Island vacation destinations..know any good ones?

[Kelly on the prairie]

Our family has started searching for an island vacation for this next year. I have been looking at some all-inclusive places and also some vacation house rentals.

There are good and bad points to both ways of vacationing. Our family is more quiet and loves nature, however, we would love to dive and would love the use of water equipment.

We are intrigued by not having to pull out money every time we turn around, but it is hard not to imagine hundreds of screaming kids running around with little supervision.

Some of the VRBO vacation rentals look interesting, cheaper and quiet.

The Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea area is where we are focusing because of the clearer warmer waters. However, we aren't stubbornly limiting ourselves to just there.

Do any of you have experience with this? Our kids are so excited to be able to explore the ocean and swim to their heart's content. We want it to be special. After all, considering what it is probably going to cost, the memory may have to get them by for several vacation seasons!

[Virginia Dawn]

I don't know if it is still the same, but when I was a child my family stayed in a little cabin near Cinnamon Bay on St. Johns. It was absolutely one the best times I've ever had in my life. I don't remember it being packed with people at all, but knowing my father, he probably chose the off season.

[Caroline]

We went to St, John, USVI a few years ago. We loved it. It was quiet and peaceful. We snorkeled. I don't know about scuba diving, but there is probably that opportunity. There are plenty of wonderful and somewhat isolated vacation rentals. There are also a couple of resorts. We stayed in a rental property.

It is a small island, so none of the big cruise ships dock there. You have to take a ferry from St. Thomas, as there is no airport on the island. The ferry is just a small boat. There was no fast food on the island that I saw.

We would like to go back there some day when our kids are older.

[Caroline]

I don't know if it is still the same, but when I was a child my family stayed in a little cabin near Cinnamon Bay on St. Johns. It was absolutely one the best times I've ever had in my life. I don't remember it being packed with people at all, but knowing my father, he probably chose the off season.

Great minds think alike... I was posting at the same time about the same place.

[elegantlion]

While not an island Costa Rica is a beautiful place to visit. You could see the rainforest and the coast.

I've also heard wonderful things about Belize.

[Ferdie]

Several years ago, (before children), we rented a house in Hopetown, Bahamas. The island is so small that any house would be walking distance to the beach or more likely on the beach. The beaches are beautiful and the people are so friendly. We went snorkeling and rented a sailboat for an overnight trip.

My friend looked into going back next year, but apparently the housing rental prices have skyrocketed. Also they don't have any cars on the island, just a couple of golf carts, ( our house didn't have one) so getting your luggage/food to the rental is a hassle.

Hope you find someplace wonderful.

[Kari C in SC]

I know two others have said this, but I have to chime in too. My dh and I went to St. John in 2005 and 2006. It is absolutely wonderful there. The first time we went, we rented a house on cliff over the water. We went during off season and it was about $1400 for the week. The second time we went, we rented a studio that was about half that. I can't remember who we rented from, but I could look it up in my scrapbook if you want more info. Anyway, we rented a jeep and spent the entire week going to a different beach each day. We love to snorkel and St. John is perfect for snorkeling. The waters are calm and you can just swim out from any beach. We would pack our lunch in the morning and head out. We saw the most amazing sea life. By mid to late afternoon, we would head back to the the house, shower and cook dinner. Then we would just sit and watch the sun set. It was so peaceful. There is a smallish town that has places to eat. Most are very expensive, so we brought our own meat, cheese, etc. in a cooler on the airplane. Then we went to Pine Peace market for the rest. There is a Subway the last time I was there. There is also Uncle Joes BBQ. It is a little shack with the best food. For $10 you get chicken or ribs and two sides. This it the best bbq. There are also sugar plantation ruins to hike to. These were very interesting to see. I think we went to two different sites. If you want to do something less nature related, you can take the ferry back to St. Thomas for shopping and I think there is an aquarium or something like that over there. We did go shopping over there on our first trip. It was okay, but we were really wishing we had just gone to another beach that day. On our second trip, we skipped shopping in St. Thomas. There is some shopping on St. John, just not a lot. I could go on and on. Can you tell how much we loved it there? I remember sitting in the water, looking out at the hillside thinking there was no way that I was actually in this beautiful place. We are hoping when we eventually sell our house to take another trip. We are thinking about taking our kids this time. My dh asked me where we should go and I keep going back to St. John. Then I think we should be more creative and try something else! Oh well, my house isn't sold, so I can't go anywhere. I hope you have a wonderful trip wherever you choose. PM me if you want more info.

[PinkInTheBlue]

If you're interested in the all inclusive plan, I highly recommend the Moon Palace in Cancun. It's beautiful and the staff is wonderful and friendly. We've been 3 or 4 times. It is really nice to get to your room, lock up your wallet and head out. Even room service is included all day and all night. :) Granted the rooms are much more expensive per night but it's included all you can eat and much you can do. Out on the beach there are extras like SeaDos that you can rent but other than that stuff, it's all there. We loved it and the rooms are gorgeous. Also, there are several other Palace Resorts in a short driving distance. The Palace buses take you there free and all the stuff at those resorts are free also.

Highly recommended. :)

[Brindee]

FIJI--TAVEUNI Island! It's the garden island of Fiji and it's soooo neat there!

We went to Fiji for missionary work for 10 days on Nadi (which is pronounced Nondee), then went to Taveuni for 3 days. There are natural waterslides, the International dateline (you can be in today and yesterday at the same time! :D ), Bouma Nat. Park with Toro Falls, calm beaches, snorkling, diving, gorgeous sunsets! :)

Toro Falls---a Huge waterfall that has a ledge behind it. You can climb around to the ledge behind the waterfall. Some people jump from the ledge to the water 20 or more feet below. My dh, the boys, and even my dd, who was 8 at the time, jumped in! Not me!!!

LOTS of neat things to see and do!

[Happy2bhome]

We're currently renting a beach house in Hawaii...a block away from the beach. The house has everything you would need...even the beach toys and snorkel gear. We do have a rental car. Lizards abound, there is a lemon or orange tree in the back yard and just yesterday we found a wild avocado tree. :001_smile:

[Kari C in SC]

FIJI--TAVEUNI Island! It's the garden island of Fiji and it's soooo neat there!

We went to Fiji for missionary work for 10 days on Nadi (which is pronounced Nondee), then went to Taveuni for 3 days. There are natural waterslides, the International dateline (you can be in today and yesterday at the same time! :D ), Bouma Nat. Park with Toro Falls, calm beaches, snorkling, diving, gorgeous sunsets! :)

Toro Falls---a Huge waterfall that has a ledge behind it. You can climb around to the ledge behind the waterfall. Some people jump from the ledge to the water 20 or more feet below. My dh, the boys, and even my dd, who was 8 at the time, jumped in! Not me!!!

LOTS of neat things to see and do!

Okay, now you are making me REALLY want to sell my house, so we can all go to Fiji! :lol::w00t:

[Kari C in SC]

We're currently renting a beach house in Hawaii...a block away from the beach. The house has everything you would need...even the beach toys and snorkel gear. We do have a rental car. Lizards abound, there is a lemon or orange tree in the back yard and just yesterday we found a wild avocado tree. :001_smile:

Can you link us to the info on this? Yes, still dreaming, but planning is half the fun!

[elegantlion]

I'm going through beach withdrawl, this thread isn't helping!!!:glare:

[Kelly on the prairie]

I thank you gals for your answers:001_smile:. St. John sounds like what we are looking for in the way of a vacation destination. Can I ask how you came across your vacation rentals? I'm afraid we will get sold a bill of goods by renting a house sight unseen. Also, Is there no grocery store on St. John? I can't imagine traveling across the country/sea with a big ole cooler.

I found one rental off the coast of Brazil on a small island that looked astounding. However, that just seems so far from familiar (if that makes sense).