First Trip, Spa and Other Recommendations

Hi.

My wife and I will be taking our first trip to the BVI in May and we'll be chartering a sailboat for just under 2 weeks.

Her birthday falls within our trip, and I'd like to treat her to a spa day while we're there. It looks like there's a spa at Leverick Bay, and another at Scrub Island Resort. Does anyone have experience with them? Is one better than the other? Are there other options that I missed in my research that would be better?

Also, I've been using The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands to sketch out a rough itinerary, though I expect we'll mostly wing it based on what we feel like doing on any given day. Assuming I have the basics (The Baths, various snorkel spots, Michael Beans, etc.), are there any less well known things (e.g., not covered by most guides) that you recommend to do or see? Or any other tips for a first timer?

Thanks!

Id do it at Scrub. It will certainly be more memorable IMHO. Although another option is the floating spa at white bay out in front of Ivans. Never used it, but looks fun and completely different from any massage/spa experience.

Have heard good things about the Scrub spa, but have never gone there because it is more expensive (higher prices + 20% service charge + tip) than others on island, many of which I have tried.

My favorite is Amara at the Moorings, where I'm a regular: nice facility and staff. Prices similar to good places in the US.

As to your schedule, check to see when Michael Beans is leaving this year.

Very excited for your first trip to the BVI, BillB42! I'm envious, wishing I could go back and experience the now-familiar sites again for the first time. Regarding spa options, I have absolutely nothing to add, except for the anecdotal recent experience we had at Leverick, when the woman who runs the spa seemed very energetic in promoting their facility.

As to your itinerary, I think you've started with one of the best resources available, in the form of the Cruising Guide. I order the new edition every year and lean into it heavily for general information and changes in local dynamics. But for really great input, advice and really up-to-date takes on the lay of the land (or sea, as the case may be), you've come to the right place. While many who regularly contribute to this forum are boat owners, locals and seasoned old salts, I'm probably what the rest of them mean when they describe "credit card captains." Though I have sailed the Virgin Islands annually for decades, I am constantly impressed at the wealth of knowledge which exists, and which is openly shared, on this forum. So I would encourage you to "dive in," both in terms of perusing present and past threads and in putting forward any questions you may have as you prepare for your very memorable trip.

Haha-the Leverick Spa lady is VERY enthusiastic. My son asked if she was going to follow us up to dinner one night.
There is also Spa and Sparkle on VG and Little Dix has one as well.
The floating spa is definitely the most unique though.

Our friends had a great massage at Ocean Spa in White Bay JVD (yes, the floating spa) this week. Deep tissue - my friend ran from White Bay to Taboo and back every day and needed it - lol. She said it was the best she has ever had and that says a lot - massage only here.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and recommendations.

The floating spa looks interesting, but I'm hoping for a smorgasbord of services, rather than just massage. I'm really want to pamper her (she deserves it - she has to put up with *me*, after all). I'll for sure check out the other spas mentioned.

Also, unfortunately, it looks like we're going to miss the Michael Beans show - I found a post on FB that said his last show of the season is May 3rd, which is just before we'll arrive. On the bright side, I guess it will be a reason to go back again sometime in the future :-)

close friends who are spa snobs rave about the spa at Little Dix.

On land..folks rave about the spa at The Sugar Mill in Apple Bay. Marjorie is the spa lady....I call her Massagorie. Only heard excellent things there..Plus you can have a fantastic meal!

If you are looking for other unique things to do, the Necker Island tour is always high on my list.

We did floating spa last year and they are excellent...the barge is made out of scrap wood from Irma

Since you also asked for recommendations I'll pass along a couple of must knows to make entry into the BVI ok. Before entering you will be
given a Customs and Immigration form to fill out. Use a ball point pen in black or blue ink only, no vivid colors like pink, etc. Also, on the C&I form
they want date info such as your birthday, etc. Here in the US we mostly do month, day, and year. On the BVI forms they want Day, Month, Year. So, if
your wife's birthday is, say, May 10, 19-- enter 10-May-year. Also, the C&I form at first appears to only ask for essentials on the first half of the front part
of the page and everything else looks like it can be passed over. NOT!!! Fill in something for all of the blanks. There is also a friendly greeting that opens
up friendly smiles and welcomes: "Hello, how are you today?" Greet everyone with that, even an empty room say at a bar or cafe as someone may be in
the back out of sight. That phrase is the ice breaker. To give you an example/experience I saw at a restaurant in Roadtown a couple walked in acting like
entitled richness and treated the staff in an unfriendly be my servant mode and they were seated and totally ignored. No menu's, no drink orders, nothing.
We were served wonderfully and completely finished a dinner and dessert meal and that other couple were never even acknowledged. So, hello how are you
today? We will be down in May as well but we no longer charter due to age. We stay in a cottage at Guavaberry Spring Bay near the Baths. So, if you just so
happen to see an old guy wearing a Mad Dog (bar/diner) tee shirt ask if he is Charlie. If it is me I'll give you some more info and a joke or ten...lol Have fun and
don't forget the sunscreen!!!

Great advice Charlie....to add on keep the bottom tab of the C&I form for departure

Excellent advice Charlie! In the USVI (just in case you are transiting through) it is "Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening or Good Day." Using these phrases makes a HUGE difference.

Thanks for the additional recommendations, and also the tips about customs, and especially about the expected courtesies.

I have lots of friends in the service industry, so I always try to be polite to staff, and understanding if things go wrong. But I'm also super shy, so I tend to not talk to people unless I have to. I guess I'll have to try to come out of my shell a bit while we're there.