We flew Jet Blue to San Juan then Air Sunshine with no problems (besides the lack of good restaurants and any organization or good signage at the airport!) Glad for the advice about getting to AS early as we were able to get on a flight 1 hour ahead of our scheduled time.

While waiting for our property managers (Howard and Irma from Tropical Care Services . . . they are marvelous!) to escort us to our villa, we got acquainted with Puck and Chester at The Flying Iguana and had our first (of many) painkillers!

Arrived at our amazing villa, Island Dream at Nail Bay. The road, by the way, was decent enough. We’ve driven much worse roads on other islands that didn’t have the security of guard rails like most of the sharp corners on the Nail Bay road does. They also made good progress in paving a section while we were there. The villa was perfect for us: secluded on a dead end road, small pool, front porch with amazing views, fun outdoor showers with resident geckos that liked to watch you shower (we named them perve 1 and 2) and a very short drive to 3 beaches and the very good local restaurant, Sugarcane.

Nail Bay beach (which you could walk to through a path through the woods) was our favorite for snorkeling. A bit tricky getting into the water as it’s very shallow to start over coral, but then it opened up to a big sandy hole surrounded by amazing coral and teaming with fish. We’re a bit chicken and didn’t go out too far but a couple we met who did a bit more exploring saw a ray, turtle and small nurse shark at this spot.

Long Bay had decent snorkeling but even better shelling. Mountin Trunk Beach was the official resort beach, meaning it had chaise lounges scattered along the beach and shade palms. This beach was great for swimming and pretty good snorkeling (saw an octopus!) Other beaches we visited were Pond Bay and Savannah Bay (both great for bobbing in the waves . . . and beach combing in the powder soft sand.)

Of course we did the Baths . . . twice. Went early (8 ish) so not crowded at all. Walked the course to Devil’s Bay . . . swim a while . . . take the path back to the parking lot and head to Mad Dog’s for ice cream (kids) and Painkillers (big kids!) Is 10:30 too early to be drinking?!?!? I figured it had juice in it so . . .

We did the Gorda Peak hike . . . nice walk and a great view from the platform. Spent a morning at Leverick Bay swimming in the pool before having a yummy lunch. This is where my 7 year old son discovered Virgin Painkillers. “Mom, they really work! I don’t feel any pain!?!?!”

Took the ferry to Fat Virgin Café for the Rotis (yum) and ignored the stuffy signs saying we shouldn’t walk on their campus and headed for BEYC. We must have missed the turn for the water-side trail because we ended up hiking (mid-day with no water!) up and over the peak behind BEYC. I really needed that water and rum punch at the Pub after that.

We tried to have a bonfire on Nail Bay beach to watch the Lunar eclipse. All went well . . . fire lit, blankets spread . . . then a scorpion walked on my daughter’s hand and that was the end of that! Back to the villa where they went to bed and we watched from the pool deck.

Shopping for provisions at Bucks was great. They are very well stocked and had everything we needed.

We had many yummy meals. Our favorite was the new restaurant at Old Yard Village called Barracuda. Dinner one night was so good we went back for an even yummier lunch by the pool (mahi fillet on focacia with some sort of lemon peel aoli sauce) . Sugarcane at Nail Bay was quite good and convenient for us . . . had several lunches and dinners there and were never disappointed.

Dinner at The Rock was okay . . . great atmosphere though. Lunch at Bath & Turtle was good (Jerk Chicken sandwich) and our lunch at Leverick was very good. Although expensive, the buffet lunch at Little Dix Bay was quite impressive.

I was very pleased with the quality and choices of restaurants on such a small island.

I’ve told everyone who asks (and many who don’t!) that this was our best family vacation yet. The island is a perfect blend of deserted beaches, great snorkeling, fun bars, decent restaurants, mountain hikes, cactus and gecko filled trails, boating adventures . . . the only way I could get my despondent kids on the plane home was to promise we’ll go back next year!

Photo link:

http://tamsentm.smugmug.com/gallery/...ghNF#259417007

Tamsentm,
Thanks for the great TR! It really made me want to go back. VG is our favorite island too. If only there weren't so many others to visit, I think we'd keep going back to VG! It looks like you and your family had a great time! How long in advance did you get to the Air Sunshine terminal? I'm just curious. We got there 2 hours early and they gave us a hard time that we weren't there far enough in advance (and our party took up the whole plane! Go figure) Glad to hear they worked out for you. Maybe we just caught them on a really bad day (going to and from!) I'd have to take the ferry if I was to do it again, and someday hopefully we will return. VG is really the perfect relaxing, not too built up, beautiful island. Thanks for sharing!

THanks for posting your trip report, as it brought back many fond memories of my trip to Virgin Gorda last summer. Like you, I'd love to return there one day. I'm about to go check out your pictures now, as Island Dream is one of the villas we'd considered last year.

Is the Dog & Dolphin still at Nail Bay? Or has it been renamed Sugarcane?

The Nail Bay restaurant is now Sugarcane, under a new chef and from what I hear, is much better than the old place. We certainly enjoyed it!

Kellybeaches, we were told to be at the AS gate at 3:30 for a 5 flight . . . we checked in at 3ish and got on a 4:15 flight. I hear they are called "Air ANytime" by some . . . For our return flight, there were at least 22 people waiting for the 10:30 flight. They flew us out at 9:30 with another family and called for two more planes.

Wow,
What a wonderful group of picutures. It sure looks like your family had a good time! What a terrific unspoiled island. I didn't know much about it until reading your report.
Thanks again!

Enjoyed the photos and your trip report. Your children will have wonderful memories for life. We're going to Virgin Gorda this summer. Thanks for posting.

Tamsentm,

Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures and information!!!

I was especially interested in reading about your trip because I'm planning on a trip to VG next February. Would you stay at Nail Bay again and would you choose to stay at Island Dream again? Is the sea view from the pool area only? I'm also considering a couple of the other villas at Nail Bay and Guavaberry, but I like the option of having a pool too!

Unfortunately, I can't finalize a place yet because I'm trying to use frequent flyer miles and it's still to soon to book. I need to make sure the dates work. Thanks again!

Jayneann,

I just booked Island Dream for next Feb vacation, so that answers that question!! lol

Nail Bay and Guavaberry would be two very different experiences . . . Nail Bay is at the beginning of the mountainess part . . . Guavaberry is on "the Flats" near the baths and all they have to offer. I prefer Nail Bay for it's views and 3 beaches right on location . . . but then it's relatively easy drive to the flats or North Sound. The views from Island dream are from their front porch, pool deck, bedrooms . . . all over!!! It's truly a slice of paradise.

-TT

Good for you and your family!!!

Thanks for the info, it's convinced me to stay at Nail Bay! Another poster from here really loved it too!!

We're planning on being there at the same time if your talking President's week! Guess Island Dream is out!

I need to wait for the ff tickets though, so hopefully the dates will work. I'm thinking about only staying 5 nights so we can have some flexibility on either end. DH doesn't want to move around though....

Thanks again!!! Here's to many "Painkillers"

Jayneann,

My Sister and BIL are staying at one of the Nail Bay units up behind the pool later this month. (Island Oasis I think) I'll let you know how they liked it.

-TT

Thanks Tamsentm! I really appreciate it!

I can't stop thinking about VG and relaxing on the beach. This past Feb vacation we did Colorado/Utah, skiing and college searching for my son, so we're really feeling beach deprived! (although skiing was awesome) Last Feb vacation was Cabo San Lucas, ahhhh......

Missing the warm weather, flips flops and tropical breezes!!!