Forums39
Topics38,720
Posts313,144
Members26,578
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
38 registered members (Rema, MrEZgoin, Kennys, bkigar, Sqdeese, eightzerobits, Matt W, barryvabeach, NoelHall, MKGrey, MrTim-BTV, ColoBoater, PrairieGirl, nevar37, bailau, CaribbeanCanadians, JandIrene, RickG, GeorgeC1, Buddyhog, EdB, SXMNAN, Kegoangoango, Compskier, BillB42, socamon, Bernd, Husker, 10 invisible),
1,201
guests, and 87
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66565
09/01/2015 03:19 PM
09/01/2015 03:19 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 176 Virginia suburbs of DC
AquaGirl
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 176
Virginia suburbs of DC
|
What a nice choice to have - St John or Virgin Gorda! We alternate vacations between St John and the BVIs. They are different and we love both. Like you, a priority for us is a nice beach and great snorkeling.
Since you enjoy St John, you will probably really enjoy Virgin Gorda. The roads are not as steep as St John (with the exception of the road down to the North Sound ferry area for a short stretch) and its very easy to drive around the island.
We have stayed at Guavaberry near the Baths and Adagio villa at Mahoe Bay. We enjoyed both very much and can recommend them, depending upon whether you want a villa experience or a cottage experience. Both are within short walking distances of a beach with snorkeling.
We love the beaches and snorkeling on Virgin Gorda. Easy entry to the water and snorkeling fairly close to shore. StJ has more beaches, but we snorkeled and hung out at 5 or 6 VG beaches and enjoyed each one.
There are also other sights to see (depending upon what you like to do) - hike to Gorda Peak for a magnificent view and hundreds of butterflies, visit places in North Sound (Saba Rock is fun), Jumby party at Leverick, go to Hog Heaven for a fabulous view, explore the Baths (early in the morning without the crowds!).
Regarding restaurants, it really depends where you go. We found good, not-as-expensive places on VG where we got carryout and took it back to our villa. We enjoy eating on our private deck with a gorgeous view. We ate at some of the nicer restaurants on VG which were the same price range as StJ restaurants of the same type.
The only thing I don't like as much about VG is that it takes a bit more travel time to get there. We usually fly into St Thomas, then have to take several ferries to get to VG. Last time, we flew into San Juan, then took Air Sunshine directly to VG. We got to VG quicker, but it was more expensive than flying to STT and taking ferries. Of course, that is totally dependent upon flight schedules and prices which vary widely.
Happy trip planning!
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66566
09/01/2015 04:38 PM
09/01/2015 04:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922 Virginia
charlie
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922
Virginia
|
Crowds at the Baths depend upon time of year and cruise ships. We go to VG in May and there are no cruise ships, so we go to the Baths at anytime. Except, we go to the Baths by going halfway down the Devil's Bay trail, turn left at the Stony Bay trail and check out the three stony bays and hike over to Devil's Bay from Stony Bay. There is a trail. Then we snorkel Devil's Bay then hike to the Baths and go through "backwards." Then up the main trail to Top of the Bath's and over to Mad Dog's and visit with Edith. At Guavaberry you have a very short walk to Spring Bay, then go over to the Crawl, then take the path to Little Trunk and Valley Trunk beach'es. With a car you can hit Savannah Bay, but not on a Sunday, that's local's BBQ party day and crowded. Mahoe is always on our list. Great reef and fish and turtle's there. Drive on the road to Nail Bay Resort, park there and hike down the Mt. Trunk beach road, about 100 yards, and enjoy. Great snorkeling off to the right with lots of reef and lots of fish of all kind. Then, continue on the road from Nail Bay resort and as you cross a drainage ditch, turn left on the dirt road and you will come out at Long Bay. Great beach and an unrestored rum distillery. Then go on up to Hog Heaven and enjoy the food and the views. If you are curious about where stuff is like grocery stores or restaurants and roads, etc. Guavaberry Spring Bay's web page has a printable two page map. I think it is in the "getting here" folder near the bottom, so scroll down or search around and you can see where everything is. Oh, Guavaberry has a deal with a rental company for discounts. And, they have snorkel gear for kids, life vests, etc. Is it May yet? I've got a severe case of DIF now... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66570
09/01/2015 08:15 PM
09/01/2015 08:15 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922 Virginia
charlie
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 922
Virginia
|
How many are there of you going to de Ilon's? Just two of you, Guavaberry is not much more than a hotel room for a couple. We are just two, and don't need a villa, so the one room cottege w/all amenities, ie.: fridge, stove, microwave, bedroom, bath and shower, living area and lovely porch work fine for us, and cheaper than a hotel room in Miami/Wash. DC/NYC. Plus...wifi and puppy dog's...what else do you want or need? And, is it May yet... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66571
09/01/2015 08:24 PM
09/01/2015 08:24 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,270 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,270
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
|
The pricing of the villas depends on the season and the number of persons. My villa faces into the trade winds so critters are not a problem. The South Sound Villa also has water in three directions and fabulous views. We also have rental ,which make the villa affordable for even the smaller number of guests.
tpcook
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66572
09/01/2015 10:29 PM
09/01/2015 10:29 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,612 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,612
Woodstock, GA
|
MerSoleil1 said: This is such great info! I'm finding that villas on VG are more expensive than STJ! Maybe less competition?? Did I read somewhere that there are some easy day trip islands to hope to from VG? I'm also noticing villas seem to have netting over beds. Should I assume bugs/mossies are bad? Sorry to be asking so many questions, but we only take vacation every few years which puts tons of pressure on doing it so ....absolutely...right! I don't see many pixs of VG villas with netting over the beds. All you have to do is read the description of the particular villa and if it says "A/C in bedrooms" you DON'T need nor likely have netting.
Last edited by RickinAtlanta; 09/01/2015 11:09 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: RickinAtlanta]
#66573
09/02/2015 01:56 PM
09/02/2015 01:56 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 35
MerSoleil1
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 35
|
We will need at least 3 bdrms maybe 4. As plans are not even close to 'done' we will want to have enough room for family to come/go... won't be there the entire time. You are all a great help! Off to google more villas!!
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: MerSoleil1]
#66575
09/03/2015 11:52 AM
09/03/2015 11:52 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
Traveler
|
Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
|
When are you planning to come down as rates vary by season and number of bedrooms - cheers Brian
GordaGuy2
|
|
|
Re: Virgin Gorda v St John
[Re: gordaguy2]
#66576
09/04/2015 09:47 PM
09/04/2015 09:47 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 553 Maine Coast
Nemos
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 553
Maine Coast
|
Our first two visits to the Virgin Islands were on St. John, Caneel Bay and Gallows Point. We loved both. Then we discovered Virgin Gorda, have been there 11 times and never returned to St. John. And we probably never will return to St. John. Nothing really wrong with St. John, it's just that we find Virgin Gorda to be much less crowded and far more relaxing. As someone else already said, check out Guavaberry Spring Bay. You won't find another place anywhere in the VI as clean, as hospitable, and as well maintained - and with its own private access gorgeous uncrowded beach too!
Last edited by Nemos; 09/04/2015 09:49 PM.
|
|
|
|