I posted a question about flying from St. Lucia to SXM and got some good feedback.

The reason for the question is that we have visited SXM in each of the past 3 years and we are planning a vacation for later this year and wanted to visit SXM along with another island that is more "tropical" That is why we were interested in St Lucia, but, air travel from St Lucia to SXM seems difficult.

Any one have any suggestions on other islands around SXM that are more tropical that can be easily reached by air from SXM without having to travel back to the US (not Jamaica)

Domenica?

I don't know much about air travel between them, but how about Guadelupe? Looks like there are a couple of connections that get you to Guadelupe from SXM. Someone here was asking about the DR also, I think, and I think that is fairly easy. The DR is definitely more tropical, but it's primarily an a/i destination. Not sure whether the reason why you wanted to avoid Jamaica was because it's mostly a/i, or because you've been there before?

Been to Jamaica before

Maybe I am spoiled, but I would never go to D/R again.

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

Not really sure what you are looking for that is "Tropical" but if looking for green rain forest type of terrain you can jump over to Saba and get right into the rain forest pretty easy. If staying at Queens Garden there is a trail that starts from across the street that you can hike over to the main trail that gets you to the top of Mount Scenery. It is a tough hike, basically a goat trail. There are no beaches, but it is a nice relaxing break from SXM. Anguilla is the opposite, nice beaches and little vegetation but I would also call that tropical.

Cheers,
Todd

I would not recommend Guadeloupe and prefer Martinique. People are more inclined to help foreigners.

We felt distinctly more welcome on Guadelupe than Martinique, but we have only been to either on a cruise, so it's not at all the same as staying on island.

St John USVI. Most of Island is a National Park.

Same here.

35 min flight
More monkeys than people...
http://www.nevisisland.com/about-nevis
10 min flight to St Kitts, monkeys will steal your drinks on the beach.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/a...-cocktails.html

Please define "more tropical"

Been there. Done that. When we were in Tortola, it was quiet, real quiet. We were there at the end of October last year. And to get there, the best option is LIAT...

The best beach in Tortola is supposed to be Smuggler's Cove. To get there, you must drive on a rocky, pot-hole filled road for about a kilometer.

If you are used to Saint-Martin, the dining choices are very limited. We found only a couple decent places.

Harry--Tortola is over all much quieter than SXM, that's for sure. Most islands are. Especially in October, as that is the height of hurricane season, and a good part of the clientele of the BVI are boaters.

With regard to flying there, in HIGH season, Winair goes to Tortola every day and most days there are two flights to Tortola, so you don't have to deal with Liat's BS..

If one is considering a French island, look at leaving from the airport in Grand Case. I saw fares of $204/pp with 1 stop to Martinique and a non-stop to Guadeloupe for $123/pp.

Believe me Carol, I read you impression after a a day in Martinique, it has nothing to do with Martinique that I know for having lived there.

If you just want a couple of days away from SXM and in a totally tropical environment, I'd take Todds suggestion and try Saba. Queens Garden Inn is lovely and boasts a wonderful restaurant. If you hike, dive or snorkel you will feel like Paradise found. We don't do any of the three but we do like to chill and found three nights four days there to be a perfect and beautiful change of pace. Much more than that would be B O R I N G!! Or at least boring for us as you can only read so many books and take so many photos. The Swinging Door Saloon was the only weekend hotspot when we were there, and it definitely wasn't SXM-like hot but it was a fun place, but note, please, it's been 5 or 6 years since we were last there. Bring your camera as its a gorgeous island with incredible photo ops everywhere. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Back in the day we made a couple of trips combining St. Martin with Grenada, which we loved, and has (had?)pretty much what one thinks of as a tropical island unless you are romanticizing the south seas. But that involved flying Liat, which had a bad reputation even then, although in numerous inter-island flights on them we never had a really bad experience, and were only significantly late once. But it may have gone down hill since.

Rbailey,

I agree absolutely with regard to Grenada, although it has been quite a few years since we were last there, and fortunately for us, at the time we went we were able to do easy flights from JFK.

I don't know how easy it is to get to Grenada from St. Maarten/St. Martin (which is why I mentioned Saba which does NOT require flying Liat, unless that's changed....) but it is one very beautiful island and boasts a very friendly people, too. It has a very modern airport to go in and out of along with very nice beaches and so many other tropical aspects - mountain falls, rain forests and lakes and incredible vegetation.

The two islands I've really loved besides SXM and have seriously considered returning to are Grenada and Barbados and perhaps one of these days we'll get around to a do-over on both. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Barbados was always my favourite island until we discovered St Martin-have been back on cruises to both Barbados & Grenada and found them both to be not as nice as they used to be except for the beaches-still great.

Wait until the Disney cruise port is up and running. No more peace and quiet on Tortola

Honestly, the whole idea of that place apparently is just keep people there inside the 'reservation', as it seems, so I doubt it will do much to alter Tortola itself. Lots of ship traffic, but possibly there will even be LESS bus traffic..

We were in Gaudelupe last year for two weeks and it was amazing - you will find a tropical rainforest on the western island and the people were amazing. We spoke very little French but got along great! You can see my trip report under General Caribbean.

Nevis gets my recommendation. Beautiful botanical gardens, pretty beaches and a lot of history. It has a 17th century town to explore along with the homes of Whats His Name of English naval fame and Alexander Hamilton when he was young. He is now staring in a musical on Broadway if that helps you remember who he was.

I would also recommend Nevis for a tropical location. It isn't as commercial as St. Martin, but it has lush vegetation and a very different vibe. It lacks in having lots of nice dining options, but there are enough to experience something different.

thanks everyone for the help

We are looing into Gaudelupe and Nevis