BVI trip questions
 

I have a quick question for experienced travelers to the USVI & BVI.

Our family of 5 (kids are 21, 18, & 16) is going to the BVI for 7 days in July. We haven't decided between Virgin Gorda or Tortola, but will likely reserve a villa in either location. Our kids are fairly active - love snorkeling and water activities. We have been to both St. Thomas and St John, and would prefer to try a new location. My first question is which BVI would be recommended.

We are arriving into STT airport at approximately 8:30pm. It doesn't look like we can catch a ferry to BVI that late. So we will either need to get a water taxi or stay in St. Thomas the first night - then head to BVI the next morning. My next question is which option would be recommended.

Finally, I have looked into chartering a catamaran and staying on it for the duration of the trip. I'm a little nervous about that option, but the reviews are very high. Might be safer to go on some all day trips, instead of sleeping on the boat. Any opinions on that option?

We don't really have a nightly budget for lodging, but I'd prefer to not exceed $1,000 per night.

If snorkeling is a high priority consider renting a villa on Mahoe Bay, Virgin Gorda. It is a small enclave of private homes (some beachfront and some beach access ( just a few dozen yards from the beach) on a 3/4 mile long calm water beach with a superb "triple reef" that runs the entire length of the Bay that begins just 50' or so off shore. You can snorkel there for hours and not see everything. The villas are all upscale, tasteless furnished and have views of the sea, neighboring islands and cats and have a western exposure so you get to watch the sunset every night. In short the location doesn't get any better anywhere in the Caribbean.

Regarding your 8:30pm arrival in STT, you are correct that is too late for a ferry and it will be difficult to get a water taxi that late at night as most boat captains won't want to make the crossing when it is dark. Spend the night on STT and take a ferry or water taxi the following morning, water taxis are more costly but leave when you want. Ferry is less expensive but you are wedded to their schedule. The choice is yours eitherbconvenience or price.

Chartering a catamaran is a great way to experience many different islands during your trip. You'll sleep and have most of your meals on board. Choose this options if you don't mind spending the majority of your time on board a boat because that is where you will be, on a boat that may only be about 40' long (not all usable space) and 12' wide.

RoamsAround, you make that sound so perfect.

It sounds "so perfect" because Mahoe Bay is as near to perfection as you can get.

That aside, I see where "auto-correct" changed a few of my words. "tasteless furnished" should be "tastefully furnished" and those "neighboring ... cats" are "cays".

If you charter a catamaran, it will be about 40' long, but about 25' wide -- cats are much wider and roomier than monohulls. For a lot of people, living aboard a boat in the islands is paradise; but if you tend towards motion sickness at all, it will be miserable. (And don't buy it if someone tells you that catamarans are less likely to cause seasickness; while they are more stable in many ways, the motion can be less predictable than a monohull and just as likely to make you sick.)

Given that you are traveling in July, you might just be able to charter a catamaran with a skipper within your budget. If you are really interested in this option, check out the BVI forum on www.traveltalkonline.com -- lots of experts there, with experience with the various charter companies.

Thank you for the recommendations. Based on the comments about motion sickness, we probably won't stay on the catamaran - but go on a charter or two.

I've been researching VG, Tortola, and Jost. Having a hard time picking. I love the laid-back nature of Jost, but that seems like more of a day trip.

Since we are going to stay in a villa, I'm cutting back on the nightly accommodation budget. In July, I would assume I can find a nice place for around $600 to $700/night. Seems to be more options on Tortola.

We rented this villa on Tortola a few years ago and loved it.

http://www.casalunabvi.com/

We did a day trip on a catamaran to Virgin Gorda which was also great.

It appears that we are going to stay in a villa on Long Bay.

We like the amenities on Long Bay beach, and the villa we have found is very nice.

I'm curious if the snorkeling in Long Bay is very good, or will we have to drive to a different beach for nearby snorkeling.

Thanks.

Hi, Which villa are you staying at in Long Bay? We will staying in Sea Fan next month through beachrentalsbvi.com
Nearby is Smugglers' Cove, a beautiful beach for snorkeling.

Hi I'm late on this thread. How is your vacation going? Did you decide to stay on a Cat. If you're in the BVI hope you can stay for the August Festivities. The children I'm sure would love that. I would also recommend picking up a few souvenirs like local t-shirts and mugs! :-) You can also buy a local book titled, Secret Code: British Virgin Islands. It's a great collection with loads of information in their on the BVI economy. It even covers tourism and financial services from its infancy days and lots of heritage sights. The famous Laurence Rockefeller and Michelle and Barrack Obama intriguing are in the book. It's so cool. Check it out at http://secretcodebvibook.com if you've left already. It beautifully illustrates "nature's little secrets."

Places to include on your visit are foxy's in Jost Van Dyke, Top of the Baths in Virgin Gorda, Myett's Cane Garden Bay which their gift shop carries Secret Code, Pussers Marina Cay, Trellis Bay.

Best wishes for your trip.

Hi I'm late on this thread. How is your vacation going? Did you decide to stay on a Cat. If you're in the BVI hope you can stay for the August Festivities. The children I'm sure would love that. I would also recommend picking up a few souvenirs like local t-shirts and mugs! :-) You can also buy a local book titled, Secret Code: British Virgin Islands. It's a great collection with loads of information in their on the BVI economy. It even covers tourism and financial services from its infancy days and lots of heritage sights. The famous Laurence Rockefeller and Michelle and Barrack Obama intriguing are in the book. It's so cool. Check it out at http://secretcodebvi.com if you've left already. It beautifully illustrates "nature's little secrets."

Places to include on your visit are foxy's in Jost Van Dyke, Top of the Baths in Virgin Gorda, Myett's Cane Garden Bay which their gift shop carries Secret Code, Pussers Marina Cay, Trellis Bay.

Best wishes for your trip.