[Wakka]

Ibiza, bora bora, Galapagos. If I could go to any 3 islands... Those would be the ones I went to hands down.

[KingOfJericho]

A few pics from my trip to Turks & Caicos:



















And some from Kauai:

[ToothDoc]

If you do Turks and Caicos, don't sit around in Grace Bay. Rent a 4x4 and go off-roading and find your own beach. If you want peace and quiet, take the ferry to North Caicos, rent a car, and drive to Middle Caicos and sit around in Bambarra Beach. BUT, if you're in your 20's, Turks and Caicos is kinda boring. Go to Aruba - they have night life, do a private ATV tour of the whole island (it's an EIGHT hour ATV ride not those crappy 30 minute rides) - but it's not a pretty island. I also second the idea of doing a catamaran sail around the Virgin Islands - we rented a boat and hired a captain for a day there. You won't go wrong in Kauai but make sure you get a 4 x 4 and drive to where the road ends. Buy some lawn chairs and a cooler ice and beverages and just chill... hike, sail, heli ride, golf, shop. No real night life though.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Seems like Grace Bay (Turks & Caicos) and Kauai getting quite a bit of positive feedback. Can't say I'm surprised. You can find some very "exotic" places but some of the most worthwhile locales are right under your nose.

OP, where are you located? I'm just thinking flight times...

I'm in Los Angeles. I believe most of these places are next to or close enough to the equator to have year round summer like weather right?

Your Turks pics are screensaver beautiful!

Originally Posted by ToothDoc

If you do Turks and Caicos, don't sit around in Grace Bay. Rent a 4x4 and go off-roading and find your own beach. If you want peace and quiet, take the ferry to North Caicos, rent a car, and drive to Middle Caicos and sit around in Bambarra Beach. BUT, if you're in your 20's, Turks and Caicos is kinda boring. Go to Aruba - they have night life, do a private ATV tour of the whole island (it's an EIGHT hour ATV ride not those crappy 30 minute rides) - but it's not a pretty island. I also second the idea of doing a catamaran sail around the Virgin Islands - we rented a boat and hired a captain for a day there. You won't go wrong in Kauai but make sure you get a 4 x 4 and drive to where the road ends. Buy some lawn chairs and a cooler ice and beverages and just chill... hike, sail, heli ride, golf, shop. No real night life though.

Wow. Thanks for the advice

[Pcemkr]

Islands I've been to:
Hawaii: Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, Oahu
Caribbean: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands
US: Kiawah Island
Europe: Sicily, Crete
Asia: Bali, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, Singapore (not for beaches)

By far, the nicest beaches I've seen are in the gulf of Thailand. Kauai is my favorite though for the hiking/scenery/landscape.

I'd go to Madagascar, Galapagos, Bora Bora, Canary Islands. Somewhere exotic and expensive if it's free.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by FwdFtl

I'm in Los Angeles. I believe most of these places are next to or close enough to the equator to have year round summer like weather right?

Your Turks pics are screensaver beautiful!

Caribbean does have hurricane season to contend with which is most of the summer to the early fall. It can be a non-issue or a big one. Just be sure to get travel insurance if you head down during that time.

[jlstyle]

Originally Posted by FwdFtl

Yea, were all in or late 20's so not anything too honeymooner, but I'll look more into Moorea. I like the adventure aspect.



Well traveled I see. My friend also speaks highly of Aruba, just seems to lack that exotic flare as compared to other islands. But damn, I should have been careful what I asked for, now I have way too many ideas!

Thanks for sharing!

For exotic flares, I would recommend Bora Bora/Moorea/Aitutaki.
IMHO, aitutaki takes the cake if 5 star resort is not your concern...
It's got the bestest beach ever and nature is top notch...

Honestly, aruba is like a motel pool compare to those.

[1BMW4fun]

Been to French Polynesia and Bora Bora serveral times, yes there are plenty of activities you could do including ATV. Since the whole island is a lagoon, you could just get a hotel kayak and explore (it would take you a while to go from one hotel to another). Though there isnt much night life, things pretty dead after 10pm. Worth the trip, one of a kind experience. My hotel when I was in Bora Bora

[andyl]

ibiza
greek islands

[e92ttaz2]

You must go to Bora Bora, I have been there recently. Its amazing. If you are bringing a gf/wife, they will creme their pants (mine did). Their snorkeling and lagoons are spectacular, oh and check out Bloody Marys. Have fun whatever trip you decide.