TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Sandbox open times?

Does anyone have any idea when the Sandbox on Prickly Pear is actually open? Went by the other day and chairs were out on beach but nobody around. I’ve had rough luck finding them open and I love that spot for an afternoon north sound hang.

In the past I have only noted it open if a cruise ship is in the North Sound.

We stopped by one afternoon in November and if will be the last time we ever stop. It's the only place in the BVI that we have ever been made to feel unwelcome.

Xray - same thing happened to us last season. We wanted to spend the day there, drinks and lunch, but were told to pay $20 a chair before we could even sit down. And we were the only ones there. We left. That was in January - were back in the two more times this past year and never saw anyone there - just lots of chairs. If they only want the cruise ship crowds they can have them.

I used to LOVE the Sandbox. Best bushwackers and fish bites. I can't remember the last time it was open when we have been there. Last time we went to Prickly Pear we decided we liked it better closed. Brought our own cooler ashore, let the dog run around and went back for lunch on the boat.

X-ray
We were there about 1o years ago and got the same treatment. We were staying at the Beyc, my wife and friends wife took two of the Boston Whalers over to set up for the day while the guys picked up a few things at the beyc store, Long story short They pulled the whalers up onto the beach and got swamped on the beach; they asked the staff for help and were told they just needed to leave the island. They managed to get the boats off and get back at the bitter end yacht club. We had a conversation with the general manager of the bitter end she told us it was a state park and it was not there right to refuse the use of it because a cruise boat wanted it. They actually had the customs agent come down and she explained this is public property I don’t know if you would call it a national park or a beach or whatever but it’s open to the public. They can refuse you service at the restaurant but I cannot tell you to leave that beautiful beach. Based on their behavior like somebody else on here said, I like it better when they’re closed.

Im at the edge of my memory but i recall stopping there in 92 and we saw a very simple two room beach bar shack on the beach with a beach sand floor, they served us a drink and we left, (an ordinary transaction) the beach was deserted/empty, But nice looking. At that time It seems like they were waiting for more visitors and i was guessing that would be charter boats ?

thanks for the news for how its changed.

Gumption's mom who owns and operates the Sandbox can certainly put the "Prickly" in Prickly Pear. If you go in, greet with her a smile, and buy some drinks she is quite friendly though! I especially enjoy her Pina Coladas and she makes a good Bushwacker too.

She does charge for beach chairs, so if you want one I would advise you ask her about it before sitting down or setting yourself up in one.

The beach is beautiful and fantastic for lounging on, and the inside of the restaurant is nice as well. I have not eaten there in forever so have no comments regarding the food.

As for when she is open, well, that's a tough one. They do have a big new red banner that says "Open" and I have found when that is displayed on the beach they are indeed open. Otherwise most likely closed

She about blew a gasket when we inquired about the dingy poker run, lol! Sandbox was listed as a stop, but she said she wasn't told anything about being included. Anyway, we bought a couple of drinks (needed a receipt for the poker run) and got out of there. All good.

We stopped during our trip in early November. She could not have been any nicer to us and even allowed us to serve ourselves while she worked on some other things.

They also did not have food when we stopped by so guessing that the kitchen is only open when they expect significant volumes such as having a cruise ship in the north sound.

We had stopped in a few times before Irma and I think the rebuild looks nicer than the previous incarnation.

We will definitely stop back if the flag is up.