USVI-On-Line

Well, I need some advise please! I am thinking of trying to stay at Virgin Gorda next trip. 8/22 thru 8/31 to be exact. The problem is our flight does not land at STT until 4pm. It looks like getting to VG that day is impossible. Do I have to stay overnight in STT and if so where should I stay? What is the best way to VG after that? We never have made it to VG and are looking for something different to do.

Looks like the Ferry direct from CA to VG runs infrequently. Probably have to go from CA to Tortola and then across. I've heard of a service called
"Speedy's" they have a web site. I haven't been to VG in a while but I hear the BBQ (Fridays I think) at Leverick Bay is fun. The Bitter End Yatch Club has a nice buffet as well. My favorite place, The Pirates Pub ( I get a reminder of the toe I broke making my way to the bathroom after one to many pain kilers each time it rains )was unfortunatley gentrified a number of years back and is now a condo/resort called Saba Rock.

DELETED

Best BVI ferry info by far is link below. This is FAQ page plus drop down menu in middle of page for schedules.

The “direct” ferries do not seem to match up to your dates (Inter-Island on Thurs and Sundays and Speedys on Tues, Th, and Sat.) The latest ferries from STT to Tortola on Fridays looks like 4:30, so that wont work. Speedys “direct” Sat ferry doesn’t leave til 3:30, however there are plenty of earlier ferries that will get you from CA to Tortola, then switch over to one of the daily Tortola to VG ferries. It may take similar jumping through hoops logistics to get back to STT to catch your flight home.

This is just from a quick look – please confirm these logistics yourself.

See how hard it is to get to and from VG? Thats why nobody should go through all the bother of going there. (I need to change my avatar)

http://www.bestofbvi.com/info/info_bviferry.htm

Many here recommend Crystal Palace in STT. If you book with them, ask them for BVI ferry advice.

http://www.crystalpalaceusvi.com/

I don't know if it's a possibility for you, but this would all be a lot easier if you flew directly to VG or at least to Beef Island (Tortola). Both can be reached by air from San Juan. I don't know about from Florida.
It's a short ferry ride from Beef Island to VG with several ferries daily.
Here's a good source for info about BVI travel logistics:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/ ... &Board=bvi

I would consider a charter flight from STT to VG, if you have already purchased your tickets. Otherwise, flying directly to Beef Island is going to save you time and $$. If you got lucky you might be able to catch the last Tortola ferry from STT and get one going to Road Town and just make the 6PM VG ferry from Roadtown. After that, it looks like Speedy's has a 10:30PM ferry, but you better call to make certain (http://www.speedysbvi.com/). Sounds stressful to me. JMQ's link on ferries is great.

The other options are water taxi or spend the first night on STT. I vote for first night on STT.

As Lex mentioned, TTOL is the best source for BVI info.

Good luck!

Cheers, RickG

The folks on TTOL are all abuzz about the severe cutback of capacity to Beef Island (EIS) by American Eagle coming in Sept. There may be a significant domino effect with lots of those folks now forced into STT to get to their beloved sailboats and BVI.

Well, Jorge & Lex we have have 2 r/t tix's from TPA to STT on those dates $330 bucks for both. So San Juan is not an option. Speedys is also not an option as we do not land in STT till 4pm. RickG wrote I vote for first night on STT. I think there is no choice. We can catch Seaborne 9:35am from CA the next day but they are sold out for the return trip 8/31. I think that is OK as we have time to take the ferry back that day. Sooo... That leaves 2 ?'s. Where to crash cheap for 1 night in CA and catch an early flight with Seaborne? Second option, Fly to STJ 8/22 and stay 6 nights, then take the ferry to VG 8/28 and stay 3 nights. Are any villas avaliable for 3 nights on VG in the teeth of hurricane season?
As always, THANKS! ...Gizzmo

We like the Crystal Palace B&B and Ronnie is a forum member. They pick you up at the airport and the first drink is on the house! Restaurants are walking distance. Very comfortable.

http://www.crystalpalaceusvi.com/

Cheers, RickG

Have you considered Sunshine Air? I have never used them, but just saw that they have a 5:30 pm flight from STT that arrives in Virgin Gorda at 5:45 (I am sure that this is 5:45 island time). There web site lists a flight as $125 each way. Perhaps this would be an option for you.

Di

All things considered, Air Sunshine from STT sure looks like the best and simplest option to me.

Sunshine Air is the answer! Thanks EVERYBODY!