What’s your favourite Caribbean island and why?

[AutumnalLight]

Looking at going for a first visit 🌴

That sounds amazing! Where do you stay?

Really depends on what you want to do. We're about to go to Jamaica for the third time but we go to an adults only all-inclusive and are just looking for somewhere to relax with some light activities. We don't leave the resort. It probably wouldn't be my first choice if I wanted trips/exploration etc.

Jamaica - been twice. Too sketchy for me now. Stunning place.
Antigua - loved the history of English Harbour, great beaches, safe
St Kitts - very quiet
St Lucia - fabulous landscape but takes ages to get anywhere and didn’t feel safe when off the beaten track
Grand Cayman - lovely beach but getting very built up
Grenada - more character, fun vibe, interesting
Barbados - lots to see do/high standard of accommodation and food, lovely people. Not the most scenic, but it’s my favourite as it feels so safe

It really depends what you’re looking for.

Grenada. When I worked on the cruise ships it was the one island I really looked forward to visiting

castararetreats.com/

Barbados. We absolutely love it. Fabulous people, beautiful beaches and great scenery on the north and east coast. We stay on the West Coast. Food is delicious and very varied.
But, it’s not cheap! Plus you can drive on the left!

Curacao. Loved it so much that I love here now. Has a good combination of nature, beaches, culture and nightlife

Tobago. Least touristy of all the Caribbean islands I’ve visited. Absolutely beautiful, great food and safe. (Only place I’ve ever seen goat racing - that was a great day out!). Also love Grenada and St Vincent & the Grenadines for similar reasons.

The BVI is my ride or die vacay destination

Barbados is my favourite. The food, the people, the beaches, the restaurants! I have also felt extremely safe there.

I was recommended to avoid Jamaica unless you’re happy to stay in the resort. My friend was constantly hassled outside and felt very unsafe.

Depends what you’re going for - a big AI with lots of pools, not leaving the resort much, good beaches? Then Jamaica, Mexico, mainland Bahamas ie Nassau/Atlantis.
if you’re wanting to have your own villa and hire a car and be out and about - Grenada or one of the out islands of Bahamas such as Exuma. Both very safe, untoursity, beautiful beaches that you’ll be on your own, amazing sealife and Grenada also has rainforest. Can still do organised excursions if you don’t want to hire a car, boat trips, quaint villages etc.
I’ve had many a fab holiday in various Caribbean places. All have great places to go and I’d never describe any of them as “shit holes”! Yes, some may have cities/ towns that are more dangerous and not nice to visit but hey, so does every place including Uk/USA. Do your research as to what you want, trip advisor forums are usually very informative. There’s a huge difference in visiting, for example, a big AI in Negril compared to a small hotel in Runaway Bay in Jamaica.

Same, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been too. I was like proper wow when I first saw it.

Thanks - why?

Thank you! Definitely interested in being out and about.

Wow! What’s your favourite area?

Thanks - why?

Oo thanks for the run down 💛👍

Thanks - why?

Good to know!

Montserrat, which is known as the emerald isle of the Carribbean. Its tourist economy was wiped out by natural disasters in the late 80s and mid 90s but there are still a few guest houses and hotels dotted about. It is a truly fascinating place with a rich musical history, and the most welcoming people ever. It is very, very rustic however, so not one for the inexperienced traveller! Rightly or wrongly it is also one of our remaining overseas territories so the people I met felt a very strong sense of connection to the UK - you will find the Queen's (or I suppose now the King's) photo cropping up in all kinds of unexpected places!

Very quirky, I loved it.

Antigua. Fantastic beaches and lovely people.

Grenada is pretty but v small.
tobago is lovely but quite a lot of crime against tourists, just need to be careful. Both times I’ve been there nearby villas have been broken into.
Barbados is its own thing. Glitzy and busy but lovely if that’s what you want and lots of opportunities to eg watch cricket or polo or do things other than lie on a beach.
St Martin for the best food in the Caribbean
st lucian landscape is amazing but I can’t warm to the island particularly.

I love the more natural areas, with less tourism, so I live on the Bandabou side of the island, between 2 ramsar areas. Those are protected natural area's and as a result Every day I see wild flamingo's, different birds of pray and occasionally wild deer or wild donkeys. Downside is that you have to travel a bit longer to the restaurants etc. The other side of the island has nightlife, restaurants, lovely beaches. Daytrip to Klein Curaçao, a small uninhabited island near Curaçao is also great.

St Marie, although there is a relatively high murder rate there…

BVIs definitely. You need a yacht for the best experience though. Deserted islands, great snorkelling and great anchorage’s. Hotels are available on main islands like Virgin Gorda and Tortola and Peter Island. It’s a very different experience to St Lucia, Antigua and Barbados. Other islands groups include around BequIa. That’s a great island too. Have fun.