If you are sailing ,go to jost. if you are power boating, go to virgin gorda

That depends on what you want to do once you get to one of the BVI's! If you want to shop Tortola, if you want to explore Virgin Gorda, if you want to sit on the beach, have some cocktails, enjoy a great lunch, have some cocktails and sit on the beach then Jost! We absolutely loved Jost. We explored the entire island (of course we rented a jeep to do this), we layed on the beach, snorkeled, had tons of painkillers and just enjoyed the extremely laid back island life. So decide what you want to do and go from there! Jill

We chose to go to Virgin Gorda two times. We were not interested in Tortola or Jost - I'm sure they're wonderful - but we wanted to see The Baths - which are nothing short of awe-inspiring (DEVIL's BAY - which is a short hike from The Baths!)! Our objective was: scenic beauty/beach (not interested in stores, restaurants or bars)... and VG delivered!

ENJOY!

there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't take a day trip and see all of these islands, and some more too (although it would be brief). We took a day trip and saw Jost, Virgin Gorda, The Baths, Guana, and Marina Caye. It was an awesome day! While on the boat trip there were drinks too! Have a great time..

I echo Keri's sentiment - but it depends on what you are looking for. My daughter and I took the New Horizon's II trip and had a wonderful time. Capt. Chad and Danielle were terrific. It was a great choice for us because (a) we had nevere been to any of the BVIs so we got to sample a few, (b) we got a good history, geography and geology lesson from Danielle which we would not have taken the time to research, but added so much to the trip for us and (c) we were pampered (drinks, steamed shrimp, fruit, muffins, etc.,) and could leave all responsibility to someone else for getting us safely there and back, through customs, etc. Admitttedly, this is not the right kind of trip for everyone, but it was perfect for our first excursion.

Keri,
Hi......I would like to know if there is a specific company you recommend for the BVI's trip? What kind of price point are we looking at? How much advance notice for the company hired?
thanks,
Ms CoCo

New Horizons II - great trip !! A couple of years ago it was around $100 per person and I recall we had to pay $20 for customs... check out their website...it was well worth the $$$, they only take 18 people so it is a very personal and intimate sail - loved it..... Have FUN !!

The price for New Horizons last week was $135.00 per person, plus tip, but if you rent a car through Budget, they give you a coupon book that has a $50.00 discount. We called NHII the day before the trip and our trip had only 6 people. I whole heartedly recommend it.

Mrs. Coco... Besides the NH II, Breakaway Charters and the Pirates Penny/Stormy Petrel are mentioned here on the forum positively. I haven't tried any of them yet so I can't comment personally.

www.captainnautica.com

Breakaway is owned by the same people who run New Horizons. I think they do the same type of trip, but the Breakaway takes alot more people. On the day we went, Breakaway was very full - definitely more of a "party" crowd on that boat the day we went.

What is the best way to go to Virgin Gorda? We are going in April and that
is exactly where we want to go.

Thank you.

Hi jweik,
Take a power boat. We went with New Horizons II and loved it. It got there before everyone else because it was FAST! Also, it carries just 16-18 people max. I think we booked online last feb and saved 10%. Don't forget to tip 10-20%.

MNBill

Alas I cannot answer that question for you but can give our experience. We dropped by St. Thomas on a Cruise and took the St. John day trip in the early 90s. It dawned on us that the highlight of our trip was St. John both times and we began renting condos and villas on St. John for the next many years --a couple times a year.

On most trips we took a day "boat trip" to the BVIs, either a regular tour or rented a boat and captain out of Cruz Bay. Almost invariably the daytrip was the highlight of our trip much as St. John was the highlight of our cruise experience.

I was always envious of those people in boats moored off of the beaches who when we were loading up to go back to the villa or condo were sitting on the deck , cocktail in hand and "not going anywhere" with the best seat in the house for sunset. We thought it was beyond our means but upon investigation and a lot of sticking our neck out--we found that owning a charter boat out of the BVI was doable.

So we bought a two cabin two head power boat and put it in charter with TMM, an outfit on Tortola. Best move we ever made. Don't get me wrong, it is not a big money maker but has allowed us to get to know the BVI, which has become our first love. All the islands are different, and all have their special allure. I would strongly encourage any of you to consider a yacht charter or base yourselves in the BVIs for one trip. Not that there is a thing wrong with St. John, but had we never have ventured out we'd still be doing the same twice a year trips to St. John and while that was great would have missed out on a whole "nother" experience.

As to which "island" we like best? We love them all. If you have never been to Anegada, you just don't know what "beaches stretching out forever" with few people are. Tis an amazing place if you like solitude, beaches, and great Lobsta. Jost has a lot to offer, again a very laid back island that has a great beach "White Bay" --that is totally different "before 10 am and after 3pm--when the USVI daytrippers and small cruise ship people leave.

The other end of the island has Diamond Cay home of the "bubbly pool" - a phenomenon ya just have to see when a Northern swell is in. Just out are the great little islands of Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay where many can spend a day and do absolutely nothing and hate to see the day end.

Tortola is the hub of activity (but still much more laid back and I believe the people are more friendly than the USVI) Roadtown is rather bustling, has a little shopping but nothing like St. Thomas or even Cruz Bay. Outside of Roadtown like St. John everywhere you look is a wonderful view. There are no huge developements on Tortola, Long Bay being the largest. Favorite beach on Tortola for most would be Smuggler's cove--just over the hill from West End-a great little harbor where you likely checked in when going on day trips from the USVI. The dining on Tortola is GREAT, with tons of choices from what in my opinion is by far the best gourmet restaurant in the islands at Brandywine Bay, to the Cheeseburger in paradise at Stanleys, Great pizza and all around good grub at the Jolly Roger at West end. Ginger wine Chicken and skillet mushrooms at Coco Plums in the Apple Bay/Cane Garden BAy (the primary destination for many visiting tortola) are to die for.

Virgin Gorda has become our favorite of the BVIs though. It is from end to end only 8 miles with a breadth of only a couple miles. From the Baths with their boulders and associated beaches nearby VG stretches norht to North Sound that is like a huge quiet lake surrounded by beautiful islands of Virgin Gorda, Eustacia, Prickly Pear and Mosquito. There are high end resorts and quiet simple pubs and restaurants. You can rent any kind of water craft for the hour or day you might desire.

And then there are the west shore beaches of Virgin Gorda that will remind you of the North shore of St. John but some of the beaches are longer stretches of sand. From Long Bay on the norhern end, through nail, Mountain Trunk, Mahoe, Pond and Savannah there are miles of supreme sand and inviting snorkeling on the coral reefs protecting them. In contrast to for instance White Bay Jost or Francis or Maho on St. John there are not many charter boats that anchor or moor outside of these beaches.

Our favorite is Savannah Bay, here is a great photo that I just happened to see on a search. http://donwiss.com/pictures/Virgin-Gorda-2006/h0041.htm . As you can see from the picture it is not only a long beautiful stretch of sand that slopes gently to make a nice swimming beach but there is a huge reef that allows you to snorkel a very long way down the beach. The best part is that it is almost never crowded. There are no villas on Savannah Bay.

Savannah Bay and the proximity to everything on VG is the reason we recently purchased with another couple a condo in Olde Yard Village that is just a mile up the road from Savannah Bay at the very edge of Spanish Town. So our pick obviously was Virgin Gorda, but you can't go wrong spending some time in the BVIs to make your own decision. A good site to get some info on all the BVIs wheher or a vacation or a daytrip is http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/british_virgin_islands.html

Enjoy your own exploration of "Nature's Little Secret"

What a great post you just made. Loved reading it. You sure have been around and it just makes me dream about going to all these places.

I totally agree with you, Connie. Great post!!

Will L......you could write for guidebooks. Thanks for sharing your BVI knowledge. I think I can see what happens to people. If it's like us, we started with a cruise ship stop at St. Thomas. Next came a trip to St. Thomas with a side trip to St. John. Then comes a trip to St. John with a side trip to Virgin Gorda. Next, we'll be scouting out a place to stay in Virgin Gorda.

Ditto on everything said! Toledo, that's funny! We did that, only we skipped the St. Thomas trip and went straight to St. John. We discovered Virgin Gorda last June and I am happily planning an double island stay as we speak!

Thank you much for all the responses! That was all very helpful.