British VI or US VI?

[TheFied]

My wife & I are thinking about doing a trip to the Virigin Islands this summer. Never been to either. Probably ~5 days. Which are safer, which are prettier?

And is it too hot for the summer? ANy optimal times other than football season?

 

[soonerinatlanta]

You may want to consider avoiding the caribbean during hurricane season. I spent a week in a tropical depression in july in grand cayman. Kinda spoils the vacation.

 

[ScoPro]

St.Thomas is an overrun tourist trap, but St.Johns is much nicer.

 

[runner]

I've been to the BVIs, but only on day trips. If I were going there, I'd go to Jost van Dyke or Virgin Gorda (been to both). I have, however, been to the USVI many times. St. Croix: flat, much more out of the way, and less scenic. St. Thomas: very crowded, cruise ships can overrun the place, but it is a pretty large island. St. John: now that is my idea of paradise. 75% of it is a national park, so there are no high rise hotels, no traffic lights, no airport, and no cruise ships. You get there by flying to St. Thomas, take a taxi to the other end of the island, and take a 20 minute ferry ride to St. John.

The beaches are among the best in the world. (Four Seasons was filmed at Little Hawksnest Bay), and Cinnamon and Trunk are fabulous as well, but there are numerous smaller beaches with sometimes no one else on them.

I normally go in the summer, and yes, it is hurricane season, but most of the time, you have plenty of warning to get out -- you certainly don't want to be there when a hurricane hits.

Safety -- St. John is completely safe, St. Thomas less so, but still not bad. St. Croix -- not sure.

I don't think it is too hot. We rent private villas whenever we go, and we've never even had A/C. No need for it.

 

[longhrnfan]

USVI sucks compared to the BVI's, but I've only done both from the comfort of our sailboat.

USCI is a tourist trap. St. John is a lot better, but it still has its tourist crap. Lots of pretty places on St. John. The BVI's boast smaller islands, with more natural beauty.
The diving is pretty good there as well.

This should be a no brainer unless you want a carnival cruise like vacation, or you require the ritz carlton, which is in St. Thomas.

 

[longhrnfan]

btw st croix has a lot of industrial places and refineries. I do not think it is as safe as the other islands around there.

 

[RunTex]

BVI's hands down.

Stay on two different islands- maybe Virgin Gorda and Anguilla. Cane Garden on Tortola hosts the BVI music fest over Memorial day is a really a fun time.

 

[TheFied]

Have any of you rented a sailboat and crew to sail around the islands? If so, any good links to check out for prices?

 

[RunTex]

moorings.com is the biggest and best out of the BVI's
or check out of Red Hook on STT- there are several.
This is by far the BEST way to see the Virgins. Spend the money if at least for 3-4 days and you will never regret it!