Stan, You are correct in that a lot of the coral is ash colored. Spots at Oil Nut Bay had nice fans, and a few healthy elk horns. It is sad. I really don't know how to answer your question about quantity of fish. We always saw large schools of blue tang, many parrot fish, and at some spots numerous trumpet fish. The water temperature was ideal which makes snorkeling fun even if I don't constantly see fish.

We did identify the "creature" off the Biras beach. It was an upsidedown jellyfish. It has a habit of swimming upside down with its tentacles pointing upwards except these were all resting at the bottom. They varied in color, pulsated every second, and were all sizes. I've never seen anything like these beauties.

Thanks, owa, for the bug update... we plan to take mosquito repellent coils, or buy them on-island... in addition to lots of DEET (and we're going to try cactus juice too).

owa; They are from the jelly fish family. They can be annoying if they sting you causing an itch for a few minutes. the real dangerouus ones are the "man of war jelly fish. They have a toxic serum that can cause that needs to be removed fairly quickly ( generally within a half hour). The best treatment surprisingly is human urine but some time a strong vinegar may work. Also the stinger needs to be removed carefully. They are not uncommon and we have seen a few dozen in the Virgin Islands and elsewhere over the years.

owa, I've had the best time reading your trip report about Biras. Glad that despite a few drawbacks you had a lovely time and intend to return to Virgin Gorda.

My husband, our 15 year old granddaughter and I will be vacationing in VG for the first time in July. We're renting a villa but always like to do one special dinner out. Do you think Biras would be a good candidate for that? Do you recall what the prix fixe was?

Thanks!

While the subject of jellyfish has just come up, I am going to take the opportunity to mention what we saw last week on Red Beach in VQS.
It was my last beach day before heading back to Maine. A friend was walking the beach and came back and said there was a man of war washed up on the beach. So we took a wald down to see it since I had never seen one. It was the most incredible thing, beautiful colors. If a young child came across it, they would have tried to pick it up because it looked like a toy! It was inflated, almost fish shaped, crimped edges and the colors of pink and purple were so bright...then it had dark purple squiggly tentacles. I went back for my camera. I had never seen anything like it.

ej, It is $85/pp!!! I don't know what the pricing is elsewhere on VG. That seems a little high to me.

Jeena, Aren't the creatures of the underwater so special and beautfiul? It is pure delight to observe.