TravelTalkOnline Forums Thread Like Summary - Irma recovery.

We are thinking of returning to the BVI. Hurricane Irma and the covid scare were the reason we stayed away. Because we started going there in the 70's, it was the "vibe" that kept us returning. Does the BVI still have that "vibe"? Did the BVI make a good recovery? Also, has the Mineshaft reopened? Thanks.

Calvin

Hey Calvin. I can only share my experience. After a few years’ absence, we travelled to Tortola in 2023. We loved it! (And we are planning our next visit in June). We found the locals happy to see us. As our custom, we used Tortola as our base and went to our favourite spots: Soper’s Hole, Long Bay, Cane Garden Bay. We did day trips to Jost Van Dyke and Cooper Island. Sure, there were some let-downs: mostly due to cruise ship traffic overrunning places like Pusser’s and Roadtown. And we did not love having to go through St Thomas, but despite all that, we rediscovered our love for the BVIs.

As of last April mineshaft wasn’t open. We’ll be there in April/ May, I’ll let you know

There is no doubt that Irma changed some things. We lost a few of our favorite bars, Stanley's (Tony's), Bomba's and some of the ones that were rebuilt IMHO lost their local charm like Saba Rock.Sad to see Quito go.That said the islands are still amazing filled with, mainly, friendly people and spectacular sights.Prices have risen but spirits are high too.Come on back because we miss our regular visitors.

We came the year after Irma, and sort of in the middle of Covid. We met survivor stories post-Irma that were amazing. One taxi driver said he'd lost his cab and had a boat deposited in his yard, but everyone made it through ok and he got a new cab. Someone else in Leverick was living in a tent on the slab of their former house. Youth from USA were there helping rebuild a school on Virgin Gorda. The trees were just beginning to come back, BEYC, Saba Rock and other places were gone. But the strength of the population just made us love the BVI that much more.

Being there when Covid was beginning to rage in the BVI was unusual but it had its moments. We had "dinghy takeout" from Wonky Dog and Abe's in Little Harbour. Fabulous meals. Because of the reduced crowds Nova at Oil Nut Bay was closed but they were allowing visitors free access to the main restaurant, pool and beach. Wasn't crowded and the meal was fabulous.

So even when things were pretty much chaotic and destroyed it was a different but wonderful place to visit.