Which Island is Right for Your Vacation?

Every island has the same or similar crystal blue water, soft, white sand and tasty rum punch. But depending on the type of vacation you're looking for - a place to meet singles or activities to occupy your kids - every resort is not the same.

If you're an avid deep sea fisherman, you'll want to go where the best fish are. If you're looking for that special someone, you'll also want to go where the best fish are - just not the same kind of fish. Here's the low-down on some island vacation spots that might best fit your needs.

Family Resorts

The Travel Channel's website lists Atlantis Resort and Casino (Paradise Island, Bahamas) as the top family-friendly destination. With its water slides, underground aquarium and more than 50,000 animals, it's a great place to have fun in the sun. For adults, Atlantis has 38 restaurants, features leading night club acts and offers a popular casino. And, of course, tons of shopping!

Use your Hyatt points at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino. A freshwater lagoon stocked with fish and wildlife, two water slides and a children's camp are sure to please.

Couples Resorts

Sandals is known for its romantic (adults only) getaways. Sandals has seven resorts in , as well as several others in St. Lucia, Bahamas and Antigua.

The website Luxury Resort Bliss lists the top 100 couples only resorts. At the top of their list? Secrets Capri Riviera in Cancun.

Singles Resorts

Hedonism Resorts in , Jamaica is a legend among the single set. The resort boasts its location as "the pleasure seekers' ultimate playground." They advertise it as a play where you can let your hair down, put your diet on hold, and have a great time with strangers.

The website Singles Vacations Resorts lists Breezes in , Club Med on Turks and Caicos and Riu Ocho Rios Hotel in Jamaica as some of the top 10 places to meet singles.

If you're single and you want to play golf, check out Breezes Bay in St. Ann, Jamaica.

Scuba Diving

The website Scuba Travel offers no sales pitches - just feedback from people who have been there. Under Grand Cayman, people who have been there describe the waters as having great visibility and a wide variety of things to see at a depth ranging from 50 to 200 meters, including sharks and a large variety of other fish, as well as both hard and soft coral.

One person called Blood Bay in Little Cayman "the best wall diving in the Caribbean Sea." In Steel Forest, Nassau, another saw three wrecks in a row, while at Sugar Wreck in Grand Bahamas, a person wrote that they saw more sea life around this wreck than anywhere else they had ever dived. Off the coast of San Andres Island, one of the Colombian Island, a man reported seeing a sunken 737.

Deep Sea Fishing

Destination360 says that Antigua is one of the top fishing spots in the Caribbean, and notes that fishing around Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands will generate a lot of fish. In Aruba, however, you will be required to throw back your fish during the winter months.

If you enjoy the thrill of the contest as well as the thrill of the chase, try the first annual Billfish Invitational in Bimini (May 18-21, 2011), the Dolphin Derby sponsored by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club (held in April), the British Virgin Islands Billfish Tournament (July 17-20, 2011) or the 37th International Release Curaçao Blue Marlin Tournament, held in March in.

Golf

The famous Frommer's travel guide calls the Tierra del Sol Resort, Spa and Country Club on the northwest tip of Aruba one of the "grandest" golf courses in the Caribbean, followed by "Teeth of the Dog" ("one of Peter Dye's design masterpieces") and "Links" at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.

Tierra del Sol is an 18-hole championship http://www.travelocity.com/Vacation-Packages golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II. It includes a full-length practice range, putting greens, chipping areas, clubhouse with golf shop, restaurant, swimming pool and a master planned real estate community.

If you like off-the-beaten path getaways, Cap Juluca in Anguilla considers itself one. Its Temenos Golf Course was designed and built by PGA legend Greg "The Shark" Norman. Paradise Island is also known for its Ocean Club golf course, an 18-hole, 72-par, 7,100 yard property designed by Tom Weiskopf with coastline and water views. A couple of rules to be aware of: Women must wear collared shirts and carts are not allowed to leave the paths.

Destination Weddings

Sandals Resorts offer weddings by Martha Stewart that include management of all the arrangements, including a two-tiered wedding cake, a 5x7 photograph and breakfast in bed the next morning. Brides to be can choose from five Martha Stewart designed wedding themes.

My husband and I were married in Nassau at the British Colonial Hilton and the event was impeccably done. Our ceremony was outside in a garden overlooking the beach. When I wasn't looking into my groom's eyes, I could you could try this out see crystal blue water. Our reception was buffet style indoors, and they left no detail undone.

To do a thorough search, check out the website Island Brides. First search by island, then once you've chosen an island, you can search by vendor, such as videographers or transportation.

Gay/Lesbian Resorts

The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association lists numerous places to stay in the Caribbean for gay singles and couples. Curaçao, for instance, is listed as having "exceptional gay friendly hotels and attractions.

A search on Travelocity for gay-friendly vacations brought up information about St. Croix, Aruba and Bermuda. You can search by the type of trip you are looking for, including, romance, beach and adventure.

According to On Top magazine, Mexico City now allows gay marriages, which is driving GLBT tourism is the area. In addition, more than a dozen sources cited Puerto Vallarta is one of the fastest growing gay destinations.

Wherever you go and whatever you do, enjoy!

Sources:

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

"Bienvenedo to Welcoming Puerto Vallarta," The Miami Herald, Latin & Caribbean Travel section, August 8, 2010

Bimini Big Game Club

Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands

Cap Juluca, Anguilla

"Couples Only All-Inclusive Resorts," Luxury Resort Bliss

Curaçao Yacht Club Destination360

Frommer's

"Gay and Lesbian Friendly Vacation Deals," Travelocity

"Gay Marriage Boosts Mexico City's Gay & Lesbian Tourism," On Top Magazine

Hedonism Resorts

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino

International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association

Island Brides

Scuba Travel

"Top 10 Family Vacation Spots," The Travel Channel

"Top 10 Singles Resorts" section of site, Singles Vacation Resorts

Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club http://suite101.com/which-island-is-right-for-your-vacation-a370392