There are more than 30 islands in the Caribbean. How do you decide which one is best for your family? To get started, ask yourself the following five questions:

1. What kinds of flights can I get from my local airport? From New York City or Miami, you can often book nonstop service to almost any island; from other cities, however, your choices are limited. The destinations that tend to have the most direct service: Aruba; Barbados; Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Punta Cana; St. Martin; and St. Thomas. If you're bringing small children, you may also want to consider the length of the flight; for instance, traveling nonstop from New York City to Barbados takes more than 4 1/2 hours, while the flight to Nassau is just about 3 hours and the flight to Bermuda takes 2 hours.

2. How hot do you like it? Most islands average around 85 degrees year-round; however, Bermuda and, to a lesser extent, the Bahamas cool off in winter.

This might suit your family just fine, especially if you have grandparents along or your children are very sensitive to high temperatures. Keep in mind that hurricane season typically runs from June 1 to November 30, patterns vary widely from year to year and island to island.

3. What kinds of activities does your family prefer? Some islands, such as Grand Cayman, Bonaire, and Turks & Caicos, are known for their great snorkeling and diving sites because of their clear waters, while mountainous islands like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia offer beautiful scenic hikes. If you're a big beach fan, note that some islands, such as Aruba and the Dominican Republic, offer miles and miles of sand, while other islands have much shorter, cove-type beaches.

4. What is the official language? English is the official language in 19 Caribbean islands; the remainder speak Spanish, French, or Dutch. Your kids can practice their Spanish in Puerto Rico and French in Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Martin.

5. What kind of ambience are you looking for? Eleuthera (in the Bahamas) and St. Kitts feature plenty of privacy, for example, while Nassau (the Bahamas) and Grand Cayman can be hopping with fun-seeking visitors.