USVI-On-Line

PA – you are killing me here

We have a split trip coming up in about 2 months – five days at Guavaberry in VG (yes they have some AC units now) then 5 on STJ (likely Caneel – keeping fingers crossed on the off season pay for 4 get 5 nights deal coming around again this year).

Scored a dirt cheap NS out of JFK to SJU (and NS back from STT to JFK) then booked Seaborne which just initiated SJU to VG service in December with 3 or 4 flights a day, which was pretty exciting because they have a pretty good rep and better/bigger equipment etc.

Then I got a call a month+ ago from Seaborne that our fight was flat out eliminated – they already cut back to one early flight a day which is pretty impossible to connect to from the mainland.

So, they have no intention (or chance) of capturing that sizable sailing charter market to the BVIs which is being woefully underserved by American to Beef Island not to mention the sorry state of the BVI ferry system from STT that everybody has been crying about for months over on TTOL. A big market opportunity they gave up on way too soon if you ask me.

Anyways, that forced me to book Air Sunshine from SJU to VG. Now we have used them before from VG back to SJU with no issues, and those Cessnas they run look as old as dirt (when you look close at them LOL), but the pilots are impressively skilled and it is pretty cool to fly over d-ilons that low, so we are rolling the dice with them again, so I guess wish us luck as we ride the preverbal bucket o’ bolts in the sky

mnfun2bme wrote:Depending upon how much time you have, have you considered sailing from one to the other and staying on a catamaran? This has been a dream of mine... I don't even need to be working from home to day dream this one out.

That is a dream of mine too. I just wouldn't want to do it for a full week. I think I would miss land too much. I am going to check out Festiva. Thanks!!

jmq wrote:PA – you are killing me here

We have a split trip coming up in about 2 months – five days at Guavaberry in VG (yes they have some AC units now) then 5 on STJ (likely Caneel – keeping fingers crossed on the off season pay for 4 get 5 nights deal coming around again this year).

Sorry! I certainly hope your flight goes well.

If you stay at Caneel, do you plan on catching the Caneel/Little Dix boat between the islands? Finishing our trip at Caneel is a possibility for the next vacation.

Our travel dates are set in stone because of our jobs and now, our son's school schedule so we don't have the luxury of picking dates based on price. I think I am going to book in and out of STT and if we decide to go to VG first, we will somehow make the transfer over. If all else fails, we will book Dohm's.

Hi!

This year we are doing 6 nights at Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda and 5 nights on St. John at Cielo Vista. Last year we did 7 nights at Guavaberry and 4 nights at Estate Lindholm on St. John.

We have and will fly in and out of STT. We arrive on Thursday and take the 5:00 Speedy's ferry straight from Charlotte Amalie to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. It arrives in VG at about 6:30PM or so. (I believe that they run another direct ferry to VG on Saturday, as well - I think it leaves at 3:30 or so.)

Leaving VG to go to St. John involves a little more effort. There are some days when there are ferries going from VG to either Cruz Bay, STJ or stop on their way to Red Hook/Charlotte Amalie, STT. But, last year & this year, based on the day that we are traveling from VG to STJ our only option is to take a ferry from Spanish Town, VG to Road Town Tortola - then take a taxi to West End, Tortola - then take a ferry to St. John. I know that that sounds like a lot of work and effort. But, really it worked like a charm. And best part, we left VG at 7:00AM. Got the 8:30AM ferry from Tortola to Cruz Bay and arrived at STJ by 9 or so in the morning. So, we were able to get a full day in.

When we "split islands" we prefer to end our stay on either STJ or STT in order to be closest to airport. Would hate to be stressed regarding ferry schedules, etc. and having to go a substantial distance to get to the airport on time.

Getting to Virgin Gorda definitely takes more effort than getting to Tortola, per se - but, if you are ever blessed enough to be able to stay at Guavaberry, you will more than agree that the experience is well worth the effort. The separate lodgings are precious. The grounds are covered in beautiful flowers. The beach is amazing. And there is nothing that compares with the wonder of those boulders in contrast to the perfect blue waters with lovely islands in the distance. If you can't get a place at Guavaberry, we did stay once at Mango Bay Resort. Actually got the cheapest little beachfront suite unit, and loved it.

But, hands-down, Guavaberry is a true treasure. PM me, if I can be of any help.

29 days and counting. WooHoo!!!

Sue (& Jim)

A couple of years ago we spent some time on St John and then went on a sail with Festiva through the BVI. It was probably one of the best vacations I have ever had. On the last day in St John, we took a day cruise with Capt John. Probably one of the highlights of the trip was when we asked John at the end of the day to "take us to our yacht". O-well simple pleasures for simple minds.

If you stay at Caneel, do you plan on catching the Caneel/Little Dix boat between the islands? Finishing our trip at Caneel is a possibility for the next vacation.

PA - I dont think Rosewood is running that LDB/Caneel ferry anymore. Besides, the timing of the trip is built around a Sunday transfer from VG to STJ i.e. one of the days that the BVI public ferry runs direct between Spanish Town and Cruz Bay.

PA - correction: folks on TA say Caneel is running their ferry to LBD and back only on Wednesdays.

I would take the Thursday ferry from Cruz Bay to Virgin Gorda and check into Guavaberry Spring Bay for three nights. Friday, I would to take the fast ferry over to Anegada for a day trip. Rent a Jeep, go find the pink flamingos, check out Loblolly and Cow Wreck and have a lobster lunch of the best Caribbean lobster EVER at the Big Bamboo. Then come back the same day on the fast ferry. Check out Sunday morning and take the ferry back to Cruz Bay. PERFECT!

Hi Jenn, Virgin Gorda hands down. Either Biras Creek or Saba Rock.