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Started By
Message
Best "island" adventure with teenagers?
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:05 pm
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:05 pm
Planning to finally take our kids (14 and 15) off of the U.S. mainland, and looking for a great beach spot with activities. They've taken yearly trips from Pensacola on down to 30a, so they are spoiled by pretty water.
If we're going to go out of the country, we'd like them to have as many opportunities to do other things as possible. And it doesn't have to be an island. Could be Mexico.
Looking for easy snorkeling, visiting sea turtles/marine life, surfing or water sports (son could literally skim board from sunup to sundown) swimming with pigs (is this as fun as it looks?), hiking, boating around for the day, and island with some interesting history, just really whatever!
Looking to go late May or June. Would love a nice hotel but nothing like Beaches. Not really looking for anything Disney-like, but not too rustic either. Fine dining is a plus. TIA!
If we're going to go out of the country, we'd like them to have as many opportunities to do other things as possible. And it doesn't have to be an island. Could be Mexico.
Looking for easy snorkeling, visiting sea turtles/marine life, surfing or water sports (son could literally skim board from sunup to sundown) swimming with pigs (is this as fun as it looks?), hiking, boating around for the day, and island with some interesting history, just really whatever!
Looking to go late May or June. Would love a nice hotel but nothing like Beaches. Not really looking for anything Disney-like, but not too rustic either. Fine dining is a plus. TIA!
Posted on 2/6/22 at 12:47 pm to HouseMom
It will sound like a broken record but St John. The possible benefit is that the BVI may be open for day trips.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 4:24 pm to HouseMom
check out isla mujeres. threads about that place pop up often here and most seem to love it.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 5:35 pm to HouseMom
Turks and Caicos. All boxes checked that you are seeking but I didn't see any swim with the pigs advertising. The resort where we stayed had a great pool and on the beach they had a sailboat, snorkel gear, paddleboards and more all free of charge.
Posted on 2/6/22 at 11:39 pm to HouseMom
Look up Staniel Cay Yacht Club. One of best vacations we have gone on. Can get a little pricey though with getting there and multiple people / all inclusive.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 6:25 am to HouseMom
There’s a place on Andros Island called Small Hope Bay. My family visits it every year. My kids have gotten their dive certifications from there.
This is not a mega resort. It is a small (16 cabins total) family run operation. But don’t let the size fool you. You’ll get incredible food. Fantastic service. And any kid 8 or younger eats dinner in the kid club. No young kids allowed during happy hour and dinner. We started going there when my youngest was 5 - at first we weren’t sold on the idea, but after two nights, we fell in love with the concept.
No wifi in the cabins.
Clear blue water just steps away from each cabin.
Things to do:
Fishing charter - bone fish, reef/bottom fishing, deep sea (the tongue of the ocean is less than a mile off the beach, deep blue waters and lots of pelagic species.
Kayaking mangroves - turtles, spotted eagle rays, lemon, nurse and reef Sharks all can be found in the mangroves at high tide. As can a whole host of other fish species.
Explore the island’s blue holes. Research this a bit - truly worth the experience to visit.
Snorkeling-
Scuba:
My son and daughter (as did I) all started scuba here with the “Discover Scuba” course. A dive instructor teaches basic safety and you get to take a short dive in shallow water. If you like it, they will then take you on dives to 45 feet - you will always have a personal dive master with you. My son is now a certified dive master and my daughter is working on her rescue diver cert. This is an experience that I am very proud of - sharing our love for the oceans and diving together is a bond like no other. I always thought “scuba sounds too difficult or dangerous “ … now I think, “damn, I wish I had started 30 years ago”.
Take your kids diving. If they love the ocean and have any adventurous spirit, they will thank you many times over. If you feel comfortable diving and demonstrate to the DMs that you are a safe and capable diver, you will be allowed to take the shark dive … about 45 feet deep you get to dive with about 15-20 reef Sharks. They will come right up to you almost like a puppy dog. We’ve done the shark dive about 7 times and each time we love it and vow to do it again.
Swim with Pigs - No way. Not here. Honestly, we did the pig beach excursion on Eleuthera a few years ago. We hated it. It’s quite nasty wading in clear water that the pigs poop and Pee in all around you. Plus, the idea of the pigs on a small secluded island cay, just feels wrong. Definitely not natural.
Happy Hour -
One of the greatest attributes of Small Hope Bay is the guest/clientele. You’ll find probably 60-75% are repeat guests. Many, like me, go back every year. At happy hour, every guest is at the bar, even the teenagers. We all get to know each other, taking turns making each other drinks - most of the guests are from the Southern US, but many are from the East coast. We’ve met French, German, and South Korean guests there and we all have a fantastic time sharing experiences of the day, discussing families, love of the oceans, whatever. You’ll meet people from all over and make friends.
The staff not only work for you, they get to know you. They will ask to sit with you at meal times. All an effort to make your stay enjoyable.
My kids have made friends every time we have gone there. I can assure you, your kids will too. It is such a safe environment, they will get to explore without you needing to constantly worry, “are the kids ok?”.
Want the most relaxing vacation ever while actually being able to enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning “what do we do next”?
Small Hope Bay Lodge
This is not a mega resort. It is a small (16 cabins total) family run operation. But don’t let the size fool you. You’ll get incredible food. Fantastic service. And any kid 8 or younger eats dinner in the kid club. No young kids allowed during happy hour and dinner. We started going there when my youngest was 5 - at first we weren’t sold on the idea, but after two nights, we fell in love with the concept.
No wifi in the cabins.
Clear blue water just steps away from each cabin.
Things to do:
Fishing charter - bone fish, reef/bottom fishing, deep sea (the tongue of the ocean is less than a mile off the beach, deep blue waters and lots of pelagic species.
Kayaking mangroves - turtles, spotted eagle rays, lemon, nurse and reef Sharks all can be found in the mangroves at high tide. As can a whole host of other fish species.
Explore the island’s blue holes. Research this a bit - truly worth the experience to visit.
Snorkeling-
quote:
The Andros Barrier Reef in the Bahamas is the world’s third largest barrier reef, and the third largest living organism on the planet
Scuba:
My son and daughter (as did I) all started scuba here with the “Discover Scuba” course. A dive instructor teaches basic safety and you get to take a short dive in shallow water. If you like it, they will then take you on dives to 45 feet - you will always have a personal dive master with you. My son is now a certified dive master and my daughter is working on her rescue diver cert. This is an experience that I am very proud of - sharing our love for the oceans and diving together is a bond like no other. I always thought “scuba sounds too difficult or dangerous “ … now I think, “damn, I wish I had started 30 years ago”.
Take your kids diving. If they love the ocean and have any adventurous spirit, they will thank you many times over. If you feel comfortable diving and demonstrate to the DMs that you are a safe and capable diver, you will be allowed to take the shark dive … about 45 feet deep you get to dive with about 15-20 reef Sharks. They will come right up to you almost like a puppy dog. We’ve done the shark dive about 7 times and each time we love it and vow to do it again.
Swim with Pigs - No way. Not here. Honestly, we did the pig beach excursion on Eleuthera a few years ago. We hated it. It’s quite nasty wading in clear water that the pigs poop and Pee in all around you. Plus, the idea of the pigs on a small secluded island cay, just feels wrong. Definitely not natural.
Happy Hour -
One of the greatest attributes of Small Hope Bay is the guest/clientele. You’ll find probably 60-75% are repeat guests. Many, like me, go back every year. At happy hour, every guest is at the bar, even the teenagers. We all get to know each other, taking turns making each other drinks - most of the guests are from the Southern US, but many are from the East coast. We’ve met French, German, and South Korean guests there and we all have a fantastic time sharing experiences of the day, discussing families, love of the oceans, whatever. You’ll meet people from all over and make friends.
The staff not only work for you, they get to know you. They will ask to sit with you at meal times. All an effort to make your stay enjoyable.
My kids have made friends every time we have gone there. I can assure you, your kids will too. It is such a safe environment, they will get to explore without you needing to constantly worry, “are the kids ok?”.
Want the most relaxing vacation ever while actually being able to enjoy your vacation without the stress of planning “what do we do next”?
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Posted on 2/7/22 at 6:43 am to HouseMom
Never been, but Roatan seems to be an awesome time for teens
Posted on 2/7/22 at 7:58 am to deltafarmer
quote:
Turks and Caicos.
I love Turks. We go almost every year, and I recommend it to everyone.
However, based on what the OP is looking for, I have to agree with VaBuckeye and recommend St. John.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 8:06 am to Floating Change Up
quote:
Swim with Pigs - No way
Bwahahaha!
Thanks for this awesome review! It sounds like you are passionate about the place. Ready to book a trip!
Posted on 2/7/22 at 8:08 am to HouseMom
Thank you so much everyone! I had a short list going, and y'all helped to steer me in a direction. I'll also check out the specific places you suggested. 
Posted on 2/7/22 at 8:31 am to HouseMom
Are the kids girls? If so, I'd be pretty careful with the Caribbean resorts. Search rapes at resorts....a few women honeymooning and quite a few teen girls have been drugged by resort staff and raped.....kind of one of those things where everyone there knows it happens but US media doesn't report. Although a simple google search will show you quite a bit. Not saying don't go, but keep an eye on them if they are girls
Posted on 2/7/22 at 9:25 am to lilibet
Thanks for the reminder on that. I've read stories over the years, but we're pretty cautious travelers wherever we are. Definitely not one to let my teenagers roam around a resort by themselves.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 9:55 am to lilibet
quote:
a few women honeymooning
They wouldn't seem to be the most likely targets.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 10:17 am to HouseMom
St. Johns sounds great for your situation. We did some research for our daughter's college graduation trip and almost went. Ended up going to the Turks and Caicos. We frankly didn't like it that much. Flat. Arid. Expensive. Beaches are spectacular no doubt. If you have a car, the beach at Taylor Bay is amazing. Make a day of it and lunch at Bugaloo's.
I'm a certified diver and have gone on trips through the Caribbean. (Best I've seen was Belize BTW). But, the "snorkeling off the beach" locations in T&C often discussed are just 'meh to me. You have to hire a boat and go offshore to see the better reefs. We used Island Vibe Tours and had a great time.
I took our family a few years ago to Grenada for my son's high school graduation trip. This was by far the best island trip we took as a family. It might take a little longer to get there, and it might not be as touristy as some would want, but I found it to be the country with the "most island vibe" of any place we've been. Beautiful sand beaches. Waterfalls. Food. Friendly people that speak English.
This blog summarizes why.
I'm a certified diver and have gone on trips through the Caribbean. (Best I've seen was Belize BTW). But, the "snorkeling off the beach" locations in T&C often discussed are just 'meh to me. You have to hire a boat and go offshore to see the better reefs. We used Island Vibe Tours and had a great time.
I took our family a few years ago to Grenada for my son's high school graduation trip. This was by far the best island trip we took as a family. It might take a little longer to get there, and it might not be as touristy as some would want, but I found it to be the country with the "most island vibe" of any place we've been. Beautiful sand beaches. Waterfalls. Food. Friendly people that speak English.
This blog summarizes why.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 10:33 am to Nole Man
quote:
St. Johns sounds great for your situation. We did some research for our daughter's college graduation trip and almost went. Ended up going to the Turks and Caicos. We frankly didn't like it that much. Flat. Arid. Expensive. Beaches are spectacular no doubt. If you have a car, the beach at Taylor Bay is amazing. Make a day of it and lunch at Bugaloo's.
*St. John.
And Turks has spectacular beaches, but you didn't like it that much?
I'm just kidding with you. That's why for what the OP is looking for, I would recommend St. John over Turks. Turks isn't what you think of as "tropical paradise", where you can do a beautiful beach and also explore lush tropical landscapes. It's also very expensive.
Posted on 2/7/22 at 10:45 am to HouseMom
Roatan is a good suggestion. There's a long beach where most people stay and it has bars and restaurants up and down the beach. It's a bargain when it comes to budget compared to some others.
As mentioned, Turks and Caicos (Providenciales) has amazing beaches and great restaurants but not a whole lot more. It's a good island to sit on the beach and just chill.
St. John has everything you asked for but the swimming pigs. There used to be a pig on the island at Cruz Bay but they moved. St. John is not a cheap island but it has some really good restaurants.
Isla Mujeres has a park and excursions. Playa Norte is a pretty beach and Hidalgo Street has a ton or restaurants and bars. There are plenty others scattered around the island as well. You can rent golf carts to tool around the island.
As mentioned, Turks and Caicos (Providenciales) has amazing beaches and great restaurants but not a whole lot more. It's a good island to sit on the beach and just chill.
St. John has everything you asked for but the swimming pigs. There used to be a pig on the island at Cruz Bay but they moved. St. John is not a cheap island but it has some really good restaurants.
Isla Mujeres has a park and excursions. Playa Norte is a pretty beach and Hidalgo Street has a ton or restaurants and bars. There are plenty others scattered around the island as well. You can rent golf carts to tool around the island.
This post was edited on 2/7/22 at 10:47 am
Posted on 2/7/22 at 12:05 pm to Mo Jeaux
quote:
I would recommend St. John over Turks.
I did a lot of research and it looked spectacular for an island vacation. Hope St. John is on the radar one day for us. St. Lucia and possibly Barbados as well.
My "bucket list" trip, however, would be to St. Vincents and the Grenadines. This resort!
Posted on 2/7/22 at 1:55 pm to Nole Man
Ours as well. St. Vincent and the Grenadines seems like a different version of the BVI which I love.
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