. passman gallery/shop. he has passed but was the only artist legally permitted to work with black coral.
if there are any fishermen in your life consider a visit to guy harvey shop for art, shirts, etc.