Anegada

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:33 pm

Opening up a new thread.

Spent 2 nights there last week. Its a quiet island. Almost a throw-back to the way the Caribbean was years ago.

Probably excellent snorkeling on the northshore beaches, as the reef is very close. I say “probably” because the northern swell was up when we were there, with low visibility & some strong current to deal with. But wife Jackie loved the beaches Loblolly & Flash of Beauty. Had them all to ourselves one day, then almost as crowded as a slow Trunk the other day, due to an infestation of cruisers.

Neat beach shacks at Loblolly (Big Bamboo) and Cow Wreck Beach bar. Great conch fritters at Cow Wreck. Beer $4 a bottle.

Southshore road is paved, but roads leading to northshore beaches turn into sand tracks.

Otherwise, very few stores available for snacks, beer etc. Forget anything like Starfish or Mongoose Junction.

We stayed at Neptune’s Treasure hotel, which was clean, quaint, and had a nice view down to the major VIs. No inconveniences. Excellent lobster dinners. $50 for three-pounders, which is decadent. Honor system at their bar, which was cute.

There is a “dive shop” at the Anegada Reef Hotel, but it operates sporadically, as they don’t have any dive staff. (They have to come over from Virgin Gorda, and currently there are some work permit issues going on.)

Not sure if we would go back again, mostly because it’s a chore getting there, and its limited on what you can do. But the locals were friendly, and the beaches were great. In fact, reminded us of Elbow Cay in the Abacos … only quieter.

PA Girl wrote:
IslandElle wrote: RickG, you say Anegada is REALLY rustic? Can you elaborate? Like your bathroom is dug in a ditch rustic? lol Or like eco tent rustic?
Not RickG but I think I can give you some Anegada information.

No, not that rustic They have modern plumbing.

I researched splitting VG and Anegada but then we decided to do just VG. When we went of VG, the plan was to fly down to Anegada for the day but the weather didn't cooperate.

From what I gathered, visitors should be prepared for blackouts, severe water rationing, cows on the beach and a general low level of services. There just simply isn't much of anything there.

IslandElle · Post by **IslandElle** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:59 pm

Thanks for the rundown!!! Were you going over from STJ or STT?

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:30 am

Sounds great to me. How did you get to Anegada?

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:38 am

My statement of "not much of anything" was meant to be a good thing

John LMBZ06 · Post by **John LMBZ06** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:31 am

It is a hard island to navigate a boat around since it is shallow with a lot of reef. We spent a couple of days out there and had to anchor the boat out a ways because of it. I really like this island though and yes, the snorkeling is great out on the north shore. The beaches are fantastic. The island is very flat and the water can get choppy going out there during the winter. Everyone on our boat thought it was the best time we had on that particular trip. If you get a chance, go there.

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:54 am

bubblybrenda wrote:Sounds great to me. How did you get to Anegada?

This all came about because I just turned 60, and had wanted to do Anegada-da-vida for a long time. Bucket List thing.

We arrived at Cyril King @ 1230pm on Sunday the 8th. Had reserved a taxi beforehand with Rachel to get us to the 145pm Native Son ferry to Roadtown. (Having our bags checked by Continental for Priority Handling really helped.)

Stayed overnight in RT at Maria's-By-The-Sea, which is a decent hotel (but $130 a night plus tax!)

Monday, took the 645am (yes, 645am!!!) RT Fast Ferry cat. Brief stopover in Virgin Gorda. Seas were initially in the 6ft range, but the cat handled them well, and they settled as we approached the lee side of Anegada.

On Weds AM, we took the Roadtown RTFF back to Tortola, arriving at 930am. Taxied over to West End, where we had breakfast at Jolly Roger.

Ferried over to STJ at noon. Then stayed at Gallows until Monday.

We originally considered staying in Anegada for 4 nights, but some folks I discussed this with thought that 2 nights would be better initially. I tend to agree with them, as Anegada's "chill atmosphere" might be too relaxing for some. Unless you're content sitting in a hammock, reading a book, and sipping on a Carib. (Besides, Jackie liked the idea of 5 nights on STJ instead of 3!)

So, you can see that you have to commit yourself to alot of travel connections if you want to go to Anegada. I don't think it can be done as a day trip from the USVI, unless you charter a powerboat with a captain willing to navigate Anegada's barrier reefs.

But its remoteness is what makes it special. I'm glad we went.

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:24 pm

Thanks for all the travel connection info JohnM. I'm going to cut and paste that for future info because I hate making travel plans but now that you've laid them out (very succinctly I might add)it actaully seems like a doable trip to add to my bucket list too.

Life is good!

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:04 pm

This is a pic of the sunset on our 1st day. Thats Pomato Point in the foreground.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/4 ... 287"></a>

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:07 pm

And here's a pic of Loblolly Bay, with Jackie & her sis beachcombing.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/4 ... 268"></a>

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:11 pm

Saweeet pictures. Thanks for sharing them.

JohnM · Post by **JohnM** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:02 am

Forget what I said above about the difficulty in getting to Anegada from the USVI.

Just found out that, last Sunday, one of the ferry companies (prob either RoadTown Fast Ferry or Smith's)did a special one-day roundtrip from STT to Anegada. Don't know if it was from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook.

Both have offices in CA, so you don't have to call the BVI to find out how often they'll do this trip.

captainjay · Post by **captainjay** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 5:59 am

The company that is running monthly service to Anegada is Inter Island the same one running the Jost Ferry service.
If you are going to Anegada for vacation not just a day trip I would seriously consider either flying into Beef Island in the BVI or fly into St Thomas and charter a flight through someone like Ace Flight Center to fly you directly there. All the overnight stays and ferry rides and connections kinda defeats the purpose of a relaxing vacation.

Although I have to say the best way to see the island is to fly into St Thomas, charter a sailboat and spend a week or ten days sailing around all the islands including a couple days at Anegada, just sayin.

Jay

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:14 am

I like the idea of flying to SJU and the Anegada for a downhill vacation - Anegada->VG->STJ. St. John would seem urban after that itinerary!

http://www.bvi-airlines.com/

Cheers, RickG

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:13 am

I found this "Anegada site" while researching GPS' today, thought some of you might appreciate it...

http://www.nwmangum.com/Caribbean.html

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:18 am

sherban wrote:I found this "Anegada site" while researching GPS' today, thought some of you might appreciate it...

http://www.nwmangum.com/Caribbean.html

That is a fascinating website, in my opinion. Be sure to take a look at Walker Mangum's recent photos from the air.
http://www.nwmangum.com/BVI2010-January/index.html

usvi-on-line

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Anegada

Anegada