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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66392
08/28/2015 02:22 PM
08/28/2015 02:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 503
ski2play
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 503
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MerSoleil1 said: Hi all, I will also post this in the general Caribbean section, but I am looking for everyone's help in trip planning. We LOVE St John. So far, fav place on earth, but it is getting super expensive to rent nice villas and we have not ruled it out, but are thinking of trying somewhere new that offers St John-like beaches and snorkeling. Thinking about Grenada, Grenadines, but really need help! We are not into night life but having a local/good food place some evenings for dinner would be nice. I've heard the BVI's are not as nice and also even more difficult to drive. Anyway... thanks in advance for the ideas!! Whom ever told you that about the BVI's was 100% correct <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: ski2play]
#66393
08/28/2015 03:45 PM
08/28/2015 03:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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We enjoy Virgin Gorda, but not as large or as varied as St. John. Not another huge national park out there like STJ. We're going to spend time on Culebra and Vieques in October, but will be headed to St. John and the BVIs afterward.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66395
08/29/2015 09:14 AM
08/29/2015 09:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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Culebra is like old St John, before it was gentrified. The town area is very compact and full of bars/restaurants. We didn't snorkel because the weather was not conducive.
For beaches and snorkeling, how about Anegada? Or the Grenadines by crewed charter yacht?
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: Nutmeg]
#66396
08/29/2015 05:12 PM
08/29/2015 05:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,666 MIA
irina
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,666
MIA
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66397
08/29/2015 05:50 PM
08/29/2015 05:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA
Will_L
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
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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="" />
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66399
08/30/2015 09:29 AM
08/30/2015 09:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,611 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,611
Woodstock, GA
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MerSoleil1 said: Ah, but wouldn't VG have the issues mentioned to me before...difficulties in driving, not great/dangerous roads? The people that told us this were the owner and crew of a charter boad that took us snorkeling from St John to BVI's and around. Both locals. Has anyone been to Grenada? Grenadines? I will look at Antigua more but my first pass at it did not show many villas/homes for rent and what they had (again, just first pass) were not good options. But, I have not searched very hard yet! I realize Grenada & Grenadines are not part of this forum but I'm not getting responses from the other ones yet. Thanks! The roads on Virgin Gorda are better than St. John especially when you consider the drive up Gift Hill from Cruz Bay.
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66400
08/30/2015 10:15 AM
08/30/2015 10:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA
Will_L
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
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Lol, now that's funny. Bad roads on Virgin Gorda? Did they mention the crocodiles lurking in the mangroves, the serial killers? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Actually VG probably has the easiest driving of all the Virgins and most would argue one of the most scenic. Now Anegada has easy driving...unless you get off the road into the sand..and sink. Trust me I really don't care for Virgin Gorda becoming more crowded, but the roads won't be a reason for anyone not to go...only one switchback on entire island, just above Leverick bay, nothing like those on St. John. Most people giving charters from the U.S. never get away from the Baths or the Yacht Harbor, would not have a single clue where anything is or what the roads are like. They dump people, pick em up and head to next stop. They never venture around the island. Just explaining for others that if one likes the roads and traffic on St. John they will love that part of VG.
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: Dougie]
#66405
09/02/2015 03:23 PM
09/02/2015 03:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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Ditto about Easter in Culebra. I always thought they all went to the BVI, but they were thick and loud at Culebrita and in Dewey. If you are looking for land-based, check out Club Seabourne. Cute spot.
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66409
10/24/2015 02:39 PM
10/24/2015 02:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925 Milton, MA
JudyG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925
Milton, MA
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We have regularly alternated St John vs VG since we love both...quieter, great beaches (less "labeled and thus many are quietly deserted), friendly people ( the British influence in VG makes for a more reserved, respectful, yet friendlier people), great restaurant choices and the roads have improved multifold since the early 90's...all paved, line-divided and well marked, with plenty of guard rails. It has those ups and downs roads like St John but only on the north end of the island. We can heartily endorse Guavaberry Spring Bay Homes...we have stayed in everything from their hexagonal "tree-houses" (bungalows), to small and large villas. Their attention to customers is what makes Tina and company stand out! Plus their very own beach on Spring Bay, complete with water-side loungers and fresh beach towels, all located a very short distance from the famous Baths. When we go to St John, we rent different places; on VG, it is just GSBH.
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Re: Options to St John
[Re: LocalSailor]
#66410
10/26/2015 09:33 AM
10/26/2015 09:33 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98 Virginia
BVIShuga
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Virginia
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I'd like to know this also.
Love sailing the BVI's with friends.
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