Fantastic British Virgin Islands Vacation

The highlights of our trip included the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, snorkeling with the most exotic fish, making quick friends during a downpour while on a day sail on the White Squall II, eating at the most unique restaurants, and seeing the most amazing views from our villa on the water.

Quick Tips:

Don't be afraid to try the different things on menus. Don't expect anything to be done quickly. You're on an island and life is a lot slower than what we're used to in the States. Get used to it quickly and use that time to help you relax.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rent a car for part of the trip if you wish to see all of Tortola. We did not rent a car at all... we paid a lot for the cab fares all over the island, but we didn't want to be responsible for the car if something happens... they are crazy drivers (and left side)! Our favorite cab drivers were Freddie (operator of Freddie's Fun Bus in the busy season, just a regular small van in the off season) and Dave. Most drivers will pick you back up if you just give them a time. This makes it very convenient when you aren't sure how to get a cab back from someplace remote (like a beach).

We spent several days just relaxing on the beaches. After the stress of getting married, it was just what we needed! Our villa was located in Apple Bay. A good beach for snorkeling and sunbathing. The swimming is fine once you get past the coral. We loved Long Bay beach as well... the restaurant there served a good lunch and the beach was really long and great for walking. There was decent snorkeling there too and good sunbathing too along with lots of shade for a nap under the palm trees. Our favorite on Tortola was Cane Garden Bay. Imagine a lagoon so clear, calm, and warm that it looks like a swimming pool. No snorkeling here but it's fine because the expanse of great restaurants makes you rather lounge in the provided chairs and try all of the cocktails.

On Virgin Gorda, the Baths National Park has the most beautiful lagoon and beach that I have ever seen. The water was perfect for swimming and there was a coral area nearby for great snorkeling. This place is so popular though, they bring day sails full of people to snorkel so go on the off days. All of the other beaches were so bare, we felt like the only ones on the beach, save for maybe 10 other people on the entire thing. It pays to go in the off season!

The White Squall II is a highly recommended day sail from Road Town. The animated crew takes about 20 passengers on an old wooden schooner to Cooper Islands and Virgin Gorda (one option, the other is 2 different locations) where they point out great snorkeling spots at each location. The crew gets right in the water with the guests and directs you to unique sea life if you wish to be guided. Lunch is served BBQ style aboard the ship and all of your snorkel equipment is included in the ticket price. Conveniently, they will send a taxi to your hotel at 8:30am on the day of the sail if you need transportation, for the low (very low) price of $10/pp round trip which is a great deal.

Our trip was unique in that it poured rain and even thundered some so we didn't get to go to both islands which we were told is very rare. We were given a discount on our tickets, but even in the soggy mess we still had such a great time that we wanted to try it again. We even got to see a large barracuda eating chicken wings that the crew threw in the water to him. Ironically he was right near the spot where we had just been snorkeling. But we saw loads of tropical fish, turtles, and rays so it was well worth it.

There isn't much shopping on Tortola so don't expect it to be like St. Thomas if you go. This is a good thing because it makes you focus on taking lots of great pictures to capture all of that natural beauty to take home with you as a souvenir. We highly recommend visiting the artist David Thrasher, who has a gallery behind Coco Plums restaurant. We bought several of his prints to adorn our new home and the remind us of our honeymoon every time we look at them. Soper's Hole has some specialty boutique-type stores that had some great gift items and souvenirs.

Take home some hot sauce for those people in your life that are convinced they can handle anything hot. They will change their mind. We also made it a goal to buy a t-shirt from each of the islands we visited. Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke is the legendary bar featured in many of Kenny Chesney's songs. They had the biggest selection of clothing by far and lots of Foxy's/Jost Van Dyke souvenirs. Foxy's Taboo (further around the island) is much smaller so don't plan on buying much there. There isn't much else on the island though!