dare i ask...a trip to the bvi's for something different??

krislbi · Post by **krislbi** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:56 pm

Hello all,
We have booked a flight to STJ for October and after much discussion are considering something different than the STJ trip. We really love JVD when visiting on our day boat trips but don't know what it woudl be like to spend a whole week there...
I was thinking 1/2 week at Gallows and 1/2 week somewhere on Jost. Hubby told me last night, he wouldn't mind doing a whole week in the BVIs so now we are considering all options. Personally, I don't know that I am quite ready to skip STJ altogether but if we did 1/2 in STJ and 1/2 elsewhere, will we regret the travel time bakc and forth?
Should we consider other BVIs? Would it cost a fortune to do 1/2 week on a sailboat?
Anyone have any experience or input?
Thanks in advance.

nancyr84 · Post by **nancyr84** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:05 pm

We have been to St John multiple times. We visited the British Virgin Islands on a day trip and fell in love with it also. Next year we are doing a week on St John and 3 days on Virgin Gorda. VG has a lot more options than Jost . We will see how it goes and who knows maybe we will stay a week in the British Islands next time. Try Guavaberry homes on VG they are highly rated walking distance to one of the best beaches.
Nancy

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:47 pm

It can be $$$ but you can split a vacation at Caneel Bay and Little Dix Bay since Rosewood hotels manages both and their private ferry with take you from one to the other.

BPT · Post by **BPT** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:14 pm

Last summer we split between Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda and Caneel Bay. The very reasonable cost of Guavaberry ($140 in summer) helped balance out the cost of our beachfront room at Caneel. It was a perfect week because the two islands have a totally different feel. We spent four nights on VG and 3 at Caneel. But we needed another day at Caneel. So the ideal would be 4 & 4.

Don't feel guilty about mixing it up with the BVI's. I think that's part of the beauty of these islands. Oh yes, the summer before last we spent 2 nights on St John and 5 on Jost. It was about 3 nights too long on Jost, for us, and obviously there's never enough time on St John.

We're spending 5 nights on Peter Island next month which will be totally different for us. But we thought we'd give it a try.

Have fun whatever you decide!

maydreamer · Post by **maydreamer** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:21 pm

My husband and I went to JVD for the day and we fell in love...we were thinking of going there for the week and taking day trips to hang out on St. John...he wants to be a beach bum for the week and that works for me too! has anyone stayed at sandcastles? or are there any decent rentals there?

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:30 pm

I have been to STJ 4 times in the past 4 years, and this year decided to try something different, too. Spent 4 nights at Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda and 4 nights on Anegada. It was a fantastic vacation. The boulders on Virgin Gorda are spectacular and the complete and utter isolation (relaxation) on Anegada was incredible.

Here are a couple of photos from the two islands. I don't think you can go wrong with a vacation in the BVI's.

Ken

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Mon May 19, 2008 5:51 pm

Gorgeous pictures, as always, Ken!

AquaGirl · Post by **AquaGirl** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:17 pm

We've been to STJ twice and absolutely loved it and plan to go back. This year we spent 7 days on Virgin Gorda (Guavaberry) and 5 days on Tortola (villa) and just got back. We like to see different places and had talked to others who love the BVIs, so we decided to give them a try. We really enjoyed both VG and Tortola. They are different from STJ, and have their own beauty, nice beaches, good snorkeling, and great restaurants. One big difference (to us) is that VG and Tortola have a lot of West Indian culture, while STJ has more U.S. culture and food. We enjoyed that aspect of the BVIs.

mark & susan · Post by **mark & susan** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:39 pm

Thanks to the initial poster and the responses.

We also have also been thinking about a "year off" from STJ. We love it - it feels comfortable - but might also branch out for a year.

We've SXM 3 times, looked hard at St. Bart's but the required landing in a STOL plane was hard to get over, and it's too formal/not laid back enough a vacation for us.

What I appreciate about this board is that a post of this nature is treated with respect and shows the openness of the participants.

Thanks!

lisa mcg · Post by **lisa mcg** » Mon May 19, 2008 7:34 pm

We are headed to Virgin Gorda next year after St John this year..it was out 1st visit to St John (total newbies compared to the forum members),and though we absolutely loved it, (and I hope we don't regret our decision to go to VG), we are of the mind set as someone here previously quoted, "so many islands, so little time."

We also like the West Indian culture of the BVI's and look forward to that again.

We've rented Christa Villa in Leverick Bay for two weeks and it looks fabulous!

Take the leap...try something new, and good luck:)

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:12 pm

We've enjoyed staying on JVD, Tortola (many times) and Anegada. We still need to do VG right. Anegada is the place that calls me back. On JVD I think White Bay Villas or Perfect Pineapple is where I'd prefer to stay.

Cheers, RickG

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:05 pm

We've stayed on Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Loved them both, especially being able to get reasonably priced accomodations on or very near the beach.

We've done day trips to both JVD and Anegada and hope to spend a few nights on each soon.

If your flight to STT lands early enough, you can make it to Tortola and beyond on the same day.

Give it a shot!

janet

PS - Ken - your photos blow me away every time. Simply gorgeous

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:39 pm

krislbi wrote:Personally, I don't know that I am quite ready to skip STJ altogether but if we did 1/2 in STJ and 1/2 elsewhere, will we regret the travel time bakc and forth?
Should we consider other BVIs? Would it cost a fortune to do 1/2 week on a sailboat?
Anyone have any experience or input?
Thanks in advance.

The extra ferry time is something to consider depending on where in BVIs you go, although there are certainly worse ways to travel. Also consider if you are the type that prefers that once settled in, to be planted in one location. We dont mind moving place to place if the payoff is worth it.

Re the sailing question, thats a whole other world. Havent done it, not sure if we would like it for a week. Have heard it compared camping on the water, others compare it to heaven. Many who do it love it and return to the BVIs just to bareboat yr after yr., spending little time on land. Certainly the BVIs are one of the most popular sailing areas in this hemisphere.
The TTOL forum is very sailing-centric, although they have come to tolerate us landlubbers more in recent yrs. Used to be if you asked a where to stay on VG question you got 3 replies, but if you asked which whatchamacallit knot to use on the mailsail, it got 19 replies.

laxcat · Post by **laxcat** » Tue May 20, 2008 2:11 am

WOW ! Those pictures are gorgeous !

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:03 am

Jeez all these questions about the BVIs from STJers. Whats up with that? I am reminded of a quote from the philosopher Yogi Berra: "Nobody goes there anymore; it's too crowded."

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