Just back from three Island hop visit to the Islands and I must say the St John was mobbed and the BVI, not so much. The winds were very heavy for almost our entire stay and I am glad we were land based to be honest. We stayed on Virgin Gorda, Tortola and St John and our travel dates were Feb 8 to the 21st.

First stop was 4 nights at Leverick Bay stayed in the Cinnamon Suite and we loved it, would stay there again in a minute. The view was to die for and the spaciousness was appreciated. We ate at the upstairs Leverick Bay restaurant twice as it was exceptional. Had a Yellow Fin Tuna with lemon burre sauce that was to die for! Leverick told us if we called Saba Rock they would retrieve us in their free ferry which they did . Saba looks amazing and quite an upgrade, not that the old Saba wasn't lovely. We had the lunch buffet which was really exceptional and just lazed the day away from different spots around this little slice of heaven. Caught Michael Beans show, not too crowded on the night we were there. We also booked the nature tour with Gumption and this was a highlight for us. We hiked all over Necker Island learning about the sustainability of the Island and also, of course, meeting so many of the little creatures that call the island home. Definetely recommend and I am glad so many on this site advised to do this tour. Thanks TTOL.

Second stop was Columbus Sunset Apartments in Cane Garden Bay. We love it here as it is the best value on Island if you are not fussy and it is so easy to just hang out in CGB each evening and have some great music options. We arrived on Super Bowl Sunday and watched the game from Myett's with only about 6 to 8 other people at any one time. I know many were at the Elm, but being Eagles fans we had to watch the slow decent to a loss ( sad face) , but it had been a great season!! Had a great meal at the Elm, at Omars Fusion in Sopers Hole and ,again, did not make it to De Coal Pot although I recommended them to everyone we met. We met great people during our stay in CGB including fellow TTOL member CapeCod Fisherman , Hello A. I do wish the chair vendors would take up some of the chairs on light cruise ship days though, this is the first time I did not see them stack chairs on off days so that the beach would not be quite so scarred. Also Myett's had steel drums playing two days beginning the morning for the cruisers which was new and I sort of liked it to be honest. I used to resent the hoards immensely but I know it is good for the folks who live and work on CGB and if you just manage your expectations and days it is not so bad. A big shout out to Jeff who played at the Elm so many happy hours during our stay.
Also did a daysail with Aristocat Charters which was excellent, our third time with them.

Last stop was a hop over to St John which we love , stayed at a condo just out from Cruz Bay, The island was OVER crowded IMHO. I was quite shocked, compared to what we had seen in BVI. I know it is high season but if you were not at the beaches by 8 am you would be hard pressed to get a parking spot. This island is so magical though, glad we worked through the crowds ( although at two beaches I felt like I was at the Jersey Shore, wall to wall people) . Spent our first afternoon at Miss Lucys down on the east end of the Island, such a magical spot and great Buckwhackers!! Ate a supurb dinner at Mogan's Mango, think it's my favorite restaurant , as well as great lunches at SunDog Cafe in Mongoose Junction. Was a wonderful two weeks that went too fast. Retiring this summer so maybe a month next year!!

Pros- beaches , food is better each time we go for those with gastro standards. The people who travel there and who live there, we meet such great people and it is the only place we would pick up a hitchhiker, met a nice young man from South Africa working at Voyage Yachts.


Cons- winter winds seem to be bad the past few years, and the FERRY PRICES are outrageous, we will be flying into and out of Beef Island next time even though it is a multi flight route. One way for two of us from STT to Tortola $180 ( with bag charges) and from Tortola WE to St John was close to same. Within the BVI was still priced how it has been but going between USVI and BVI is way up and the routes are not convenient. This was our 20th year going to the BVI and St John, BVI has not improved their infrastructure to same degree at St John.
Why do we come back time and again, we keep asking oursevles and I think I fgured it out- this is Authentic Carribbean without mega resorts and manicured landscaping. You get to interact with the culture everywhere you go. Is it for everyone, no, there are many friends who I know would not appreciate it but for those of who do, it permeates our blood and our soul,,,,, until next time , we go to come back.
I will try to edit and upload some photos later