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If you had to choose a different island
If you had to choose a different island
Hello,
We Have been to St. John, and St. Thomas several times now and absolutely love the islands. But, we were thinking of maybe trying something new. If you had to choose a different Caribbean island, which would it be, and why. We are a family of 5 (Dad, Mom, and kids ages 13, 12, 6). Liked St. John more than St. Thomas. Beautiful beaches and snorkling are a must. We were thinking Anguilla, Antigua, or Virgin Gorda (have been to Tortola already). What do you think??
We Have been to St. John, and St. Thomas several times now and absolutely love the islands. But, we were thinking of maybe trying something new. If you had to choose a different Caribbean island, which would it be, and why. We are a family of 5 (Dad, Mom, and kids ages 13, 12, 6). Liked St. John more than St. Thomas. Beautiful beaches and snorkling are a must. We were thinking Anguilla, Antigua, or Virgin Gorda (have been to Tortola already). What do you think??
How about splitting a trip between Jost Van Dyke and Anageda? JVD is reasonably easy to get to from STT and EIS. White Bay Villas is a great outfit for villas. They meet you at the Red Hook ferry with provisions and get you on the right ferries. We like to stay at Neptune's Treasure on Anageda - more beaches than all of the other islands put together. You can do a one-way 27 mile beach walk from Neptune's.
I have a trip report on this itinerary at http://www.garvin.us/STJ/Trip_Reports/2 ... pping.html
Cheers, RickG
I have a trip report on this itinerary at http://www.garvin.us/STJ/Trip_Reports/2 ... pping.html
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
other island?
I have to say that I would be satisfied to just go back to STJ only and I have only been there once. I have been to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos and I don't care to go back. I have done a lot of internet research on other islands and I think the only other places I would like to go are the British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia and Hawaii.
I guess if I was real young, rich and had all of the time in the world I might try to hit more of the caribbean.
I guess if I was real young, rich and had all of the time in the world I might try to hit more of the caribbean.
You may want to look into Grand Cayman. 7 Mile Beach is gorgeous, and the snorkeling from shore is fabulous. There are fantastic restaurants, the driving is very easy, and it's a very safe island.
The downsides:
Flat scrubby island, so you'll lose the hills and greenery STJ has. It is also built up and americanized in a few areas, but also easy to avoid with a little research. If you pick a condo on the northern stretch of 7MB, you find plenty of seclusion. I'd compare it to STJ price wise. Both can be very expensive depending on your tastes.
STJ captured our hearts on our first visit this year, and we'll be back for sure. But out of all the other islands we've been to, GC is the only one we've been back to twice.
The downsides:
Flat scrubby island, so you'll lose the hills and greenery STJ has. It is also built up and americanized in a few areas, but also easy to avoid with a little research. If you pick a condo on the northern stretch of 7MB, you find plenty of seclusion. I'd compare it to STJ price wise. Both can be very expensive depending on your tastes.
STJ captured our hearts on our first visit this year, and we'll be back for sure. But out of all the other islands we've been to, GC is the only one we've been back to twice.
We have spent 20 years trying all the different islands and St John is our favorite.
Antigua is a nice island but the snorkling stinks, never been to Anguilla but have heard that the snorkling is not as good as St John or Virgin Gorda, Virgin Gorda is nice and used to be our favorite island till we discovered St John. We always hit Virgin Gorda once on our trip to St John, nice day trip. The best snorkling besides Virgin Islands that we have experienced is Grand Cayman, but it was also the most expensive trip in the Carribean we have ever done. And we still prefer St John above all, that includes Jamaica, Aruba, St Thomas, Tortolla, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Antigua and Nevis.
A friennd did Belize last spring, she and her 3 boys 10, 12, 14 LOVED it, they did all kinds of eco/jungle tours and had great snorkling, might be something to explore with your family and they said it was not an expensive vacation.
Good Luck
Antigua is a nice island but the snorkling stinks, never been to Anguilla but have heard that the snorkling is not as good as St John or Virgin Gorda, Virgin Gorda is nice and used to be our favorite island till we discovered St John. We always hit Virgin Gorda once on our trip to St John, nice day trip. The best snorkling besides Virgin Islands that we have experienced is Grand Cayman, but it was also the most expensive trip in the Carribean we have ever done. And we still prefer St John above all, that includes Jamaica, Aruba, St Thomas, Tortolla, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Antigua and Nevis.
A friennd did Belize last spring, she and her 3 boys 10, 12, 14 LOVED it, they did all kinds of eco/jungle tours and had great snorkling, might be something to explore with your family and they said it was not an expensive vacation.
Good Luck
-
Xislandgirl
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- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
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We have been to St. John 5 times over the last 5 years and like you thought we would like to try something different. Having taken day trips to VG and hearing people on the forum comment that it is like STJ "used to be", we spent one of two weeks there late this past November and then spent our second week on STJ.
The beaches are gorgeous and we found all but the Baths to be pretty much desserted. Car rental and villa rental was slightly cheaper, island people were very friendly and generally very laid back. The grocery stores were not to our liking, and not as many restaurants to choose from as STJ.
When we arrived on STJ we were happy to be "home"; I am glad we experienced VG, but doubt seriously if we will spend another week there.
Another place I was considering was Akumal in the Riveria Maya(south of Cancun). Here's a link:
http://www.locogringo.com/index.cfm
I am currently planning another trip to STJ, hopefully April or May. I have the fever, STJ just has a spell over me.
The beaches are gorgeous and we found all but the Baths to be pretty much desserted. Car rental and villa rental was slightly cheaper, island people were very friendly and generally very laid back. The grocery stores were not to our liking, and not as many restaurants to choose from as STJ.
When we arrived on STJ we were happy to be "home"; I am glad we experienced VG, but doubt seriously if we will spend another week there.
Another place I was considering was Akumal in the Riveria Maya(south of Cancun). Here's a link:
http://www.locogringo.com/index.cfm
I am currently planning another trip to STJ, hopefully April or May. I have the fever, STJ just has a spell over me.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
Wow,
Thank you for all the replies. It is very difficult to think to go somewhere other that St. John.. But, the kids are really getting old enough to voice their opinions and would like to try something a little different. I like the idea of Belize - will look into that one and all the others. Keep the ideas coming and thank you all for your input!
Thank you for all the replies. It is very difficult to think to go somewhere other that St. John.. But, the kids are really getting old enough to voice their opinions and would like to try something a little different. I like the idea of Belize - will look into that one and all the others. Keep the ideas coming and thank you all for your input!
As to the out islands of the Bahamas, we rented a house in Eleuthera (Governor's Harbour area) one year. The house was right on a beautiful pink sand beach, so that was pretty nice. Very little to do though---no good restaurants to speak of. If I were to return, I would stay on Harbour Island, just off the coast of Eleuthera, which has a gorgeous pink-sand beach, and some charming inns and restaurants.
We also like Bermuda, but we generally like to escape the winter cold of the Midwest on an island trip, and Bermuda is more of a summer resort.
We also like Bermuda, but we generally like to escape the winter cold of the Midwest on an island trip, and Bermuda is more of a summer resort.
---Jim
Hi,
As much as we love St. John, we like to try new places. This year we split our time (6 days each) between St. John and Virgin Gorda.
We loved Virgin Gorda - the beauty and the quiet. We stayed near the Baths; the beaches and snorkeling were great. And being amongst the boulders was quite different. the restaurants are as nice as St. John, but everything else was wonderful.
We also spent a day on Anegada and would like to go back.
So many islands; so little time
As much as we love St. John, we like to try new places. This year we split our time (6 days each) between St. John and Virgin Gorda.
We loved Virgin Gorda - the beauty and the quiet. We stayed near the Baths; the beaches and snorkeling were great. And being amongst the boulders was quite different. the restaurants are as nice as St. John, but everything else was wonderful.
We also spent a day on Anegada and would like to go back.
So many islands; so little time
janet
This is not an island, but try the Riviera Maya, south of Cancun. Comparing it to St. John is like comparing apples and oranges, but there are some amazing all inclusive resorts, great beaches, Mayan ruins, zip line jungle tours, cenote snorkeling/diving, and the Mexicans are genuinely nice. It's a completely different experience than St. John, I know I was pleasantly surprised and didn't have to regret staying on another island that didn't live up to St. John standards...
My .02 on Belize:
We went there back in 2003, and had a nice trip but probably would not return.
Yes, there is some fabulous snorkeling, but NOT from the beaches. The beaches themselves on Ambergris Caye are okay, I'd rate them a C-. The barrier reef is where the good snorkeling is, but reachable by boat only.
The island of AC is very laid back, and in my opinion, the friendliest locals we've found anywhere in the caribbean. Restaurants are pretty good, and cheap for the most part. Belize on a whole is not expensive.
We love to snorkel, and it's hugely important for us to be able to snorkel good reefs from shore. For this reason, we would not go back. I'm glad we went and tried Belize, it really was a fun place. But between the average beaches, and non-beach snorkeling, not our cup of tea.
Hope this helps some.....
We went there back in 2003, and had a nice trip but probably would not return.
Yes, there is some fabulous snorkeling, but NOT from the beaches. The beaches themselves on Ambergris Caye are okay, I'd rate them a C-. The barrier reef is where the good snorkeling is, but reachable by boat only.
The island of AC is very laid back, and in my opinion, the friendliest locals we've found anywhere in the caribbean. Restaurants are pretty good, and cheap for the most part. Belize on a whole is not expensive.
We love to snorkel, and it's hugely important for us to be able to snorkel good reefs from shore. For this reason, we would not go back. I'm glad we went and tried Belize, it really was a fun place. But between the average beaches, and non-beach snorkeling, not our cup of tea.
Hope this helps some.....
What about trying a Bare Boat Charter in the USVI's or BVI's? All the charter companies will supply you with a captain if you can't operate the boat your self. I think it's $100.00 per day. It's an amazing vacation, and you get to see parts of the islands you wouldn't normally see. If you would like more info, please feel free to PM me anytime.