By Emily Kruckemyer and Brad Kovach

updated 4:12 p.m. ET May 26, 2006

Everybody loves a bargain, and that's why many of us wait until high season passes to take our Caribbean vacations. Not only are room rates as much as 40 percent off peak, but it's also the time when resorts do back-flips to entice the budget-conscious with package deals combining fun and games, spa treatments, airline tickets, meals and more.

To get you the best bang for your hard-earned bucks, we've scoured the region to find the sweetest low-season specials. These aren't backpacker-budget, sleep-on-the-sand packages, they're great values on quality Caribbean vacations.

So whether you're looking for a romantic rendezvous, indulgent retreat, sporty escape or family bond-athon, these deals will get you where you want to be, at the very nicest prices of the year.

Romantic vacations

Turks and Caicos: Nothing says hubba-hubba like jetting down to Provo for a romantic romp on Grace Bay Beach. The intimate water's-edge Turks & Caicos Club makes the ideal setting for a dreamy four-night getaway, complete with champagne in your oceanfront suite, a 30-minute in-room couples massage, a poolside candlelight dinner at Simba and daily breakfast. Slip away on a half-day snorkeling excursion to Iguana Island, or sail on a wine-and-cheese sunset cruise. Package: Romantic Escape by the Sea. Rate: $2,395. Available: June 1 to October 31. Web site: www.turksandcaicosclub.com.

Turks and Caicos: You don't have to be just-married to appreciate the four- and seven-night romance packages at The Palms, a posh member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, also located on Provo, Turks and Caicos. Not only are the savings something to sing about -- 45 to 55 percent off prime-time prices -- but the upgrades and amenities will have you hitting the high notes: an ocean-view or oceanfront suite, a couple's massage at the resort's extravagant spa, a bottle of champagne, a special dinner at the superb Parallel 23 and daily breakfast. Package: Romance. Rate: $1,600 for four nights; $2,650 for seven. Available: Through December 19. Web site: www.thepalmstc.com

Grenada: Grenada is a rolling, mountainous island covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. But you may never see the outside of your room after popping open the Honeymoon Kit at Blue Horizon Garden Resort. In it you'll find Grenadian Love Tea, Cinnamon Body Oil, Honeymoon Rum and a Clove Dream Pillow. Put the goodies to use in your deluxe one-bedroom suite during the seven-night stay, which also features daily breakfast and a dinner at La Belle Creole. If you do break out of the boudoir, you'll enjoy an island garden tour and a scuba lesson for two. Package: Romance Honeymoon. Rate: $1,374. Available: Through December 15. Web site: www.grenadabluehorizons.com

Aruba: Marriage doesn't have to mean compromise at Divi Aruba All Inclusive and Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive, where the elegant lounges, sports facilities, restaurants and amenities are open to guests of both resorts. The neighboring properties offer the same honeymoon package, which includes a candlelight dinner at Sunset Beach Bistro, a party for newlyweds, a bottle of bubbly and a certificate for a free night to celebrate your first anniversary, same time next year. Package: Honeymoon. Rates: All-Inclusive at Divi ($374 to $434) and Tamarijn ($354 to $374) Available: Through December 22. Web site: www.diviaruba.com.

Aruba: Get off on the right foot with an idyllic honeymoon in Aruba, where you and your new spouse will be treated to a four- or seven-night retreat at the family-owned Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort. You'll be nestled away from prying eyes in an ocean-front studio with a Jacuzzi and kitchenette. For just $50 extra per night, you can make the trip even more magical by upgrading to the swanky honeymoon suite. A bottle of champagne, cruise for two and dinner by candlelight at Mango's are part of the deal. Package: Honeymoon. Rate: $799 for four nights; $1,199 for seven nights. Available: Through December 17. Web site: www.amsterdammanor.com

Dive vacations

Bonaire: You and three of your best dive buddies can save more than $500 on a trip to Plaza Resort Bonaire, where you'll have 24-hour access to the property's house reef. You get six days of unlimited air fills for shore diving, a pickup truck for seven days and seven nights in a fully equipped villa. The air-conditioned two-bedroom unit has a kitchen, living/dining room, two bathrooms and cable TV. It's located 100 yards from the beach and pool area. Package: 3-D Drive, Dive Deluxe. Rate: $661 per person for four divers. Available: April 22 to December 15. Web site: www.plazaresortbonaire.com

Bonaire: Feel like you could use a brushup on your snorkeling or diving technique? Black Durgeon Inn & Scuba Center on tranquil Bonaire offers a special that includes personalized training from its instructors -- as much as you need to feel comfortable and confident while exploring what lies beneath. After that, you can further hone your skills at your leisure, day and night, at the foot of the inn's private reef-side pier. The deal includes a double room for seven nights and full breakfast daily. Package: Aquatic Skill Enhancement. Rate: $338 per person; divers add $100 per person for tanks/weights. Available: May 1, 2006, to May 1, 2007. Web site: www.blackdurgon.com

Bahamas: There's no rush-hour traffic to deal with on pastoral Long Island in the Bahamas, but there is an attractive array of beaches, reefs, wrecks and underwater wildlife along two coastlines -- the Atlantic Ocean and Exuma Sound. Stella Maris Resort Club lets you see it all with an inclusive five-night package that features an ocean-view hotel room, round-trip flight from Nassau, three daily meals, evening cocktails and, of course, scuba diving -- a minimum of two boat dives per day (but as many as four). Package: Scuba Summer Special. Rate: $2,800. Available: August 1 to August 31 and October 1 to November 30. Web site: www.stellamarisresort.com

St. Martin: Famous for haute cuisine, St. Martin is gaining more attention for its two marine parks -- one on the French side of the island and one on the Dutch. Grand Case Beach Club has created a pair of scuba packages to entice divers to the sleepier French side: a three-night stay with two-tank dives daily on two days, and a seven-night package with two-tank dives on four days. Included are continental breakfast every morning and nonmotorized water sports. Bonus: The resort is right by the island's famed restaurant row. Package: Scuba Duba. Rate: Starting at $670 for three nights; $1,575 for seven. Available: April 23 to October 31. Web site: www.grandcasebeachclub.com

Honduras: Tons of nature sports plus beaucoup resort amenities equals a great value at Anthony's Key Resort on Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras. You get three single-tank boat dives, two night dives and a buoyancy control workshop; equipment is included. Also included are daily dolphin presentations, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, a beach picnic, island fiesta night, three meals per day and seven nights' accommodations. Package: Dive Package. Rate: Starting at $675 per person for a single oceanfront room. Available: August 26 to November 18. Web site: www.anthonyskey.com

MORE FROM DEALS

Deals Section Front

Boston air/hotel deal from $239 Enjoy a 3-night Toronto getaway European Christmas market tours Girlfriend getaways with shopping perks Chile's wine country, with air, from $2,149 Kenya air/safari, from $2,899 Hotel discounts up to 35 percent across U.S. South and Central America safaris from $1,609 Fall Sin City getaways cheaper than you think Spring thaw cruises, from $493 Deals Section Front   Add Deals headlines to your news reader: