TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands BVI Itinerary Input (Dec. 19-26)

Hi --

Headed to the BVI on a Moorings Charter in about a week (7 adults, 3 kids). We haven't been for 10+ years, and know the islands have changed a lot and not everything is back up and running from Irma. These threads have been very helpful, but figured I'd post to see if I could get some input on our tentative itinerary and see if those of who you who have been recently have any tips, suggestions, etc. Thank you in advance!!

A few overarching questions:
- With Bitter End still closed, will places like Anegada and Leverick Bay be even busier than normal this holiday season?
- We know we want to do Cooper and Anegada. Any must-visit island that we've missed? Looking for a mix of seclusion and things to do (esp. for the kids). Some additional questions in bold below.
- Any tips on best local food?


Day 1 - Tortola to Cooper Island

Day 2 –
- Stop at Baths
- Spend Night at Leverick Bay (Alt: Drake's Anchorage or Spanish Town)
QUESTION: Is Leverick Bay a good place to stop between Cooper and Anegada? Anywhere else you'd recommend?


Day 3 & Day 4– Anegada
- Night 3 - Lobster dinner
-Day 4 - Boat trip with Sherwin of Team Charters

QUESTION: What's the best place for a Lobster dinner? In the past, we've gone to Anegada Reef Hotel
QUESTION: For lunch/hanging out, which is better - Cow Wreck or Big Bamboo


Day 5 – Marina Cay or Great Camanoe -? Somewhere else?

QUESTION: I know Marina Cay is just a fuel dock right now, but used to be one of our favorite spots back in the day (pre-Pussers). Is this still a good place to spend the evening? OR would recommend somewhere else?


Day 6 – Norman Island/The Bight Or Stay at Marina Cay
- Part of crew would do a rendezvous dive this day

Day 7 – Christmas/Brandywine Bay
- Dinner at Brandywine Bay Estate

QUESTION: Is this a good spot for Christmas dinner/last night? We also thought about Scrub Island but thought it may be too fancy for the kids in our group. Part of our group needs to get back to Tortola the next morning for a morning ferry, so want to be close.

We love Leverick Bay. The kids will like the pool, you can refresh provisions at grocery store and the restaurant upstairs and down are both good.
Marina Cay is a great place to overnight on a mooring ball. We saw some of the best sea life there while snorkeling. And the turtles are swimming close to the boats.
Keep in mind that your divers can get a scuba trip at the Scrub dock. BVI Scuba
Scrub is great for kids. They love the slide, and we love the pool bar! Food is pricey and so so. The breakfast tacos in the grocery store are good and about $7.00
Enjoy!

If you've been before, then you know you'll need to decide about choosing Spanish Bay over Leverick before getting too far up island past SB.

Leverick was great last Dec when we were there (about the same time as you, but maybe a week earlier) and in Oct. If you have the daylight, I would go straight from the Baths to Leverick. As Lcrich said, Leverick is great. One of, if not, our favorite stops.

Even if you stay at SB, if you leave by 7:30 or 8 in the morning you'll be able to make Anegada.

We stopped at Marina Cay in Oct and Scrub in Dec. MC was empty (as expected) but the shuttle to SI was a little annoying.

I'd recommend Cane Garden as your return stop from Anegada, on your way to Norman.

How about go from Cooper to Leverick and take a taxi down to the baths?

Leverick over Spanish Town for sure...

If snorkeling when "hanging out" in Anegada then Big Bamboo and Flash of Beauty. If not Cow Wreck is a great bar

2nd CGB

all IMHO

In 2018 we did the Cooper to Leverick and take a taxi to the Baths route. Not the cheapest way to see the Baths but the view going over the mountain made it all worthwhile.

3rd on the taxi to the baths, finish the visit to the baths with lunch at Top of the Baths restaurant and pool, vaguely similar to Marina Cay on the top of the hill, also you can stop in Spanish Town to shop (?) Well used to be anyway

@bailau - On Cow Wreck vs. Big Bamboo, which would you say has better food? And does one get more crowded than the other? Thanks!!

@WashKate, I'm sure bailau will chime in shortly. The majority of our island trips we stay on Anegada. As he stated, the snorkeling is the best from Flash of Beauty up to Big Bamboo. I feel like both Big Bamboo and Cow Wreck have good food. Our preference is Cow Wreck because of the party atmosphere that seems to happen regularly there. But honestly, either place for food is good.

@ndfaninnc - Thanks!! Helpful.

Re food: For dinner The Wonky Dog is now our goto place for terrific food and atmosphere. Love Cow Wreck but check your tab and make sure they have not added "tax"..there is no tax on food in the BVI's and that is a hidden service charge.If they add "tax" no need to tip.

You know, I didn't think to ask is she was looking for a lunch spot or dinner. I will say my response is for a lunch. Dinner? Hands down Peter at Wonky Dog.

Malcom, I can honestly say I have never looked at my Cow Wreck bill. Ann holds mine for the week we are there and I pay her on the last day on the island. She runs my card then I add the tip. Now I am curious.

Thanks, all! Was thinking Big Bamboo or Cow Wreck for lunch. And, then lobster dinner somewhere else -- will check out Wonky Dog. We've done Anegada Reef Hotel before but it's been over 10 years. Any other must-see/must-do recs in Anegada or elsewhere?

You are going to get a lot of suggestions....so here is another one.

Day 5 – Anegada to Marina Cay or Great Camanoe -? Somewhere else?

One of the best sails (and longest) of the week is when we leave Anegada and cruise all the way to Peter Is Great Harbor or Norman.
Plenty of time to do a snorkel/lunch stop at the Dogs.
Great Harbor should be quieter since Willie T has move back to The Bight. Lots of shiny new mooring balls.
Day 6 - Head from Peter to the Indians and then Norman.

You could probably do the rendezvous dive pickup at Peter and then drop off at Norman.

Lots of fun planning but remember to be flexible.

cw

I defer to my friend NDFANINNC as he is the "land expert" on Anegada especially for food...and I have the culinary tastes of my dog...:)

We took taxi to Flash of Beauty for snorkelers and the rest went to Big Bamboo. We walked down to the East at FOB and then snorkeled back West (with current) to the bar there at FOB (chicken rotis there are recommended). We have also snorkeled at Big Bamboo which is hit or miss. Then we walked on the beach over to Big Bamboo and caught up with the rest of the crew and then took taxi to Cow Wreck. IMHO Cow Wreck is a top 3 bar in the BVIs and must see

Of the 2 Kate, (Big Bamboo or Cow Wreck) for lunch I would vote for Cow Wreck.

Wonky Dog is excellent for dinner...afterwards walk over to Potters for night life or start at Potters and stay for night life. Our college kids picked that party as top 3 experience in May '19

at Moorings base get some noodles and bring them with you for Sherwin excursion...you might even get your snorkeling fix with Sherwin.

It really is hard to go wrong with anything on Anegada

Thanks Rob. Snorkeling at FOB is a must do! Lunch is a tough call. I lean towards Cow Wreck mainly because we stay close to their beach and I love the crew. However, @bailau screwed me up when he talked me into a roti at FOB. The best i have ever had! One roti will definitely feed two people. Most days Cow Wreck is a great party.

Dinner, most on here love Wonky Dog. As do I. But the Lobster Fettuccine at Anegada Reef and the Lobster Pasta at Potters are both amazing. But for just a lobster you cannot beat Peter's at Wonky Dog. Sid's at Pomato Point is one of my new favorites. At least stop there for a drink after leaving Cow Wreck. The place is beautiful. I do recommend Potter's for after dinner. Always a great time there.

You will also read that both Kelly and Sherwin have great tours. You cannot go wrong with either. I 2nd bringing noodles.

Be sure to check out the pink flamingos while on the island. Remember, no matter where you look for them they will always be on the opposite side of the pond you are looking from.

If you need a vehicle I recommend Dean (284-544-3703).