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Tortola or Virgin Gorda & STJ
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SanDiegoMark
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:29 pm
- Location: San Diego, CA
Tortola or Virgin Gorda & STJ
Hi everyone! We're thinking about branching out a bit this June and combining a week in STJ (would be our 5th trip) with something new and different - like adding week on Tortola or Virgin Gorda. Any comments or suggestions or recommendations?
We did a week in Tortola and a combined STJ/VG couple of weeks.
We didn't branch out on either Island. Spent most of the time on Tortola on Cane Garden Bay. Lots of restaurants and bars in that area; not very good snorkeling; get's crowded with cruise ship passengers. Loved staying in very affordable accomodations across the street from the beach. Did a day trip (ferry) to Jost. Flew into Beef Island.
On VG, we spent most of our time in Spring Bay (stayed at Guavaberry) and around the Baths/Devil Bay. Good snorkeling, decent restaurants. Very, very quiet. Did a day trip (ferry) to Anegada. Flew into STT, ferried via Tortola to VG (couldn't line up the plane/ferry to catch the more direct ferry).
Overall, we enjoyed Virgin Gorda more than Tortola.
We didn't branch out on either Island. Spent most of the time on Tortola on Cane Garden Bay. Lots of restaurants and bars in that area; not very good snorkeling; get's crowded with cruise ship passengers. Loved staying in very affordable accomodations across the street from the beach. Did a day trip (ferry) to Jost. Flew into Beef Island.
On VG, we spent most of our time in Spring Bay (stayed at Guavaberry) and around the Baths/Devil Bay. Good snorkeling, decent restaurants. Very, very quiet. Did a day trip (ferry) to Anegada. Flew into STT, ferried via Tortola to VG (couldn't line up the plane/ferry to catch the more direct ferry).
Overall, we enjoyed Virgin Gorda more than Tortola.
janet
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ClevelandDave
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:51 pm
- Location: Cleveland
I'm a bit biased (love the BVIs) but I think you'd enjoy either Tortola or VG. Its far more important to select the proper "home base" on either as compared to SJU (which is more "consistent" by nature than the BVIs).
Spring Bay and Guavaberry make for a great, laid-back base on VG. On Tortola, I'd probably stay at Apple Bay and hit CGB some to eat/party. Regardless, the best beaches will require a jeep from most places you'd stay on either island.
If you can handle the pace (or lack thereof), how about Jost and STJ? We did 5 & 5 last year and loved it. Started with 5 on JVD (Sandcastle) for R&R and finished with the hustle & bustle of Coral Bay for the last 5. Great visit.
Spring Bay and Guavaberry make for a great, laid-back base on VG. On Tortola, I'd probably stay at Apple Bay and hit CGB some to eat/party. Regardless, the best beaches will require a jeep from most places you'd stay on either island.
If you can handle the pace (or lack thereof), how about Jost and STJ? We did 5 & 5 last year and loved it. Started with 5 on JVD (Sandcastle) for R&R and finished with the hustle & bustle of Coral Bay for the last 5. Great visit.
I spent 2 loooooooooong weeks on Tortola a few years ago and will never go back. The snorkeling was very poor and we didn't like the island at all. I have heard good things about Virgin Gorda and we have made stops at the Baths and also stopped at the Bitter End on a charter sailing trip but I've never spent time on the island itself. I'm told it's "very very quiet" whatever that means. It could translate to relaxing or boring, I'm not sure which is correct.
@sandiegomark-- Bitter End yacht cluband or Saba Rock was kind of nice and different if heading to VG-- seee my recent trip report or Vicki's for good pics.
I've often thought about staying at a villa on VG or Tortola -- but I generally found the prices higher esp when you factor in the taxes. MAny of the homes it seems also include a live in maid or cook in some cases and that's just not my speed.
Saba Rock or Bitter End would not be a week long stay for me but I'd definitely do 4-5 days there and the rest on STJ.
Another option would be Jost. Smaller but different. Might be too quiet.
I've often thought about staying at a villa on VG or Tortola -- but I generally found the prices higher esp when you factor in the taxes. MAny of the homes it seems also include a live in maid or cook in some cases and that's just not my speed.
Saba Rock or Bitter End would not be a week long stay for me but I'd definitely do 4-5 days there and the rest on STJ.
Another option would be Jost. Smaller but different. Might be too quiet.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
I vote for Tortola
Stayed at Long Bay resort in a beach front cabana..very nice-
We like to beach,read,have drinks on beach-
simple things-we're on vacation
I love Cane Garden Bay.
if you need to drink and dance the night away-
have fun.. not me..
Sebastian's has the BEST rum
Scoob
We like to beach,read,have drinks on beach-
simple things-we're on vacation
I love Cane Garden Bay.
if you need to drink and dance the night away-
have fun.. not me..
Sebastian's has the BEST rum
Scoob
My husband and I decided to do the same thing this past year. We usually go to St. John, but being Caneel was closed we decided to try Little Dix Bay.
We flew into Tortola and took the ferry. We really enjoyed Virgin Gorda but since we were there during low season, a lot of the restaurants were closed. We would have loved to experience more of the island with things open.
Then we wound up taking a private air taxi from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas. It was a great flight! Once we arrived at the airport we took the ferry to St. John. It was a great trip experiencing both islands like that.
-Susan
We flew into Tortola and took the ferry. We really enjoyed Virgin Gorda but since we were there during low season, a lot of the restaurants were closed. We would have loved to experience more of the island with things open.
Then we wound up taking a private air taxi from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas. It was a great flight! Once we arrived at the airport we took the ferry to St. John. It was a great trip experiencing both islands like that.
-Susan
We are "branching out" and trying something new this year too. After many trips to STJ and several to JVD, we are going to Virgin Gorda for 10 days. We are staying at a villa on Mahoe Bay. Looks pretty nice, not too pricey and has maid service (not sure what that means). Everyone says VG is boring, but we kinda like boring. We stayed two weeks on Jost in the Pink House, and our kids loved every minute of it!
Between going to Anegada, a day sail to some tiny islands, a dingy day in the North Sound visiting Saba, Prickly Pear, etc., The Baths, and just limin on the beachesI think that we will have plenty to do!
I will miss being so close to STJ and not visiting, even though I did get a fix last month!
Between going to Anegada, a day sail to some tiny islands, a dingy day in the North Sound visiting Saba, Prickly Pear, etc., The Baths, and just limin on the beachesI think that we will have plenty to do!
I will miss being so close to STJ and not visiting, even though I did get a fix last month!
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ClevelandDave
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:51 pm
- Location: Cleveland
Totally agree regarding Mahoe on Virgin Gorda. We rented a villa there 4 yrs ago and loved the small beach. VG is very quiet and thoroughly relaxing. Don't miss lunch at Top of the Baths and the Friday night Jumbie dinner and entertainment at Leverick Bay. Also had great meal at The Rock.We enjoyed the area and are taking the ferry over for a day while spending 10 glorious days on St John! Looking forward to it as it is bitterly cold here in the Midwest!
Will echo some of the stuff already said. Been to VG twice. Guavaberry is great – the cottages are not fancy, but well maintained and the on site commissary and staff (Val, Tina, and their resident doggies) are awesome. They will help you out with arranging almost anything you want to do, and if you book the rental car through them you get a 10% discount. They manage some villas in that area too.
Only seen good stuff about the villas at Mahoe. Nail Bay further up that side also has some interesting options. I wouldn’t be interested staying at Leverick Bay due to lame beach there. The uber resorts on the north sound could be an option if money is not an issue. Likewise Little Dix, although didn’t care for the vibe there.
Get to the Mine Shaft before sunset so you can enjoy it from their deck and watch the chickens make their noisy and clumsy climb up into trees to roost for the night. Stick to the wraps and great BBQ with homemade potato salad. The Rock is a cool place for a good to great dinner, but be prepared for indifferent service. The Friday night BBQ buffet at Leverick is worth it – fun with the live band and dancing jumbies, but don’t use the complimentary cab service they offer or you may spend a lot of time waiting.
Go to the Baths during off hours early or late, and you’ll have it to yourself with some dramatic lighting. Try the trail backwards down to Devil Bay on the opposite side of the parking area from the Baths entrance. Top of the Baths sometimes has a very good lunch BBQ on the weekends with a live band. The best T shirt etc. shops are there too. Have a beer and throw some darts on the porch at the charming Mad Dogs next to the Top of the Baths.
If you need to get out of the sun at midday and/or need provisions, head to the Yacht Harbor complex in Spanishtown for lunch at the covered courtyard at the Bath and Turtle. Bucks Market is there for the booze and groceries (although the Guavaberry commissary competes real well on price and selections of the basics). Check out the Dive BVI shop there as well as the music store with an awesome selection of reggae CDs.
There was a recent thread on VG with good stuff in it here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=gorda
Also us the search term “Gorda” to pop up other threads. Then do “Anegada” search to see other pertinent threads, especially look for trip report by Chrisn who details the perfect daytrip to Anegada from VG.
Only seen good stuff about the villas at Mahoe. Nail Bay further up that side also has some interesting options. I wouldn’t be interested staying at Leverick Bay due to lame beach there. The uber resorts on the north sound could be an option if money is not an issue. Likewise Little Dix, although didn’t care for the vibe there.
Get to the Mine Shaft before sunset so you can enjoy it from their deck and watch the chickens make their noisy and clumsy climb up into trees to roost for the night. Stick to the wraps and great BBQ with homemade potato salad. The Rock is a cool place for a good to great dinner, but be prepared for indifferent service. The Friday night BBQ buffet at Leverick is worth it – fun with the live band and dancing jumbies, but don’t use the complimentary cab service they offer or you may spend a lot of time waiting.
Go to the Baths during off hours early or late, and you’ll have it to yourself with some dramatic lighting. Try the trail backwards down to Devil Bay on the opposite side of the parking area from the Baths entrance. Top of the Baths sometimes has a very good lunch BBQ on the weekends with a live band. The best T shirt etc. shops are there too. Have a beer and throw some darts on the porch at the charming Mad Dogs next to the Top of the Baths.
If you need to get out of the sun at midday and/or need provisions, head to the Yacht Harbor complex in Spanishtown for lunch at the covered courtyard at the Bath and Turtle. Bucks Market is there for the booze and groceries (although the Guavaberry commissary competes real well on price and selections of the basics). Check out the Dive BVI shop there as well as the music store with an awesome selection of reggae CDs.
There was a recent thread on VG with good stuff in it here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=gorda
Also us the search term “Gorda” to pop up other threads. Then do “Anegada” search to see other pertinent threads, especially look for trip report by Chrisn who details the perfect daytrip to Anegada from VG.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
We rented at Mahoe in February 2009. The house was fantastic and as was the location.
The housekeeping service consisted of someone coming in late morning and tidying up the house. She would make the beds, refresh the towels, take out the trash, clean up the kitchen.
Prior to arrival, I didn't know how I would feel about having someone in our vacation but it worked out just great. The woman at our house was such a wealth of information about the island and she steered us toward many "finds" that we wouldn't have discovered on our own.
We had a great meal at the upstairs restaurant.
Also went to the BBQ and because of what jmp mentioned, it was a fiasco. The taxi was an hour late in picking us. They gave away our table (the manager made the reservations for us) and we arrived at the tail end of the food. It is a fairly hard core party scene. (and we party pretty hard)
In theory, the comp taxi sounds nice. In practice, it wasn't worth it.
VG has a lot less than STJ in the sense it is so much more laid back. Less shopping, fewer restaurants, fewer bars than Cruz Bay. Strolling about town (like in Cruz Bay) was one thing we did miss.
The residents are so wonderful. Everywhere we went, islanders would strike up conversations with us. As I said before, it is like they have a vested interest (I suppose they do) in making one's visit as great as possible.
We had horrible weather during our visit and that clouded my intial feelings about the experience. Now, we can't wait to return. A STJ/VG joint trip would be a wonderful vacation.
The housekeeping service consisted of someone coming in late morning and tidying up the house. She would make the beds, refresh the towels, take out the trash, clean up the kitchen.
Prior to arrival, I didn't know how I would feel about having someone in our vacation but it worked out just great. The woman at our house was such a wealth of information about the island and she steered us toward many "finds" that we wouldn't have discovered on our own.
I agree about the Leverick Beach. Leverick seems to be a great stop over for sailors but the beach is nothing special.jmq wrote: Only seen good stuff about the villas at Mahoe. Nail Bay further up that side also has some interesting options. I wouldn’t be interested staying at Leverick Bay due to lame beach there. The uber resorts on the north sound could be an option if money is not an issue. Likewise Little Dix, although didn’t care for the vibe there.
The Friday night BBQ buffet at Leverick is worth it – fun with the live band and dancing jumbies, but don’t use the complimentary cab service they offer or you may spend a lot of time waiting.
There was a recent thread on VG with good stuff in it here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=gorda
We had a great meal at the upstairs restaurant.
Also went to the BBQ and because of what jmp mentioned, it was a fiasco. The taxi was an hour late in picking us. They gave away our table (the manager made the reservations for us) and we arrived at the tail end of the food. It is a fairly hard core party scene. (and we party pretty hard)
In theory, the comp taxi sounds nice. In practice, it wasn't worth it.
VG has a lot less than STJ in the sense it is so much more laid back. Less shopping, fewer restaurants, fewer bars than Cruz Bay. Strolling about town (like in Cruz Bay) was one thing we did miss.
The residents are so wonderful. Everywhere we went, islanders would strike up conversations with us. As I said before, it is like they have a vested interest (I suppose they do) in making one's visit as great as possible.
We had horrible weather during our visit and that clouded my intial feelings about the experience. Now, we can't wait to return. A STJ/VG joint trip would be a wonderful vacation.