Wondering if there's an island out there where it's still relatively safe! Would like to be able to leave a window open at night to listen to the waves, stroll in the early evening after dinner. Feel safe in Aruba but have been there enough times, love St Maarten but crime is becoming an increasingly serious problem. I know that crime is everywhere now and you need to "be aware and be smart", but there must be a great place out there somewhere with good beaches, restaurants, some shopping! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, unfortunately in this day and age no island is going to be crime free but a great many islands are considered quite "safe". Among them are: St. John, most of the British Virgin Island, Just about all of the Bahamas Out-Islands, Grenada, the Grenadines, Dominica, Barbuda, Barbados and the Turks & Caicos.

St. Barts is probably one of the safest.

Grenada

That's why we bought in Caribbean Mexico. If you really need an island there's Cozumel. This area is very safe.

We walked around at night in Grenada, several times in many different places, and felt perfectly safe. (We were, however, warned by the locals not to walk on the far north-east end of Grand Anse Beach at night.)

LOL. I live on St Thomas and leave my windows open, walk at night and in the am. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

AND you leave all kinds of stuff in your car and no one bothers it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

All these islands are safe...until they are not. The best thing to do is manage risk and take precautions. No place is 100% crime free.

Mustique, Bequia and Canouan in the Windward Islands are pretty darned safe and have enough infrastructure that you can do a land-based vacation.

Thanks to everyone for all the good suggestions! Lots here to digest and research! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />
Back in the 70s when we were living on our sailboat in the Bahamas, we had a shotgun on board, never anchored alone, and stopped twice at Norman's Cay, owned by Carlos Lehder of the Medellin Cartel! (small planes in and out during the night, heavily armed guards patrolled the beach and you didn't ask any questions!)

Mustique, Bequia, etc, (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) is a place I have always dreamed about visiting. But when I check airfare (not so much the cost) but to get there from the northern east coast is 2 days traveking. Unless someone has a better idea of airfare?

Our problem too - don't want to spend an entire day getting there! But direct flights don't leave many options. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
One flight and a short boat ride would be ok!

I second Grenada, easy to get to from the US meets most of your requirements, except maybe the shopping, no designer outlets or any of that. Kim and I have been out till the early hours of the morning, the only tourists drinking in a local rum shop and then walk 1/2 mile home along the main road without any concerns. You can also take the ferry to Carriacou for a couple days, it's a beautiful place to go if you just want to chill on the beach, not much else to do there

Yes, Canouan is nice. Nothing much to do in Mustique I think.
Maybe it's changed? Just Basil's as I remember.
Cheers
irina
PS nothing to do in Canouan either. LOL little bars....

Places that seem to still be safe but not much to do (so not good for our traveling companions!) - the Exumas in the Bahamas, particularly Staniel Cay.

I would agree with all those who suggested Grenada - it's a beautiful island with lovely people and seemingly, very safe. And while I don't know what kind of activity you might be looking for, there is a lot to do there but it's more in the hiking, exploring, discovering arena as opposed to the partying, drinking, gambling scene, though I know there is a lot of at least two of the latter options, too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Same here....too much $$$ for us from LAX....

Grenada is definitely what I would regard as one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.. and friendliest. We spend our summers there every year to wait out hurricane season and always enjoy the time there.. Love it so much in fact that we started doing some work with Grenada Tourism Board this season, here's a new video we put together to show some of the island!
Grenada Video

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Manhattan island tucked away in NY Harbor <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Nevis fits your plans. Check flights to St Kitts or Cape Air from San Juan

Im surprised nobody suggested Bermuda. I was there years ago and never felt safer in my life!

Maybe because Bermuda is in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I would definitely include Bermuda as a vacation island choice! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Started going there as a little kid in
the 50's. It's my favorite island of all - so beautiful, the most friendly people, and I always felt safe in the many times I've been there.
But even in Bermuda, crime has increased (drugs?) and you have to be more aware now.

Have been going to Virgin Gorda for years (Leverick Bay area of the island), and I can't think of a safer place. We always had the windows open at night.

We were thinking of switching things up and have been looking at Nevis. Looks like travel from the NE US to St. Kitts is painless; is there a reliable ferry to get to Nevis? Any recommendations?

There are both public and private ferries available. Four Seasons Resort has their own ferry.

Nevis has it's fair share of crime for such a small island. Maybe localised but crime still happens.

http://www.nevispages.com/nevisians-ask-for-random-killings-to-cease/

its changed, they now have cable TV and water thats safe to drink! But airline connections are good, 3 major airports nearby. Plus- whats the quote, its too crowded, so nobody goes there anymore?