Destination Suggestion?

[KathyV]

From some quick internet browsing it seems to me
-All the nicer beach places are over near Christenstead
-Diving looks more appealing to me near Fredricksted (Pier looks especially interesting to me. BHB on steroids.
-Did "shopping and restaurants and a small casino" apply to St. Croix in general to to Fredicksted area. Casino is not a necessity by far but if there is one my wife enjoys a bit of slot action.

There are restaurants and shopping around both Christenstead and Fredricksted.

Csted is larger and more developed and Fsted is more geared toward small shops and tourist activities for people getting off the cruise ships. But not too many cruise ships come to St. Croix.

The casino is at the Divi resort and it is pretty far from both Csted and Fsted and everything else. You would have to drive there with the intention of spending some time at the casino. There is no onsite dive op at the Divi and that area does not have a reputation for good diving. We spent one evening at the Casino gambling.

It's not that difficult to drive between Csted and Fsted, there is a good road that cuts through the forest. A pleasant drive on a sunny day.

There are quite a few hills on the island but there are also flat areas for easy walking especially around the harbors.

The first week we were there we were on a liveaboard so I can't remember the best areas for diving, but I do remember that tying up to theFredricksted pier and doing several shore dives on the pier was the highlight of the trip.

The second week when we got off the boat, I had bronchitis and so we didn't dive, but we did get back to the pier to snorkel before we left the island.

Here is the link to a live streaming web cam at the Christiansted Harbor:
Official Page for Live St. Croix Web Cam in Christiansted

 

[diver0008]

There's a place I stayed on Curacao that if I remember correctly had a casino attached, a dive op on site, a decent shore dive right in front and a nice beach. I don't remember what is was called but can dig it up if it's worth your consideration.

Sunscapes Curacao:

Home

 

[NYCNaiad]

Roatan's got sand flies so its a no-go for a non-diver...

I know some people have experienced this, but I didn't. Not sure if it was because I was on the East End of the island or just the time of year (late Dec. into early Jan.).

NYCNaiad said: Roatan would work. It was lovely diving. I stayed on the East End which was more remote.
---------------------------
Roatan is an island

The OP didn't say no islands. Just islands he hadn't visited & he didn't list Roatan as an island he has visited before.

St. Lucia is mountainous. I've visited twice on cruise ship stops; nothing I've read suggests a lot of flat terrain for walking tours. Be interested to hear if anyone knows differently. It's a beautiful island. Has 3 Sandals resorts if that appeals. I imagine they could produce some entertainment. Richard.

I really enjoyed St. Lucia. It's beautiful & the perfect destination for a honeymoon or anniversary. I stayed at ANSE CHASTANET RESORT St Lucia | Caribbean's Most Romantic Resort. However, you're correct...there wasn't any place I went that was flat so this wouldn't work.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Can you fly into Placencia on a jet? I have never been there so I am curious. I am thinking of Ambergris Caye when we had to take a propeller plane from the mainland.

No jet, only prop plane. However, you can drive there from the international airport, which is why I suggested renting the vehicle.

 

[KathyV]

No jet, only prop plane. However, you can drive there from the international airport, which is why I suggested renting the vehicle.

That's right, it's a peninsula, not an island so you can drive there. I have never been to Placencia, how are the roads?

 

[chillyinCanada]

It's my understanding that they're pretty good roads for the most part and in many places very beautiful scenery during the journey.

 

[KathyV]

...Hills are nice for scenery but she has some orthopedic issues so walking and sightseeing on foot should be pretty flat....

@Steve_C, I just remembered something that could be important if you decide on St. Croix; make sure that the hotel, resort, condo that you rent has easy walking. As I said there are a lot of hills and I had bronchitis while we were on St. Croix. I can't remember where we stayed but we rented a cabin or cottage at a resort and we had to park in a lot at the bottom of a hill and then trudge upwards in the tropical heat to get to our lodgings. It was a real challenge for me while I was short of breath, and they always had a guard watching the parking lot who wouldn't let us drive to the place we were staying.

Finally my husband went to talk to the management and they allowed him to drive uphill to drop me off and then go back downhill to park the car.