My husband and I just returned from Peter's Island in the British Virgin Islands and we're desperate to go back (but can't afford it!) What spots in Florida would be similar to the quiet side of the Caribbean with some decent snorkeling, less crowded beaches, and laid back lifestyle? We don't have children and don't need a lot of nightlife activity. Please help!

The short answer is nowhere. The closest approximation would be the Keys. (I lived in FLorida for 7 years)

You're going to be hard-pressed to duplicate Peter's Island anywhere, much less in Florida. The two resorts that come to mind are Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, and Fisher Island near Miami.

Little Palm Island is quiet (32 rooms), has great food and service, and Looe Key's reefs are just a few miles away. The island's beach is very small, however. Fisher Island is much more resort-like and built up, but is also isolated. It has a great beach, though nothing worth snorkeling to.

Because both are on private islands and are accessible only by launch, there's no day-trippers. I'll warn you, though, that both can be expensive in season.

Our family likes to head down to Longboard Key every year. It is on the West Coast of FL. The water is aqua and the sand is like powered sugar. I use always visit East Coast but now that I've discovered Longboat, we never went back.

Captiva Island is the most like a carribbean island. Visit http://www.captivavacation.com for interesting links.

sanibel like the caribbean?? pleeaaase. I can't imagine the person saying that. I do agree there is nothing close. Longboat, however is much nicer than Sanibel which is quaint, but the beaches aren't nearly as nice as LBK.

Georgia, Larry owns rental property there which he promotes at the least provocation, clearly violating Fodor's advertising policies. A sand gnat, he sneaks in and annoys and like the gnat we can't see him to swat him away!

When I first moved to St. Augustine, over 10 years ago, I thought that the downtown resembled St. Thomas, only cleaner and wider. My job requires me to travel through out the state and just about everywhere I go I hear how Florida residents enjoy vacationing here. I may be a little biased, but it is the most picturesque (spelling?) town in the state. I would recommend the The House of Sea & Sun, a large B&B that sits right on the beach. You implied that you are under budget restrictions so you may want to check out their discount (1 free night) posted on www.lodgingdiscounts.com. there is a link to their website from their ad, so you can view the place. Just in case you didn't know, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the US and offers beautiful archetecture and interesting museums and sites. Along with nice beaches. Although you have to go out quite a ways (by boat) to find any diving.
Hope this helps.

Okay, but have you tried Treasure Island, and more specifically Sunset Beach. We love the beach and water, and at times they remind us of Guadeloupe, FWI where we spent many happy times in the 80's. Try the Il Tucano motel on Gulf Blvd. New pool, small, Italian owners who live on the premises, and the white, white beach just across the street. You'll love it. Unlike Larry, I have no financial interest, but I do know the owners, and I stay here myself - very often.

Marco Island

Best beaches by far are in panhandle; water is teal blue, sand, sugary white.
Go to SEASIDE. They have a B & B & rentals which vary hugely in price & size. You cannot go all yr round though.
Spring, Fall the best. I dont know about scuba/snork. there but maybe.
Fly to Tallahassee, car at airport, & a real easy 2hr drive. Or fly to Ft Walton & drive 30 min. Tall. may be cheaper.

Susie,
IMO, the architecture, food, and general atmosphere of Key West has a real "caribbean" feel to it, but the beaches are ho-hum. Although, the beach sand is shipped in from the Bahamas.

I've been to Treasure Island and that it was absolutely awesome. white sand beachs and nice warm water, lots and lots of shells. I've been to the Caribbean and there is nothing as perfect as the real thing but Treasure Island is breat in its own right. We stayed at the Island Inn Beach Resort.

Susie- I have lived in both South Florida and the pan-handle of Florida. I would have to say that although Seaside is nice, Key West is the most like the Caribbean. I happen to love Key West b/c it is like being on an island somewhere farther south without the expense. The snokeling and scuba is better in the keys for reef and wreck diving than other areas in Florida. However, some of the beaches in Key West are small. Sunsets are great too!

My husband and I sound like your husband and you, so you might like Sunset Key Guest Cottages and Villas right off of Key West. They're part of the Hilton resort there, but they're on their own private key that you get to via a 10-minute boat ride. All the accommodations are one- or two-story whitewashed cottages, all with porches, and all immaculate, with VCRs, CD players, beautiful wooden window blinds, a fully equipped kitchen with designer china - no mismatched cups & saucers here. There is a private beach that guests from the Hilton visit during the day, but they have to leave by sundown and you've got the island to yourself at night. There is nothing to do there except enjoy each other's company, borrow a book or video from the resort's collection, or take the launch into Key West and walk around. There's also a curved pool, good for floating and relaxing but not for lap swimming. They're planning to build a fitness center there, but for now you've got to go to the Key West Hilton for that. Sunset Key also has its own restaurant open for all 3 meals. You sit outside in the sand under a huge umbrella. The food is imaginative, fresh, and VERY Caribbean. This is a very upscale resort, yet I think you end up paying about half of what you would at Peter's Island. Service is very professional and very friendly and helpful with everything. We have been used to staying at the Ocean Club, and the first time we stayed here, I was disappointed for about 3 hours because the beaches are so inferior to the Bahamas or West Indies. But this resort is so lovely and similar in spirit that now we can't wait to go back.