waggie

We much preferred the beaches of St. John as compared to Tortola. We also felt there were more snorkeling beaches on SJ. We have spent a week on both islands. If you loved St. John, I think you may be disappointed by Tortola. Of course, Tortola is a good place to hang your hat if you take the opportunity to enjoy day trips to other BVI islands. As for restaurants, we also felt the ones on SJ were much better. We never had a meal on Tortola that came close to any of the many we enjoyed on SJ. Our opinion, of course.

Robert

My gosh, Jane and Sam are back with road rage, telling fodors customers to "get a life," calling us "idiots" for our innocent input, and now "long winded." I always thought self-expression about places to visit was good on this board...but self-control is much better. At the sake of being long-winded, I would like to offer this board my trip report to Tortola, for inquirers like Paula. Since I will be returning to Tortola after a while, I appreciate the input from Bill, Karen, Eva, Sandy, Joel, Roy, etc. I also have some questions. What do you need to enter and exit the BVI? How much is the departure tax? Do the rooms at Sebastian's have A/C by the patio rooms across the street from the beach and restaurant? Does Caribbean Images Tours still make excursions to neighboring Norman or Salt Islands? If they don't, or if any one took another outfit to other interesting out islands, what is the name, how much, and what was included in the excursion? <BR> I would really appreciate any input as to how Tortola has changed since our trip there in 1994. OK, now for a trip report of Tortola, circa 1996: <BR> Sunday, July 10, 1994: Awoke at 6am with tree frogs chirping outside my window at Sebastian's-On-The-Beach.We stayed at the Tropical Yard Units, 50 feet from the beach, for $70/night, double occupancy. I strided a half hour to Carrot Bay, past the Sugar Mill Resort. Hopped in our rental 4-wheel drive, and drove north on the North Coast Highway, in good shape, past Apple Bay, along Great Carrot Bay, and up a winding hill with hairpin curves. At the top, we gazed down at Carrot and Apple Bays; it was paradise! North Coasst Road veered to the left, but we took another OK road to the right, which leads to the Sage Mtn. Road, which goes to Mount Sage National Park. We spent all afternoon hiking through the subtropical rain forest. Many varieties of rare Bromeliads grew from the tree trunks and crevices. Met a Tortolian with his donkey on a forest hillside, and chatted with him. He was cutting some bananas. A real environmentalist! He named many plants and trees for us. We were almost 1,800 feet above the beaches, and the turqoise waters dotted with moored sailboats was breathtaking! <BR> Finally made it into Road Town, in need of refreshments and food. Ate at The Tavern In The Town, and whoofed down a couple brewskies. Ate a conch pizza, and it was great. A Bananaquit(?) alighted at our table, so I fed him some morsels. <BR> Went shopping and dining at the Pusser's Landing on Frenchman's Cay. I snorkeled in the dock area, and it was gin-colored water, with vis over 100feet. I dove down 20 feet to the sandy bottom and retrieved a gold trimmed mug a yatchman lost. I kept diving among the sailboats, and saw French Angel and Gray Angel fish, dozens of baracuda followed me around like dogs underwater(they do that out of curiosity), blue-stripped grunts, damsel fish, Queen Angel fish, a filefish, and a trumpet fish. Suddenly, when I dove down again, a huge ball of silvery fish sped past me overhead, and I heard a man yelling above on the dock. Yep, a caribbean reef shark was hiding in the shadows under the hull of a yatch, and ambushed the fish. He must have been watching me snorkel and dive for a half hour. I left the water, and shopped with my wife. Pusser's was great and the bar and restaurant was topnotch. <BR> Next day, snorkeled and sunbathed at Smuggler's Cove(see my description above). I hope this gave some one some ideas. Take a complete good brand of snorkeling equipment in your suitcases; the reefs, and reef life abounds all around Tortola. Robert