Benures Bay, Norman Island
We tried to stay here the first night of our April 2009 visit, but it was too crowded. Instead we came back for our last night’s stay and saw only 2 other boats in this small, secluded bay. What did we love? It is conveniently located to Tortola and even two restaurants in the next bay over (the Bight), yet you feel like
you’re a miles from all things civilized. Anchoring was easy. We anchored in the east section in about 20 feet of water and by nightfall there were 4 other boats. I snorkeled over our anchor and when I felt confident it was set, set off for more snorkeling. I saw one of the biggest barracuda I’d ever seen. It shot out at me as I swam by and got my heart racing. The second snorkel trip of the day was with my husband. We went in search of the barracuda, but never found him. Instead we swam through millions of small silver fish. I could barely see my husband just a few feet away. We also saw turtles and other beautiful fish and coral.
Places We Like in the BVIs
Virgin Gorda
It’s the perfect mix of plenty of activity and on vacation relaxation. There are tourist attractions that can’t be missed such as The Baths as well as beaches that rank up there with the most beautiful in the world such as Savannah Bay Beach.
Rent a car from Mahogany Rentals. The prices are great, it’s fun to drive on the left side of the road, and the people are helpful, friendly and honest. We left our underwater camera in the car overnight. As we sailed to our lunch anchorage the next day we realized we had left our camera somewhere. We turned on our TMM cell phone and found that Mahogany had been trying to call us to tell us they were waiting at Limerick Marina with our camera. It would have been very easy to walk away with a nice camera, but that’s not the Virgin Gorda way. I vow to rent from Mahogany every chance I get. The camera doesn’t matter so much, but the images represent all the hard work that it
takes to get a vacation like this. Savannah Bay Beach is well worth the effort to get there. When we were there it was really very quiet. There are palapa-type thatched umbrellas every ¼ mile or so and the blue water was mesmerizing.
Cooper Island
Great walking beach, charming beach bar—when we were there it was buy one, get one free drinks—lots of beach chairs and umbrellas free for use. It was a little squirrely, even on a mooring ball, but it was worth the stop. I don’t remember the snorkeling or swimming, but remember the beautiful color of the water against the green bushes and brown rocks of the hillside.
Jost Van Dyke
While we love Sydney’s Peace and Love Bar in Little Harbor, we prefer the anchorage at Little Jost Van Dyke/Diamond Cay. It seemed quieter, more secluded than Little Harbor and we love the easy access to great snorkeling, hiking and sandy spit. The Bubbly Pool was not bubbling for us, but getting out for a walk was nice.
