USVI-On-Line

Well... things are coming together for our trip. 5 weeks to go. Passports arrived yesterday for my wife and the girls. Snorkeling gear has been ordered. our copies of St. John Off The Beaten Path and Feet, Fins and Four-wheel Drive are full of multicolor tabs marking our favorite beaches, hikes, etc. (do you guys do that? We have blue tabs for beaches, Pink for hikes, etc. ). We're booked with Captain Phil for one of our days and the girls are going parasailing on one afternoon. We'd like to do one more "excursion" and then spend the rest of the time limin' at the beach.

So... Here's where I could use some of your collective experience. We're thinking about three options...

1. Day trip to Tortola. I have a co-worker who vacations on Tortola every year. Here's what he suggested... (spelling errors are his )

Ferry to Soppers Hole on the west end. Rental Car. Drive over to the north side and see Apple Bay, Carrott Bay and Cane Garden Bay (great place to swin and have lunch) Contact Valeria at Myette's in Cane Garden Bay Tortola. She know where to snorkel. You could just stop here...it's really a great spot. If so you could just get a cab to here for the ferry.
Drive east to Jasiahs Bay (Spelling?) Nice beach
Go to Beef Island and there is a cool little bar call the last resort. It's on an island about 100yards fromthe shore. You call from a phone and they come and pick you up!

Travel back on the south shore thru Road Town...there nothing much there. Then on the way back you can go to Soper's Hole. There are nice little shops and a marina.

Get in the car, back over the little bridge and left to the ferry and back to St. John.

2. Day trip to JVD - We'd probably take the ferry and spend some time at White Bay and check out the Soggy Dollar, then over to Taboo and the Bubbly Pool (it is near Taboo, isn't it?) and then back to Grand Harbor and Foxy's before the ferry back.

3. BVI tour cruise like NH II or Stormy Petral.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards Tortola for a couple of reasons. First, I'm traveling with my wife and two 18 year old girls. A lot of the activities on JVD are bar and drinking related, so that may not be the best choice for the girls. Second, we're going to be on a full day snorkeling cruise with Captain Phil, so the only thing we would miss if we didn't do a BVI tour is the Baths. The Baths would be cool, but I am gravitationally challenged (anyone remember Dom DeLuise? I've been told that I look like him
) and I'm a little bit concerned about climbing around and through those rocks.

So... What do you all think?

Hi Ron,

How to choose?!!! Re Tortola, it's a pretty big island and I think with your itinerary you will end up driving and being in the car most of the day. Of all the BVIs, Tortola was my least favorite, but that's my opinion (Tortola in relation to the other BVIs is sort of what St. Thomas is to St. John, if that makes sense!).

If you want to see the most, then the Stormy Petrel or New Horizons would be the way to go.

As for Jost, that would be my pick. We took the ferry over when we were in St. John in November, it was very easy and short ferry ride and gives you the freedom to spend the day where you want. Cabs were waiting at the customs dock and whisked us over to White Bay, where we had lunch at Soggy Dollar, then we went back to "town" to Foxy's before catching the ferry back at 3. I didn't think we would have enough time to explore the bubbly pool and Foxy's Taboo. Another option, if it's available, would be if Captain Phil takes you over there, with a stop first at Sandy Spit, which is right off of Jost (awesome little island with great snorkeling). Possibly he could take you to Taboo for lunch (I believe there is a dock there) and the bubbly pool, then over to White Bay for the afternoon. A walk through town in Great Harbour is also fun. Yes, there are a lot of beach bars there, but I think that's only part of what makes Jost cool...

Hope this helps - let us know what you decide!

I am against too many day trips. There is too much to see and experience on STJ. You will love your sail with Capt Phil and the girls will probably love parasailing. I found it kind of boring, but I am just weird.

Tortola is nice, don’t get me wrong, but I would much rather spend a day on the beach in STJ. The Baths are very cool, something that should not be missed, in my opinion. Jot is all about having a few drinks and relaxing, there is not really much else to do.

My first vote would be to skip the excursion all together, but if you are set on going somewhere, I say the Baths. It is something that everyone should see in their lifetime.

Ron-L(not a geek)
My vote is for JVD.....we had planned on going there by ferry during our last trip to St. John.( a couple of weeks ago) Unfortunately a health issue prevented us from going....I really wanted to go If your girls are at all like mine were....soaking up the sun and looking at guys will be a great way to spend five hours....oh, and lets nor forget lunch JVD seems to be so charming and laid back....I mean the main street is sand. And besides if you do decide to go, you can tell me all about it when you return home.
Just my two cents....not worth very much since I've been to neither one. Whatever you decide will be great....how can it not be?....mia

Even though we will be in Tortola (for the first time) in 8 short days - for a 4 night stay - - - I still think that I would encourage you to think, again, about the New Horizons II trip.

We took the trip about 2 years ago & absolutely love it!

The best part is that you get to go to 4 fantastic spots:
1) The Baths
2) Lunch at Pussers on Marina Cay
3) Snorkeling off of Guana Island
4) You end up at White Bay on Jost

Even if you don't "climb" through The Baths - I have no doubt that it would be one of the Highlights of the 18 year olds' trip. You can just spend time Limin' on the beach or do a little snorkeling. But, at the same time - you could get a glimpse of those gorgeous boulders.

This trip is great because you also stop for lunch on Marina Cay off of Tortola (which I think was something that your friend suggested) - and you end up at White Bay on Jost (which is absolutely gorgeous) & a lot of fun to watch the folk who have been there ALL DAY drinking it up. I am sure that the girls would get a kick out of it, as well. Also, this past year when we went to Jost - we walked down the beach a little from Soggy's to One Love Bar & heard Foxy's son Seddy sing. It was great.

Again, it is one of the best trips out there - it really gets you to a lot of places.

I agree, that if I went to an island (like Tortola) - I don't know how enjoyable it would be driving from one end to the other. As it appears to be a good hour from end to end.

If you do end up in Tortola, it sounds like you should rent a jeep - so that you can get to Smugglers Cove which is near Sopers Hole. It is said to be the most beautiful beach on Tortola. Cane Garden seems to be a must. Also, take a trip up to Skyworld, if it is a clear day - as the view is supposedly amazing. Also, Sage Mountain is apparently the highest view point in the British Virgin Island with a 360 view. - I will know more after we return on March 4th.

But, again, you might want to re-think a day on New Horizon II.

Sounds like your plans are well underway.

Good Luck!