Best Caribbean Island to visit from Miami ?

[jenzo]

I am in Miami first week in March for a week - for work.
Want to fly to a Caribbean island from Miami at the end of my working week to chillout, for 4/5 days.

Suggestiosn please on best Caribeean island to visit - must have amazing beaches, never been to the Caribbean before and somewhere I can get to from Miami international airport with ease...

Many thanks for your input.

[Puggit]

St Martin - the French side (but do visit the Dutch side for the beach under the flight path!). Couple of flights a day on AA (rubbish airline, but it's not far).

Stay here - I have never chilled anywhere better! http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1606589...

[jenzo]

Thank you Puggit.

Will def look into this.

I would prefer an all inclusive type hotel if poissble for my Caribbean stay - but this is not essential.

[Puggit]

jenzo said:

Thank you Puggit.

Will def look into this.

I would prefer an all inclusive type hotel if poissble for my Caribbean stay - but this is not essential.

I think you misunderstand the town of Grand Case. It's all about mooching around looking for your next meal. There's cheap (carribean shack style) and there's posh (and in between!).

And don't forget this: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=St.+Maarten,+Sint+Ma...

[jenzo]

Super.

If this has stunning beaches, cheap and lots to do then I am in !
Also want to check out the flight path / runway bit on the Dutch side.

[Puggit]

Here's where I stayed on the south side - all inclusive... I wouldn't rave about it, but there was little wrong.

http://www.sonesta.com/MahoBeach/

[jenzo]

What side of the island are the best beaches on ?

[Heff]

St Thomas has several flights from Miami daily. Lots of hotel, and one amazing beach, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magens_Bay . Not the most beautiful of islands, more known for it's shopping.

[Muzzer79]

Curacao is very nice.

Antigua has great beaches.

Bahamas is a short hop.

Tortola (BVI) is lovely for a visit but not sure I'd want to spend nigh-on a week there.

[jenzo]

Thank you all for the input

Bahamas looks great. Lively stunning beaches. I will look into this and other options suggested.

[langy]

jenzo said:

Thank you all for the input

Bahamas looks great. Lively stunning beaches. I will look into this and other options suggested.

I worked and lived on Grand Bahama for 18 months a good few years ago. Really nice place, some bit's are better than others and I'm sure it's changed a bit in the last 13 or so years. Lovely beaches, Gold Rock being my favourite, but don't expect any ice cream vans or refreshments when you get there though.

Port Lucaya was OK, a few bars and restaurants and a huge hotel on the sea front.

It's on my list of places to go back to in the next few years.

[Rick101]

Grenada. The spice island.

[sjf2020]

St Maarten and Grenada get my vote!

[SimonMaidenhead]

Jet bike to Cuba?

[GCH]

Nothing wrong with puerto rico, and as it is a US territory, no hassles with immigration returning to miami.

[Matt Harper]

Rick101 said:

Grenada. The spice island.

2nd biggest export after nutmeg? Colombian and Venezuelan cocaine.

[Matt Harper]

GCH said:

Nothing wrong with puerto rico, and as it is a US territory, no hassles with immigration returning to miami.

Have you driven there GCH?

[Matt Harper]

Also, if Bahamas is an option - you can charter sail over to Bimini in an afternoon - the game fishing is ridiculous and Bimini's beaches are rather splendid.

[jenzo]

Can I go to Bahamas from Miami with just my UK passport or will I need a visa ?

A visa needed for any Caribbean island for that matter ?

[Puggit]

St Martin (and a few other islands) is considered part of the Netherlands and France, so no problems there. Many of the islands are British colonies - no problems there!