janiekins

We are a 50 year old couple. We just got back from Kauai which we absolutely loved. We are going to St. John in November. We have been to Bermuda, Grand Cayman, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba.

Want to plan something for February, 2009. We are looking for great beaches, an upscale resort or villa to rent. How about an island that is not too built up but with a few restaurants for nighttime?

Maybe Anguilla, Nevis or Little Dix on Virgin Gorda? What are the differences in these islands?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

RoamsAround

Here are the differences in islands;

Anguilla - flat, arid, scrubby island with 35 white sand beaches lapped by bright torquoise waters and 80+ retaurants. Generally uncrowded. Limited but decent "off-beach" snorkeling. Little night life and no shopping to speak of. Go here if you want a quiet vacation where you sit on beach, walk on a beach, read a book on a beach, have a drink on a beach and each lunch and dinner (not necessarily on a beach). Anguilla is simlar in topography to what you found in the T&C's (assume you stayed on Provo). For upscale resorts check out Cap Juluca, Cusinart or Malliouhana.

Nevis - mountainous volcanic based island with lush rain forests, dark sand beaches, steel blue tinted water, little to no "off beach" snorkeling, old historic ruins, Plantation Inns, a variety of good restaurants (nowhere near as many as on Anguilla), hiking trails, somewhat still "undiscovered" but this is rapidly changing. Sleepy island that is like going back in time to the days when sugar was king and Nevis was the Queen of the Cartbbean. For upscale resorts consider Four Seasons, Nisbet Plantation Beach Resort or if you want to stay up on the mountain Montpelier Plantation Inn.

Virgin Gorda - hilly, semi-lush (not nearly as lush as Nevis) island with smaller "cove like" golden sand beaches lapped by gin clear waters in varrying hues ranging from bright torquoise to dark blue. Excellent "walk in" snorkeling. A few decent restaurants (certainly enough to satisfy during a typical week's vacation), quiet nightlife, a bit difficult to get to. For upscale resorts your choices are Little Dix Bay or Biras Creek.

Hope this helps.

janiekins

Thanks RoamsAround. Have you been to all 3 of these islands and if so, which one did you like best?

RoamsAround

Yes, I've been to all three on many different occasions.

Virgin Gorda is perhaps my favorite island as, to me, it's the quintessential Caribbean island - exactly what everyone pictures in their mind's eye when they think Caribbean island - hilly, somewhat lush, exceptional beaches, a little difficult to get to making it not overly crowded, great snorkeling, beautiful views, multi-hued waters and decent restaurants. For those who don't need high rise hotels, casinos and a lot of nightlife it's the perfect island.

I'd rate Nevis a very very close second. It's lack of snorkeling, it's darker sand beaches and the colors of the surrounding water make it an island that, at first blush, seems just OK. Once you get past those perceived shortcomings you'll discover a wonderful and friendly island.

I also like Anguilla (been there numerous times) but only for its beaches. I'm a bit of a type A personality and the lack of things to do on the island drives my a little stir crazy. To me, Anguilla is a place I go for one or two days at a time.

Pulley

I think once you go to St John you'll be back!!!!!!! We're going for our 14th trip in August.

Knowing

We were enchanted by the beauty of of Nevis. My husband and I stayed at the Four Seasons hotel. Very attractive surroundings and in some ways reminds me of Kauai. We have been to every place on your list except T&C. Although the beaches have that dark sand, we appreciated the wonders of nature, and the wonderful locals. Nevis remains my husband's favorite place and comes very close to still being my favorite out of the dozen Caribbean islands we've been to.

janiekins

RoamsAround, any suggestions on where to stay on Virgin Gorda?

Thinking of renting a villa since it is a little cheaper than staying at Little Dix. Looking for next February.

A_Traveller

If you are planning on renting a villa on Virgin Gorda, I highly recommend you choose one of the villas on Mahoe Bay. It's a private community of about a dozen upscale beachfront and beach access villas (none more than a minute or two walk from the beach). The beach there is a virtually empty strand of light golden sand that stretches for over 1/2 mile and is lapped by calm gin clear waters in varying shares ranging from bright torquise to dark blue. There's an excellent snorkeling reef that stretches the entire lenght of the bay starting just a 100 feet or so off shore. You have excellent views of neighboring islands and a western exposure which affords you the opportunity to view the sunset every night. Georgio's Italian restaurant is just a few minute walk for any of the villas. In short, it doesn't get any better anywhere in the Caribbean.

GapYear2009

Hotel on Virgin Gorda: Biras Creek Resort, a lovely and special place.

turtlegirl

I'm very interested in this thread as we are choosing between a villa on St. John and going to Biras Creek in January 2009. Gapyear, can you please expound on why you love Biras? We got great air to St. Thomas, I know we should be flying to Tortola for Virgin Gorda, how easy would it be to get there from STT? We are very active hiking & snorkeling wise so I'm leaning toward St. John. We also love Kauai for hiking but I want to experience the warmer, flatter water. But Biras looks very cool with the Boston Whalers and bikes.

GapYear2009

I love St. John, also. Easier to get around, a lot more hiking and variety. However, with that said, if I had one last trip left within me and had to pick between the two, it would be Biras, simply for the solitude and exclusivity (not necessarily because of the guests - - - it's just simply harder to get to). I also LOVE the Boston Whalers at one's disposal. While the beach is nothing to write home about, you can use your Boston Whaler or take the courtesy ferry to Gun Creek (on Virgin Gorda) for taxi or rental car to a number of great places, including the Baths and Savannah Bay.

You can get to Biras by helicopter or boat. I suggest you post your questions about getting to Biras on the following website:

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/foru...&Board=bvi

They have lots of answers there! You can look into Island Helicopters from St. Thomas, or you can take ferries.

GapYear2009

P.S. January can be a windy time, with more turbulent water conditions on both St. John and Virgin Gorda.

turtlegirl

Thanks! It looks like Biras is heavenly, but I think we'll go for St. John as our air is to STT. We'll go to Biras when we're a little older and want to sit and relax more. Plus I'd like to experience the beaches and hiking on St. John.
Janiekins, We've been to Kauai many times and Nevis once-I would not go back to Nevis, imho, it's really not like Kauai at all.