OT: Best tropical vacation suggestions

[nitt4ever]

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

 

[psuro]

Forget the islands and go to Costa Rica and/or Belize.

 

[Kmase21]

The Dominican Republic is all the rage these days. Maybe there.

 

[PSU1282]

Grand Caymans is very nice and the stingray swim is great,also Bonaire if you like to dive.

 

[jmorovich]

Turks and Caicos...one of the best vacation spots my family and I have been to.

 

[PineIslandLion]

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

Grand Cayman a good suggestion as is St John, USVI. Loved both, probably St John a bit more.

 

[lobo lion]

The Dominican Republic is all the rage these days. Maybe there.

Yeah, but for all the wrong reasons.

 

[Madsol]

Totally in a different direction than your question, but I'd look to the panhandle of Florida. After vacationing in Punta Cana last year, I think I'm done with the Caribbean. We had an amazing vacation in Destin. The beaches and the water were awesome and comparable to the Caribbean. Crowds were smaller. Lots to do. And depending on where you live, driving is an option.

 

[PSU1282]

The nice thing about St John is there is a ferry to take you to other close by islands like Virgin Gorda where the Baths are located. The Baths are very unusual and one of the neatest places I've been to visit. We've been to 22 islands and it was my favorite beach along with Devils Bay which is a short walk away. Google it.
The Baths at Virgin Gorda.

 

[Lion78]

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

Went to Great Exuma back when the hotel was a Four Seasons, probably 15+ years ago. Outstanding beach, but not much else there. I understand it's now an all-inclusive resort, so there is probably more activities and such, but I doubt if the town is built up much. There wasn't much of a town to stroll through and shop/eat.

We are big fans of Bermuda and August is a great time. Closer in terms of travel, less likely to be impacted by hurricane season, great hotels, sights to see and outstanding restaurants.

 

[Nitwit]

Antigua has 365 beaches, Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, and lots more.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

Go to Turks and Caicos island Providenciales. It is home to Grace Bay, the number one rated beach in the world. Crystal clear water no waves. Very clean. We have been there several times. Have done both hotels and rented condos. Fun island easy to drive around. Good restaurants and pubs. People are very friendly. I highly recommend it.

 

[wilykyote]

"opinions on Great Exuma"
We go to Exuma a lot and it is pretty good for everything. There are resorts, house rentals, cottages and such, nice beaches and good fishing. Flights are from Miami or Atlanta (American and Delta). You will need a car for best exploration and fishing (driving on the left). It is my favorite Bahamian island for fishing/beach combination.

 

[BornALion]

Forget the islands and go to Costa Rica and/or Belize.

Second this. CR is an amazing country with tons of activities, rainforest, beautiful beaches. How can you not love sloths? Manuel Antonio National Park area is a great stay as well as a short trip north to Jaco. This year we stayed in Dreams Las Marias in Guanacaste and also went on a day trip to Nicuaraga. Looking to head back in 2021.

 

[Obliviax]

in the Caribbean, the best place I've stayed was in Barbados. Bali was the best island vacation ever, for me. I've never been to Exuma.

 

[Wesauking Lion]

I second Costa Rica.

Personally.... I would go to Samara Costa, Rica and book rooms at the Fenix Hotel - One the Beach. It is a 7 time Tripadvisor award winner in the family division. It is #1 rated in Samara. It has a pool, nice overgrown folliage / trees for shade, full kitchens, hammocks, lounge chairs, loca fish market... everything Costa Rican. You can walk right out on the beach.

www.fenixhotel.com

And the best part... It is owned by Wesauking Lion.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

After a long summer, the last place I’m going is somewhere hot.

Heading to Banff and Jasper NPs.

 

[Judge Smails]

Hope Town, Abaco, Bahamas

Had an amazing visit there in the Spring. Fly into Marsh Harbor (MHH), take boat across to Hope Town. Great restaurants, crystal clear water, rent a boat to visit other islands in the area, deserted beaches. Rent a golf cart to get around the island, very few cars on the roads. Superior to other Bahamas destinations in that there is a very picturesque town with historical houses and great places to eat, many things to do. We were previously at Green Turtle in the Bahamas but my wife didn't like it because of the lack of diversity in places to eat. She'd only eat at the Country Club, lol.

 

[Ohio_Pirate]

Go to Turks and Caicos island Providenciales. It is home to Grace Bay, the number one rated beach in the world. Crystal clear water no waves. Very clean. We have been there several times. Have done both hotels and rented condos. Fun island easy to drive around. Good restaurants and pubs. People are very friendly. I highly recommend it.

This. Price will set you back though - that's the only negative. We just booked a trip for 2021. Going to be a looong wait.

 

[psuaxe70]

Have been to Green Turtle Key and Elbow Key outside Hope Town. Two excellent suggestions but it will take an extra plane flight to get there. Fly to Fort Lauderdale and then to Marsh Harbor. I have been to Bahamas, St. John, Virgin Gorda, Jamaica, Trinidad, Belize, and Cayman Islands and believe that your family would really enjoy the Cayman Islands. Safe, English speaking, lots to do, and easy to reach without taking an additional plane flight. It has the absolute best snorkeling if you want to just wade into the water from a beach and see lots of fish and turtles. Stay on 7 mile beach.

 

[MattMC223]

August is one of the peak months for hurricanes in the Caribbean. I would suggest going further south to lessen the chances of having to evacuate.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

Anywhere on Oahu, Kauai, or Maui.

 

[PSU2UNC]

Grand Cayman a good suggestion as is St John, USVI. Loved both, probably St John a bit more.

St John is not 100% back yet after the hurricane. Beautiful island, and I think all of the major hotels will be fine, but just be aware there are still some infrastructure issues.

 

[dtmdmd]

Tahiti
Been to the Caribbean, Hawaii (4 islands), Mexico, Fiji.
Go to Tahiti.

 

[olelion]

If you don't select a place yourself, you'll regret it.

 

[olelion]

or.....the Whitsundays archipelago in the Coral Sea. Charter a boat and go from island to island near the Great Barrier Reef. It is awesome.

 

[WestSideLion]

Bermuda is a great spot that time of year.

 

[loosey goosey]

I second Costa Rica.

Personally.... I would go to Samara Costa, Rica and book rooms at the Fenix Hotel - One the Beach. It is a 7 time Tripadvisor award winner in the family division. It is #1 rated in Samara. It has a pool, nice overgrown folliage / trees for shade, full kitchens, hammocks, lounge chairs, loca fish market... everything Costa Rican. You can walk right out on the beach.

www.fenixhotel.com

And the best part... It is owned by Wesauking Lion.

August is the rainy season in Costa and surfing can be flat.

 

[ralphster]

If you have any boating experience at all, try renting a motor catamaran in the BVIs. We went with MarineMax a few years ago. Got the 38' boat. Spent 9 days lazily motoring from island to island, including Baths at Virgin Gorda mentioned above. Very easy. Line of sight navigation from island to island. Hardly used GPS at all. No docking, just tie up to mooring balls and take the dinghy to the beach. Snorkle... Fish... Drink rum drink... Repeat. Surprisingly affordable. Definitely go in the off season. Much less crowded.

 

[PSU Soupy]

I second Costa Rica.

Personally.... I would go to Samara Costa, Rica and book rooms at the Fenix Hotel - One the Beach. It is a 7 time Tripadvisor award winner in the family division. It is #1 rated in Samara. It has a pool, nice overgrown folliage / trees for shade, full kitchens, hammocks, lounge chairs, loca fish market... everything Costa Rican. You can walk right out on the beach.

www.fenixhotel.com

And the best part... It is owned by Wesauking Lion.

BWI discount?????

 

[Wesauking Lion]

August is the rainy season in Costa and surfing can be flat.

The rainy season is a misnomer... it does rain.. no question... late afternoon showers are not bad as they bring down the temps and humidity. I would go to Nosaro to surf before Samara. Samara is protected by a reef so it does not have big waves....the resultant factor is there are no undertows or riptides so it is great for kids and adults

 

[DUNNELLONFLBUCK]

Go to Turks and Caicos island Providenciales. It is home to Grace Bay, the number one rated beach in the world. Crystal clear water no waves. Very clean. We have been there several times. Have done both hotels and rented condos. Fun island easy to drive around. Good restaurants and pubs. People are very friendly. I highly recommend it.

1000% agree. Safe and beautiful

 

[Vermilion]

The Westin on Seven mile beach on Grand Cayman is our favorite

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

Not sure if 'tropical', but...Corsica.

 

[Lion84]

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

Went to Exa last summer with the family - 13 and 16 years olds. Stayed at Grand Isle Villas - really nice and great beaches - you need. Car to get around. Not very developed but tons of outdoor stuff to do. Really nice beaches and you may be the only ones in some of them. Go see the Pigs - it’s a fun trip even though there was a bad accident when we were there and a tour boat exploded - was scary but the tour we took was well respected.

 

[Aardvark86]

Fan of St. John. Don’t get the love for Turks and caicos.

Go big or go home: Hawaii.

 

[psulongago]

The Dominican Republic is all the rage these days. Maybe there.

Fair chance of returning alive.

 

[Obliviax]

Fair chance of returning alive.

I went to the Hard Rock Resort there two years ago. it was completely self contained. I did the "dolphin encounter" and went golfing at their course. Other than that, I was comfortable with 12 year olds running around by themselves at any time of the day or night (my nephew got a kick out of ordering a pizza from room service every night at midnight). I'd go back without hesitation.

 

[SR108]

S

My wife, daughter & I are planning to go on vacation in August. We are trying to decide where.
Looking for island type vacation. We’ve been to Aruba & St. Lucia recently, so someplace new. One current option is Great Exuma. Looking for other options as well. Would like clear waters & nice beach(es). My wife also likes to sight see. Any opinions are very welcome, including opinions on Great Exuma. All inclusive is a plus, but not mandatory. Thanks.

Shoal Bay East in Anguilla has the most the most beautiful beach I have ever been on.

 

[psulongago]

A bigger trip and will take more time to plan and an extended budget. Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moreau and other South Pacific islands. We sailed on the Paul Gaugin (SP) small ship, fabulous trip. People ask me about Bora Bora, my answer, it is far and if I had nothing to do for the rest of my life, I could do nothing in Bora Bora, absolutely beautiful. More realistically, haven't seen it mentioned in this thread you might consider Jamaica, beautiful island, beautiful beaches though we haven't been there in a few years. We do travel quite a bit and have been to most of the islands mentioned, herein, it's to the point we can't tell one from another. Quoting Kipling "Many Good Lucks".