toddler friendy island (NOT a resort!!!)

mehull · Joined: 11 Jan 2012 Posts: 1 Location: Twin Cities, MN

Hi,

I am really hoping for some direction. My own searching as turned up very little - probably because i don't have a good starting point. We (my husband and I) are interested in taking a caribbean vacation with our 3 year old. However we're not at all interested in being in our own little resort bubble. From what i can tell a family friendly vacation to the caribbean means an all in one resort where the kids can be dumped so the adults can play! No way! I want a beautiful spot we can enjoy together!

I'm interested in finding a toddler friendly island... a place where we can independently explore the island, spend time on a beach while our toddler splashes in the water, perhaps a hike to see the view or explore rock formations along the shore. Walk / bike into town for homestyle/local meals. Perhaps wander local markets. I'm not sure if an island could be too small, but if there are too many cars zooming around it could definately be too large?

While i'm more interested in identifying the appropriate island over lodging, lodging wise, i could see renting a small cottage, or staying at a B&B. While it's contradictory in the (toddler friendly) above description i love the sound of the ocean. I'm interested more in a delightful type of location. I don't have a tight budget and i don't want a super simple room, but i'm not interested in paying for pampering type luxuries. Would that place us in a middle / value oriented type location? An Ecofriendly cottage or b&B is attractive. A not too simple cottage on a toddler friendly beach would be attractive, etc., etc.

TIA!

Regards,
Melissa