Help with picking an island

[Sigmaf]

Hello All,

I'm new to the site, having stumbled upon from a rec from a friend, and am looking for some insight.

My wife and I are planning a 10 year anniversary getaway for December and are looking into some of the islands.

We're looking for a fairly secluded place, but one that will allow for plenty of exploration, be it snorkling, hiking, etc. We don't really want a place that has a bunch of people.

We've done Jamacia in the past, one of the Sandels, and while we liked the resort, we didn't think much of the island.

At the moment, St. Lucia, Anguilla, St. Thomas and St. Johns look good. Any thoughts on these or other places we should consider?

Thanks so much!

[ctaxa13]

Of the four islands you mentioned, I have been to St. Thomas, St. John & Anguilla. If you really enjoy beautiful beaches, fabulous food, and the most welcoming people, then I would say Anguilla, without hesitation. It really seems to fit your requirements. I'll be returning this year for the 5th time. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions.

[bonniejoy03]

Sigmaf. Hi. We just returned from Anguilla (our 13th visit) so I would love to assist you. Please read my blogs on Anguilla. I have two of them. Please tell us some of the activities you would like from a vacation. For example, Anguilla is not as lush as St. Lucia. St. Lucia is more tropical in nature and just like St. John and St. Thomas, more hilly. Anguilla is FLAT. Anguilla definitely has the best white sand beach and the most beautiful water. In Anguilla, you will not have as many tourists or day trippers. You will have amazingaccommodations and top notch restaurants. In St. John, you will have more of a choice to visit other islands in the BVIs by sailing trips. Wow. I could go on and on.



Anguilla and St. John will probably have the best snorkeling and be the most secluded. As to hiking, Anguilla won't have too many options. St. Thomas will be the most populated island from your pick.

[disneygal]

Hi Sigmaf,

For something more secluded, you might want to look at Guana Island, in the BVIs. There you surely won't run into a lot of people! Other thoughts would be Young Island, off St. Vincent, Cotton House on Mustique, or Petit St. Vincent. Both the BVIs and the Grenadines have great snorkeling opportunities and are not very populated. Based on your wishes, I think you would enjoy St. John more than St. Thomas.

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,
Do you have any personal experience with the Cotton House on Mustique?? Would love to hear from you - thanks

[bonniejoy03]

Hi lhbrown. A few months ago I did a post on Cotton House. We sailed with the Young Island Resort program to Bequia for one night and Cotton House for one night. I loved Mustique! We took our "mule" (like a big motorized golf cart/gator) around the island and toured Cotton House. I thought it was quite lovely. On Mustique you really only have a choice of Cotton House or Firefly unless you rent a villa. Are you planning to stay there? I saw some good LL packages. I had bid on one this year but didn't get it...BOO.

[bonniejoy03]

OOPS..let me clarify my post..we sailed from Young Island and stayed one night in Bequia and one night in Mustique NOT AT THE COTTON HOUSE but in the harbour. sorry.

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,
Thanks for your quick reply. Yes, I was sort of thinking of the Cotton House, the auction will close in a few minutes (3:30 pm PST). There have been no bids on it so far. I am not quite sure what I want, I am rather partial to Virgin Gorda, but don't want to go to Biras Creek or Little Dix again. Being in Florida in Oct. Nov. doesn't help my decision either.... it's warm there, why go to the islands... although it is tempting....

[bonniejoy03]

Hi LHBrown. Well, did you get the auction????? I think it is a great deal. I wish it was offered again in the beginning of 2008. I actually did call Cotton House to see if I could work some deal. (of course, no such luck but I still wanted to give it my best shot!!) Have you thought about Guana Island in the BVIs? That is up for bids. I forget which VIP contributor did get Guana on a bid a few months ago. THink they are going in November??

[Sigmaf]

Thanks for all the feedback so far, it's been a help!

Bonniejoy3, where can I find your blog about your trips? Thanks, Aaron

We're still in the planning stages at this point for the trip. My wife is pretty much dead set on doing an all-inclusive, I tried to talk her into some other ideas, but no luck, so that limits us to some degree.

We're also targeting our travel dates from Dec 26 through the end of the year or early Jan, probably the 2cd, so that's our other key factor. That just works out the best for lining up a sitter, grandma and grandpa, for our boys.

Here's kind of what we're after: we'd like a good beach where we can lounge around and simply "relax", but also an island that offers other, non water activities, such as the hiking, historical sites, etc.






Message Edited by Sigmaf on 06-22-2007 08:53 AM

Message Edited by Sigmaf on 06-22-2007 08:59 AM