USVI-On-Line

We are different from everone else in that we want to go to Tortola or Virgin Gorda but do not want snorkel or drink, just be on or own to site see (we are staying on St. JOhn). We looked into taking the ferry and then renting a car but Tortola from St. John is far and my husband gets sick on a rocking chair. We were wondering about a speedboat that will just take us there and drop us off without the snorkeling. Is there such a thing or is the ferry our best bet? Is there such a thing that will let us do both islands in one day? It seems like boats always include snorkeling but we are really just looking for fast transportation to get us to BVI. Thanks so much!

We spent 2 weeks on Tortola in May and frankly that was a verrry long 2 weeks for me. I'm curious what you think you're going to do there. Are you going for shopping? You'll find better shopping on St. John. The beaches on STJ are nicer too. I don't mean to bash the BVI but if you're not going to enjoy the boat over there I wonder why you're going to make the trip???

I have to agree. Tortola and Virgin Gorda are nice but there really isn't much to see unless you are snorkeling.
The Baths on Virgin Gorda are nice, very cool in fact but there is not much else to see.
If your husband gets seasick, save the money and chill out on a beach in St. John or take the Red hook ferry to STT and get a taxi tour, go to Mountain Top, hit Magens Bay for a walk along the beach, check out the history of downtown Charlotte Amalie and do a little shopping.

Diana2 wrote:We spent 2 weeks on Tortola in May and frankly that was a verrry long 2 weeks for me. I'm curious what you think you're going to do there. Are you going for shopping? You'll find better shopping on St. John. The beaches on STJ are nicer too. I don't mean to bash the BVI but if you're not going to enjoy the boat over there I wonder why you're going to make the trip???

We were just going to site see. We just figured that we would be doing snorkeling at St. John and wanted to do our own thing. This is the kind of input we need though, thanks!

We spent 2 weeks on Tortola in May and frankly that was a verrry long 2 weeks for me.

I follow the TTOL board also for the info we needed on our combo STJ/Virgin Gorda trip.
Some of those folks are big time BVI junkies (esp the sailors, some of who barely tolerate us landlubbers).

It was pretty funny to me when I saw St. John descibed there "Disney-like".

And St. Thomas gets no respect at all - it seems like any time spend there is to be minimized at all costs...debates go on about pros and cons flying into Beef Island vs. STT to access their beloved BVIs.

Different strokes for sure...

Can't agree with those who say there is nothing to do on Tortola. If you're interested in just a one day trip it is a nice diversion from STJ and yep you get to see something new. What a concept!!

Your best bet although it may not be your husband's is take the, I believe 8.30ish ferry to the West End, Tortola. It's actually not that long of a ride. But before you go rent a car from Denzil Clyne on STJ and tell them when you arrive and they will have their West End office pick you up.

There are absolutely great north shore beaches on Tortola and stop by Sebastians for some food. Make your way to Road Town and than take the 'highway' back to West End for the 5.00ish p.m. ferry. It is a very nice one day trip. I have some pix of the area if you want to check them out.


www.pbase.com/promoguy101

Two weeks is a pretty long time on Tortola, but 3 nights works well for us. Sage Mountain is cool, literally, and a great viewpoint. Smugglers Cove is fun.

For just a day trip take the ferry to West End and rent a car from Hertz at the Jolly Roger.

But, if it were my money, a day on the beach at White Bay on JVD is great.

Cheers, RickG

Have your husband get a sea sickness patch from his Doctor, they work.
So much of the fun in the islands involves being on the water, might as well enjoy it.
We rent a 28 ft fast boat from Oceanrunners or Naughti Nymph and go to Tortolla and Virgin Gorda on our own, being the one that gets sea sick in the family. I can tell you from experience that in a smaller fast boat you will feel the chop more then you would on a ferry. So the bigger the better for your hubby.
If you go to Virgin Gorda, there isn't much to see but the Baths and that is worth a day IMHO. Just walking through the boulders is amazing and should be experienced once. You will want to have your bathing suits for the trip.