a different island

ClevelandDave · Post by **ClevelandDave** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:46 am

Jost van Dyke

If you haven't actually stayed there you can't imagine how wonderfully tranquil it is.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:56 am

Good stuff covered previously on Bahamas out islands here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=bahamas

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=bahamas

Robin in NC · Post by **Robin in NC** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:09 pm

I like what I read about Barbados. The easternmost Caribbean island, it's British and has distinctively different coasts (calm on the Caribbean, rocky on the Atlantic). I want to stay in this house:

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ob ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Qfnovw7ALSA/Skphv ... s.jpg"></a>

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:20 pm

Cleveland Dave beat me to it... if you want SUPER laid back and still be in the VI's Jost is awesome.

I've always wanted to get over to Anguilla.

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:00 pm

I'd love to see some of you write "shorties" about some of these places....I'd like to learn more...and see pics! Anthony has an open topic on this in the OT forum...

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 553#154553

Just sayin'....

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:23 pm

Here's a couple more links to "other island topics/TRs"...

ARUBA--
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=aruba

T&CI--
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=turks

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ight=turks

StJohnbum · Post by **StJohnbum** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:19 pm

STJ #1 and Tortola as #2. Love the people and the area around Steele Point. Great coral snorkle right of the Steele Point decks.

AquaGirl · Post by **AquaGirl** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:01 pm

After St John, we love both Tortola and Virgin Gorda. For us, they both had a laid back vibe, very friendly people, pretty beaches, good restaurants and most importantly, good snorkeling. They both had a decidedly more West Indian feel than STJ does (IMHO). The snorkeling on VG was really excellent when we were there last year. Had really good restaurants too.

For finding groceries on Virgin Gorda, I am with PA Girl, very limited selection of fresh things for cooking at the villa. Had to go to several stores to find stuff we wanted. Although this is more characteristic of most of the other islands we have visited. Starfish is quite a store and has much more selection than most island stores we have shopped.

We flew to SJU, then took Air Sunshine directly to VG. It was a fun way to travel, especially flying by STJ and seeing the beaches. However, you are very limited on luggage weight, so it may cramp your style unless you are a carry on only person.

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:19 am

jmq wrote:Good stuff covered previously on Bahamas out islands here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=bahamas

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... ht=bahamas

Heading to Abaco this weekend for the 5th time. I can't say enough good things about it. It definitely rates a close second to STJ in my book. Simply stunning, remote, and unbelievable locals. Each cay along Abaco has it's own unique personality and flavor. We'll be staying on Elbow Cay this time. I highly recommend it as an alternative if you love St. John.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:32 am

B&J in VA wrote:After St John, we love both Tortola and Virgin Gorda. For us, they both had a laid back vibe, very friendly people, pretty beaches, good restaurants and most importantly, good snorkeling. They both had a decidedly more West Indian feel than STJ does (IMHO). The snorkeling on VG was really excellent when we were there last year. Had really good restaurants too.

For finding groceries on Virgin Gorda, I am with PA Girl, very limited selection of fresh things for cooking at the villa. Had to go to several stores to find stuff we wanted. Although this is more characteristic of most of the other islands we have visited. Starfish is quite a store and has much more selection than most island stores we have shopped.

We flew to SJU, then took Air Sunshine directly to VG. It was a fun way to travel, especially flying by STJ and seeing the beaches. However, you are very limited on luggage weight, so it may cramp your style unless you are a carry on only person.

Ok, so it wasn't just me with the grocery thing! I said somewhere on this forum that I will never again complain about grocery shopping on STJ again after doing it on VG.

So I don't scare anyone away from VG, two big factors came into the food issue.

One - I hate grocery shopping at home and wasting time doing it on vacation annoys the cr*p out of me. Our one villa cooking night involved three different grocery stores.

Two - We are spoiled by good meats and seafood at home AND my family is spoiled by good cooking. Less picky and more patient people would likely have less trouble.

Our PHL-SJU tickets were so reasonable, we charted a private flight from SJU to VG and that was awesome! They took us thru customs and security (both ways) and it really spoiled us.

The out islands of the Bahamas are on our to-do list.

rkurpiers · Post by **rkurpiers** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:40 pm

VickiH wrote: Heading to Abaco this weekend for the 5th time. I can't say enough good things about it. It definitely rates a close second to STJ in my book. Simply stunning, remote, and unbelievable locals. Each cay along Abaco has it's own unique personality and flavor. We'll be staying on Elbow Cay this time. I highly recommend it as an alternative if you love St. John.

I echo Vicki's sentiments x2 with one exception. I rank the Bahamian Out Islands ahead of St. John for a few reasons.

Reason #1: Renting an oceanfront villa is both affordable and easy since there are so many to choose from. Even better, many of the villas come with a private dock - which leads to...

Reason #2: Renting a boat is far cheaper than on St. John AND YOU GET TO KEEP THE BOAT for the rental period without having to return it to the rental company every day - which leads to...

Reason #3: With a boat there are untold number of deserted cays and beaches to explore - which leads to...

Reason #4: Nothing spells romance like running around naked with your SO on a deserted beach with no worries of encountering another soul - which leads to...

Reason #5: When you do find yourself interacting with Bahamian locals you can be assured of a genuinely friendly and warm experience.

I have visited the Abacos once and Exuma twice. Next on the list is Eleuthera and then Cat Island.

If you need a fair amount of night life and high-end dining, the Bahamian Out Islands aren't for you. But if you want to totally disconnect in a place that is relatively crime-free, friendly, and QUIET with beautiful beaches and gin clear water, then you should consider visiting this area just a short flight from Florida.

barefootman · Post by **barefootman** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:35 pm

I second 'the kurp' and vicki - the bahamas out islands are one of a kind. i've got more experience in the abacos, i've been going down for 20 years now. we started out bareboating, captaining ourselves and moved onto renting villas and finally buying down there. if you're looking for a place that not a lot of people have 'discovered' yet, the abacos is definitely worth a look. also, kurp couldn't be more spot on about getting your own rental boat. it opens up a huge range of possibilities, daytrips to private beaches, private snorkel spots, visiting other harbors, fishing, etc.

J

AquaGirl · Post by **AquaGirl** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 5:53 pm

This thread has piqued my interest. I have looked at the Bahama out islands several times because the water looks spectacular, and how fun would it be to rent a house AND a boat to go tootling around to different cays. I love to research and read about different places, however, every time I start reading about these islands, I come across statements about there being so many sharks and you have to be "careful" when and where you swim, etc, etc. For those of you who have been many times, can you tell me if this is a problem? I don't hear about many shark attacks in the Bahamas, so I am not sure if its a real problem or not.

I started looking at houses on Elbow Cay and Guana Cay. Sounds like its best to get groceries at Marsh Harbor from the reviews I read.

nancyr84 · Post by **nancyr84** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 6:09 pm

We went to Elbow Cay a few years ago. I loved the island but I really like to snorkle and there was no snorkeling from shore. If you have a boat I am sure it would be a different story. Next year we are going to Eleuthera , renting a beautiful beach house for a very reasonable cost. I think however that no place will ever replace St John as my number one.
Nancy

AnyTing · Post by **AnyTing** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:30 am

Elbow and Guana are my personal favorites for "where to stay" if you go to the Abacos in the Bahamas. There is snorkeling from shore, just not as much as there is on St. John. On Elbow, there is a great section of reef just out from the beach at Hopetown Harbor Lodge and on Guana there is an AMAZING (think Waterlemon....) section of reef right on shore a very short walk south from Nippers Bar, called High Rocks. You know you are there when you see...well...high rocks. Great snorkeling from the boat can be found at Fowl Cay reef and Sandy Cay reef. AMAZING. As for sharks, I have snorkeled all over the Abacos from shore and from boat on 5 trips and have never seen one shark. Unless you count the drunk guys at Nippers that start trolling for babes around 2:00 on Sundays.....

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