Please recommend a Caribbean island?

[Swiftier]

We usually travel around on our holidays/go to quite adventurous places but due to a hectic year or two have decided on a relaxing break on a Caribbean island is needed in the next few months (probably May but flexible).

However having trouble deciding which one.
Ideally a direct flight from the UK.
We would like to snorkel/dive.
We like quiet/boutique type hotels and would like to avoid big AIs or an area with loads of AIs dominating (so thought we’d avoid Dominican Republic?)
Budget flexible but ideally less than £2000pp for ten nights, and flights. Can spend more if somewhere looks great.

No kids to factor in!

Our initial thoughts were St Lucia, does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

Grenada would be a good choice or if you're prepared to do a short hop Bequia is really special.

I didn’t feel comfortable travelling round St Lucia on our own.
There’s a lot of AIs.

It’s beautiful but .....

Also been to st kitts and Nevis. Loved them and hired a car in both and travelled round. Got a combined flight and really cheap. B and B deal in an AI but only stayed in it a few nights and stayed in a fab place called the hermitage on Nevis. Off season so got a deal. Loved it all. Gtreat snorkelling.

Just waiting for my flight to Coco’s Hotel in Antigua. Small, adult only AI resort - absolutely beautiful!

I've always wanted to go to the Golden Rock hotel which is on St Kitts/Nevis. Not an AI monstrosity in sight, which on most Caribbean islands is difficult to avoid.

Grenada!! We loved it. Calm. Quiet. Beautiful and safe.
I hear great things about Guadeloupe.

I was going to say St Kitts as well, less dominated by the AI, most Caribbean islands have gone that way.

Thanks! Will have a proper look at St Kitts/Nevis as that seems like a good option, and Grenada and Antigua too 😊

Antigua is lovely. It’s more affluent than for example St Lucia or Dom republic so you feel safer. We were happy hiring a car and driving about. In some other places we felt too scared to go out unless on an organised tour.

I loved Antigua.

Another recommendation for beautiful, peaceful, not too touristy St Kitts. St Vincent, Turks & Caicos also worth considering.

Barbados is worth a look.

Another vote for one of my own islands, Grenada. Good food, good people, lively atmosphere in town and its super safe out there. My grandmother moved back over 40 years ago and hasn't come back to England since. Its a good life out there.

Have you tried Aruba ? Its a small dutch island thats very safe , there's lots to do with all year sun and beautiful beaches . We stayed in the Riu at eagle beach but there are loads of independent hotels too .

DH recommends the Bahamas and his best mate loves Guadeloupe (they've been to quite a few of the islands over the years).

I think Aruba is good for snorkelling, but I'm not sure how much else there is, I was only there for a 2 night stopover though.

@Sarahlou63 Have you been to Cocos hotel before? I've been looking at it with interest.

I really liked Tobago, stayed all over the island, the north is really unspoilt and beautiful.

@nearlynermal yes, this is our second time. Just arrived to a tropical storm but still sitting on the balcony looking at the beautiful blue ocean 🌊

We stayed in Little Good Harbour hotel in Barbados, fabulous, quiet and off the beaten track. Hired a car and felt very safe and happy exploring the island. Loved it 😊

Antigua. I love it. My favourite holiday destination!

Another vote for St Kitts, or Antigua....St Kitts has beautiful beaches and lush rainforest and very easy to drive round

I’ve been to several.
Grenada - very safe, untouristy, easy to hire a car to explore as they drive on our side. Small enough to get around, locals very friendly. Diving decent, lots of wrecks, not much snorkelling from shore. Goes via stopover in St Lucia, don’t leave plane.
Jamaica - still safe if you watch where you go, plenty places away from AIs, lots to do, diving above average (but not Egypt/Red Sea), some shore snorkelling. Lots direct flights.
Bahamas - shark diving in Nassau but otherwise head to an Out Island. We did Exuma, the least touristy place I’ve been, amazing deserted beaches and turquoise waters, great wildlife. About 30 min flight from Nassau. BA flies direct.
Mexico - good diving and snorkelling depending on where you are. Akumal and south has lots of boutique type hotels, absolutely heaps to do but equally can flop. Lots of flights.

Barbados
If you stay near St Lawrence Gap it's a safe walk to lots of bars/restaurants. Beautiful beaches around but it's a small island you can get around easily. Loads to do. I wouldn't consider doing AI there so sounds like it might fit with what you want. Expensive but worth it (St Lawrence gap is much cheaper than west coast)

Barbados is lovely - lots to see and do especially if you hire a car. Aruba is covered in cacti and not much else! If you want to stay near your beach hotel it's fine.