In the late 80s and through the 90s we were St. Johnaholics going two or three times a year, once in winter with a group and then a time or two as a couple. Usually our favorite day was a day trip to the BVIs. In the early 2000s we began chartering out of the BVI, ended up putting a boat in charter and spending nearly all our vacation time in the BVI. We found we were drawn to virgin Gorda each trip as our favorite, with Savannah Bay our favorite beach. In 2007 (my real estate timing was never my strong suit) we bought our condo a mile up the road from Savannah Bay. To us it is much like St. John in the early 90s. Extremely friendly local population, uncrowded, great dive and snorkeling opportunities, variety of really good restaurants, though not as many as St John but is a much smaller island..9 mi or so long by a mile to two wide. Like St. John much of the island is undeveloped. We could not have been happier with the change.

As mentioned, the downside is more difficulty getting there. A little hard to understand the difference since of course it's easy to see St John from VG. On the other hand if it were easy I couldn't park anywhere I want in Spanishtown, the folks probably wouldn't be so full of hospitality, and there would be a line of cars outside my favorite beach instead of often deserted. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />