CHRISTIE

I'M PLANNING A TRIP TO TORTOLA IN NOVEMBER & I'M HAVING TROUBLE DECIDING ON WHERE TO STAY. I'M CURRENTLY LOOKING AT 2 DIFFERENT VILLAS. 1 ON APPLE BAY & 1 ON CANE GARDEN BAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO TO SHARE ON PRO'S & CONS. P.S. WANT TO SNORKE ALOT, HAVE EASY ACCESS TO A NICE BEACH WITH WHITE SANDS/CLEAR WATERS, AND AVOID RENTING A CAR (CLOSE ACCESS TO FOOD/BARS).

Callaloo

Given your preferences, I would recommend Cane Garden Bay. It's your classic half-moon Caribbean beach, with a number of restaurants, bars and accomodations hidden among the palms and sea grapes. It gets a bit busy with the sailors and, on some days, the cruise ship day trippers, but if you want to be able to walk to restaurants and bars, this is the place.<BR><BR>Apple Bay, as I recall, doesn't even have a sandy beach (if it does, it's not a very large one), though it is pretty. The biggest attraction at Apple Bay is Bomba's Shack.<BR><BR>As for snorkeling, you'll have to get a ride from either place.

CHRISTIE

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP CALLALOO. I WAS CONSIDERING THE LIGHTHOUSE VILLAS. DO YOU KNOW IF THEY'RE DECENT? OR DO YOU HAVE ANY BETTER IDEAS FOR 2 PEOPLE. KIND OF WANTED TO BE RIGHT ON THE WATER, BUT OFTEN IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

Callaloo

Christie, the only land-based hotels I've stayed at on Tortola have been the ones associated with the sailing charter companies, so I really can't help. However, I suggest you visit teh BVI board on www.traveltalkonline.com --I'm sure you'll get a first-hand account. Do a search first, and then ask away. (I'm fairly certain that Lighthouse Villas are well regarded; there are also some other moderately priced rooms on CGB which get high ratings.)

CHRISTIE

THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES CALLALOO. LATELY I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT VILLAS ON ST. JOHNS (GETTING LOTS OF FEEDBACK LEANING TOWARDS THIS ISLAND INSTEAD) BUT REGARDLESS- I APPRECIATE YOUR RESEARCH IDEAS AND WILL TRY THEM OUT! THANKS- CHRISTIE.

Islander

Christie, if you are looking for a bay that you can do all your snorkeling from, then you may want to reconsider.
There are many good snorkeling bays, but any one bay can be snorkeled in short order. So most people (my wife and I included) take day cruises to go to the various small islands in the area. Most of these are not damaged and feature the rock formations necessary for coral formation.
Neither Cane Garden Bay or Apple Bay have coral to my knowledge. Both are quite sandy.
So my suggestion is that you book a day sail or a half-day sail on Patouche II, which is a friendly catamaran out of Road Town. Always a nice group of beginners, semi-beginners, and a few more experienced folk. Was about $70.00 for a day last time I was on board. Another great day is to take Fly BVI to Anagada Island which is a coral island and get the full day package there plus a lobster lunch at a beach restaurant.
Third option is for you to use your rental car (a must during your stay if you want to see Tortola cheaply) to visit all the tiny bays on the island and dive wherever it looks inviting.