USVI-On-Line

My apologies for posting this on a USVI board, but its the best forum!!!

Background: Flying into STT 12/15. Staying on STJ for four nights. Originally going to stay final 2 nights on STT, but may change this.

I was going to propose to my girlfriend during the trip, but I got the itch and decided to do it before. We agreed that we are going to do a destination wedding, and the BVIs have been selected (long story). Jost is gorgeous, but not enough activities besides drinking. Tortola is the next choice.

So, is it worthwhile to spend those two nights on Tortola, scoping out beaches for the wedding? If so, can anyone recommend moderately priced accomodations, as well as a rental agency?

Thanks Forum!

Tim

We just took a day trip to Tortola, we went to Cane Garden, I have to say, I was not impressed at all. If you want to see old men wearing speedos while getting married that is what you will get.
St. John has much prettier beaches. I have not seen other parts so I might be wrong. I just did not get a good vibe from that Island.

Sandy

I agree this is the best forum... but you may want to check out Travel talk on line BVI. You will find good BVI realted info. Have you thought about Virgin Gorda. The beaches, especially the boulder beaches are very beautiful.

Tortola is not where I would go for a wedding. VG or STJ, definitely. We like Sebastians for inexpensive short stays. Its near Bomba Shack and a restaurant we like, Coco Plums.

Tortola is much larger, more spread out and less idyllic than St. John or Virgin Gorda. Remember that your guests would need passports for Virgin Gorda or anywhere in the BVIs, but not in the USVIs.

Good luck!

Cheers, RickG

My husband and I got married on St John in 2002. Trunk Bay, LATE in the afternoon...PERFECT. There were very few people on the beach...it was hot but not like 1:00pm hot...we drove to Chateau Bordeaux for a candle lit dinner...I wouldn't change one second of that day...it was wonderful...I agree with RickG if you're going to choose BVI I would go with Virgin Gorda...so much nicer...

I'd suggest that you go over to Tortola for the day and look around. I'm pretty sure that you'll decide to look for another wedding destination.

i have to second or third what folks are saying-esp for a destination wedding...
Getting to Tortolla can be a pain--also the the need of a passport can be problematic for some folks- and it really isn't as scenic as St John--
i would have to second Rick G if you are set on the BVI then VG is the way to go (but getting there is even more of an issue!)

We stayed on Tortola yesars ago at Long Bay (north side). Nice beach, large waves. Best beach/water was just to west of Long Bay, Smugglers Cove. Unfortunately, difficult to get there (rough road). Tortola was way laid back (even for the islands in general!) and a longer trip to get there (Ferry STT - Tortola or STJ - Tortola, clear Customs).
Can't remember first wedding in US (34 years ago) but remarried same girl on STT at Secret Harbour, a great location and memory. Maybe on our 50th (!) we'll do it over again on STJ, probably Trunk.
Best wishes for a great wedding.

[quote="DCphoto"]We just took a day trip to Tortola, we went to Cane Garden, I have to say, I was not impressed at all. If you want to see old men wearing speedos while getting married that is what you will get.

Turtles and teabags . Sorry, I momentarily regressed .

On a more serious note, surely STJ would have much more enticing beach wedding options than Tortola.

Smugglers Cove is an absolutely wonderful beach - the road is abit bumpy, yes, but perhaps that is what inn part makes it so special when you ge there. While the vote here seems to be for the picture postcard STJ, Tortola has a nice vibe that grows on you the more time you spend there.

Rick G's Sebastian's recommendation is a good reasonable accomodation spot. Cheryl at Purple Pineapple rents many properties. I say go and check it out! Focus on the north shore. Variety is the spice of life and all....an evening at Quito's is pretty special as well.

This topic has brought me out of lurking. St. John and Tortola are two wonderful places. Tortola is more laid back than St. John in my opinion. Everyone that has pointed you to Smugglers cove is correct it is spectacular and a terrible road to get there, but once you do......WOW

If your interested in Tortola contact Lisa at Caribbean Days which is a sponsor of this web site and she can advise you. I've rented with her numerous times and they are the best. We're renting Latitude Villa from them this year on STJ.

Check out Casa Luna Villa on their site for Tortola. It is older but it sits right above the beach at Smugglers. I've not rented it yet but it has a great location.Looks like a perfect spot for a honeymoon.

My wife Kate just loves Tortola. The people are exceptionally nice but the beaches and snorkeling aren't as beautiful or plentiful as STJ, it's just a laid back atmosphere. Smugglers is an exception along with a couple of other beaches.

Having said all of the above I'd still get married on St. John. The beaches and views are so spectacular. For our 25th anniversary I had a diamond and emerald ring made for Kate and gave it to her on a sailboat off St. John. I snuck it down to the Islands and she had no idea. We had the captain of the boat we chartered remarry us as I gave her the ring. Man I'm still getting points for that one! You can actually see her ring on the jewelers web stie, www.haasjewelers.com (note you do have to type in the www to get to their site for some reason). Go to their index and click on the Emerald and Diamond ring. The ring is named Emerald Isle. Sorry, I'm getting off subject. It was just a very cool moment.

Regardless you can't go wrong with either but I'd get married on STJ and try staying on Tortola when you really want a laid back experience.

I'd agree with others about Cane Garden Bay on Tortola. It's nice but does not compare to STJ. We've rented homes on Cane Garden and I'd be reluctant to stay on that bay again. NO breezes and noise from the bars is not what I'm looking for when I'm on the Islands.

Best of luck.