TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Virgin Gorda/Leverick

Tried to pull all my VG/Leverick questions into this post.
We are going to spend a night at Leverick - were thinking a mooring ball and not a slip. What's the advantage to a slip? We don't have a generator or AC on our boat.
Someone mentioned a pool at Leverick. Really? Fresh water? Can you use it if you pick up a mooring there?
We like the idea of renting a car and driving to the Baths. Being "washed ashore" with your bathing suit full of sand is just not that appealing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Any suggestions on who to call - we're a party of 6 and can drive a manual trans.
Years ago when we visited the Baths, we had lunch at a place on top of the hill that had a swimming pool and great view. Is that Hog Heaven?

Again - thanks!
Julie

The advantage to a slip is everyone can come and go as they please and you don't have to pile into a dinghy to go ashore.
The pool is fresh water and is available to anyone staying there on land or by boat.
The restaurant at the top of the hill is Top of the Baths. Hog Heaven is on the road to Nail Bay and there are signs for the turn-off.
Nick is happy to reserve a slip for you and also arrange a car rental. His email is
nick@surfbvi.com

We are going to spend a night at Leverick - were thinking a mooring ball and not a slip. What's the advantage to a slip? We don't have a generator or AC on our boat. ANSWER: You can't stumble back to a mooring ball!
Someone mentioned a pool at Leverick. Really? Fresh water? ANSWER: YES Can you use it if you pick up a mooring there? ANSWER: YES...I believe you can!
We like the idea of renting a car and driving to the Baths. Being "washed ashore" with your bathing suit full of sand is just not that appealing. Any suggestions on who to call - we're a party of 6 and can drive a manual trans. ANSWER: (first...SMART IDEA getting a car) Call Nick at Leverick and he will arrange for a car to be waiting for you. Important point...remember...you have the car for 24 hours....so if you arrive in the afternoon, you could do breakfast at Fischer's Cove
Years ago when we visited the Baths, we had lunch at a place on top of the hill that had a swimming pool and great view. Is that Hog Heaven? ANSWER: I can't for sure say where you had lunch (since I wasn't there) but Hog Heaven serves lunch and is on a hill overlooking the North Sound. If it has a pool, you are likely talking about the eatery at the Baths....which serves a great lunch as well and has a pool.

When are you going? What are you sailing?
In general, a slip is better because it makes it easier for people to come and go as they please. You get free water and ice, discount at the restaurant and use of the shower facilities. I think it is only $5 more than a mooring. Nick, please correct whatever I got wrong.
If you are going in the hot season and have poor air circulation on board and no AC, a mooring may make moe sense. For what it is worth, we always take a slip.
The answer to time of year and boat model will really answer the question.
You can use the pool at Leverick even if you are just having a bite and a drink or two. There are no pool cops. It is very boater friendly.
The place with the pool at the Baths is Top of the Baths. Hog Heaven is on the mountain road above Leverick. No pool but spectacular views and ribs. Very friendly host and hostess.
Nick can arrange for the a car as others have said or you can just email or call L & S Car Rental.

Discount at the restaurant? Really? Was not aware of that one....

If you do not have shoreside A/C and you are on a monohull, take a mooring ball.

There was a discount on here last year that was on a thread but not sure that is still valid? And, the Moorings Captain's card is valid at Leverick and many other spots for discounts.

I would take a slip no matter what.....ez in, ez out.....nuff said!

Careful of who you dock next to. We ended up next to a big [censored] yacht last time. They had generators running non-stop. Chanticleer...very pretty boat but their exhaust was still stinky and loud. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" />

Without A/C, a slip still has the benefits of coming and going without having to take the dinghy. It's nice to be able to walk over, take a swim, do laundry (only have done this once ourselves), get a Bushwhacker at the bar..etc.. With 6 people, not everyone may want to go to shore at the same time..etc. Being on a slip means it doesn't matter - just go when you want, come back when you want.

Only downside would be the direction of the wind and whether you'd get much of a breeze without A/C.

Otherwise it's all upside. And if you aren't using electric, I don't think much (if any) more expensive than a mooring.

The restaurant you referred to is the Top of the Baths. They are still there except the did add to their deck. Hog Heaven is on the other end of the Island and has amazing views as does the whole drive from Leverick to the Baths.

First time we stayed at Leverick and visited the Baths by land, I wondered why we didn't do this long before.

"Only downside would be the direction of the wind and whether you'd get much of a breeze without A/C."

Yes...exactly....and we did it one year...and BOILED all night - not fun.

Hog Heaven is incredible. Went there for our first time on our last trip and wow! It was the day after some fairly disruptive storms coming off the coast of Nicaragua finally rolled through. The winds were still really ripping but it was quite clear. Clear enough to see Anegada! What a view. Not only that, but we were the only ones there for the entire time we were there. Had a lovely breakfast and a hilarious conversation with the girl running the bar. She was from Trinidad and had quite the sense of humor and a refreshing world view. Hog Heaven is now on our absolute must list for future trips.

Question to all, does anyone know their hours or how to reach Hog Heaven by phone? Planning a family trip and thinking of taking everyone there for breakfast, just wondering how early they open.

We'll be on a TMM 38' cat with no AC. Given the need for a breeze we may just take a mooring ball - and skip docking the floating tennis court on our first charter captaining by ourselves. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
Looks like Hog Heaven is definitely on the list now!
Julie

Since most of the questions have been answered for Julie already, I would like to put in a good word for the Upstairs Restaurant at Leverick! We started making it a must do a few years back. It has been by far the best restaurant experience we have had in the BVI's. The service is impeccable as is the food. The last time we were there we even had a $25 discount when we stayed on the slip. I am not sure if Nick is still doing that but we plan to go either way. We have also done the Friday Night BBQ/Jumbies which was great, but given the choice we would head right Upstairs. I am still working on our itinerary for the end of March and Leverick will be on the list. [img]https://www.flickr.com/photos/kimshand/15825279249/in/set-72157642546316445[/img]

yes - Upstairs at Leverick is a great place to enjoy a delicious dinner!!!!

Onlymedication - I agree - the girls up there are the best....Always a fun time.

I think they open at 10 am.

Lisa

Chef George Sears does a masterful job at the Upstairs Restaurant. I have my reservation for Valentine's Day Dinner. His Lobster Sashimi is one of the two best bites of food I have ever had. Hope it is still on them menu.