What, in your opinion, are the best Caribbean islands for diving?

[bubbles]

In 4 years time it will be our silver wedding anniversary and we want to renew vows on a beach somewhere. Personally, I most favour the Maldives but it also has to be some where where there is plenty to do for the non-diving members of the family so I am looking at the Caribbean possibly.

We want something that has a wonderful white sand beach for the ceromony but also somewhere which has good diving and is still reasonably priced bearing in mind some of the party are retired so cost is an issue.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. I know it seems a long time in advance but I want to research and plan this well.

Thank you in advance

[lottie]

Hey bubbles,
Firstly, congrats on your up-and-coming silver wedding anniversary (i know 4 years too early!). You don't hear those types of anniversaries much these days.

With the Caribbean, no two islands are the same - similar, perhaps, but not the same. You've mentioned about the white sand beaches and other activities for non-diving folk. But what type of atmosphere are you looking for? - Quiet and tranquil? Loud and noisy? Do you want loads of kids running around your hotel, do you want nightlife around you or prefer quiet evenings out at a decent restaurant?

This will help the rest of us to make suggestions that will fit your requirements.

HTH

[lars2923]

I know it is not in your description, but they have pink sand and things to
see and do and diving...

Just throwing it out there...

Good Luck,

[tadeotadeo]

San Andres Island might be a cool destination beautiful beach with great diving and loads of activity at reasonable prices. The flight there might be pricy depending on where you are coming from but woorth checking into.
Ciao
Tad

[bubbles]

Oh quiet and tranquil definitely but with enough to keep my nephews (who will then be teenagers) and my neice (who will then be 7) occupied during the day!

[bubbles]

Not heard of San Andres island - where is that? Sorry to show my ignorance. Didn't know Bermuda had pink sand either!

[lottie]

Oh quiet and tranquil definitely but with enough to keep my nephews (who will then be teenagers) and my neice (who will then be 7) occupied during the day!

If you want quiet and tranquil - yeah, i know i'm being biased here - but think about st lucia.
There's a tram ride through the rain forest and a death-slide as well (something that I want to do at some point) there's also quad biking where you can ride through the rain forest, beaches and a plantation. It takes about 4 hours.
quiet and tranquil - diving!!! there's a lovely wreck dive thats at 65ft. I can point you to a good number of beaches that you (and the rest of your party) will be the only ones on the beach. Also at the same dive place i go to, they do kayaking and snorkelling as well.
There's loads of restuarants that cater to different prices. The restaurant at the ladera in Soufriere is a 5 star and you'd be looking at about EC$150 per head (thats about 30 quid!!). Plus there's other places where you can get a massive plate of fish/chicken/beef plus ground provisions for about EC$6 (thats about 1 quid).

Other places in the caribbean that you might consider - Dominica (same terrain as St Lucia) and the diving is supposed to be good. The Grenadines are nice and tranquil as well - I've heard good things about Bequia.
Antigua is nice, having a more english heritage (similar to Barbados as well)

Don't forget, it's very easy to island hop, from st lucia to Antigua it's about an hour's flight. Checkout http://www.liatairline.com/ for more info on prices.

HTH - let me know if you need any more info on st lucia