Seems like a lot of travelers on this board, I've always been a fan of tropical destinations & was looking for opinions on where to go next and why? I've been considering Grand Cayman, Aruba, St. Barths, Jost Van Dyke and Barbados. Things I would be looking for are really good non chain eateries, nice beaches, snorkeling and a generally safer island with low crime. Thanks in advance for your suggestions..
OT: Looking for suggestions:
- Thread starter PSU_522
- Start date
Where all have you been? Are you exclusively looking for the Caribbean? Do you prefer resorts or are you open to other options (e.g. Airbnb)?
Tried Turks and Caicos in January for first time and loved it. Providenciales is the main island and has everything you are looking for.
I have been to The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Bermuda and Mexico as far as relatively close destinations go. It doesn't need to be the Carribean just something within a 5 hour flight of PA with warmth and nice water so I figured the Carribean would be my best bet. As far as lodging I personally don't mind Airbnb but my wife on the other hand isn't so keen on the idea.
I've been to Grand Cayman and Aruba, none of the others so I can't speak to them. I liked the beaches better in GC than Aruba. Dont get me wrong, Aruba has some nice beaches, but Aruba is very very windy, all of the time. GC not so much. Crime, not so much on either island as far as I can tell. No one really coming up to you etc on either island. Cayman is very safe. Now the snorkeling is hands down better on GC than Aruba or any of the other places you mentioned, for one, there is no real current to contend with, and water temp will the around 80 all year around, a little higher in the summer, a little lower in the winter. I was in Aruba in the winter, and it was around 78-80. Plus you will see more in Cayman than Aruba, plus you dont really have to sign up to go with a tour group (you can if want) just start swimming and you'll find plenty to look at on GC. That said, I'd definitely take a snorkel trip to Sting Ray city, well worth the price.
Aruba has gambling, GC does not.
I am going back to Cayman, would I go back to Aruba? I think I would like to try somewhere else first.
let us know what you decide!
Yes, I have always been interested in Stingray City .. Also I would like to go Belize to check out the great blue hole but I don't know a lot about Belize other then that.
I've there to Belize and the Blue Hole. We stayed on Ambergris Cay and had a blast. That was about 15 years ago. The beaches on AC are not nearly as nice as GC. There is a lot of sea grass off the shore, so unless the resort cleans it up, thats what you have. Plus it is very shallow, you have to go a long long way out to get into 3 feet of water. Some of the beaches S of town on AC where nicer, but then you are out of town, and all the 'fun' places. You would need to rent a golf cart to get to town (no cars on the island)
Blue Hole is some distant off shore, it was about a 2 hr boat ride to get there. We dove it, I dont know if they snorkel it or not, as other than some sharks there isnt much to see on the surface. About 130' down is some stalagmites, and they were pretty cool.
The water clarity on GC is better than Belize.
If you are OK with resort style vacationing, the Dominican Republic is close, nice and relatively cheap.
When you say you went to Puerto Rico, I'm guessing you went to San Juan, but there are cool resorts to the east of San Juan (in between San Juan and Fajardo) and the two islands off the east coast (Vieques and Culebra) are both beautiful and less crowded (and less resort driven).
St. John (USVI) is also amazing, although like Puerto Rico they have not 100% recovered from the last hurricane.
You also didn't say where in Mexico. I liked the Riveria Maya (Tulum, etc) area when I was there. It is getting more developed but it is not as touristy as Cancun.
GC would seem to fit your criteria the best. 7 mile beach is one of the nicest in the Caribbean, snorkeling is great (especially Stingray City and Starfish Cay), tons of great restaurant options, and low crime and well-developed. Turks and Caicos (Providenciales) would be another great option as someone else mentioned and a bit more laid back than GC, but I would give the snorkeling and restaurants a slight advantage in GC (although I find the diving slightly better in Turks). St. John would be another great option with tons of beautiful beaches, snorkeling and good restaurants, but I'm not sure whether they've fully recovered from the last hurricane yet.
I've been to a number of spots in the Caribbean, all nice places. But my favorite tropical spot without a doubt is the Hawaiian islands (Kauai is tops). Lots of fishing, boating (take a tour of the Napali coast), snorkeling (Poipu Beach), great beaches, hiking, amazing sight seeing (Waimea Canyon, Princeville Botanical Gardens), unique eats, etc.
Hawaii is beautiful, but the transit there from the east coast (especially if you are tall like me) is brutal. I'll be out there this spring for work and am dreading the flight.
True that. Was just there in December-- it was worth it. I had a 4-hr layover in San Fran. Got an Uber to Chinatown for a couple hours which helped break it up.
Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Best beach I’ve ever been to was on Double Bay, about 5 miles south of Governors Harbour. It’s all pink sand from the coral offshore. Go bone fishing a few miles away on the Caribbean side at 10 Bay. Try the conch pizza when you’re there.
One vote for Grand Cayman, and one general comment -- the Caribbean is not a prime spot for restaurants. Yes, local seafood can be good, but most meat and other products are flown in.
If you haven't been to GC. A no brainer. Direct flights from many NE locations. Safe, top notch water and beaches. You can mix in some shopping, and a lot of nice restaurants too. Locals do NOT hassle tourists at all.
When I was in Puerto Rico we went to Old San Juan for 1 day but actually stayed at the Wyndham Rio Mar near the El Yenque rain forrest, In Mexico I was just in Cozumel 1 day with a cruise .. not impressed at all.
Hawaii is my favorite as well, I have been to the Big Island as well as Maui .. would like to get to Kauai next .. but right now not looking for something that is 12 hours worth of flying each way and a 6 hour time difference. Just maybe a 5 day getaway .. somewhere in there.
May have been mentioned but a simpler trip could be to Key West, offers everything you mentioned. If you go buy a bus pass, on/off as many times as you wish, tours the entire area, drivers also give a narrative. Like the old SF cable cars. Probably a good bit less $$$ too. Interesting trip we took last year was The Baltic Cruise, starts in London to Saint Petersburg and back, eight countries.
Key West is a lot of fun, I've been several times, but if you are looking for beaches, it is very limited. Plus the water doesnt really warm up until March/April.
true, heck in some of hotel chain type restaurants (Marriott, Westin etc) they fly in the sea food, quality control. Now that said, Aruba had some great places for beef. But when I am going to the Caribbean, I try to eat as much seafood as possible.
I have to ask, why do you like the diving a little better in Turks? And what side of GC have you dove on? Just asking for a reference.
As far as diving is concerned I would think Bonaire would have to be a top choice, has anybody been there?
I have not, but have considered it. 2 things generally hold me back, 1) there is a lot of shore diving (you can do a boat) which is fine except 2) every time you shore dive, the car is broken into and things stolen, even sun glasses. So I havent figured out where to put my keys for the car, ID etc (a pressure proof Otter box?) let alone towels etc, maybe a change of clothes as I hate riding around wet. But its been on my list.
The other factor has been, getting there. Up until recently, it was more difficult to get there, I think they have added direct flights from Atlanta though so that may have helped.
Yeah, Key West beaches are kinda blah, but the beach at Ft Taylor State Park is very nice.
As far as water temperature, it really depends on your definition of warm. Water temp at the NOAA site in Key West right now is 81. Water temp rarely falls below 73ish.
Yes,
Yes, great trip, Copenhagen was one of the stops. London, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Saint Petersburgh (over night), Finland, Poland. Terrific experience.
not a big deal, but while I would believe the air temp in Key West today is 81, I highly doubt the water temp is 81, but it is hard to argue with NOAA. I've been that way several times, including in January when it was in the 60's according to my watch, but it was unseasonably cold that year.
anyway, for the OP here's another site you may want to review....
https://www.watertemperature.net/united-states/key-west-water-temperature.html
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Water Temperature (°F) 69 70 75 78 82 85 87 87 86 82 76 72
Key West is characterised by its warm waters. In the recommended visiting period, which runs from March until May, the water temperature typically falls between 75 and 82 degrees.
The water temperature at Key West is warmest in July and August, when it reaches around 87 degrees, however this is also the time of the hurricane season. Swimmers who want clear skies and warm waters should aim to visit between March and May, then. But swimmers who are happy to brave the rain for even warmer waters could consider visiting in June, July, or August.
Interesting disparity. The 81 degrees is straight off the NOAA site. Satan Shoal is at 78.6 so the Key West reading doesn't look like bad data. Considering the water here on the Space Coast is 69, high 70s low 80s seems about right for the Keys.
I've been to the Keys probably around 30 times at all times of the year. Every one of those trips has involved fishing or diving. The lowest water temperature I've seen down there was 72.
I get statistically it can get down into the high 60s which is too cold to swim, but I'm not sure how many years you'd actually see that.
you correct, I found that NOAA site and it does say 81, I also clicked on the key west station and it gives the monthly mean temp as well which is a little lower. Maybe there is some sort of inversion this year, but 81 is definitely good swimming temp.
Recent Water Temperature:
81.1°F (27.3°C)
Observation Date and Time:
Mon, 25 Feb 2019 20:12:00 GMT
February Monthly Mean Temperature:
70°F (21.1°C)
It depends what kind of trip you’re looking for. For scenery and traditional Europe I think Bavaria in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland are great.
In terms of cities, I’d go with Vienna, Stockholm, Rome, and Athens. Greek island hopping is great and everyone will have their own favorite island.
Budapest and Prague used to be somewhat unusual and interesting spots to visit but have become more touristy over the years. I think Warsaw and Krakow in Poland are more in that category now.
bwifan
Well-Known Member
Just a FYI... as I live in south florida and water temp here and Key West is currently around 80 degrees. To us locals its a bit chilly to everyone else visiting it feels like a bathtub.
