Hi everyone- I am looking for a new island destination for next year. My husband and I honeymooned on St. John last yr and fell in love with it. We returned again for the second time about 3 months ago-this is my question: We love the beautiful, and unspoiled nature of St. John-the beaches, the quaintness, and the relative accesability from Florida (where we live). We love to snorkel, prefferably off the beach-and love a low key atmosphere. We don't care for the traditional large resorts or all inclusives, and also like to spend time on a beach that is not dotted with hotels, restaraunts, and homes. Is there another Island in the Caribbean that is comparable in qualities of St John? I would like to experience something new- <BR>Thanks in advance. <BR>Mel

Take a look at Turks and Caicos...it is 575 miles south east of miami...about 1hour and a half plane ride from Fla....the water is gorgeous and so is the island......

Look into the British Virgin Islands.

There are several little outlying islands in the BVI which give St. John a good run for the money. They won't have the "developed" area like Cruz Bay but they will certainly give you the more pristine beaches with wonderful snorkling from the beaches. No huge mega resorts but lots of options. Might want to look at the Grenadines also. Same is true for the outlying cays and islands in the TCI (Turks and Caicos Islnds) that are just a quick flight away from Provo but they won't give you the lush tropical geography that you find on St. John. Anguilla is another of my favorites with wonderful pristine beaches non-stop and some report some good snorkling but again it is arid and flat. Maybe when the new airport is done on Tortola, it will give you easier access to the BVI's but it is relatively easy to get to SanJuan and hop a plane to Tortola and head out to one of the other islands or fly directly into Virgin Gorda on one of the puddle jumpers! Jost and Anegada are two of my favorites or more "upscale" low key places like Peter Island, Guana, Copper, Biras Creek, etc. I have to admit that I hope not because those places that are harder to get to are those that remain undeveloped and pristine! Might want to look at www.scubamom.com for her reviews.

Mel, you might look into some of the "Family" Islands of the Bahamas. Harbour Island Abaco and Eleuthera to name a few. <BR> <BR>You can fly directly into Nassau and either take a ferry or fly over to N. Eleuthera. Abaco is a short flight again out of Nassau. <BR> <BR>Try these websites for more info. www.briland.com www.abaco.com Our favorite place to stay is Runaway Hill which can be found at www.runawayhill.com <BR> <BR>Have a great time wherever you choose to go. <BR> <BR>tweedy <BR> <BR>

Mel, You must give Eleuthera a try. I too am in Florida, and couldn't believe Eleuthera my first time: truly deserted beaches with PINK sand! We rented a villa, and in five days, did not see anyone on the beach close enough to even wave to. We rented a car and drove all over the 100 mile long island. For a day trip you can go to Harbour Island, a tiny resort-type island off the coast of Eleuthera with great restaurants. The rest of the time, you can enjoy exploring endless empty beaches, and come home to your beachfront cottage for a cold beer and an outdoor shower. We rented two cottages, Calypso (which included a huge pick-yourself garden, mountain bikes and a two-man kayak) and Palmetto Point Lighthouse, a new home with an actual working lighthouse atop. Airfare from Tampa was about $300 each. <BR>Hope this helps! <BR> <BR>P.S. You can look at Calypso on www.vacationspot.com, and PPLighthouse on www.pinksandbeach.net.

Hi Mel, as you can see, Eleuthera is a favorite on these boards. You can also check out Cartwright's Ocean Front Cottages in Tarpum Bay, real secluded but close enough to get to the markets. Feel free to email me for more info on Eleuthera.

ANGUILLA. Lee in Austin,Tejas

if you are in florida you have an ocean (literally) of accessibility at your fingertips. you can shuttle hop to marsh harbour, in the bahamas, and then ferry to hopetown. it is one the lovliest places we have been. the hopetown harbour lodge offers good food and a great snorkling beach with a poolside bar. you can't go wrong. the island is clean, undeveloped (great fresh baked bread), safe, and offers homemade key lime pie, quiet and mucho ambience. we hope to go back in 2 years for another snorkling and scuba trip. you also have many options off the coast of puerto rico. two small islands are vieques and culebra. culebra is much cleaner, quiet. vieques is a little more developed, you must visit the bioluminesent bay. you are so lucky you live so close to all of this. let me know if you want more info. lane