+1 for Sanibel / Captiva Island if not for the key lime pie at the Mucky Duck Pub alone.

St John, or if you want a more remote experience, Little Cayman Island. If you SCUBA, Little Cayman's Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top spots in the world.

This place is fantastic:

https://www.southerncrossclub.com/

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
British Virgin Islands are our favorite. We can sail so we stay on the boat that we sail ourselves and do our own schedule.
Beautiful place, no language or currency problems and seem very safe.
No telling what the travel situation will be by spring time.
Wherever you decide to go, make sure any deposit is refundable or stay in the US and plan for 2022.

Ditto on BVI. Have been there many times. Love it. Much friendlier people than the US VI. favorite spot is Anegada. Recommend the Anegada Reef Hotel. Go to BVI, you too will fall in love with it. We sail too so no particular island for more that a couple days.

Anguilla. Right next to St. Martin. Terrific beaches.

My favorite islands are Grenada, St Lucia and Hawaii's Big Island. Right now Grenada has a Covid PCR test requirement 72 hours prior and submitting paperwork for approval 48 hours prior, so practically impossible. St Lucia only requires a negative test 7 days in advance. I'm not sure how family friendly either is, but the people who live on both islands are friendly. Hawaii dropped the 14 day mandatory quarantine requirement for now.

BVI

Have visited a good hand full of islands in the Caribbean during my U.S. Naval career. Can't recall ever thinking "this sux", during any Caribbean Island visit LOL ... haven't been to Haiti though so there's that. And been years since I've been in the Caribbean, so no current knowledge.

Whichever Island you choose for break, do a little research and plan activities. Some Islands are better for specific activities than others ... cultural, historical, etc to name a couple.

Whatever you do, don't spend all your time in the Casinos HA ... but if you find yourself in Arubu, good luck getting your hands on a Ten Dollar .999 Fine Silver Limited Edition Gaming Token (in a plastic case)

i have only been once. And i loved it.
We Went to Punta Cana Stayed at an All Inclusive Melia Brand Resort . Paid for Private Shuttle to and from the Airport. there was 3 things I had to Worry About
#1 Getting A good Chair at the Beach and or pool
#2 Where we were Eating For Breakfast and supper
#3 Is it to Early to Sample the Rums at the swim up TIKI Bar

+1 on aruba i have been twice once to st maarten which i didn't care for

Along the lines of the aforementioned Maui and the Big Island, I’d suggest Oahu, specifically Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore. My bride and I stayed at Turtle Bay based on the recommendation of several SF members and found it to be top-notch.

Our next visit to Oahu, I’d frankly opt to stay totally on the North Shore / Turtle Bay save for at least a day dedicated to a Pearl Harbor visit.

Been to several Caribbean islands over the years. My favorite is Dutch side of St Martin, with side trips to French side and Grand Case.
Don't miss Orient Beach.

I've been to almost all Carribean islands, most many times due to the nature of my business. What kind of activities are you looking to do? Are you looking for an island with multiple restaurants and many different non water based activities? Or mostly nature and water based things to do?

msfzoe, I liked St. Maarten a lot too prior to the hurricane. But I preferred the French side for the small really good restaurants.....I don't care much for the casino's.

Extensive travel there as well. Recommendation really depends on what you’re looking for. And, as mentioned, recent hurricanes can have a significant impact. Are you looking for busy place with a good night life, or off the beaten path? You prefer British, Dutch, American, or French influences. Are you a foodie? What kind of water sports and activities are you interested in, if any? How hard are you willing to work to get there? Some islands are are just a short boat ride away from each other if you want variety.

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
We were gonna go to Aruba this summer also but that got cancelled. I’ve been to every island in the Caribbean at one time, I enjoyed St Martin as there are two distinct cultures there...I’d never go back to Jamaica, curaçao, Cuba, Dom Rep or Haiti.

I agree. Stay far away from Haiti and Jamaica.

Avoid Manhattan as well...Just Sayin'

Our go too island was in the abacos Bahamas. Unfortunately a hurricane pretty much wiped that out, they are rebuilding, maybe in a few years.

Next year we have a Vrbo in Eleuthera Bahamas. A house is cheaper than a beach house on the east coast. Just add airfare.

Be careful of travel restrictions to Aruba. A lady at work had to cancel her trip this past summer due to all the requirements. Covid test and extra insurance you had to buy added about $500 to the costs.


We had a great time at Rivera Maya Mexico. All inclusive and adult only

https://en.valentinmaya.com/

quote:

Originally posted by eltonr:
Our go too island was in the abacos Bahamas. Unfortunately a hurricane pretty much wiped that out, they are rebuilding, maybe in a few years.

Next year we have a Vrbo in Eleuthera Bahamas. A house is cheaper than a beach house on the east coast. Just add airfare.

Eleuthera is very sleepy with nothing to do on it and very boring. Howeverm You can take a $5 water taxi over to Harbor Island which is very nice and has very nice restaurants such as Sip Sip (daytime), Rock House, Coral Sands, Pink Sands etc.....and beaches are beautiful too right behind sip sip......

You need to check out the Exumas Chain of islands. Staniel Cay yacht club has cottages/rooms with packages of meals and a small boat.....The area between Compass Cay and Staniel Cay is absolutely breath taking. You can fly directly into Staniel Cay from Fort Lauderdale on Makers Air, or from Nassau on one of the puddle jumpers......

Kauai. In the United States. Small, tranquil. Beautiful beaches. And the locals are hurting financially.

Sanibel is nice but traffic is horrible .