advice needed eastern Caribbean

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 course (SO),
protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child), birding or other
cute animal viewing, amateur astronomy (view to south and lack of
artificial lights), 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

Forgot: I'll be renting scuba gear, so recommendations of dive shops
with equipment in good condition a big plus!

Also, I'm fond of noctunal activites. Is night diving good in
Caribbean? I've seen amazing video of mantas off Kona, but that will
have to wait a year or so...

In article <1145346281.795746.273770@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>,
wagen13@yahoo.com says...
> To be avoided, if possible: golfers, cruise ship effluent (human and
> otherwise), shopping as usually practiced by cruise ship effluent.

St Maarten is a typical cruise ship slum.

There is good diving on Saba. I've been diving with Sea Saba, and they
ran two boats - one for those with less experience and one for those who
want to go to the more advanced sites. The island is absolutely
delightful. It is a 15 minute flight from St Maarten, or there is also a
ferry that runs a couple of times a week.

<wagen13@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1145346281.795746.273770@t31g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> 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 course (SO),
> protected snorkelling (with our 5-year old child),

Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, diving in St Maarten sucks....but
still better than New Jersey diving.

I like both St Maartens and St Kitts and visit the area often. Enjoy
the diving but the viz can be dodgy and on St Maartens avoiding Cruise
Ship divers can be a lot of work (book on shops not in Fredr proper)
When my children were young we got a cottage in Nevis. It was great.
Diving is excellent. Still go back there a lot. Saba good diving too.
But, the hotels are at the top of a small mountain and the diving is
at the bottom. A bit of trek, especially with kids, to get to the
water every day (most people don't walk it, you need a ride).

"jim frei" <jdfrei@ZZearthlinkZZ.net> wrote in message
news:Lw81g.6453$sq5.2080@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
> Compared to the rest of the Caribbean, diving in St Maarten sucks....but
> still better than New Jersey diving.

Hmmm... Let's see... Warmer... Better visibility... Less toxic waste...
Yeah, better than Jersey...

--
"I don't wish to be argumentative, but I disagree with the Islamic belief
that I should be killed."

On Thu, 20 Apr 2006 09:30:36 GMT, "Grumman-581"
<grumman581@DIE-SPAMMER-SCUM@gmail.com> wrote:

>"I don't wish to be argumentative, but I disagree with the Islamic belief
>that I should be killed."

Infidel!!

"GWB" <gwb3483@eatel.net> wrote in message
news:k4vf4250elhb1t76e4h2n1jj1jn6e0b6fe@4ax.com...
> Infidel!!

How's things treating you since Katrina? Did you finally get the insurance
company to agree that the house was a total loss?

--
Real Jeeps have Real Rifle Racks...
http://www.narcosis-republic.us/real-jeeps

I'm a raw beginner, so a few easy dives with cruisers isn't a problem,
just don't want to do ONLY easy dives with cruisers.

I'm not sure why we haven't given Nevis more consideration. What did
the children enjoy there?

We've been going in circles in planning, and after the work period in
St. Maarten, we are currently leaning toward spending a few days on
Antigua and then 5-6 days on St. Lucia. Anyone familiar with the
Antigua "mini-wall" area described here?:
http://www.antiguascuba.com/

Mike