TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Never been.

Thinking of a trip later this year and starting off with a couple of basic question.

1. Is it safe ?
2. How easy is it to travel independently ? We are not big fans of resorts or large hotels and prefer local accomodation, bars and restaurants.

Thanks in advance and apologies if these questions have been asked before. I did try looking.

No it’s not safe which is why so many go to the BVI😂 North Shore Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anagada VERY safe👍

An abundance of private villas on Virgin Gorda which is where we go. No resorts as we describe them except for Little Dix Bay on VG.

Plan on renting a four wheel drive jeep. Roads on Tortola are a lot of up and down hills with some switchbacks. Roads on VG are wider, well maintained and very easy to drive all over the island👍

How many of you are there?First trip I suggest staying on North Shore of Tortola and take a couple of ferry day trips. As said plenty of rentals..I have a beachfront studio or more upmarket there is the lovely Sugar Mill with two restaurants and small private villas. There are other ,studio one and two bedroom small villas or big places with multiple rooms and a pool..

2 people. Retired. Low maintenance ...

If land agree with Manpot as you can day trip via boat to many nice places from Tortola...if you dont want to day trip I would choose Virgin Gorda

VG hands down over Tortola.

As a fellow Brit, I'd say you will be perfectly safe provided you don't do anything you wouldn't do in London. Don't walk down dark alleys after flashing your cash in a bar, stuff like that. I holidayed there for many years then lived and worked there for two years. Never felt unsafe once. Stay in a rented villa or apartment, keep away from the anonymous upmarket places and you'll have a great time. I'm your sort of age.

We would highly recommend staying at Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda. We've stayed there over 70 times since 1987 and think it has everything you could ask for!

https://www.guavaberryspringbay.com/

I'm with Kmon on Guavaberry. We have been going to the BVI since 1989 when we bare boat chartered. Being sailors we went to all of the BVI's and loved all of the islands, but Virgin Gorda spoke to us. One time after a charter we spent 7 days at Guavaberry Spring Bay and got so pleased with the layout of the cottages, Easy walking distance to beaches and the Baths. Discount prices on car rentals if you want to explore the whole island. Oh, here is some important advice: take sunscreen with you. As you are from Great Britain you do know how to drive on the left. Just keep your eye out for goats on the road...lol...but true. If you have an underwater camera bring it along with snorkel gear. If you don't have snorkel stuff Guavaberry has the masks, snorkel and fins for you. The water is crystal clear and the fish are awesome. Here is another bit of advice that is important: greet everyone you encounter with a friendly hello and how are you today! This is the ice breaker and the islander's will open up to you. Also note that the BVI's use American currency so be prepared to exchange currency. When we first started visiting there were very few places that took credit cards but that has changed too. So we bring cards with us, too. Anybody else reading this feel free to offer helpful information as well. Also, anybody on VG in May look us up. We are down for three weeks and hang out at the new Mad Dog. Is it May yet? lol

Make that a third for GSB, which has a choice of lodging. As nice as the north side of Tortola is, the cruise ship hordes have made it far less pleasant. When you say later this year, pay attention to hurricane season. Consider travel and medical insurance, as well as medical evacuation insurance. UK NHI does not apply here.