TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Ugh. Struggling w itinerary- help

We are spending five days on our beloved Virgin Gorda with a day trip on the ferry to Anegada (❤️). Then we were SUPPOSED to go to St. John (I’ve only been once and hubby never has) but we can’t get a car. We were to arrive Thur night and staying in Cruz bay so Thur we could hoof it. We are taking the 8:30 am ferry Saturday. But there’s ZERO cars available for Friday. . I didn’t realize when I booked. Yes we can taxi around but my college kids are more interested in hikes and exploring the island A driver is $95 an hour. So that’s out of the question.

Soooooo. We are considering taking that ferry on Wednesday to Anegada and staying there til Saturday Ann’s cottages are available. BUT when I was there last Feb the north shore beaches were covered in Sargassum except for in front of Tipsys. Ann did a great job cleaning I realize no one can predict. But curious what experiences people are having in January. I will follow that sargasuum watch/ outlook site. But I’m torn between rolling the dice on St. John w no car which is not appealing or plopping down on Anegada for some true relaxation and maybe the conch tour which we have never done. Would value any advice ….. I suppose we could just stay on Virgin Gorda too. To further clutter my brain. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Last year the sargassum came in on the North Shore of Anegada the last week of January (uncharacteristically early). I think it was January 29 (based on my photos). We had a strong squall one night and the next morning there was a thick band of it on the beach. We had several more squalls come through at night that week and one of them brought strong winds from the East along with swells bringing waves from the North. That combination cleaned most of the sargassum off the beach. It's very unpredictable - the prediction sites are really only of use on a macro scale but won't tell you what's going to happen on a particular beach on a particular day.

We just headed over to the South facing beach (between Pomato Point and West End). That's a beautiful stretch and there was no sargassum there.

That makes sense. Thanks for the response. As fun a day as we had on Anegada last year - I was happy to return to Little trunk bay and its pristine waters. Maybe we will just stay on Virgin Gorda . I wish someone would just make up my mind. 🤣🤣

We did a day trip to Anegada from VG early January and while there was no sargassum, the swells were incredible. The ferry over was borderline scary and the water was so rough near Ann's and Cow Wreck we didn't dare step foot in the water. It was unpleasant to even sit on the beach due to the wind whipping the sand. We drove the whole island and really didn't find anywhere I felt safe swimming. We regretted spending the time and money to get there since there wasn't a whole lot to do with the wind what it was. Last year seemed particularly rough but who knows what this year will bring either.
It sounds like you are looking for more relaxing time...in which case, I would consider just staying on VG. More often than not, we overplan and overbook, only to look back and say "we should have just relaxed more".
Take the ferry from VG to Jost on Wednesday instead. A few painkillers solves everything!

When there are storms in the Atlantic it can really kick up the ground swell. Also last year the BVI Christmas Winds continued well into January. Neither of these things is accurately forecast over the long term. In the shorter term, you can watch the low pressure systems as they roll across the U.S. and into the Atlantic. If they maintain their circulation you can bet on swells from the North a few days later in the BVI.

Did you check for jeeps with Amalie and Paradise on St. Thomas? Jeeps are in high demand and such short supply.

UPDATE!!!! I tried to update the original post but I can’t. Mr Pipers keeps and crystal pulled thru in the clutch and helped me out!! So happy. Thank you all so much for sharing your thoughts and help. I got lucky. Lesson learned on this one. 👏👏👏👏

Awesome! They are a great outfit. Enjoy your time on St John. We love it there and usually stay up on Bordeaux Mountain for the stellar views and to be away from the Cruz Bay craziness.

Speaking of that- I saw a you tube video of Bordeaux overlook. East to find? And I KNOW my husband and son are going to want to drive over Bordeaux road. How scary is that!!??? We will have four wheel drive just wondering. And which direction is preferential if there is a favored way ?? Thanks again everyone.

Centerline is an easy drive down to Coral Bay. Bordeaux Mountain Rd is VERY steep. But fun. Just not on rainy days. There is an overlook on Centerline past the Bordeaux Mountain Rd intersection. Really can’t miss it. On your right if going toward Coral Bay. There was a smoothie stand right up by the intersection of North Shore Rd with an amazing view but I think they closed. I heard the owner of another establishment was going to open something else up there but don’t know if that ever happened. Off Bordeaux when you see Calichi (where we stay) go in if the gate is open. Tell them you want to see the property for a future stay. The views there and from the common area pool are out of this world.

Bordeaux Overlook is overgrown and the building there was destroyed in Irma. As MIDiver said, there is an overlook further down towards Coral Bay. Bordeaux Mountain Road is now fully paved and is a fun drive. Good views heading down to Coral Bay. A couple of Coral Bay restaurants are open, but Skinny Legs reopens on Halloween.

Cheers, RickG

Thank you!!! I’m going to put my big girl britches on and take the drive. My college kids will love it. I might need a painkiller or two before it. (I won’t be driving ) 🤣🤣. Good intel everyone. See you in January!!

Salty Mongoose Pizza and Surf Club Cantina are at the bottom of the hill for those Painkillers.

Cheers, RickG