Caribbean vacation advice?

Planning a work/vacation trip this summer: About 10 days on St.
Maarten (with some work for my SO each day), then about 10 days
elsewhere.

Interests: some novice-level diving (me), maybe a resort-dive course
(SO),
protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), birding or other
cute animal viewing, amateur astronomy (probably with ST80, maybe just
with Canon 15 x 50 IS binos), naval history, good food, scenery.

To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and
otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent.

Based on a quick skim of a few sources, we're currently leaning toward
St. Kitts or St. Vincent for "elsewhere." Any suggestions of which of
these, or other islands nearby, fulfills these criteria and are easily
accessed from St. Maarten would be appreciated. Prefer moderate price
level ($100-150 per night).

Mike

mx wrote:
Planning a work/vacation trip this summer: About 10 days on St.
Maarten (with some work for my SO each day), then about 10 days
elsewhere.

Interests: some novice-level diving (me), maybe a resort-dive course
(SO),
protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), birding or other
cute animal viewing, amateur astronomy (probably with ST80, maybe just
with Canon 15 x 50 IS binos), naval history, good food, scenery.

To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and
otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent.

Based on a quick skim of a few sources, we're currently leaning toward
St. Kitts or St. Vincent for "elsewhere." Any suggestions of which of
these, or other islands nearby, fulfills these criteria and are easily
accessed from St. Maarten would be appreciated. Prefer moderate price
level ($100-150 per night).

Cool! Never been so I'm no help, but send pics when you get back.
Wouldn't sweat snorkeling with the Wag-lette in open water if one of you
stay close. Maddy did it at a similar age as a complete beginner
swimmer. Did well and loved it. "Look daddy, another baracuda!"
Little kids float real good in salt water.

Shawn

I knew you'd catch me posting this! Don't you have remodeling to work
on??

She finally consented to breath through her snorkel last night in the
pool, did pretty well. We're doomed WRT sunburn, though.

mx wrote:
I knew you'd catch me posting this! Don't you have remodeling to work
on??

I'm ah, er, taking a break. Yeah, that's it!

She finally consented to breath through her snorkel last night in the
pool, did pretty well. We're doomed WRT sunburn, though.

Waterproof SPF 60 and a sun blocking water sports shirt if she doesn't
have one http://tinyurl.com/gno4v.

Shawn

mx wrote:

Based on a quick skim of a few sources, we're currently leaning toward
St. Kitts or St. Vincent for "elsewhere."

It is said that Aruba can be exciting

Phil

mx wrote:

Planning a work/vacation trip this summer: About 10 days on St.
Maarten (with some work for my SO each day), then about 10 days
elsewhere.

Interests: some novice-level diving (me), maybe a resort-dive course
(SO),
protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), birding or other
cute animal viewing, amateur astronomy (probably with ST80, maybe just
with Canon 15 x 50 IS binos), naval history, good food, scenery.

To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and
otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent.

Based on a quick skim of a few sources, we're currently leaning toward
St. Kitts or St. Vincent for "elsewhere." Any suggestions of which of
these, or other islands nearby, fulfills these criteria and are easily
accessed from St. Maarten would be appreciated. Prefer moderate price
level ($100-150 per night).

Mike
Avoid Dominica like the plague. 1 minute and 15 seconds after stepping
ashore my wife and I were surrounded by drug dealers and I had to get
downright nasty before they let us pass.
St Thomas is really nice. Aruba is a great big giant flat rock but it has
its plusses. Grenada is good for the heart... or not (you'll see why once
you walk around a bit there) Other than Puerto Rico, Caracas, Bahamas and
Cancoon/Cozumel which are out of the area you are considering thats about
the extent of my experience there and thus my recommendations.
And as others have said: sunblock is a must! I'd get an spf50. You should
lather yourselves and the kids in it every morning before going out and
after lunch too. A bad sunburn is not only unhealthy it'll ruin the trip.
Oh,btw, dont knock cruises too much till you've tried one (and i dont mean
carnival which sucks)
Eric