I'm planning a honeymoon this January (2004) and considering Biras Creek and Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands. Has anyone been to both resorts that can offer any suggestions (preferences, comparisons, feedback, etc.) I'm also considering the "sailaway" packages, which both resorts offer. This includes 5 days at the resort with 2 days on a crewed chartered sailboat. Any feedback on experience with that would also be appreciated. Thanks.

Both resorts are great! Peter Island is a private island, so there's not much to do than staying at the resort, but you'll have total privacy and relaxation! From Biras Creek you'll have access to the island of Virgin Gorda, opposite Biras Creek is another very "sportive" resort, The Bitter End Yacht Club, where you can rent boats, surfboards and all kind of water sports activities.
Enjoy your stay in the BVI's!
Regine/KATITCHE POINT GREATHOUSE

There is no need to rent anything from Bitter End YC as Biras includes all water sports no additional charge. Included at Biras is Hobie Cats, Wind Surfing and Boston Whalers. There are walking trails to Bitter End from Biras, but BE seems like a little town. Biras is much nicer. Also Biras will pack you a gourmet lunch for you to take on your whaler. You can take it to any beach and snorkel (equiptment no charge at Biras).

You shoudl read scubamom's reviews at www.scubamom.com (then click on Caribbean Gateway). She has lengthy reviews on both Biras and Peter Island, and then she has a review that compares and contrasts 4 resorts in the US/BVI, two of which are Peter and Biras.

I believe there are also reviews of each of these resorts at www.scubatreks.com that might be informative for you. Whichever you choose, you'll have a fabulous time!

Thanks for the suggestions. I've actually read a LOT of reviews, including those by ScubaMom and ScubaTreks, and both resorts sound great. However, I have seen very little info and few comments on the sailaway packages. The Biras sailaway is quite a bit little less expensive ($6950, compared to $9639 at Peter Island - rates posted on their websites). I was kind of leaning towards Peter Island, but I'm not sure if the greater expense is worth it. Any comments/suggestions?

Okay, this might be a long shot, but since nobody has commented on the sailaway options, this might at least be in the ballpark of being helpful to you. On one of the more recent posts on Young Island, which is another private island resort just off of St. VIncent, the poster said they did the sailaway option but in the end wish they had just stayed at the resort. As I recall, it wasn't so much that they didn't like, but being unaccustomed to sailing, they preferred the spacious cottage on land to their cramped quarters below deck. Do a search for Young Island here and it will come up.
I know this is quite a bit off base, but it just might help you.

Sorry, me again. It also occurred to me that for nearly $10,000 (PI sailaway price quote) you could have two separate vacations. 5 nights at Peter or Biras, and then take a Windjammer cruise through the BVIs. Windjammer, if you don't know it, is a motor and sail powered tall boat (that may be the wrong term. i'm not a sailor) that cruises the BVI and the Grenadines, among other less-traveled itineraries. They're VERY casual and relatively inexpensive and may provide you a more cost effective solution if you truly want to stay at a nice resort AND go sailing.

I just wanted to add that there was a recent post about Biras that made me want to be there! I was all set to investigate when I realized that one of my children is too young. (They only accept children if they're over 8.) I am waiting the two years then look out! Try a search under Biras and I think you'll find it. Have a wonderful honeymoon and remember to eat something and dance more than twice at your wedding, after all you chose it and paid for it!

Have stayed at both resorts and both are wonderful. Can't comment on the sailaway because I would nver want to spend even 2 nights couped up on a sailboat. We took our kids to both resorts, most recently PI at the end of June. I don't think you can go wrong w/either. Food at both is fabulous! Beach was nicer and more accessable at PI but you don't feel as confined at BC because of the dinghy. PI was a little more livlier but the walk to the main house from the Beachfront suites was ahike (10 min) Two choices of places to eat on PI and only 1 on Biras. More nightly entertainment at PI. Outdoor showers at BC, huge tubs at PI. Service overall was better at BC and much more friendlier than at PI. We felt a lot of the staff at PI had a major attitude problem and a no can do attitude. They were not very helpful and never looked happy except for a few.

Why not choose one or the other and take a day sail with the "resident" sailboat? You'll have a full day of sailing and seeing the BVI (you can always book another day if you like it) and have a big bed and nice warm shower or soak in the tub at night! <grin>

We enjoyed our day sail with Paul and Judy at Peter Island and I'm sure a day sail with Biras's boat would be fun too.

My husband and I spent 2 weeks back at Biras back in 1999(?) We had a fabulous time, great food, very peaceful, sometimes had the beach to ourselves. We did take a day sail with another couple on the resident sail boat. We had an absolutely fabulous day. Being a first time snorkeler the captain did a great job of finding us a place where I could practice snorkeling in the shallows, while my husband and the other couple tried something a bit more challenging a little further out. The captain hovered between us, so that neither of us would have a very far swim back. He took us to several places where we the only people snorkeling, along with some of the standard tourist spots. Overall he was very accomodating.

However, after seeing the accomodations on the boat I'm glad that we didn't do the sail a way option. I agree with someone elses post that although nice, the accomodations on land are so much better than those on a sailboat. And seeing as this is your honeymoon you might want to consider the "ah----privacy factor"!

Lost, since you've been on the boat before, what can you tell me about the accommodations on the Mary Irene (the resident boat at Biras)? I don't expect them to compare to the accommodations on land, but were they comparable to other boats you saw?

I appreciate everyone's input. The attraction of the sailaway option to me is not necessarily the luxury of the accommodations, but the (albeit limited) adventure of sailing each day and mooring in a different location each night. I just think that sounds fun.

Dan---sorry for the delay
Anyways...I went through my old pictures--unfortunately all the ones I took were above deck...From what I remember the guest room was in the bow. So picture a V-shaped room with a twin (I think) bed running down each side of the V and the door into the room opening up into the center of the V. I do remember walking in and thinking "glad I didn't do the sailaway" because the twin bed idea turned me off- not enough room...On the other hand- some might think of it as cozy! Hope this helps

Dan ..we too are looking at these same resorts(plus Cap juluca)for our wedding/honeymoon in jan. 2004.Did you ever make a decision??Love to hear any additional info you might have.Thanks

I'm leaning toward Biras right now. It's a tough decision, but cost keeps coming up as the biggest distinguishing factor. From the info I've managed to get both here and on other sites, you can't go wrong with any of these resorts (although I wasn't really looking at Cap). I think that overall I would like the beachfront rooms at Peter Island a little more, but not enough to justify the added cost ($1115/night vs. $850/night for the oceanfront suits at Biras). Plus, Biras has the outdoor showers and the Boston Whalers, both of which sound like fun little perks.

I'm also still considering the sailaway, but haven't yet checked on availability. If I do it, I'll of course have to give a trip report on it when I get back. Thanks again everyone for the replies.

We have been to Biras and returning again in May. We just loved it. I have to say the food at Biras is the best we ever had in the caribbean...just awsome. We did a sunset sail on the Mary Irene, that was enough for us. We love the water, but the cottages on the waters edge at Biras was enough for us, besides, the Boston Whalers are great for snorkeling and exploring all day - yet you get to come back to Biras, eat a great meal while gazing at the stars and sleep in a comfortable bed being lulled to sleep by the ocean waves. The whalers are great...they give you snorkel gear and a map (VERY easy) and you get to explore all the uninhabited islands or Saba Rock for a Pain Killer and some laughs. You can snorkel and get to dine on a gorumet lunch prepared just for you, all included in the price. And NO KIDS!

Ahhh can't wait to go back.

Sandy..I must say you are so very helpful.You have provided so much info about Cap and now the BVI.How would you compare Biras with Cap??I had pretty much decided on Cap but my fiance really wants to do dome snorkeling/sailing etc...so the BVI'S are still a consideration.

Hi!
This is a tough one because they are both my favorite - for different reasons. Biras is more exclusive - 60 people at a time and absolutely no kids. At Cap you get a few kids.
But what I really love about Biras is this: Beautiful, lush natural surroundings. Biras is surrounded by 3 bodies of water up on a hill. There are no cars on this part of Virgin Gorda, so it is so peaceful and tranquil. The cottages are right on the waters edge. It is not a swimming beach like Cap but it is mezmerizing and beautiful (the water is too rough and the beach rocky). Every morning I would wake up to watch the sunrise over the sea - bright orange glow. The air smells like flowers all the time. You are given bicycles to get around the resort - we loved it, nothing is too far or hard at all. You bike to the beach or to the marina, where the whalers are, to breakfast and lunch. You dine every day at Biras, but you will never be bored. It is THE best food. The snorkeling is better than on Anguilla. We found the locals to be just as friendly and it is also extremely safe. There are no room keys at Biras. You get to Biras by boat. They send their private boat to get you. Its about 30 min by power boat and when you reach the dock...they are waiting for you with hugs and smiles and a golf cart. You are given a tour of the resort then taken directly to your room for cold champagne. The other guests are mostly from England and are lovely. When there are only 60 guests at a time you get to know all the faces and people come and go. Virgin Gorda has the natural beauty, peaceful surroundings, great snorkeling and watersports, and Biras is part of that. I can't find 1 negative thing to say.
I guess it boils down th this: Cap right on a swimmable beach, Biras is a short bike ride to a beautiful almost deserted beach. The Beach at Biras is much smaller than Cap, but then again Biras is much smaller than Cap. There are less people on Biras' beach than Caps. Biras beach is a cove surrounded by lush greenery. Cap has the magnificent view of St. Martin. The food at Biras is better than Anguilla (IMHO) I;m not saying the food on Anguilla is bad by any means. Biras Creek has consistantly excellent meals. The accommodations are equal, both lovely. On Anguilla you rent a car and drive around the island, At Biras (no cars), you have Boston Whalers and uninhabited islands to explore or you can go to town by whaler or ferry. The Baths is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. At Biras you can get a massage and "light spa stuff" Cap has a full Spa. However, I get all my facials and things like that done at home by a person that knows my skin, I would never have that stuff done anywhere else. I ususlly get massage, and a manicure/pedicure. It's hard for me to choose 1 over the other. If you have more specific questions I can answer them for you!

You know I am going to have more questions!!OK...what about the rooms ?Lux?And how do they compare with Cap??Also , can you compare Biras with Peter Island?Does one get bored being so isolated..or are you isolated??This Biras is a new one to me..just want to get as many facts as possible before booking.Biras sounds beautiful...but so does Cap and they seem very different.Thanks for all your help!