We are planning a trip for early 2017 with another family. Looking to rent a beach house VRBO style but not locked into that - we would do a regular resort. We've been a lot of places like Mexico, DR, Costa Rica, etc but I would like the kids to experience those true Caribbean waters. The other family has very young kids - no big waves and warm like bathwater. The other places have been fantastic but the waters were all pretty rough and better for surfing and boogie boarding.
Any suggestions? Ease of travel is important given the family travel, we all leave from the east coast - NY, Boston, Providence area.
The water of the US and British Virgin Islands are like you are looking for on some beaches. Easy flights from the East Coast to St Thomas. St Thomas to the other islands can be by public ferry or private water taxi. My top picks would be Tortola, BVI or St John, USVI. Both would give you several family friendly beaches with warm waters, a variety of rental options, and other things to do if it is not a beach day.
Post by patches31709 on Apr 25, 2016 8:37:25 GMT -5
We love St Martin, and there are direct flights from JFK. We stay in Grand Case, and the beaches on the west side of the island are all gorgeous with super calm waters. You can also take a ferry just off the main island to a smaller island called Pinel, which is ideal for kids because the water is super calm and shallow.
I've VRBO'd on St. John and on Turks and Caicos - both have what you're looking for. I think St. Thomas would fit the bill, too. Turks and Caicos has more tourist activity on the island, and St. John is quieter and more remote. Both have very nice grocery stores for stocking up, and the water is totally amazing in both.
My preference is St. John, but we don't have kids. I think T&C may be a little better for a family destination.
Edited to add: depending on what time of year you are planning to go, the Virgin Islands are going to be a little warmer. T&C is further North enough that it can be cooler and gets more wind/waves. We were there over Thanksgiving and while it was warm and sunny and we got in the ocean, it was wavy the whole time and the pool at our VRBO was too chilly to swim.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. Mark Twain
It sort of depends on the time of year you go. You want to try to avoid the hurricane season. Even if you're out of the line of a major storm, the winds and currents can be affected at nearby islands. That being said, we had VERY calm water while along Prickly Pear Cay in Anguilla. We were there right at the very beginning of hurricane season in June and the water was warm and calm.
I did a great VRBO in St Martin there are so many beaches that you can almost pick the type of waves you are looking for. There are a ton of VRBO's there too. I chose one on the french side.
Post by carolinagirl831 on Apr 25, 2016 16:02:59 GMT -5
Grand Cayman is awesome with kids. We took my daughter at one and rented a condo directly on the beach. We could step out our door on sand. We loved it and the water was so calm. Many families were there.
Thanks all. Really liked the idea of Turks and Caicos but holy heck are house rentals expensive there!! Like minimum $1000 a night. Yikes. The search continues. For that price I'd rather just find an all inclusive family resort.