Dare I ask....another island?

[lovestj]

We are heading to St John next summer, but I need a quick trip before then. Does anyone have any suggestions on another island/beach that they would put in second place behind St John? Would love it to not be too far from Texas. The only other wish is to find a place with NO no-seeums. Is that possible?
Thanks in advance for the help.

[TropicAtHeart]

How about St. Thomas? If you're trying to keep your budget tight for this "quick trip" you could do the Marriott Timeshare Vacation Preview package. It's about $450 ($650 for peak winter) and you get 4 nights at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef (villa upgrade can be purchased). You are required to do their 90 minutes (more like two hours) timeshare tour, but I've heard it's low pressure and laid back.

[Nic in KC]

I might suggest Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancun. Travel would be easy to get there. It's very small, rent a golf cart and take it around the island. There are some good places to stay and good beaches with snorkeling. The Riviera Maya down south of Cancun is often cheaper and while not St. John, it's fun and relaxed. I avoid Cancun, but love the surrounding areas...just not as much as St. John!

[Ron in South Texas]

We're headed for the Riviera Maya...Puerto Aventuras in a couple of weeks. It's not St. John, but it's what we could afford this year. The beaches are white, the sea is tourquoise, and the snorkeling is good.

[gymnastika]

I second Isla Mujeres. I love that little island. It is very easy to get to, being from San Antonio, and it's a cheap, fun getaway. It's not St. John, but the water is still turquoise, the people are ultra friendly, the atmosphere is great and I get my island fix.

[texascook]

Any opinions out there about St. Croix? We will still be going to St. John in December, but would like to plan a trip to STX in early spring. There's not that much info out there. I would love to hear from those of you who have been there. Thanks!

[sherban]

Any opinions out there about St. Croix? We will still be going to St. John in December, but would like to plan a trip to STX in early spring. There's not that much info out there. I would love to hear from those of you who have been there. Thanks!

TC- PM Margyz she is on a STX kick, I think....she is really helpful and fun to talk with. She posted a STX TR on the other forum also...
Cheers-

[cocosmom]

We stayed at Carambola in STX a few years ago. Very nice & secluded. Good points - loved the suites, individual buildings with 4 rooms on the 1st floor & 4 on the second. 2nd floor has cathedral ceilings. We were right on the beach. Screened in porch, living room HUGE bathroom & great tiled shower with shutters to open up. Nice pool, decent food.
Cons - water is rocky except the far end near the big rocks. No snorkling.
I enjoyed it. We ate out most dinners & breakfasts all around the island. Not STJ but it was a free trip...so no complaints

[JohnM]

As an alternative to STJ, my wife & I spent a week in the Abacos ....Elbow Cay, to be exact.

Had a great time. Wonderful beaches, friendly locals, and solitude. Not as lushly tropical as STJ, as the terrain is relatively flat. And you need a boat rental if you want to explore the various cays. But we had a good time.

Oh, and its less expensive.

[Gizzmo]

Warning Warning Warning
To those talking about Mexico and Puerto Aventuras which we have been to many times the cops are robbing gringo's on the 307. We were robbed in January. Last week a good friend went on an all enclusive trip to Cancun and they met friends that decided to rent a car for the day and get out and about alone and as soon as they left ....the cops got them too! I love Puerto Aventuras but no more! I think my passport has seen Mexico for the last time.

[Xislandgirl]

JOHNM- I sent you a PM.

[iowaguy]

I have always interested in visiting the Abacos, too. We did go to Eleuthera and Harbour Island in the Bahamas one year and loved it (especially Harbour Island). Harbour Island had a perfect pink sand beach, cute town, small inns with charm. No mass tourism. Weather is not as reliable in the winter though. Eleuthera is more remote, but there are good beach houses to be had for reasonable prices.

[Roberto]

We've gone to the Abacos on two trips, both to Lubber's Quarters Cay. There are two good forums on the Abacos:

http://www.abacoforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/

If you can find an early connection to Ft. Lauderdale you may be able to quick connect to Marsh Harbour, the main airport. Keep in mind that if you would choose Green Turtle Cay, the airport is Treasure Cay. I'm guessing that travel time is about equal to St. John.

[traveler22]

Any place on "Grace Bay" in Provo/ Turks & Caicos Islands. We went there for a long weekend (4 days) and stayed at a little place called Sibonne'. The beach and water are beautiful and all the hotels and condos had restaurants along Grace Bay that you could walk to along the beach. The island itself is flat though and the scenery is not the same as St.John but it is laid back and quite like St. John but there is even less to do. We didn't rent a car because we just went to relax but met a couple who did and they said it was a easy drive and had a grocery store etc. They also drove to a couple of restaurants and bars in different locations. Grace bay is also listed in the top ten beaches in the world but unlike Trunk Bay it is a very long, flat beach but the sand is baby powder white and the water is crystal clear.
Good luck with your planning

[AnyTing]

Another vote for Abacos. Have been 4 times. Love it. I am partial to Guana Cay. Gorgeous long beaches with not another soul, beautiful waters, superb snorkeling reef, awesome beach bars, and quaint settlements. Makes a nice trip when you can't get to STJ.