Virgin Islands Special Spots

St. John: Caneel Bay, Orchid Hill Villa, Waterlemon Cay.

Jost Van Dyke: Foxy's,Soggy Dollar.

Tortola: Bomba's Shack,Shopping in Roadtown.

Virgin Gorda: Baths, Top of the Baths, Mineshaft, Guavaberry, Bitter End, Little Dix Bay,

Quick Tips:

Do your homework upfront, for best location. Don't stay in a hotel, rent a villa w/family or friends.

Shop local.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car.

Guavaberry is a great deal for the dinero. It’s also located on the southern end of the island, close to The Baths. If you want to be near this popular destination, your options become rather limited.

Guava is a series of separate cottages dotted along several acres, connected by an unpaved road. Our unit was perched above boulders, shrubs, and trees. Accommodations were sparse, clean, and practical. The bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining area were all laid out in an asymmetrical design. Most unusual! The wooden deck off the front entry had wonderful overview of island. There was great visibilty for miles in many directions. Funky, cool commissary behind office with living provisions available. I liked the honor system in place (just sign-off on your supplies).

Another major bonus was access to Spring Bay Beach, Guava''s private beach, just north of The Baths. There was a shed, with complimentary beach chairs available. There was one perpetual problem, though. Rooster and chickens squawking at will. Goats called from the brush. But, for the price, location and view, I was very pleased with our stay at Roosterberry, I mean, Guavaberry Spring Bay.

On our 1st visit to St. John, we stayed at Caneel Bay, and barely left the property. This time, we came with another couple, rented a jeep and explored all four corners of SJ.

Well before leaving,I had researched and was very happy with our pick. Orchid Hill Villa turned out to be a perfect way to revisit St. John.

Orchid Hill Villa is 10 minutes from town,a short ways past the Weston.The property is located above Chocolate Hole, on the southeastern end of the island.

OHV is a sweet two bedroom two bath home with wonderful privacy and views. This house was designed in the shape of a Stealth Bomber,the bedrooms were set off in two different wings of the house. Between are kitchen, dining, and covered patio.

You park below the house and walk up these steps past an edgeless pool and spa. The pool area''s really great with killer views and total privacy. The place is all landscaped with indigenous plants. The house was built using native stonework. Woodbeam ceilings inside. I loved the covered patio/dining room.Tradewinds,views to St. Thomas and off toward St Croix. We love SJ and OHV was a perfect way to appreciate this place.

Caneel Bay is a treasure. What makes it so unique are the seven beaches within the property. We stayed uphill, past the Equator restaurant. We looked over the property, past the pool, with tennis courts off in the distance. There''s a tram system for guests, but we chose to walk the many paths. The rooms were of the wonderful local style of stone and wood.

Favorite memories: #1) Scott''s Beach, under the sea grapes, #2) dinner at Turtle Bay, in a gorgeous room, #3) lounging at the bar, watching sunsets from the second-story deck, #4) snorkeling along the point south of Scott toward Turtle Bay, and #5) the veranda at the Equator, with fantastic views.

There was so much to do and see within Caneel Bay''s 200 acres that we barely left the property. This fortunately led to our return to St. John and our renting Orchid Hill Villa, as I describe in another entry. For lovers of beaches, IMHO, St. John is the best, and Caneel Bay has some of the best on St. John!!!

We spent three nights here, but did not particularly care for the hotel''s location. Directly along the shoreline is the island''s somewhat busy road. Unfortunately, it literally cuts this property in two.

Tortola isn''t reknowned for its beaches, and the hotel beach is only adequate at best. Small and noisy from road traffic.

On the positive side, though, the rooms were done very nicely. Spacious and in perfect Caribbean flavor. Also, the pool area was wonderful, though somewhat small. The lobby with adjoining veranda was absolutely gorgeous, as was the connected ancient sugar mill, which now serves as the restaurant. Meals were fine and setting superb.

Much love has gone into the creation of this property. I just didn''t enjoy Tortola nearly as much as St. John or Virgin Gorda.

We didn't actually stay here, but we did make a day-trip over. Bitter End Yacht Club is a sailing mecca. It sits at the southernmost point of Virgin Gorda. Located on the Northern Sound, it is accessible only by boat, as the road stops a couple miles away. BEYC's vessel brings you ashore to a small, charming village of shops and main reception area for resort guests. The open-air feel is fantastic as millions of stories are being swapped between guests and friends. The bungalows are along the northern shore, with a beautiful stretch of sand. I loved the palm-covered lounge chairs along piers, set in the water. The place reeks of mariner charm with several different lounges in various locations. Along the southern shore are the marina, market, pool, and watersports. We had Roti and bevies in the marina lounge and savored the experience.

Mad Dog sits proudly at the "Top of the Baths." Also at TOTB''s are a few shops and a neat restaurant (complete with swimming pool for diners). MD''s sits right beside the path leading down to the Baths.

Edith runs the bar and concocted local drinks. There''s a great vibe to the place -- peaceful and timeless. There''s even a small in-house library.

We''re talking about a sweet little shack with verandas all around. Inside, several stools along the small bar. Local chatter and a few good laughs. For me, this is what it''s all about.

Waterlemon Caye is where duels were allowed in the 1800s. Hot-blooded gentlemen would come over from St. Thomas and Tortola to settle things on this micro-island. It's now a great place to snorkel. You do have to walk a ways to get to the launch point, but it's worth the effort. You set off across a small, but deep channel, before arriving at the beach of Watermelon Caye. I saw many a large starfish on our way over. Swim clockwise. Many don't encircle the island because of strong current, but the overall adventure is quite exhilerating.

My wife and our 2 friends boarded a twin-hulled catamaran at the Weston/St. John one morning and set off on a trip over to Jost Van Dyke. I had read about JVD online and thought it worthy a visit. JVD is a very small island, only just recently obtaining electricity. JVD is named after a Dutch pirate, I believe.

On JVD, resides a legendary soul named Foxy, who operates an establishment under his own name. He is a reknowned local Calypso singer, who often entertains guests with tropical songs. Since I''m Pianoman, I usually travel with my trusty melodica, which has many stickers on its case to show its many journeys. A melodica, for those who may not know, is a small keyboard you play via a mouthpiece. It sounds like something between a harmonica and an organ. I hoped to jam w/Foxy. Of course, my wife wishes I wouldn''t bring it along,anywhere, but....

Anyway, off we sail through the channels.

Our first stop is a wonderful spot for snorkeling, so we indulge. After viewing the most breathtaking underwater reefs, we pile back aboard and sail toward Foxy''s.

Our approach to JVD lead into Great Harbour, and a more idyllic harbour, there never was.

The town consists of several buildings spread above the beach on "Main St". At the end lies Foxy''s Tamarind Bar & Grill. It''s just a great beachshack bar/restaurant half-open and half-enclosed. The beach is right in front and foliage is everywhere. Unfortunately, Foxy must have heard I was coming, ''cause he was nowhere to be found.

After a satisfying lunch at Foxy''s we sail off toward what I had read was listed as one of Conde Nast''s top ten beaches in the world. From what I know, they were right.

We pull out of Great Harbour and sail around a point toward White Bay. This was something incredible. It looked like we sailed into a swimming pool. The small bay is protected by a large coral reef. So not only is the water very calm, the white sand bottom makes it remarkably clear. There is no harbour, so guests jump into the water and wade to shore.

And onshore, sits the aptly named "Soggy Dollar Bar". This is the birthplace of the worldclass drink: "The Painkiller". After acquiring beverage, I immediately headed back into the water, where I then nursed this concoction. Other than the bar, there was an inn w/ several beach cottages called "Sandcastles". They looked charming and we are considering staying here in the future.