Having sailed in the BVI for 25 years, this was our first land based visit. We have always tried to share our favorite vacation spot with family and friends, but following the unexpected death of my husband last year, we lost our favorite captain. Villas on Virgin Gorda seemed the best way to accommodate our group of 19 people, ages 80 to 18 months. We all left Saturday July 7th from Atlanta, Pennsylvania and DC, arriving in STT on time and with all bags (thanks to lots of prayer) and converged at the Petite Pump Room. We caught the 4:00pm direct ferry to Virgin Gorda (ferry was large, nice and wonderful air conditioning). Mahoe Bay and car rental folks (a jitney and Montero) met us at the ferry dock and a quick trip led us to our villas, Beachdreams and Villa on the Beach. Both villas were large, beautiful, well equipped, with great pools and outdoor spaces, side by side and on the beach. The view from the verandas was breathtaking. Snorkeling from the empty beach was fantastic. The layout of the villas was great with private areas and large areas for group get togethers. The bedrooms had great air conditioning, but no air in the kitchen/living areas (This was our only negative). Probably wouldn’t matter much, because we spent most of the time outdoors anyway, but with a group this size, we cooked most meals in and it did get hot..

Sunday – recouping from travel, snorkeling, kayaking, letting the sun soak in slowly, played games, enjoyed the pool.

Monday – Went to the Baths, discovered maybe this was a bad idea with 80 year old parents and bad knees. Back to Top of the Baths for drinks and wings while the others climbed the rocks and snorkeled.

Tuesday – Chartered the Voyage boat I-Speed for the day. Great idea. They met us in Spanishtown and for the next 7 hours, took us to some favorite spots which most of the group had never seen. The boat is so fast, we covered the whole area – The Dogs and Monkey Point for snorkeling, Jost Van Dyke and Soggy Dollar Bar, Sopers Hole (to pick out our next charter boat and hit the shops), the Indians and back to Virgin Gorda. The boat was great, sleek looking, lots of space, open, air conditioning in the cabin. Captain Kristino and first mate were awesome.

Wednesday and Thursday – most chilled out at the villas, snorkeled and kayaked, some toured the island and had lunch at Hog Heaven. Drove to Leverick Bay for harrowing drive and stopped for wonderful views on the way. Evening of games and pain killers.

Friday – Some returned to the Baths, but jellyfish were out. Relaxed, snorkeled, more kayaking and packed up, as we needed the early ferry in the am. Caught the free taxi to the Jumbie BBQ at Leverick Bay at 5:00 (we wanted to enjoy a little of happy hour). Free taxi great idea, so everyone could enjoy drinks. No one wanted to drive that road at night anyway. BBQ great as usual, lots of dancing and everyone loved the Jumbies. We were the ones who went crazy when the band played “We are Family”. Left early around 9:30 because of busy travel day in the am.

Saturday – David at Mahoe brought our bags to the ferry dock at 0700, great idea.
Everyone else followed later. Ferry left on time at 0830, cleared customs in Charlotte Amalie and on to airport. Those of us on Delta checked bags quickly and cleared customs and security. United counter people didn’t have their act together and even with 2 ½ hours, some of our folks almost missed their flight. Everyone arrived home on schedule.

Highlights: Beautiful villas, wonderful snorkeling (with turtles at times), I-Speed, Jumbie BBQ, relaxing and spending quality time with family. Each family was responsible for one dinner meal which they brought with them (everything from grilled salmon, filet mignon, spaghetti, chicken fajitas, pork tenderloin, etc.) This kept the cost down and it just isn’t fun waiting for food in a restaurant with a large group and a hungry baby.

Next time: Hopefully a boat with captain and cook. If we do another villa, go for 10 days instead of 7.