danisunshine

What are the differences between these two islands? More vegetation? Less mosquitoes? Activities w/young child? Whiter beaches? Safer to walk alone? Suggestions for hotel under $200 for w/ young child also appreciated. Some that I like look like they may be on the side of a cliff--not good w/toddler! Still trying to decide... THANKS!

laplaya

Tortola (& Virgin Gorda) are
considered safe.

I was looking @ Tortola before, & got the impression that Virgin Gorda has nicer beaches with white sand.

Check out:
http://www.guavaberryspringbay.com/index.htm

(it next to the Baths!)

laplaya

Virgin Gorda & Tortola have mountains, so I read it can be tricky to navigate the roads.
Get a taxi, or rent Jeep.

laplaya

Have you looked at Grand Cayman, which might have more kid activities?

ejcrowe

I enjoyed my trips to both island but personally preferred Nevis. Both are lush and with quasi-mountains, with the edge going to Nevis for both. Tortola definitely has whiter beaches and the lighter colored water, and while I thought the beaches on Nevis were lovely in their own right, the beaches on Tortola more closely fit the ideal of the Caribbean beach.

We walked all over Nevis and Tortola with no fear--the only reason I wouldn't walk on the road at night is a visibility issue for traffic, not a personal safety issue.

With Tortola you can easily daytrip to the other BVI, with Nevis you can easily daytrip to St. Kitts.

I didn't like driving on Tortola--too many narrow roads with blind corners. Some roads seemed too narrow for two lanes, even, such as the drive down to Brewer's Bay. I found the driving much easier on Nevis.

On Nevis, check out the Oualie Beach Hotel. It's probably the only hotel on the island that meets your criteria. The two places I'm most familiar with on Tortola--Sugar Mill and Long Bay--are both a bit over your price range, so I'll leave recs there to other people.

As laplaya suggests, you might want to expand your search to include Virgin Gorda, which has snorkeling and beaches that are even nicer than Tortola's and more accommodations closer to the beach in your price range. Driving there is also quite easy.

laplaya

did you like Nevis, or Virgin Gorda better?

also, which is your favorite Caribbean island?

ejcrowe

Nevis, Virgin Gorda, Bequia, and Grenada are probably in a four way tie for my favorite island in the Caribbean. I also really loved the south coast of Jamaica--the Treasure Beach area. I've never visited an island I didn't like, but some islands won't have to be return destinations for me, such as St. Kitts or Barbados.


I love to snorkel, so Virgin Gorda probably gets a slight edge from me over Nevis. But Nevis has a much stronger West Indian flavor, which I also love. They're both small and easy to explore on one's own. VG is more arid than Nevis and during February might start looking a little scrubby and dry, if that's important to you.

--Both are safe to walk around.
--Both offer acitivities for young kids in terms of the beach & water, but Nevis also has that kids program run by the marine biologist that could be interesting.
--VG has whiter sand beaches
--Both islands will have mosquitos--they're the tropics, after all. Mostly the mozzies come out at dusk and not during the day.
--Nevis has lusher vegetation than VG

Any other deciding factors you're considering?

laplaya

What I look for: lush, tropical, good walking beaches (with turquoise water), snorkeling, white or pink sand, scenic views, great restaurants. Less crowded.

friendly people & easy to get to are bonuses. also a swimming pool.

did you go thru San Juan, or St Thomas?

ejcrowe

We went through San Juan on American Eagle to Tortola and then ferried over. In the future I will probably fly the local carrier directly to VG. I don't like being at the mercy of the ferry schedules.

Nevis has much better restaurants and is more lush & tropical. Both have friendly people and are easy to get around. VG gets the nod for the rest of your wishlist.

laplaya

I thought only nearby airport is in Tortola, so you'd have to fly to Tortola. Then, ferry to VG.

Jimmie

In my opinion:
Nevis vs. Tortola = Nevis

Nevis vs. Virgin Gorda = VG

laplaya

was Virgin Gorda your favorite out of Nevis, VG & Tortola?

Jimmie

Yes -- better beaches and snorkelling on VG. But as others have mentioned, Nevis is much more lush and has better restaurants (though you can find decent restaurants on VG).

eyeduck

Agree w ejcrowe. We were at Long Bay on Tortola 2 years ago, and Oualie on Nevis last year. The view at Long Bay was better, but the Tortola driving? YIKES! We'd gladly return to Nevis and stay at Oualie. For kids activities, if they like beaches, Pinney's Beach on Nevis is a gorgeous long strech of beach where you should have no trouble getting them tired out! We also found the residents of Nevis MUCH friendlier than on Tortola. Hope this helps.

ejcrowe

laplaya, there is a tiny airport on Virgin Gorda that tiny airplanes (6 seaters) can fly into. Air Sunshine is one of the airlines that flies in, and I know you can connect through San Juan and Tortola to fly there. You might be able to fly there from St. THomas but I'm not at all sure.

beachplum

First, the roads on Virgin Gorda are not tricky at all. In fact, they are pretty good - the road to Nail Bay is unfinished and a bit bumpy and the roads out near Levirick can be tight but otherwise, no problem. Tortola is a bit harder. And, yes, Virgin Gorda has more and nicer beaches. It is also less populated and has no "town" per se like RoadTown. It is less developed and accomodations are more spread out. I think you have more choices of accomodations right on wonderful beaches on VG. Actually larger planes than 6 pax fly to VG from San Juan and it is easy to switch to Air Sunshine for the trip in SJU.

Actually VG is among the top of my choices (only been to Nevis for a couple of nites and would love to return). I do not like Tortola but then I am a beach person and want to be directly on a wonderful beach and IMO, Tortola's don't even begin to match VG's. It is a good island to sail, ferry, day trip on charters from bu with a young child, not sure you want that. Check out Mahoe Bay properties on Virgin Gorda too.

BTW, you provision with Bobby's on Tortola and they deliver your order to your villa on VG - if you are looking at villas, It can all be done on line. Also Little Dix Bay is very family friendly and a great spot with a little one but there are less expensive spots too - Mango Bay on Mahoe, for example.

ejcrowe

beachplum, I don't think anyone said that the roads on VG were tricky. Just Tortola. In fact, I awas amazed at how nice most of the roads on VG were. Nice and wide, and beautiful views on most roads. yes, road to Nail Bay was in rough shape, but that was the exception, not the rule.