If not STJ-where to next? HELP from forumites PLEASE

[lv2fish]

Looking to fellow forumites for opinions on “Where to go next (Caribbean) ” ?
Looking for something new!
Love STJ but for business reasons we are unable to go (regretfully) this February to escape the winter cold & doldrums. Criteria/ preferences: Relatively lower crime rates, Into nature, kayaking, definitely snorkeling, beautiful vistas . Nightlife & restaurants unimportant. Not picky about lodging, rustic is OK., prefer “un-stuffy” environment. Already done: Keys, Dominica, Aruba, Outer Family-Bahmaian Isalnds, Tortola, St. Martin, D.R. , P.R.,
Here are our thoughts BUT looking for your opinions/ suggestions PLEASE: Cayman Islands, Trinidad/ Tobago (for Carnival), St. Vincent/ Grenadines, Monsterrat….Others???
If this post is better on the O.T. board just let me know & I’ll ask over there.
Thanks so much all.

[Pote]

Maybe take a look at Bottle Creek Lodge in North Caicos, BWI. It is a wonderful island, super people and lots to do from fly fishing, kayaking, whale watching, cycling. We had a wonderful time there.

Oops - edited to add that I totally forgot to mention some of the most amazing snorkeling and diving I know is found in the Turks and Caicos.

[loria]

bequia.....

[b-as-u-r]

Anguilla is on my short list, though I'm not sure there's an economical way to do it. I'd also like to go the Turks & Caicos. I was always under the impression that Trinidad/Tobago was not all that safe but things could be different?? Happy travels and good luck with picking your destination. Ali~

[SOonthebeach]

I have heard positive things about Nevis but have not looked deeply into it.....

[Exit Zero]

There is plenty of variety in accommodations and cost in Anguilla - You certainly do not have to stay in the ultra - hotels - and the beaches are spectacular.
Anegada - easier to get to than Anguilla and great snorkeling and beaches - not a lot of places to stay but a wide variety.
Nevis is very unstuffy - good beaches and snorkeling - lots of smaller guest houses.
Iles de Saintes - or Les Saintes - great, French, low key islands, inexpensive guest houses - lovely beaches and snorkeling .
Canouan - tiny - not too easy to get to but well worth it.
Mustique - has it all.
Tobago is quite safe and wonderful -- Trinidad during Carnival?? not so much.

[ShelleyZ]

Have you been to Culebra, P.R.? Looks like it might fit your criteria. We liked it very much.

[Knolmom]

We absolutely loved St Lucia--Stonefield Estate hasvillas and cottages where you can imagine you can just reach out and touch the Pitons. Snorkeling was incredible just off Anse Chastanet Beach.
Very low key and non-touristy. Cruise ships dock up north( few hours away) and you are just up the mountain from Soufriere Harbor.
Hope to go back someday.

[Lex]

We really liked our stay on Virgin Gorda. We'll return there and tack on a few days on Anegada.

Of interest for us: Vieques and Culebra, Bequia and some of the other Grenadines. Nevis, Grenada. Grand Cayman doesn't draw me, but Cayman Brac does. I also have a fascination with Barbuda.

[bnsilly]

I have been looking into the Cayman Islands for my mom's birthday in May...It may fit your need...
We have stayed on Tortola 3 times and liked it ok too.
But if you can't go to STJ, not sure you could make it to BVI's..Is it just something with the island of STJ specifically that you can't go to? If so, then yes maybe some of the BVI's would be good like Virgin Gorda or Tortola.
I have eyes Turks and Caicos and the out islands of the Bahamas as well..Lots of options!

[Rachelle & Joe]

Having fallen in Love with Anguilla, we now alternate with STJ ! Anguilla 2011 A Great wealth of info. to check out is www.Anguillaguide.com check out the Forum...... Good Luck !

[I'm The Stig]

Grand Cayman is okay. If you are a SCUBA diver, it's a must go place. Much better & more variety of dive sites when compared to the USVI/BVI. Snorkeling & beaches are not as good when compared to STJ. Eat at the Cracked Conch, fantastic place to dine & enjoy sunsets. You can also, SCUBA dive right off their back deck out to this very cool wall dive.

[AquaGirl]

A couple of ideas - places we visited and enjoyed. We love snorkeling, hiking, low-key places.

Nevis - very low key; have stayed in several of the plantation type small places and all were wonderful. Snorkeling is ok, but nothing like STJ (we've been there 4 times). Its very scenic with the mountain and great hiking in the rainforest. We love the feel of Nevis with its low key West Indian culture.

Tobago - Its probably been 16 years since we've been there. Small townish, low key, very friendly people. We mostly did scuba diving, but I seem to recall there was some good snorkeling and nice beaches. We enjoyed our trip there.

St Lucia - stayed at Anse Chastanet 15 years ago and loved it. Pretty beach and snorkeling was good off the beach there. Very scenic with a view of the Pitons. Went on an island tour of the 'drive in volcano'. However, when I looked at St Lucia about 5 years ago, there was a crime problem, so check it out first. Friends went last year and had no problems and loved it.

St Vincent - beautiful island; especially in their rain forest. Stayed at Young Island, which we loved. Didn't find much snorkeling, but we heard you can take a boat trip to the Grenadines.

Virgin Gorda - Love it - beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, great restaurants, the Baths. We plan to return.

I would like to try Turks & Caicos some day too.