Caribbean newbie needs help finding destination

I would like to take my family to the Carribean area (I know, its big, that's why I'm posting) for Chistmas holiday 2014. Never been and would appreciate advice on best destinations. We went to Maui and loved it, but too far for this trip, ideally looking for a "mini-Maui" that offers:

Good SCUBA for certified divers, and a chance for non-certified divers to join us
Nice beaches
Reasonably priced
Accomodations with kitchen so we can be self-sufficient
Activities - water and land (sailing, snorkeling, hiking, biking)
NOT looking for luxury accomodations, just a place to sleep.
Good restaurants and shops a plus

Any advice from some experienced caribbean travelers? I'm also open to Dominican, Mexico, etc. but decided to start here.

Thanks!

St John USVI would definetely fit your bill, many villas to rent, best from the beach snorkeling and 2/3 of it is national park.

BVI is similar too, but may not be the extent of biking and hiking as you would definetely get in St John. Plus no worries about passports if you do not already have. see destinationstjohn; caribbean villas.com for some choices of vacation homes.

I agree with St. John as being a great option. The 'fly in the ointment' is the traveling during Christmas. Many or most villas double their rates for Christmas week!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

Coupled with the fact the water is a tad chillier at that time of year than the islands further down the chain in the Caribbean, or at least we thought so the year we were there at Christmas, and the breezes were stronger, too, so when you put them both together, I don't know if it would be the best choice for a family water-based Christmas trip. A wonderful place for sure.

I'm thinking anywhere you travel during that time of year the costs will be way up there.

Have you considered Turks and Caicos? I haven't been there myself but my daughter and her family were there around the Christmas holidays and they all loved it - the parents and the kids - twenty-something and a teen-ager. Just another possibility.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--gotta say, if the criteria includes water temperature, T & C is going to be even chillier than St. John...

If you have never been to any island in the Caribbean, I would suggest starting with one that is fairly easy to get to and allows you to do a bit of island hopping. Also, look for condo or villa rentals so you will have a kitchen to keep the food expense down.

One suggestion is St Thomas (cheaper accommodations than St John) but with the ability to visit several other islands. I happen to think the easiest snorkeling and diving are available in the Virgins. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

My first Caribbean experience was St Maarten-Saba-St Barts in 12 days. French, Dutch, mountains, flats. You could also put Anguilla in that mix. It has been many years since I was in Cozumel and Cancun, but they had great beaches and snorkeling at one time.

These three areas are kind of entry destinations. You can get a taste and see if you like it.

Carol,

You're probably right. I've not been there myself - T&C that is, but having done StJ over the Christmas holidays, we thought the water and the breezes were COLD. And truthfully, since the family just did T&C this year and didn't complain about water temps, as well as my boss and his wife who just returned from two weeks there, I drew the conclusion it was warmer there.

That being the case, if I were the OP, and depending on where they're coming from, St. Maarten/St. Martin might be a great choice for them. It has all they're asking for and it's definitely warmer water temps than StJ, no?

T & C is quite a bit NORTH of both St. John and SXM, so in GENERAL, water would be colder there. And as between SXM and St. John, should be about the same. There are always variations, but I am talking about on average.

Agree that both St. Thomas and St. John would meet your needs. Christmas is going to be expensive and St. John is more expensive. The water temps at that time of year are cooler but I would not say they are cold. There can be the Christmas winds but hey they keep the bugs away and make for comfortable sleeping at night. You may want to also consider St. Croix USVI as there is great diving, a variety of accomodations avail, nice beaches, dining, shopping and some hiking. Good luck and have fun planning.

Mexico.
Just did it in Playa for xmas 2013, and it was great for a three generation family.

Virgin Gorda has a ton to offer. There are ferries from St. Thomas and Tortola if you don't want to spend $ on flights. The Baths are beautiful and a great place for kids to snorkel and swim. There are diving trips that you can take from Virgin Gorda. North Sound has a lot of places to stay and you can go over to Prickly Pear for the day to hang out on a gorgeous white beach.

Another choice is Anegada but maybe a little harder to get to (although I do think there are ferries). The beaches are fabulous (the best in the Caribbean and I have been to almost every island) and the snorkeling is some of the best as well. I grew up in Grenada and we go back to the Caribbean every year during the Christmas Holidays. I have also been to Hawaii and I will tell you that the water in the Caribbean is like taking a bath compared to the water in Hawaii. The Caribbean Sea/Atlantic ocean is much warmer than the Pacific.

Yes to all that but divers wear suits according to water temp so that would be some protection.
But it is cold down here in Miami and we went to Isla Mujeres one Thanksgiving and water temp was too cold.
I do like the STT idea. Easy to get to other islands and explore.
Cheers
irina
Water temp today in Miami is 73!!!

I always recommend that newbies try the road MORE traveled for their first trip. There is a reason that some locations are so popular. They tend to have more activities (something for everyone) and better infrastructure. It is easier to branch out once you know the lay of the land.

Re: water temperature. At least here in the VI, it doesn't vary much from winter (79)to summer(84). But I do not get in the water in winter because it is too cold for me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" /> I have a friend who left the VI for Hawaii and says the same thing about the water there! Brrr.. I think the Gulf Stream is supposed to keep the water warmer in Florida?

I know it's kind of late but I would suggest Antigua, specifically Jolly Harbour Condos. I am looking right now for a friend. I have stayed there several times & loved it. They are 2-bedrooms situated on finger-like canals leading to the ocean. It is a little community with golf course, restaurants, best supermarket on the island, lovely beach bar, etc.

I agree with jolly harbour... lots of tours offered on site including helicopter tours, sailing, boating, squash, tennis, huge pool, golf, taxis and buses nearby... and a gorgeous beach with few people around.

I've stayed in three times in 2 bdr, 3 bath, 2 balcony units and find them very affordable especially to be sitting right on the water on your balcony... ahhhhhhh.

I would also say for those who start looking early, plenty of affordable rates (let's just say I get much more bang for my buck than in st martin - sorry ob, but jh is my new home base)

I just got back from Turks and Caicos and I believe it meets all your requirements. Plenty of the places there have kitchens and nearby groceries. It was an awesome time.

I did not dive, but did plenty of snorkeling. You can see my trip reports and photos here:

Turks and Caicos report

Haven't read your trip reports yet - but wonder, how was your experience at the airport? I've heard it's awful leaving on Saturday. We are booked for the Christmas/New Year holidays and I'm considering the VIP fast track service, but it's pretty pricey.

The airport was pretty bad and we were the first flight out on a Wednesday. We got on the airplane nicely, then had to get off again for 5 minutes or so. Flight was still delayed an hour which made the connection in Miami very tough.

I'm not sure I'd want to see what a Saturday is like there. Although I hear there are more direct flights on Saturdays.

Thanks for the info - you've helped me make a decision! I believe it will be worth the $ to book the VIP fast track service. People keep talking about pending airport improvements, but I'm not holding my breath.

Ok first off the Caribbean is not the same as Hawaii. That being said if this is your 1st time I would suggest Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). That was our first Caribbean vacation. And still after trying a whole bunch of other caribe islands always go back. It will be harder to access you haven’t said where you’re coming from but anyway . . .

Good SCUBA for certified divers, and a chance for non-certified divers to join us – BVI or turks and caicos
Nice beaches – BVI or turks and caicos

Reasonably priced – nowhere during Christmas two weeks

Accommodations with kitchen so we can be self-sufficient – check out Cane Garden Bay on Tortola specially Agape cottages or Myett’s cottages.

Activities - water and land (sailing, snorkeling, hiking, biking) – activities ok hiking only good hiking I’ve seen is on Jost Van Dylke to the Bubbly pool and maybe Virgin Gorda, would not recommend biking anywhere on Caribbean islands

NOT looking for luxury accomodations, just a place to sleep. – Again check out Cane Garden Bay for Agape Cottages and there are other places close by with kitchens etc.

Good restaurants and shops a plus – When you go to the smaller islands in the caribe it is hard to find all at once. Email privately if you want to get more specific.

Mexico is a mess. Was just there in April. To a good destination that we always used to go to waaay too crowded now. Very disappointed with it and the beaches are not as good

We enjoyed Roatan and it has many of the amenities you mention.

http://donlinda.net/Roatan2012/index.htm