TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Tortola plans pre and post charter

Our next trip is in the works!
We arrive into STT weds 11/11 at 2:00 pm and will take the next avail ferry to Road Town. Thought is to stay at Maria's by the Sea that evening due to it's location to TMM. Charter starts Thursday 11/12. We'll be on the boat 7 days arriving back Thurs 11/19. Rather than rush home, we're going to stay in the islands through the weekend. After a week of boating, I'm thinking Sebastian's looks like a good place to spend the next 4 nights. And it's close to the ferry to get back to STT on Mon afternoon for our flight back.
Question: will we be bored staying on Tortola for four nights? Realistically we'll have 3 full days on Tortola. I'm thinking we'll hang on the beach, visit Cane Garden Bay, and just hang out.
Any big flaws in my plans? Ideas of things we should do/see on Tortola?
Julie

How many in your party? CRC at Apple Bay may be a better choice. Not sure if Mal rents for only four nights. Check it out:
http://www.britishvirginbeer.com

Hurray for trips back. We are headed down a few weeks before you. Staying on Jost for 11 days.

We love Tortola, so I see no flaw in your plans. You are choosing a great base area that you can check out many spots from. Will you be renting a car?

We will do four nights here at CRC ( three night minimum)..got some nice reviews on TripAdvisor..and 10% discount because you are a registered TTOLer. No way you'll be bored..Smuggler's Cove,CGB, some great restaurants...next time you want to stay on land for a couple of weeks!!

Julie - stay with Mal - no contest - you'll have a BLAST! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Here is the updated web site link:
www.crcbvi.com

having done 3 extra nights ashore before heading home, we found we were tired and just wanted to get home, we now add the extra days before the charter, everyone is anxious to get into relax mode, we found the days prior to the charter to be a wonderful way to slide into ilon time, for this trip (we leave tomorrow morning) we're spending our 3 days prior to the charter again at the Tamarind, lazing in their pool, eating their amazing food,wandering down to josiah's bay beach for sunning, swimming and yummy, simple beach bar lunches. a perfect prescription for limin'

We always stay two nights after at the Tamarind as well. Just as CanadianGirrl mentioned we love the pool, the food, and going down to Josiah's Bay as well. We usually rent a car and go exploring for a day as well.

For what it is worth....I agree with most of this. In the past I've done the land-based before thing and it was like waiting for Christmas as a kid wanting to get on the boat. But, we were able to wind-down and get into ilon time and take our time shopping, etc. Last May we were on the boat for 8 and land based for 6 days and, while it was nice - I prefer the land based prior to the charter for many reasons. The only thing I disagree with is the statement "we were tired and just wanted to get home...."...NEVER have I ever left the BVI without figuratively being taken kicking and screaming to the airport and being (again figuratively) forced to get on the plane. I look forward to being there and absolutely HATE leaving...no matter which order we've done the trip.

Ditto - and as much as I hate waiting...the countdown leading up to departure - especially when you get close! - is half the fun. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

There's a lot to do on Tortola for four days. It also lets you leave Cane Garden Bay for the land-based portion and hit the spots that are hard to visit without wheels. Extending the trip before or after the charter, either lets us unwind from the pleasant demands of being on the boat.

We're back two days and I'm already trying to figure out how to get back before our July trip. I did wake up in the middle of the night last night at home and looked out my bedroom to check the anchor. Sweet Christine is used to this transition, so she just asked if the house was dragging the anchor.

Cheers, RickG

We usually spend 2 days on-island before climbing on the charter boat. I'm usually ragged out from getting stuff wrapped up at work and need a little decompression/rest time before hitting a charter.
Also, we usually spend a nite on-island before flying out.
There seems to be too much to do to make an early flight out that day, and we don't want to be getting to the destination airport after midnight and exhausted.

After all, this is supposed to be a vacation!

A few years ago we had a 10 day charter scheduled and figured to add 4 days on land. But should it be two days before and after or 4 days at the start or end. We solved the the issue by spending 14 days on the boat. Best choice.

Another vote for the Tamarind. Try to include the Sunday Brunch. One big locals party. I believe it goes on till about 3:00 in the afternoon. The food is unbelievable and the hosts are great.

Julie,

We stayed at Sebastian's in October when Hurricane Gonzolo interrupted our sail. James and Wanda were terrific hosts, they did everything they could to make us feel safe, informed and comfortable during the storm. Wanda told us of regular visitors who have been staying a week there every year for many many years. It is within walking distance to many popular spots (Bomba Shack, Sugar Mill, Coal Pot, I'm sure others will comment on other nearby attractions but those are the ones we visited. The rooms were nice, clean, air conditioned. The staff was very friendly. This Feb a couple from our Krewe stayed at Sebastians for one night just prior to our sail.

Cheers,

Tony

As usual, you are all so helpful! Love all the suggestions - thank you. The way our schedule works, our 4 land days need to come after our charter. We're flying back into Columbus to spend the next week (Thanksgiving week) with our kids. We figured why rush back to a hotel in Columbus when we can spend the weekend at a hotel on Tortola. We'll rent a car and explore the things we didn't/can't by boat and extend the vacation a little bit more. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

We are going to be land based in Tortola for 2-3 days before a charter next week. I believe there was another thread with specifics (I believe Mal mentioned some), what are some highlights we should hit on Tortola while we are land based? We will have a car.

Thanks,
Rick

Bananakeet is a fabulous restaurant for a sunset dinner

We have lots of folks spending pre and post charter with us at CRC...post seems to work best..nice hot showers, relax etc..so much to see on Tortola..drive from Smuggler's to East End along the north shore and ridge road..stop for cold ones along the way..have a cheeseburger at Nicole's in Brewer's..a beer at Bomba's..taste the rum at Sebastian's, Myett's and Callwoods..check the art at Aragon's at Trellis..hop the ferry to Marina Cay....(personally not a fan of Scrub).

You are obviously a "mainlander" or you would know that BORED is not a Caribbean word. My wife and I have been spending 6-8 weeks/year in the BVI (most on Tortola) since the mid '85 and each time we leave we commit on how much we didn't get to do or see. Be assured you will most likely make the same commit.

Just returned from our 8 day trip. Arrival night spent at Fort Burt. We arrived late (8:00 pm) but they were happy to serve us. Food was great, beer cold and room rates very reasonable. Highly recommend.

If i was staying over a few extra days i'd try Sopers and head over to Apple if felt the need. I've never stopped at Sopers but as i always head around the cape from JVD, Sopers always reminds me of a coastal European town. Also, TTOL speaks of a few good restaurants.

Harley

Little Apple Bay is one of the nicest spots on Tortola.

We are in the middle of Mal's recommend tour above. Soper's, Smugler's, Sebastian's, Bomba Shack, Myett's, Tony's, and at Nicole's now. Quiet but very nice. Don't think we can finish today but we have all day tomorrow. Thanks for the recommendations Mal, all awesome!

I would agree..CRC/Little Apple Bay is a great place pre or post. Our family spent a week pre-chater a few years ago and had a great time!! No regrets!!

Thanks guys..what a crowd we've had this week here ending with a beach wedding yesterday and terrific bar b q..MAPpy was a gorgeous, glowing bride and you could not wipe the smile off Leo's face..strange..very quiet this am on Little Apple!!