TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Tortola for a newbie

Hello,

I was hoping to ask for a couple of suggestions for a first timer in Tortola. We're a couple going next month, and have 4 days/5 nights in Tortola. We looked into chartering a catamaran, but have ruled it out.

We're now having a look at where to stay, and while the internet has helped, I don't have a good sense if the same info applies post-hurricane. Our agenda is we'd like to take day trips to visit some of the other islands (e.g. JVD, Virgin Gorda, Anegada).

2 questions:

1. I got the sense that Cane Garden Bay was THE place to stay pre-hurricane. What about now? If most businesses are still in the process of rebuilding, is there any advantage to staying in CGB right now? Would we be better off staying closer to a ferry hub?

2. The website with the ferry schedule is a bit confusing, but it looks to me if were to stay around the West End, it only goes to JVD (and a couple of USVI). Is it easy/possible to get from the West End to locations like Virgin Gorda and Anegada? Would we be better off staying closer to a different hub such as Roadtown?

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Post-Irma, ferry schedules are completely different: several aren’t running. Couple that with the fact that this is hurricane/low season, and you can expect even more changes to the ferry schedules. The best place for up-to-date information is the Facebook BVI Community page.

From West End, you can only get to Jost, never Anegada or Gorda. Pre-Irma, you could go to St. John and St. Thomas, but those links, AFAIK, aren’t running now. WE was also badly damaged, so that seems like a poor choice to stay.

Anegada ferries were going from Trellis, but aren’t now, again AFAIK. I think there are thrice weekly ones from RT. Gorda ones leave from Trellis and RT. Your best bet is staying in RT, probably at Maria’s. Many restaurants will be closed in September, so that is your best option for finding open ones.

As far as Anegada, flying up on VI Airlink is by far your best choice for a day trip.

Cane Garden Bay might still make a nice base for land staying. It's beautiful still, the beach and reef are in great shape, and you have a decent choice of restaurants there or very close by. Right in CGB, you have Bananas, Rhymers, Irma Shack/Paradise Club, and Myett's for food. A short drive/taxi gives you Stoutt's, Banankeet, and Da Coal Pot for food. For lodging you have Rhymer's, Cane Garden Bay Cottages, and Elm Suites in CGB.

The West End ferry for your Jost trip is less than a 20 minute drive/taxi ride.

For Anegada, you are 20 minutes from the ferry (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or 45 minutes from the airport (daily).

Here is a nice suggestion and some help.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/6000680 other option on http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/

Lovely with a killer view! We are located near Long Bay, Smuggler's Cove and Little Apple Bay beaches. We are a short drive to De Coal Pot, Pusser's, Bananakeet, De Best Cup and Sebastian's restaurants. Plus a 10 minute drive to Cane Garden Bay. The ferry to Jost Van Dyke is a 7 minute drive. Ferry to Virgin Gorda is a 20-25 minute drive and there is also car ferry to VG. We have found the car ferry works very well for an enjoyable day on VG.
Here are a few blogs from our website:
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/2018/07/30/sage-mountain-tortola-bvi-is-as-beautiful-as-ever/
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/2018/07/31/bananakeet-restaurant-tortola-bvi/
http://www.purplepineapple.com/ppv/2018/06/23/caribbean-charcoal-pit/
We would be very happy to have you. Please email any questions or concerns you may have.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm down to deciding between 2 properties, one in CGB and the other in Carrot Bay. I sort of know the pros/cons of each, but the one unknown for me is what is the beach/bay like at Carrot Bay? Is it a nice beach, and is it an area where you can go into the water?

Thanks,

There is no beach in Carrot Bay..Apple Bay has a lovely, small beach with nice swimming and snorkelling. If you stay in Carrot you will be heading east to CGB for a beach or west to Apple, Long Bay and Smuggler's Cove.