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!

You won't get a decent hotel in Barbados for your budget. I have been many times due to my husbands work. There are nicer and cheaper islands.

Love St Martin/St Maarten and Barbados. Plenty to do.

The problem is that the smaller Islands with cheaper accommodation are more expensive to get to. Therefore you need to look at flight costs. I like the BVIs. Very laid back and relaxing but not cheap to get to. I think you would struggle to get to Bequia for the money too. Many lovely islands require second flights. That puts the price up.

Thanks so much for the replies. Will do some research. Agree I need to look at and compare the total costs before making any decisions! Sounds like there are a few good possibilities though.

Flights alone are likely to set you back at least £500pp, so you need to think carefully about where to go/stay - AirBnB might be worth looking into?

Would definitely agree that Barbados is great. Tobago is beautiful but much less developed than the other islands - perfect if you like lots of walking and don't expect to find good restaurants to eat in/prefer to self-cater.

I would go the the Carlisle Bay Hotel in Antigua. Absolute heaven.

Thanks everyone. Thinking we will go for COCOs in Antigua which is just over 2000pp for our dates including flights; thanks for the recommendations!

Say hello for me to Loreen, Akil, Kerry Ann and Sheeren and have a fabulous time

Antigua is amazing! I've traveled the Caribbean extensively and Antigua is defiantly on my top 5, make sure to go to Fort James area