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First time back in 15 years! What should I know? #192611
04/18/2019 02:24 PM
04/18/2019 02:24 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2
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paulvi33 Offline OP
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paulvi33  Offline OP
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Hey all - This is my first post here, and I'm preparing for my first trip back to the BVIs in nearly 15 years! I spent a lot of time down there in my younger years, but family and work got in the way. Thankfully my wife and I are taking a much needed trip without the kids and I'm so excited to return to my favorite place on earth.

We're renting a villa on the West End of Tortola. We're planning on taking day trips by ferry to JVD & VG and then doing a day sail for snorkeling and visiting some of the other islands.

I guess my question is, can you make some recommendations on what to do on Tortola? Where to eat, drink, and listen to music?

My old haunts were the Smugglers Cove honor bar (long since gone, I'm sure), Jolly Rogers, Pussers at Soper's Hole, and Quito's on Cane Garden Bay. Given the 15 years that have passed, and the impact of Irma, it sounds like most of those (except Quitos) are gone. Can you suggest some fun places to go or do? Sounds like Sugar Mill is still open, which is great news. And of course CGB will have no shortage of bars. Any other spots we shouldn't miss?

Also, any suggestions for VG? I used to go straight to the Baths, but we're considering renting a car and spending the day exploring the island.

Thanks in advance!

BVI Sponsors
Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192612
04/18/2019 02:45 PM
04/18/2019 02:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Offline
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RickinAtlanta  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
On VG rent a jeep from Mahogany Car Rentals, mahoganycarrentalsbvi.com, drive to North Sound for a stop at Leverick Bay, then back up the mountain for a must stop at Hog Heaven! Breathtaking view and awesome bbq ribs, conch in butter sauce, and burgers. Drive thru Spanishtown and go to the Bath's as it will likely be mid afternoon and the cruise crowd should be gone. BTW Mahogany will meet you at the ferry dock with your jeep!

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192613
04/18/2019 02:53 PM
04/18/2019 02:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst Offline
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Orange_Burst  Offline
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Toledo, OH, USA
In Cane Garden Bay go to The Elm on Sunday for the Elmtones and the BBQ. Very good music and food.


Colleen

[Linked Image]


Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192614
04/18/2019 03:45 PM
04/18/2019 03:45 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
I can highly recommend Aristocat charters for your day trip. Many of our guests go out with them and everyone has great things to say.

Pusser's Sopers Hole has move to Myett's CGB and as you said Quito's is still there so you'll have good options there.

The Smuggler's honor bar is gone, but there are 2 great options there; Nigel's and Patricia's and they'll both take good care of you.

Not sure if Stoutt's Lookout was there 15 years ago (I doubt) but you'll want to stop there and meet Prince and take in the views of CGB.

Enjoy!

-Jason


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192615
04/18/2019 04:05 PM
04/18/2019 04:05 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,676
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
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tradewinds  Offline
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An island state of mind
Omar's Café at Soper's Hole is the best breakfast on Tortola and his other restaurant, Omar's Fusion (which is a little further down the road) is great for lunch and/or dinner.

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192616
04/18/2019 04:25 PM
04/18/2019 04:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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captdennyj Offline
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captdennyj  Offline
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Dana Point
great ideas .....


You all are going to have a grand time...

Some things have changed, some places are gone, and some are new......we are going be sailing the BVI for two weeks and going to love and appreciate what we can, and not compare .

Might Add Leverick Bay, Friday night, bbq, band, dancing, and party and the Mocko Jumbies. Reservations.

on Jost, many days the Soggy Dollar is mobbed with ' day trippers ' . Until about 3:30 or so. Hendos next to the Soggy seems looks like plan B for us, and the catch the Soggy Later. Lots of chairs for sitting out on the beach.

Jost: At Diamond cay area.....Foxy's Taboo has a very neat stand alone restaurant bar, and docks. Plus, across the mooring field from Foxy's Taboo, is the BEE LINE BAR. Lots of good reports , on our list in a few weeks.
there are moorings for your day charters .

Thanks to the posts on this forum, Canegarden Bay, many, many great reports on The Elm and their band the Elm Tones. All very, very positive. Also, on our itinerary . Thanks to the posters for the updates.

Top O the Baths, Virgin Gorda, a fun place for us, view plus great pool, outside tiki bar, restaurant, friendly and feels good.

Probably, our fave snorkel sites , are still good, , Pelican and Indians, and Monkey Point. ( Guana Island )....for your day charter explorations.

The Willy T has moved to Great Harbor, Peter Island. Nice looking motor vessel replacement for the destroyed previous Willy T. Bar ( fan tail bar, and upper deck much like the old Wily
T, so the party light is lit if you chose to join in. )

Another new place, is SCRUB ISLAND RESORT. No moorings but very, very quality marina docks. Free , small ferry, from Trellis, then Marina Cay, and then Scrub. Short , quick and easy.
They have a couple of very nice beaches, Very quality restaurants, and pool bar, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, SCUBA Diving, Sailing School, Snorkeling, gift shop, deli, fitness center.

As bare boaters, we will try to reserve a slip, ( 1.50 / ft. in May. ) and then 20% resort fee based on the total slip payment. About $ 12.00 Resort Fee, and be able to use most of the amenities.

That is it for now, the Admiral says it is time to go out to BBQ,

Have most wonderful return trip to the BVI........You are gonna love it !

Denny and Erica

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192629
04/18/2019 06:13 PM
04/18/2019 06:13 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Must add The NEW Sugar Mill..Dennis and Mary have taken over the place and returned it to its former glory..actually taken it way beyond its former glory. Maybe the best place on Tortola for a romantic, gourmet dinner, and the beach bar has been completely rebuilt renamed " Tramonti" and is open for terrific lunches and dinner most nights..and a killer brunch on Sundays. Highly recommend The Elm on Sunday nights with great Q and the amazing Elmtones..

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192631
04/18/2019 06:34 PM
04/18/2019 06:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 24
Colorado
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NewfD90 Offline
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Colorado
One our favorite places is the Bananakeet overlooking CGB. The food and the views can't be beat! Also, the Sugar Mill is very good.

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192632
04/18/2019 06:41 PM
04/18/2019 06:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 32
Texas
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MidlandGasman Offline
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MidlandGasman  Offline
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Texas
When are the Cruise Ships a problem for GCB? Is there a May 2019 schedule?

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: MidlandGasman] #192639
04/18/2019 09:09 PM
04/18/2019 09:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 88
Tampa Bay, Florida
SonOfTheSea Offline
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SonOfTheSea  Offline
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Posts: 88
Tampa Bay, Florida
Originally Posted by MidlandGasman
When are the Cruise Ships a problem for GCB? Is there a May 2019 schedule?


http://crew-center.com/tortola-bvi-cruise-ship-schedule-2019

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/tortola-island-port-35?month=2019-05#schedule

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192641
04/18/2019 09:33 PM
04/18/2019 09:33 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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Memphis, BVI, CT
Sebastian’s is completely rebuilt, exactly as it was before. Love their breakfast and watching surfers on a beautiful beach.

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192685
04/19/2019 09:33 AM
04/19/2019 09:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2
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paulvi33 Offline OP
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paulvi33  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2019
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Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone. This board is a fantastic resource, and I can't wait for my trip!

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192719
04/19/2019 12:24 PM
04/19/2019 12:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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captdennyj Offline
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Dana Point
The current Plan is to avoid cane garden bay...

May 21 and 23 . Disney and NCL.

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: SonOfTheSea] #192727
04/19/2019 12:47 PM
04/19/2019 12:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Offline
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Washington DC
Originally Posted by SonOfTheSea
Originally Posted by MidlandGasman
When are the Cruise Ships a problem for GCB? Is there a May 2019 schedule?


http://crew-center.com/tortola-bvi-cruise-ship-schedule-2019

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/tortola-island-port-35?month=2019-05#schedule


They dont have May yet but I have found this is the easiest one to use

http://bviports.org/cruise-schedule/

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192762
04/19/2019 04:39 PM
04/19/2019 04:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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captdennyj Offline
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captdennyj  Offline
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Posts: 216
Dana Point
Cruise Ship schedule :

Just FYI : I have been typing in " BVI cruise ship schedule 2019 "

It lists the entire cruise ship schedule for the whole year of 2019

It is a long list for the year, so you need to scroll down .

It has the dates, ship company, and time in port , Hours of arrival and departure.

Very helpful for those of us who do not want to be there, when the cruise ships are in port. ( Road Harbor ) .

In addition to the bus loads of cruise Shippers in CGB, Might want to check the situation at White Bay , Jost Van Dyke as well . , And the popularity of the Soggy Dollar.
They would come over, on day boats. from Road Harbor, Plus, the day trippers that normally are there from St. Johns, and other islands, And the charter catamarans and monohulls, and island land bound guests.

This might not be important to some folks, but when we lived on Kauai Island, we were an easy walk near the Cruise ship pier in Nawiliwili Harbor, Lihue,
as well and Kalapaki Beach, at the Lihue Marriot, and the shops,. bar s, and restaurants. Plus they swarmed Anchor Cove and the small Harbor Mall.

Also, there could be more than one ship at a time . NCL, Holland America, Carnival, and several others.

Personal preference, We do not care to be around those crowds when sailing the BVI.

We plan our itinerary to avoid all that.








Last edited by captdennyj; 04/19/2019 04:49 PM.
Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192795
04/20/2019 07:00 AM
04/20/2019 07:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 106
Winnipeg, Canada
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GaryC Offline
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Winnipeg, Canada
In West End, Omar's Fusion in Sopers Hole is a great spot for curry dishes and a nice bar to meet up with people as well. In Carrot Bay make sure you try D'Coal Pot. I also enjoy Tremonti (Wed - Sat only) which is the new beachside restuaraunt put up by The Sugar Mill. I believe Quitos is still doing the full live band thing Friday night.

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192851
04/20/2019 08:13 PM
04/20/2019 08:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 272
Va Beach
Kmon Offline
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Kmon  Offline
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Posts: 272
Va Beach
Also, don't miss the upscale lunch and dinner dining experience at Coco Maya on Virgin Gorda!

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: paulvi33] #192901
04/21/2019 11:20 AM
04/21/2019 11:20 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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Manpot  Offline
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Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
"Tramonti" at The Sugar Mill is open for lunch seven days a week, Brunch on Sundays and casual dinners Wed to Sat. The upstairs restaurant ( terrific BTW) serves fine cuisine seven nights a week. For East Indian cuisine lovers"Omar's Fusion" is great..a top notch chicken vindaloo! "Da Coal Pot" is always good as is "Bananakeet" up the hill. The food at " Quito's" is much better these days too!

Re: First time back in 15 years! What should I know? [Re: Manpot] #192903
04/21/2019 11:43 AM
04/21/2019 11:43 AM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 850
Manhattan Beach, CA
calsail Offline
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calsail  Offline
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Manhattan Beach, CA
Malcolm is so right on. I'd like to also recommend Brandywine for brunch or a romantic dinner.


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