LvSun

Anegada Reef Hotel - loved it. EXCELLENT food. Absolutely nothing fancy about it but clean and wonderful wonderful people work there. A few sailboats come in every evening for dinner and congregate at the bar so you get to meet people from all over the world.

The Hotel and the island are UNIQUE!!!!!!! Flat as a pancake. Rent a car and explore.

Trust me, you will have great stories to tell about your trip that you will not find on any other island.

Took us 3 tries to find the grocery store in the village. No sign on it - was driving by and saw the door open and noticed shelves of food.

Only about 100 people live on the island.

Take lots of books - there is a library but no place to buy books. Of course, you become friends with all the other tourists so you trade books.

mahobaygirl

Thanks for the info. We are thinking about going to Anegada for a day trip while on Tortola, did you snorkel? If so, how was it?

LvSun

Only snorkeled at Loblolly, hung out at Cow Wreck but did not snorkel there. When we were there, the waves and current were wild at Flash of Beauty so did not snorkel there (but was gorgeous to look at).

Snorkeling at Loblolly was good - there was a lot of tropical fish. Depends on how much you have been snorkeling. If you have not been snorkeling much, you might think it was better than good.

Loblolly is pretty protected but there was still a bit of a current the days we were there. So we would start at one end of the beach and let the current guide us down to the best snorkeling area - easier than trying to snorkel straight out.

LvSun

PS. If I am not mistaken, the best snorkeling areas are on the Atlantic side of the island so you find more current than on the Caribbean Sea side of the island. But the Atlantic side is where the coral is (thus the most fish).

We were there in late Jan. Regulars told us it is much calmer during summer, in winter the winds kick up the currents. They also said in the summer the bugs are around cuz the winds have died down.

ejcrowe

Please forgive my piggybacking on this question, but my husband, granddaughter and I will be on Virgin Gorda this summer for a short vacation. We're considering taking a daytrip to Anegada if we can find a beach that will suit all of us. Granddaughter and I like nothing better than snorkeling for hours at a time. Husband likes nothing better than reading under an umbrella and taking long walks. Is there a single beach on Anegada that will provide us the snorkeling opportunities, as well as beach chairs w/ umbrellas or some sort of shade? It's my understanding from reading here that the beach at Anegada Reef Hotel isn't great for snorkeling...what about others around the island?

Moglet

Ejcrowe – I would be tempted to go to either Loblolly Bay or Cow Wreck, both have good snorkelling (although I found Loblolly slightly better than Cow Wreck during May) and wonderful stretches of beach to walk along. They both offer loungers and umbrellas. Alternatively, you could do both. I rented a car and went to Loblolly in the morning and then Cow Wreck in the afternoon. As both do a great lobster lunch you can’t go wrong with either. I swam with 6 turtles at Loblolly which was something else. It was probably one of the best days I’ve ever spent in the BVI. I’ve got lots of photos of both beaches if you want me to email them to you.

Don’t forget to make reservations for the ferry if you’re travelling from Virgin Gorda as I believe Smith’s ferry only travels via VG if there are passengers to pick up otherwise they travel straight from Road Town, Tortola to Anegada. Hope this helps.

LvSun

Loblolly has some wooden beach chairs, a snack bar area before you get to the beach, and a great beach area for exploring. I think the area is run by Anegada. There are not a lot of chairs along the beach.

Cow Wreck has the comfy long plastic beach chairs - that is why I liked going there when I wanted to veg out and just read. The bar and restaurant are right on the beach. It is privately run and offers a couple cottages for rent.

Loblolly waters seemed calmer when we were there so did our snorkeling there. However, have heard during the summer the waters all around the island are calmer.

Most people go to Loblolly so there must be a reason for it. http://www.bvitourism.com/anegada/beaches says " Comprised of miles of secluded pristine beach, Loblolly Bay Beach is ranked as one of the world's best beaches". If you have time, maybe hit both beaches.

For beach and snorkeling, I preferred Loblolly. For chilling out in the sun, I preferred Cow Wreck.

Anegada Reef Hotel runs a "bus" from the hotel to Loblolly. Taxis and rental cars are also available on the island.

ejcrowe

Thanks for the replies, moglet and LvSun! I'll remember that tip about making ferry reservations. We hadn't decided whether to try to fly or take the ferry. Do you know which one takes longer?

So that answers my question about the beach chairs. What kind of shelter or shade is available at Loblolly and Cow Wreck? Not a one of us could take a full morning or afternoon of unmitigated sun, I'm afraid.

Either one of you know if the snack bar at Loblolly is open year round? Of the food on offer, is any of it prepared, like sandwiches or burgers, or is it all packaged? Beers and sodas and such available, right?

Maybe I'm getting all of the reading I"ve done confused, but I thought that Anegada Reef Hotel was on Cow Wreck and that that beach wasn't great for snorkeling. Am I hopelessly confused?

thanks again for all of your guidance!

Moglet

The flight up to Anegada with Fly BVI from Beef Island (EIS) takes approx 10 mins. I believe they also fly from Virgin Gorda. The price includes taxi to Loblolly and lunch at Big Bamboo. When I went in May they had a 4-person minimum – you can travel with less but you have to pay the 4-passenger rate. It’s a flight I will never forget – absolutely amazing as we flew right out over the reef. The ferry trip takes just under the hour from Virgin Gorda.
http://www.fly-bvi.com/daytrips/daytrips.htm

The Anegada Reef Hotel is near Setting Point which is where the ferry docks. Cow Wreck and Loblolly are on the other side of the island. If you take a look at the following webpage it’ll show you where the hotel is in relation to the beaches:
http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/map_anegada.html

I’m not 100% sure if the Big Bamboo closes in Sept/Oct – if you’re planning to travel other than those months I think you’ll be fine. All of the food was prepared at the restaurant and very good it was too, especially the lobster. There are beach bars at both Loblolly and Cow Wreck for sodas, beers etc and both provide some sort of umbrellas for shade.

LvSun

Agree with what Moglett said.

Yes, at both there are shady areas; good food, not just pre-prepared snacks; beer, soda, mixed drinks, and etc.

At the Anegada Reef Hotel website http://www.anegadareef.com/ there is also a link to a map which is helpful. Goto http://www.anegadareef.com/island_map.htm
The red line on the map is the road. Yes, I said "the" as in one road (it does break off and go to the settlement though also).

Hope you do go to Anegada. If you do, be sure to post and let us know what you think.

StanKase

For those who have been to Anegada on a day trip or longer would you expect the firstin the first week of Dec.that on a snorkel sail trip through our resort on VG that the sail boat (62 ft.) would be able to let us snorkel at Cow Wreck and Loblolly or would Cow Wreck be too rough?
Are there other spots since we are in a large boat that are worth stopping at? They tell us we will make 2 or 3 snorkel stops and the more I know in advance the more likely I can get to the "best spots". We are avid snorkelers and will hopefully spend part of 5 of 8 days snorkeling in and around VG. Thanks.

owa

Stankase, I want to wish you a great trip. And, again please post your thoughts on your trip. Happy Thanksgiving. Owa

LvSun

Stan,
Don't know the answers to your questions but goto http://www.anegada.com/.
Looks like you can email these sailing fans and get answers to your questions.

The website says: "We are sailing enthusiasts who live in the San Francisco Bay area and enjoy sailing in the BVIs. We have put together these resources about sailing in the BVIs just 'cause we like it so much. This is a service for ourselves and other charterers. We don't get paid for it"

Also says: "Anegada ... is the only reef based island in the Virgin Isles (the rest are volcanic). Even though it's 9 miles long, it's a mere 28 feet at its highest point. The yachtsman approaching Anegada must navigate through the reefs that are scattered with 300+ wrecks before arriving at the sandy shore."

ejcrowe

Thanks for the correction--I'm delighted to find out that I was wrong! I think y'all have convinced me that a daytrip to Anegada is the way to go.

Stan, hope you're able to get there on your trip!

StanKase

Lvsun; Thanks for the info. I emailed them and hope to get some answers shortly since we leave in less than 2 weeks.

LvSun

You are welcome. Please be sure to post and let us know how you liked Anegada.