You won't get the tropical feel in the Turks and Caicos but you will get the beautiful white powder sand and the most amazing tuquiose color of water you have ever seen. Very good restaurants , not much shopping at all, great diving and snorkeling, little night life. Some live bands playing at various bars and restaurants.( Calico Jacks on Fridays, Danny Bouys Pub ?) Its all about the beach. The island itself is dry and flat. The Palms Resort might be what you are looking for www.thepalmstc.com

The first resort that came to me was Caneel Bay on St John. Maybe

CaribDesi will answer you, since he has been there. Also, on St Martin, La Samanna seems to fit, it is on the french side, however, you may see some discreet topless sun bathing. Cap Juluca or Cusinart on Anguilla have some of your requirments, as well.

I question if Turks and Caicos is for you. It does not have a tropical feel like some other Caribbean islands have. July will have some families. Turks and Caicos Club, Point Grace, Parrot Cay, and Grace Bay Club might be a good place to start your search.

I have two questions related to your budget:

1) What time of year do you plan to travel? Rates drop about 40% after June 1st across the Caribbean.

2) Is there any chance of leaving the 21 year-old "crumb-crunchers" <smiling> at home. I'm thinking of oceanfront accommodations at either Caneel Bay or Little Dix Bay (where my wife and I spent my 40th) for 5-7 nights. Problem is, with the other two along, you'd have to rent two rooms or a villa, and neither is in your budget.

I agree with the others, T&C doesn't sound like it fits your vision. The U.S. (not sure about St. Thomas) and British Virgin Islands may be closer to what you're looking for.

Also, your husband may have to give up his jetski. Most of the nicer resorts don't allow it.

We are travelling in July - our dates are flexible. My husband wants to take the kids with us. They're older now and will be out of the house soon. Believe me, if they were staying home we'd be going to Maui. Not that I'm putting the Caribbean down, its just not what I had in mind for this trip. I think that is the root of my problem. There is no Hawaii in the Caribbean. Everything we are looking for is here - just not on the same island. I don't want to let a week long vacation be changed for a two hour jetski. This is a lot harder then I expected.

Here in the Turks & Caicos you will have the most beautiful wide white powder sand beach and hues of blue from shallow gin clear to aquamarine to cobalt water stretching out to the far horizon. Palm trees and tropical vegetation. We are not volcanic so do not have the steep hills and instantly deep seas that the islands further south have ie St John. We have many spas. The Spa at The Palms is amazing, Point Grace Resort has spa treatment rooms directly on the beach. Hubby can certainly learn to dive. He can indeed rent SeaDoos and travel around the south side but not in the north shore national parks. There are more than enough gourmet restaurants to choose from. No waterfalls, not much nightlife. It sounds to me like you ARE describing Turks & Caicos.

In July the rates are lower, you can check around for a 2 bedroom suite, maybe a package deal, not sure how many days that will get you but I would suggest:

www.TurksandCaicosClub.com

www.PointGrace.com

www.TheSomerset.com

Diving try:

www.CactusVoyager.com

www.FlamingoDivers.com

Dining Menus go to:

www.WhereWhenHow.tc

July is the value season, so you should be able to find good deals throughout.

I agree with wherewhenhow that part of what you describe is the Turks and Caicos. However the part about "a tropical feel with palm trees, exotic birds and flowers perhaps a waterfall" is definitely not T&C -- it's Hawaii.

For what it's worth, we spent a week on Kaui, three nights at the Hyatt, four at the Princeville. It was indeed a beautiful island, but the beaches and water were nothing compared to the T&C, Caribbean for that matter, IMO.

You should consider Punta Cana in the Dominican. It is beautiful and the people are so friendly. I got married there May of 2005 and it is one of my favorite places. Negril is very nice, but there are Nude beaches, but there are also the non nude beach as well. Couples in Negril is very nice. Good luck in your search.

I have been to all the above mentioned, including Bora Bora.

You're not going to find something with all of your requirements, but I'll give you a brief description of each (of course, sprinkled with my opinions.)

Bora Bora has mostly what you are looking for in scenery, minus the beach service, and it blows your budget. (maybe 4 days for 2 of you?) Plus, absolutely no activities, this is a relax on the beach nothing to do but stare at gorgeous scenery and honeymooners place.

Hawaii has tons of crowds, activities, but has the tropical feel you crave. While there are TONS of Hawaii lovers, it's my least favorite destination.

Caribbean, I love, but all the islands have there own personality. You find the hilly, scenic islands, with small cove beaches, and flat dry scrubby islands with blinding white sand and glorious turqouise waters long stretch beaches.

For what you're looking for, the closest that comes to mind is Jamaica. Waterfalls, beach service, decent beaches. (Stay in Negril.) BUT, I have to tell you, it's not my personal favorite-actually never have to go back.

My second choice for you is Mexico-Costa Maya area, (or the more secluded Akumal area.) Long stretches of beaches, excellent scuba in Cozumel, interior jungle hikes. It will be more crowded though. (You are going to find "beach service" only where there are crowds, not worth them serve you if there are hardly any people to serve.)

Anguilla: gorgeous beaches (some of the best in world) no crowds, no scenery, no jetskis, no real snorkeling/scuba. Great spas, the best restaurants in Caribbean, Ultra expensive. All about the beach, but you can island hop easy to:

St. Martin: hilly, crowded, active, jet skis, no real snorkeling/scuba, beach service at Orient Beach, and tons of (not so discreet anymore!) nude beaches.

T&C: One of my favorites in the world, but I really don't think it's what you're looking for. Flat dry scrubby, with the most gorgeous beaches you'll over see. Some beach service (at Palms, Sands, a couple of other resorts.) Great scuba/snorkeling. Not a a "tropical palm tree island" look though. Great spas, great restaurants, and turqouise water you see for miles. Expensive.

St. John: may come the closest to what you seek. Hilly and scenic, but no waterfalls and tropical birds. Great snorkeling/scuba. Pretty beaches with palms, but more in coves. The water is turqouise and clear, but only on shore, not for miles. No beach services, easy island hopping. Expensive. I always think St. John is a well rounded intro to Caribbean.

Really sounds what you are looking for is Hawaii, and Caribbean is totally different. Personally, I find the beaches in Caribbean to be far superior, but my disclaimer: vacations really are about the beach and water first (what got the developement out there in the first place.)

You may have to check out villas. Caribbean overall is an expensive destination, and especially your choices (T&C and Anguilla)

you are going to have to give up some of what you're looking for, but then you may want to start with Mexico. (Costa Maya/Playa Del Carmen, Akumal area.)

As always, well said, Blamona.

Take a good look at St. John. 3/5 of the island is undeveloped and belongs to the National Parks Service (thank you, Lawrence Rockefeller). That's the first island that came to mind when I read your post. Ajax and I must be on the same wave lengths.

You'll fly into St. Thomas. The airlines usually offer cheaper rates during July, so there might be some savings for you.

If there's anyway to fit Caneel Bay in your budget, it's well worth it. There's also a Westin Resort that we didn't care for, but friends have enjoyed it.

The TA St. John forum should be able to help you out.

Good luck!

You have all been very gracious. I especially love the detailed descriptions by blamona - thank you. I do have another question though. While St. John and Grand Caymen have both been recommended a couple of times, I spoke to a concierge at a resort I'm interested in and they recommend Grenada or Martinique. Anyone know anything about those islands? Absolutely no one in any forum has mentioned either place so I was surprised when the concierge recommended it. Its supposed to have the look and feel I'm going for with the water sports for my husband. But neither place seems very popular with "travel experts" like TripAdvisor, Conde Nast, Fodors, etc. Anguilla and Turks and Caicos are rated the best islands, the best resorts, the best beaches. So naturally, I'm suspicious and rely on the forums for the real scoop.