ljv

Our active family of 4 (daughters 12,22) will be spending 3 night's at Frenchman's in Tortola and 7 nights in a Nail Bay villa on VG from Aug 4-14. We like to explore and love water sports, especially snorkelling. Husband and older daughter got scuba certified, but have not dived for 4 years. I've been reading guide books and exploring internet websites, but would like input from actual travellers.

IYO, what is the Best of Tortola and VG...snorkel sites, restaurants, beaches, tour operators,must see/do, etc, etc.

ANY and ALL input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, all!!

P.S. My 12yo will be turning 13 while in VG....any thoughts for a truly special way to spend her day/night. She is very easy to please and loves any new experiences!

Jimmie

I think Spring Bay beach on VG is heaven on earth.

Sunset at the Mineshaft restaurant on VG is an awesome view. Food is decent but not spectacular (great dining is not Virgin Gorda's strong suit).

Jayneann

The Baths are incredible, especially since you'll be able to go when the cruise ships aren't there. First thing in the morning or later in the day is just perfect!

We really enjoyed taking the ferries to both Saba Rock and the Bitter End for lunches. We wanted to rent a little dinghy to do a little exploring on our own from Leverick, but it was always too windy in February. Your daughter might enjoy the Friday night BBQ buffet and dancing with the Jumbies at Leverick Bay too!

We also stayed in a villa at Nail Bay and loved it!! Have a blast!

ishkribbl

We were in VG in April and went on a day trip with Double D charters- snorkeled at the Indians, the caves, the wreck of the Rhone and went to lunch at Willy T's (it was tame at lunch) and we had a great day - there was a 4 person minimum, I think, so it was only 2 couples of us on a 40+ ft boat with a nice, informative and interesting captain who told us about what we were seeing. It was a very fun day- maybe that would be a family birthday trip your daughter would remember.

greenie

On tortola brewers bay is great along with smugglers cove. On virgin gorda savannah bay is wonderful shore snorkeling. We preferred spring bay over the baths because it wasn't as crowded.

Have fun, peace, Greenie

vgvacation

Mountain Trunk Beach in NailBay

mnag

Dont miss the copper mine ruins. Quick trip from town and a really nice picture opportunity. Loved spring bay and savannah bay. you will have a great time

ejcrowe

I agree with a lot of the previous suggestions. Skip the Baths and do Spring Bay instead. It's less crowded and you don't have to pay the access fee. (though it's true that it's fun to do The Crawl between the Baths and Devil's Bay, so if you want to do that, do it early or late in the day to avoid crowds of daytrippers.)

Spring Bay is great for snorkeling & swimming. Mahoe Bay is also pretty good for snorkeling.

We enjoyed our sunset view at the Mineshaft. We went early to explore the copper mine before dinner. Our favorite meal was at the Rock Cafe--reserve a table outside on one of the private terraces for a special dinner.

Our daytrip with Double D charters was the highlight of our trip. At the time it was $95 pp and we made 4 stops, including the outstanding snorkeling at the Indians.

On Tortola we enjoyed Smuggler's and Brewers Bay as well as Long Bay East (by the airport) for snorkeling, but the snorkeling on Tortola didn't compare to Virgin Gorda's.

blamona

From Tortola, do not miss a catamaran trip to Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay-both are stunning (and where all the magazines take pictures in BVIs.) You can also go snorkel and spend the day at Pussers, the one on it's own island by the airport.

From VG, for a completely different experience, you can actually day trip to Anegada, it's flat with long stretches of beaches.

Savannah Bay on VG is also a gorgeous strand, there's an overview looking down on it that will take your breath away.

StanKase

Use DoubleD as others have said and Dave Irwin the owner has both power boats and a 50 foot sailboat. Since you are avid snorler's I suggest you should go out with him a few times. One trip ask for the sailboat and go to Monkey Point and the Dogs. On another trip ask him if he would take a power boat and go down to Norman Island and the Indians(they are together near Tortola).Also ask him to make a 45 minute snorkle stop at Coral Gardens. He may suggest the wreck of the Rhone but it is far to deep to see anything. It is greart for divers.
There is some o.k. snorkeling in Oil Nail Bay. The Baths are more a sightseeing destination with the huge boulders than it is very good snorkeling but it's o.k. You do not need a boat trip for them if you are renting a car for 2-3 days of your stay.In Dec.2010 DoubleD when we used him last he was charging $100/person but he offered a nice lite lunch, soda's beer and even rum punch which I did not try so it may be good.
Anegada is no longer a quality snorkeling destination but the breach that they go to is lovely and the famous fresh lobster lunch where for about $30 you can get a 3lb.loster with chips and a soda or beer.Though you can snorkel there that should not be the reason to go. The trip there is nice the island is peaceful and the lobsters are quite good.
Enjoy.