Any suggestions for a Caribbean Island?

[NewJeffCT]

I would like to bring my wife to one of the islands this November for our 5th anniversary. She does not swim, but still wants to go... any places that have a good amount of non-swimming activities? I was thinking of Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, or maybe to Aruba? Both at least have casinos, and I know Aruba has some pretty good restaurants. Any other ideas?

[qnr]

1. Great beaches aren't limited to swimming. Check out some of the

activities here, a place that a lot of people never think of:

http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/

Edit: typo

[NewJeffCT]

14. I went there before

Was not that impressed... but, I had lousy weather that week, and the resort was always out of alcohol...

[carlydenise]

2. some ideas.......

www.beaches.com nice place, all inclusive, things to do for the non-swimmer

Have you thought of a cruise? I saw one the other day from princess cruises where you leave ft lauderdale for a 5 day cruise, 2 days at sea, lots to do on the ship, when you hit one of the 3 different carribean islands that you will visit, there is shopping, exploring, lots of shore excursions to do. You get to visit a different island every day.

[speedoo]

3. There are far, far better places than Paradise Island.

If casinos have to be part of your trip, I would go to Puerto Rico instead. There is at least one casino on the east coast in a beautiful resort named El Coquistador, plus there is a beautiful rain forest nearby. Paradise Island is way too developed for me.

My recommendation would be to acquire a copy of National Geographic Traveler - The Caribbean, and read about all the differnent islands... there is quite a bit of variety, and much natural beauty.

My favorite island is Bequia, but you might want a bigger island with more nightlife. St. Martin, Guadaloupe, Martinique might be better.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. I LOVE Bequia.

But like you say, there's no nightlife.

[speedoo]

7. My favorite memory of Bequia...

I was on a chartered sailboat in Admiralty Bay, and had just taken the dinghy into the town dock for some errands when I saw this group of 20 or 30 schoolchildren walking from their school to the church. They were all in uniform, in their sparkling white shirts, and behaving far more like adults than a comparable group of kids would behave here in the US.

And I said to myself... which is the second world country? Bequia, or the USA?

[greatauntoftriplets]

10. That's very true...

Did you visit the resort that had swings in the bar? That was fun, we went there for dinner one night...the people I was with headed there from Port Elizabeth in the back of a pickup truck. Cannot remember the name of the place and it was 20 years ago.

:D

[speedoo]

17. No, did not visit that one.

I remember having lunch at Gingerbread-something and dinner at a fancier place at the top of a hill on the north side of Admiralty Bay. Mostly, we just hung out there for just a couple of days.

We were cruising the Grenadines, many beautiful spots and I hope to get back there soon. This time on my own boat so I can make my own schedule.

[pitohui]

5. i like your atlantis idea

if i were the wife, i would like that one -- it sounds like a spectacular resort

did you know that the dolphins who were rescued from gulfport after hurricane katrina destroyed the oceanarium now live there?

[GoneOffShore]

6. Try St. Maarten

Go on the French side.

They have some great low key beaches, and fabulous restaurants. And there are a couple of clothing optional beaches as well.

[Lady President]

8. I love Aruba

Due to a missing blond high school student, Aruba has gotten a bad rap, but it's my favorite island. You're right, there are casinos and good restaurants, plus a quaint brightly colored downtown. If your wife likes the water, despite not swimming, Aruba is still a good choice. The water becomes deep very gradually-- you can walk out at least 50 ft. and not be in over your head.

I've also been to Atlantis. I like it a lot too, but there is a very different vibe. It is much more of a party destination.

Either way, you'll have fun.

[Scooter24]

9. I've always enjoyed Caymans.

Grand Cayman island is beautiful and has fantastic diving and snorkling. Also has some great beaches, shopping, and golf resorts.

[Haole Girl]

11. I vote for Grand Cayman/Cayman Isles, too!

[NewJeffCT]

12. Didn't the Caymans get hit by a hurricane a few years back?

I've always wanted to go, but when I looked a while back, they said the island was still recovering from a recent hurricane.

[Haole Girl]

13. I've heard they are still recovering, and the prices have not gone

back up too much yet. Sounds like a good time to go. And, don't miss the turtle farm!!

[Haole Girl]

15. Here is a link for you:

http://www.caymanvacations.com/indexmenu.htm?general/sightseeing.htm&2

[Beausoir]

16. I was just on Grand Cayman. I was stunned by the beauty of it.

Crystal clear waters. Deep turqoise blue waters. White sugar sand beaches.

There is still a lot of rebuilding going on after the hurricane, but that is not a deterrent. Good shopping, although the prices are pretty steep.

Stay away from the tourist traps like Hell and StingRay City and rent a jeep to drive across the island.

I'd go back in a second. It is really breathtaking.

[gkdmaths]

18. St Barth's?

not much to do, if thats what youre looking for.

[RebelOne]

19. Barbados is a great place to go.

There is a Jolly Roger cruise that goes around the island that is a real fun trip.

[Guava Jelly]

20. stay away from nassau

I didnt care much for it

[Eurobabe]

21. Too bad she doesn't swim, Turks & Caicos Islands

are our second home. We've been going there for 12 years. Short 85 minute flight from Miami: BUT, it is very quiet in the evenings, one casino I think. The main attractions are the stunning beaches, the array of restaurants, the solitude and lack of annoying tourists. No cruise ships dock at Provo (the main and most populated island). It's very sleepy and relaxing there, very easy to get in and out of the airport.

Nassau is very touristy and gets alot of cruise ships, Barbados is beautiful but a long flight. St. Thomas/St. John, USVI is another nice choice, but I would stay on St. John because St. Thomas gets bombarded by tourists. St. John has a nice nature park and some lovely scenery, you can hire a sailboat and cruise the channels. (Their used to be coral there, bet its all bleached out and gone now.)

Hubby's been to Grand Cayman, he's a serious diver --but he said it was nice, even as recently as last year, they had recovered somewhat from the 'canes.

Good luck scouting, and have a wonderful anniversary!

[LynneSin]

22. Skip the Caribbean and take her to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

Plenty of water, plenty of beaches and plenty plenty plenty of things that do not require you to get into a swimming suit and swim. Look for any vacation in the Guancaste region (NW of Costa Rica near the Nicaragua border).

Costa Rican vacations have become quite affordable and the region is absolutely gorgeous! If you want more information I'd be happy to give additional details!

[NewJeffCT]

23. Probably a bit too far for us

We might already be in Florida for a few days, so we were hoping to get my parents (who we might be meeting in FL) to take our daughter for a few days so we can get away ourselves. Some place like the Bahamas or Grand Cayman is a short flight from FL.

Good idea for the future, though.