New island for us?

Well, since Nisbet closed, we decided that maybe we should try a new island. We have visited about a dozen Caribbean and Pacific islands so far. In the Caribbean, we’ve been to all of the BVIs, St. John, Exuma, Long Island, Jamaica, Anguilla, St. Martin, Grenada, St. Kitts, and Nevis. Our favorite (and the only island we’ve returned to) is Nevis. We have enjoyed most of the islands we've visited (Jamaica was not my favorite) but Nevis won our hearts. So, is there another island like Nevis that is not on our previous island list? Good to great restaurants, not too crowded, no need for “nightlife”, smaller resorts and not egregiously expensive (e.g., Montpelier, Biras Creek (RIP), Cape Santa Maria), decent beaches.

We fly from San Francisco, usually the red-eye, and then on to the islands. So, it’s a bit of a trek, but we love it.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions (including that I’m crazy for asking)!

Dave

If you liked Nevis, you might like Bequia. Low key and with any type of accommodations you might like too. Flights go into the new St. Vincent airport and then you can either take a ferry to Bequia or a very small airplane. Most sailors call it Sweet Bequia for a reason.

Thank you so much! We are doing a deeper dive into Bequia. St. Vincent and the Grenadines had fallen off of our radar (we almost went to Mustique a decade ago, but flights were too difficult). Looking hard at Bequia Beach Resort.

We are also looking at Bequia Plantation House. I don't know if you know either of the hotel/resorts, but if you do, please let me know. Bequia Beach Resort is on the Atlantic side and Plantation on the Caribbean, so I'm thinking the water is calmer at Plantation?

We have seen both resorts, but not stayed in them.
Bequia Plantation House would be my first choice. It is close to the heart of all the best of Bequia: restaurants, beaches, and an easy walk to the town on the boardwalk.
Bequia Beach Resort is on the other side of the island, at Frendship Bay, and more remote.
Bequia is a small island but a true gem.
Good luck with your decision!

Well, thank you. We would love to go to Bequia, but the flights back home are brutal. We are used to long hauls from California, but this is just too much. So, now we are looking at Turks and Caicos...not what I would normally choose, but my wife has always wanted to go there.

If you like Nevis you might want to check out Dominica (don't confuse it with the Dominican Republic). It's a n uncrowded, ow key island with many smaller "boutique" style hotels in varying price ranges. The island is an eco-tourist delight with hot springs, fresh water lakes, 300+ rivers and streams, volcanic peaks and craters, dense rainforests, dozens of waterfalls, well over 100 miles of nature/hiking trails and over 175 different species of birds. Easy 1:45 non-stop flight from SJU.

I have often thought about Dominica as a destination. It does fit the bill except for the lack of beaches. Other than that, it looks like a dream! Thank you and I will take do some up-to-date research.

We really enjoyed Bequia as well - we based at the Bequia Plantation House after a sailing trip through the islands. It was a wonderful stay. Yes, getting there was difficult, even more so for us as we actually began our adventure on Union Island - flights to St. Lucia, overnight there and then onward. The sailing was wonderful - the Tobago Cays are sublime - then 5 days on Bequia before ending our journey on the tiny island of Mayreau. It was idyllic. On Bequia I would choose Plantation over Beach Resort.

Dominica is lacking in beaches but the Secret Bay resort may just make up for that. It is an outstanding property, although pricey.

I would choose Harbor Island and Coral Sands Resort (Bahamas) over Turks. Turks is one of our once and done locations like Jamaica and Aruba. Getting to Harbor is relatively straightforward, flying into ELH and a short water taxi ride over to Harbor Island and glorious pink sand beaches.

Everyone has their personal preferences - so many islands to explore. 🌴

We are headed to T&C. I imagine it will be a "one and done" for us as well...most islands are for us (we have only returned to Nevis). There are too many islands that I still want to get to.

We did Long Island in the Bahamas years ago, that is more my pace for vacation. But, I'm up for a different kind of vacation...right now, I am up for ANY vacation since it's been over 2 years of not leaving the state. We will get to Bequia some day and I have my eye on the Plantation House.

Have a great trip!

Take a look at Ambergris Cay in Belize.