Beaches Archives | Rum Therapy

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020

Why You Should Plan a Trip to Turks & Caicos

Approximately 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida lies a beautiful tropical archipelago comprised of 40+ small islands. It’s called the Turks & Caicos Islands. The islands are separated into two groups – the Turks Islands to the east, which include Grand Turk and Salt Cay and the Caicos Islands to the west, including Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, Pine Cay and Parrot Cay. All in all, there are 8 islands in the chain that are inhabited.

The archipelago is a British Oversees Territory and is home to over 31,000 full time residents. Due to its stunning calm, blue water and white sand beaches, T&C has become a popular beach lovers destination and welcomes more that a million tourists annually.

Have you been to T&C? If not, here are some reasons why you should plan a trip to Turks & Caicos!

Beaches

It’s no secret that we love a beautiful white sand beaches and the islands of Turks & Caicos have some of the prettiest we’ve seen. With miles of secluded beaches to explore, these islands are truly a beach lover’s paradise. Some of our favorites?

Grace Bay, Providenciales. This stunning beach frequently makes the “Top Most Beautiful Beaches” list and for good reason. At a little over 3 miles long, this white sand beach lapped by beautiful turquoise water just begs you to come in for a swim, float, snorkel or to play. Some areas around the resorts can be busy at times, but we’ve never had a problem finding a quiet, beautiful area to enjoy. And, if you get hungry or thirsty after a day in the sun, there are several restaurants and bars (such as Somewhere Cafe’ & Lounge) to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger while enjoying the incredible views.

Sapodilla Bay, Providenciales. Although not as long as Grace Bay Beach, Sapodilla Bay compares in sheer beauty. Crystal clear water and white sand make this beach an absolute treat for the eyes. There are villas for rent just off the beach and if you get hungry, Las Brisas Restaurant is close by.

Whitby Beach, North Caicos. There are several stunning beaches on North Caicos and you will most likely have the beach entirely to yourself. We enjoyed Whitby Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand with a small restaurant/bar named Barracuda Beach Bar & Grill. The beach and shallow water were dotted with pretty conch shells during our visit and were used as decorations at the beach bar.

Mudjin Harbour Beach, Middle Caicos. A stunning coastline of beautiful beach, a rugged rocky outcropping called “Dragon Cay”, caves and high limestone cliffs that somehow reminded us a bit of Ireland all combine into one special place on Middle Caicos called Mudjin Harbour. Accessed by boat tours or by car via the causeway between North and Middle Caicos, this area is definitely worth a visit. Read more here.

Eat & Drink

Not surprisingly, conch is a popular dish in Turks & Caicos. Whether made in a ceviche, fritters, chowder, curried or in a salad, we found it all to be fresh and delicious. Wash it down with a refreshing rum drink (Bambarra is the local rum) and what more could you need! Other seafood is also readily available, such as Grouper and Caribbean Lobster (in season). Some of our favorite restaurant/bars so far?

da Conch Shack, Providenciales & RumBar. Enjoy a delicious dinner (cracked conch and jerk chicken are excellent) with a tall glass of Jan’s Rum Punch while sitting on a picnic table with toes in the sand. Perfect. Read more here.

Mr. Grouper’s. Sometimes it truly pays to ask the locals for a dining recommendation. Unsure of where to go one evening, we asked a lady we met for a good local eatery. She said that if we like seafood, we should definitely try Blackened Grouper at Mr. Grouper’s. Man, was she spot on. We ordered a Blackened Grouper and a Coconut Crusted Grouper with Mango Chutney Sauce. Other dishes are available, but when we went back a second time that week, we ordered the exact same thing, Delicious.

Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl, Providenciales. A beach side, seafood restaurant with delicious food and great drinks. Dine on the deck under the trees or grab a table in the shallow water, if there’so one available! Read more here.

‘Somewhere’ Cafe’ and Lounge, Providenciales. Located on the beach in West Grace Bay, this multi-level restaurant and bar serves up a beautiful view of Grace Bay Beach in addition to tasty food and drink. Excellent place to enjoy a colorful Turks & Caicos sunset. Read more here.

Other Things to do in Turks & Caicos

Besides spending time on the beach or eating and drinking, what else is there to enjoy in Turks & Caicos? Here are a few ideas:

1. Diving and snorkeling – with such amazingly clear water, it’s no wonder that diving and snorkeling in Turks & Caicos is top notch. The coral is vibrant and the reef fish are plentiful .

2. Take an excursion to a deserted cay and enjoy your own private island for the day!

3. Visit Water Cay and learn about the endangered Rock Iguanas that used to live on all islands in the Turks & Caicos but are protected here.

4. Attend the Thursday Fish Fry on Providenciales. Sample food from local restaurants and vendors, enjoy some live music and shop for local arts and crafts.

5. Play golf. Get a round in between beach days at Provo Golf Club.

6. Explore other islands. Ferry to North Caicos, rent a car and explore North Caicos and Middle Caicos (connected by a causeway) for the day.

7. Catch a sunset on Grace Bay Beach or Leeward Beach. Stunning.

What to Bring Home from Turks & Caicos.

Bambarra Rum
Locally made jewelry, sea shell creations, paintings and ceramics
Turks Island Roasters Coffee
PeppaJoy Hot Sauce
Lots and lots of pictures!

Why You Should Plan a Trip to Tortola, BVI

The British Virgin Islands are British Overseas Territory located a little less than 100 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a beautiful archipelago comprised of 60 islands and cays scattered about the turquoise water. The largest island in this chain is Tortola. It is also the tallest and most populated island of the BVI. Tortola has come a long way in it’s recovery from the monster hurricanes of 2017 and is once again attracting tourists from all over the globe.

Due to the closeness of the islands, the great number of beautiful beaches, calm coves, lively beach bars, great weather and the Sir Francis Drake Channel, (a long, normally calm body of water, sometimes called an inland sea, that runs between Tortola and the southern islands), the BVI has become a premier sailing destination and for many, Tortola is the major point of embarkation. Although many people visit Tortola just at the beginning or end of their sailing vacation, it is a great place to spend your entire vacation. Read on to find out why you should plan a trip to Tortola, BVI!

Beaches and Watersports.

The British Virgin Islands have some of the prettiest beaches anywhere in the Caribbean. Tortola included. Most are located on the north side of the island. Some of our favorites?

Cane Garden Bay – we first visited this pretty bay, mentioned in the Jimmy Buffet song, ” Mañana”, in 2006. It’s a long expanse of light colored sand fringed by calm, turquoise water. It has changed a lot since our first visit and has now become busy on days when cruise ships are docked in Road Town, but we still enjoy some of the beach bars, restaurants, live music and walking the beach. It’s a great bay for mooring, so there are usually catamarans and sailboats dotting the harbor and the sunsets here are simply out of this world. This beach is great for swimming, SUPing, canoeing, surfing and windsurfing.

Smuggler’s Cove – tucked away on the far west side of the island is a gorgeous arc of sand called Smuggler’s Cove. Prior to the hurricanes of 2017, Smuggler’s Cove was lined with beautiful palm trees which offered a lot of shade to those spending the day playing in the beautiful water. Unfortunately, most of the palms were destroyed in the strong storms, but now you can see more of the beautiful white sand beach! The snorkeling here is good in areas. Be sure to check out Nigel’s Boom Boom Beach Bar for cold drinks, a bite to eat and to chat with Nigel, the very friendly owner.

View of Smuggler’s Cove from Nigel’s Boom Boom Beach Bar

Long Bay – There are actually 2 beaches named Long Bay on Tortola. The Long Bay on the east side is found on Beef Island which attaches to Tortola via the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, so technically not Tortola, but attached to it. This beach is quiet with no amenities, but great for swimming and relaxing. Long Bay West is a mile long expanse of white sand on the far north and west side of Tortola. With a view of Jost Van Dyke and beautiful blue water, this is a great place to spend the day lounging in the sun. Be sure to check out Nature Boy Beach Bar tucked into to foliage on the far west side for a cold brew!

Like to surf? Apple Bay and Josiah’s Bay offer surfers some great waves, especially when there’s a north swell.

Rum.

As with all of the Virgin Islands, rum is popular and both rum and rum drinks can be found in most establishments on Tortola. Some of our favorite rum experiences on Tortola?

Callwood Rum Distillery. Within walking distance of Cane Garden Bay, Callwood Rum Distillery gives visitors a chance to step back in Tortola history as the Arundel Estate is estimated to have been around for approximately 400 years. The Callwood family took over the distillery in the late 18th century and has been producing rum for over 200 years in what is claimed to be the longest continuously operated pot distillery in the Caribbean. For a nominal amount, you can sample several of their rums and purchase some to take home, including the infamous “Panty Dropper”.

Enjoying some Sebastian’s Rum at Sebastian’s on the Beach, Tortola

Sebastian’s Rum. Sebastian’s on the Beach is a small hotel/restaurant on the beach at Apple Bay. Enjoy a dinner overlooking the sea there and ask for a taste of Sebastian’s Rum. It’s not easy to find out much about this rum, except that it’s named after the notorious pirate Sebastian, is produced in Grand Bahama for Sebastian’s (hey, it says so on the internet, so it’s gotta be right, right?) and is only available on Tortola. Sweet and smooth, it makes a great topping for ice cream and is loved by many. Bring home a bottle or two.

Painkiller. The Painkiller reigns supreme in the BVI as the most popular rum drink. Enjoy them in one of three Pusser’s locations on Tortola (Cane Garden Bay, Soper’s Hole and Road Town) or at most other bar on the island! Find a recipe here: Painkiller.

What and Where to Eat.

The first things we search for to eat when we get to Tortola? A good Roti (with Mango Chutney) and fresh Caribbean lobster (in season).

Roti with Mango Chutney at Trellis Bay Market, Beef Island

A Roti is an East Indian dish thought to have been brought to the Caribbean in the 1800’s. It is a thin wrap (similar to a tortilla) filled with curry spices, potatoes and a meat such as chicken, goat, beef, conch or shrimp. It’s fairly easy to find on Tortola, but the last one we bought was at Trellis Bay Market (on Beef Island) during a Full Moon Party. Delicious! Check out a Roti recipe here.

Caribbean Lobster at Bananakeet Cafe, Tortola

Caribbean lobster is another dish we seek out during visits to the BVI. Not a close relative of the Maine lobster (see more info here), it is nonetheless delicious and usually so fresh that it has been plucked out of the sea that day, barbecued and served in the half shell. Our last experience with Caribbean lobster on Tortola was at Bananakeet Cafe’ while enjoying an amazing view and a sunset. Wherever you go, if you’ve got your heart set on having lobster, just call ahead to make sure it’s on the menu that night.

Other local foods to try? Pates (patties) – made up of spiced meats or vegetables wrapped in a flatbread and then deep fried. Soursop – a spiky fruit that is said to taste like a cross between a pineapple and a banana, it grows abundantly on Tortola. Callaloo – a local stew. with ingredients like taro or dasheen leaves, okra, meat or fish, onions and spices. Johnny Cakes – a baked or fried dough snack that is often made with cornmeal.

Other Things to Do and See on Tortola.

Get up high. Tortola has the highest point of the British Virgin Islands and because of that, some spectacular views. Where to see the view?

Sage Mountain National Park. The highest point on Tortola (and all of the BVI) is found at Sage Mountain National Park at 1,716 feet. There are several trails to take, some offering views of many of the surrounding islands.

Stoutt’s Lookout Bar. Perched high on a hill overlooking Cane Garden Bay is a small establishment called Stoutt’s Lookout. The view is phenomenal, the breeze is refreshing and the food and drink are served up with a smile and friendly conversation.

Rent a Home or Villa with a View. Tortola is quite hilly and many homes are built on a hillside. If you are looking for accommodations and you’d like a view, you are likely to find something that fits most budgets. We’ve stayed at the Limin’ House overlooking Soper’s Hole and loved the stunning home and the amazing view!

Get on – and in! – the water.
As mentioned previously, the calm waters around the BVI make for prime sailing conditions. Get on the water with one of the local excursion companies and enjoy skimming across the water on your way to one of the excellent snorkeling or dive spots nearby.

Island Hop. Tortola offers ferry service to several surrounding islands such as Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Anegada so you can enjoy the sights and get a taste of another British Virgin Island for the day!

Catch a Sunset. Cane Garden Bay has some of the prettiest tropical sunsets that we’ve ever seen, but there are spectacular sunsets to be found from Brewers Bay to Smuggler’s Cove and most any vantage point up high.

Getting Around.

Not gonna lie. Driving on Tortola can be…challenging. Driving is on the left and there are some narrow streets, steep hills and driving through Roadtown with the roundabouts when there is a lot of traffic – whew! That being said, the best way to see the island is to rent a car and take your time, stopping at shops, beaches and overlooks. There are car rental agencies in several spots on the island. Ask the management of your villa, hotel or resort for the name of a reputable company to rent from. Not comfortable driving? Hire a taxi or shuttle to take you around and show you the best spots!

What You Should Bring Home from Tortola.

The shops around the cruise ship terminal carry an assortment of tees and name-dropped goods, but if you want to bring home something authentically Tortolan, bring home some Callwood Rum and some Sebastians Rum – only available for purchase on Tortola! Aragorn’s Studio in Trellis Bay also has locally made carvings, spices, jewelry and more.

Other posts you might be interested in:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Kauai
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Croix

November 1, 2017May 29, 2019

Destination: Antigua

Destination Antigua! Do you like beautiful beaches?

Are you looking for your next island getaway? Here are a few things to know about Antigua:
~ Antigua, along with Barbuda, is an independent Commonwealth nation that lies in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea at the southern end of the Leeward Island chain. Other islands close by are Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis.
~ The beautiful island of Antigua is approximately 108 sq. miles , has a population of about 80,000 and is fringed by gorgeous beaches. 365 of them to be exact. One for each day of the year!

What to do on Antigua:
~ Enjoy a beach or two!
~ Take in the stunning view from the Shirley Heights overlook. If you visit Shirley Heights on a Sunday afternoon, you will be treated to the weekly Sunday BBQ with live music and a party that goes on into the evening!
~ Spend a day hiking and exploring the historic forts of Nelson’t Dockyard. Enjoy the views over lunch of the scenic harbor and beautiful boats!
~ Stop at a fruit stand in the southern part of the island and try an Antigua Black Pineapple – so sweet and delicious, or other locally grown produce!
~ Go shopping in St. John’s at the Public Market and the Arts & Craft Market for Antiguan products made by local artists.
~ Sample some delicious English Harbour Rum!

Some of the Best Beaches & Beach Bars:
~ Jolly Beach (west) Beach Bar: Castaways
~ Dickenson Bay/Runaway Bay (northwest) Beach Bar: Anna’s on the Beach
~ Pigeon Point Beach (south) Beach Bar: Bumpkins
~ Ffrye’s Beach (west) Beach Bar: Dennis Cocktail Bar
~ Turner’s Beach (west) Beach Bar: Turner’s Beach Restaurant
~ Half Moon Bay (east) Beach Bar: Harry’s Bar
~ Long Bay Beach (east) Beach Bar: Barrow’s Chill-Out Bar

There are many ways to experience the beauty of Antigua, but here are a few featured properties and cruises. Rum Therapy Vacations would love to help you plan and book your Antigua vacation! Ready to start planning? Email [email protected] for more information on any of these hotels, resorts or cruises, or to find one that would suit your needs even better!

Hotels:
Curtain Bluff Resort – 72 rooms on a dramatic bluff, this resort is surrounded by tropical gardens and two sandy beaches.
Carlisle Bay – this 5 star resort with a private beach is near St. John’s and will absolutely pamper you in tropical luxury.

All-Inclusive Resorts:
Jumby Bay Resort – this private island all-inclusive resort features two beaches, Jumby Bay Beach with pristine, white sand, and Pasture Bay Beach, an untouched wild beach set aside as a protected nesting site for the Hawksbill Turtle.

Hermitage Bay – surround yourself in all-inclusive luxury! With tropical gardens and a white-sand beach, this intimate hotel is located on Antigua’s west coast.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa – this adult only all-inclusive faces a secluded, long, tranquil beach, and offers peaceful holidays for adults in West Indian-style beachfront rooms and Tahitian-style lagoonside cottages.

Cruise Vacations that make a stop in Antigua:
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, Disney, Crystal, Windstar

Are you ready to see Antigua? Email me at [email protected] to start planning your next vacation!

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 12, 2017April 20, 2021

Best Beaches of the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, a chain of islands well known as a premiere sailing destination, seem to have more than its fair share of stunning beaches as well. We’ve been asked by many to recommend our favorite BVI beach and well, it’s hard to even narrow it down to our favorite 5 – and I’m quite sure there are still more to discover. All of the beaches listed below are beautiful in their own way and we’ve enjoyed the time we’ve been able to spend on each one. Really though, if you’re on any beach in the BVI, you are one lucky beach bum.

Best Beaches of the British Virgin Islands

Deadman’s Beach/Little Deadman’s Beach, Peter Island

The Baths, Virgin Gorda
(see more here)

Spring Bay, Virgin Gorda

Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda

Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda
(see more here)

Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada
(see more here)

Loblolly Bay, Anegada
(see more here)

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
(see more here)

Sandy Cay, British Virgin Islands
(see more here)

Sandy Spit, British Virgin Islands
(see more here)

Cane Garden Bay
(see more here)

Smuggler’s Cove, Tortola
(see more here)

Long Bay , Tortola
(see more here)

How many of these beautiful BVI beaches have you had a chance to visit? Tell us about it!

To see more posts on Tortola and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

December 23, 2016July 26, 2019

Antigua and Barbuda Beach Bar Trail

Well this could come in handy!

The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has released a Beach Bar Trail Map which highlights some of the best beaches and hotels on Antigua and it’s sister island Barbuda, AND beach bars – some of them well known and some local favorites.

Beach Bar Trail Map by Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority
Click here for an expandable version

Some of these scenic bars are also a great place to sample authentic local cuisine and experience Antiguan culture. The inclusion of the hotels on the map makes it easy to see what beaches – and beach bars are in close proximity to where you will be staying.

Rum Punch at Dennis Cocktail Bar & Restaurant overlooking Ffryes Beach

How many of the beaches and bars on the map have you had a chance to visit? Tell us about it!

For more information on Antigua and other island destinations, be sure to check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 19, 2016June 6, 2019

7 Things to Do on Providenciales

Providenciales, the most developed and populated island in chain of islands called the Turks & Caicos, is home to some luxurious hotels and resorts and is fringed by some of the prettiest beaches in the world. Are you planning a trip to Provo? This list of 7 Things To Do on Providenciales might give you some ideas of what to do during your time there!

Beach
Boasting some of the prettiest beaches in the world, including the highly ranked Grace Bay Beach, spending some time on one of Provo’s gorgeous beaches is the top thing to do on our list. See photos of a few of our favorites and read more in our post “The Stunning Beaches of Providenciales“.

Pelican Beach at (part of Leeward Beach)

Eat
Whether looking for fine or casual dining on Provo, you’ll find a variety of restaurants and bars to suit your taste. Conch and seafood, in all manner of preparation, is served at many different establishments. One of our favorites? A restaurant called Mr. Grouper’s. The Coconut Crusted Grouper and Blackened Grouper were recommended by a friend and after ordering both, we decided to go back again later in the week for another go-round. Delicious!

Coconut Crusted Grouper at Mr. Grouper’s

Drink
With a plethora of gorgeous beaches, you’d certainly guess there are great beach bars to be found on Provo and you’d be right. Da Conch Shack & RumBar, Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl, Kalooki’s Beach Restaurant and Bar and Somewhere Café & Lounge are great selections – each on a beautiful beach, but there are others bars to check out as well, such as the 90 ft long Infiniti Bar at Grace Bay Club – touted as the longest bar in the Caribbean and Jimmy’s Dive Bar in Ports of Call. Be sure to sample the local made Turks Head Beer and Bambarra Rum.

Rum Drinks at Bugaloo’s Conch Crawl

Golf
Hit the links at the Provo Golf Club and enjoy a round of golf on an 18 hole championship golf course that is voted consistently within the top ten Caribbean golf courses.

Provo Golf Club

Shop
There are some very nice shops in and around Ports of Call and Grace Bay offering a variety of gift, art, locally made and luxury items. Our favorite place to pick up souvenirs for friends & family at home? Mama’s Gift Shop in Ports of Call. Run by two sisters from North Caicos, you are sure to get good service and a friendly chat from Mama #1 or Mama #2 while shopping!

Mama #2 at Mama’s Gift Shop

Explore
Other things to explore on Provo?
1. The Caicos Conch Farm where you can take a 30 minute tour that will teach you about the life cycle of the conch and where you can se many thousands of Caribbean Queen Conch growing the facilities ponds.
2. Chalk Sound – take a scenic drive around the amazing turquoise water of Chalk Sound National Park.
3. Snorkel at the Bight Reef or Smith’s Reef, or snorkel on a boat excursion – the underwater life is beautiful!
4. Take an excursion to neighboring cays such as Little Water Cay and Half Moon Bay

Caicos Conch Farm

Experience
There are so many more things to experience during your vacation in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, but we’ll leave you with two more. The Thursday Fish Fry, held at the Bight Park from 5:30-9:30 is an excellent place to enjoy food and drink from several local restaurants, local arts & crafts and live music & entertainment.
One last thing to experience on Providenciales? A sunset. Sunsets from many areas on the north part of the island are simply spectacular and the perfect way to cap a perfect day on the island.

Sunset at Pelican Reef

Have you been to Providenciales? Tell us about it!

Find many of these attractions on our Turks & Caicos Map

To see more posts on Turks & Caicos and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 28, 2016June 24, 2021

The Stunning Beaches of Providenciales, Turks & Caicos

If you ask anyone that has visited the island of Providenciales in beautiful Turks & Caicos what they think of the beaches, you’ll probably get an enthusiastic thumbs up. From the very well known Grace Bay Beach which is frequently included on lists of “Top Beaches”, to some of the lesser known and less visited beaches, the stunning beaches of Providenciales are sure to leave an impression on you.

Unfortunately one week was just not enough time to fully explore every beach on the island (after all, we had to reserve some time to check out the impressive list of great bars & beach bars on island too!), so we will just give the lowdown on what Provo beaches we’ve gotten to see so far. Be sure to leave a comment below with any others that you’ve enjoyed.

Grace Bay Beach
Frequently listed as one of the Top Beaches in the world, this very long stretch of stunning white sand and turquoise blue water is a beach lover’s paradise. Many of the major resorts and accommodations in Provo are found along this stretch of beach.

The Bight Beach
Although it seems just like a continuation of Grace Bay Beach, The Bight Beach is west of Grace Bay along the same stretch of sand. The Bight Beach is best known for it’s snorkeling with a good amount of lush sea grass just off the shore.

A view of The Bight Beach from Somewhere Café & Lounge

Leeward Beach
Heading east from Grace Bay you will find another long and beautiful expanse of white sand beach called the Leeward Beach. We read that from Leeward Beach it is possible to walk 7 miles of beach passing Grace Bay and The Bight Beach and ending at Turtle Cove. We originally thought that Pelican Beach was a separate beach on the northeast side, but found it included in Leeward Beach in some maps.

Pelican Beach (part of Leeward Beach)

Sapodilla Bay
Heading down to the south part of Provo, Sapodilla Bay lies on the Caicos Banks side of the island adjacent from Chalk Sound. With blue, shallow, calm, clear water, it’s a pretty place to pull up a beach towel and enjoy a quiet afternoon in the sun.

Taylor Bay
Not far from Sapodilla Bay is another pretty, shallow bay called Taylor Bay. Taylor Bay is very shallow for yards out into the band has a long expanse of white sand that is perfect for walking. Parking is very limited next to the path that opens up to the bay.

Have you spent time at a beach on Provo? Tell us about it!

To see more posts on Turks & Caicos and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

January 20, 2016January 15, 2020

The Beautiful Beaches of Tortola

When you think of Tortola, the largest island of the British Virgin Island chain, do you think of the place you meet to embark on your BVI sailing adventure? Do you think of bustling Road Town or the picturesque Soper’s Hole? Do you think of a stop on the ferry on the way to another island? Perhaps Full Moon Parties?

For whatever reason, Tortola is known for many things, but not always it’s beaches – which really is surprising. Tortola has some stunning beaches. The best beaches are found on Tortola’s North and West sides and range from wide swaths of soft, light colored sand to beaches with some of the best surfing in the area. Because many face north, some can really rock ‘n roll when there’s a north swell, but on calm days they can be downright tranquil.

Although Brewer’s Bay and Josiah’s Bay are both beautiful Northside beaches that should probably be on a “best of Tortola” list, we’ve seen them only by boat (We won’t talk about that time we rented a Jeep while staying on island and the adventure we had trying to get there. Have we mentioned that parts of Tortola are hilly and VERY steep?). Anyway, for the purposes of this post, we’ll cover just the Tortola beaches we’ve actually gotten to stick our toes in – so far.

Long Bay – West

Long Bay is a “long” stretch of powdery, light colored sand on the west end of Tortola. Long Bay Beach Club occupies a portion of the lovely beach, but the several times we visited, we were one of the few walking along and enjoying the scenery. Good photo ops include the overlook of Long Bay from the road at Lower Bay Point and the western end of the beach with Belmont Point in the background. If Winston is bartending at his Nature Boy Beach Bar, located on the beaches western end, be sure to stop in for a cold beer and some conversation.
Read more about Long Bay here.

Long Bay – East

Not technically on Tortola, Long Bay East is on Beef Island, a small island separated from Tortola by the short Queen Elizabeth Bridge – close enough we thought, to be included on this list. Apparently it’s a favorite with locals on the weekends and why wouldn’t it be? With its white sand and calm water, it’d be a great place to enjoy that Tortola sunshine.

Apple Bay

Not far from Long Bay heading north, you’ll find Apple Bay, sometimes called Capoons Bay.

Apple Bay has a great view of Jost Van Dyke, is one of the premier surfing spots in the BVI and is home of the one and only Bomba Shack, where you can sit and sip a Rum Punch while checking out the scenery.

Smuggler’s Cove

Smuggler’s Cove is on the westernmost tip of Tortola.

With beautiful palms, a view of Jost Van Dyke and an arc of soft light sand, Smuggler’s Cove is one not to miss. It’s a little tricky to get to, but that seems to keep the crowd’s at bay. Read more about Smuggler’s Cove here.

Cane Garden Bay

A boater’s favorite, one could easily while away a few days in Cane Garden Bay just leisurely walking the beach, splashing in the calm water and enjoying food, drink and live music at several excellent beach bars. If that weren’t enough, there is also a rum distillery to tour within walking distance and a recycled glass studio to enjoy. Read more about Cane Garden Bay here.

And to top it off, Cane Garden Bay has some of the best sunsets in the BVI.

If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy some of Tortola’s beautiful beaches, make sure to check a few out next time you’re in the area!

To see more posts on Tortola and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

August 19, 2015June 6, 2019

Best of USVI Survey Results

Thanks to all who took our survey on the “Best-Of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix”. We hope the results of our Readers Choice survey will give people planning to visit one of these beautiful islands in the near future some ideas of what to do during that well deserved vacation. The results below are simply a compilation of the answers given by our readers based on what they’ve enjoyed while vacationing in the USVI and we do not endorse, nor discount any of the properties, restaurants, shops or attractions listed or not listed. We encourage you to continue to do your own research prior to your trip.

Some of the answers were eye-opening to us and after reading this, we’ve added a few things to our list to see and do during our next visit! Enjoy!

St. Thomas

Best Beach on St. Thomas:
1. Magens Bay
2. Sapphire Beach
3. Coki Point
4. Bolongo Bay

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. John:
1. Duffy’s Love Shack
2. Iggies
3. Big Kahuna Rum Shack
4. Island Time Pub

Best Rum Drink on St. Thomas:
1. Painkiller
2. Bushwacker
3. Banana Daiquiri
4. VooDoo Juice

Best Restaurant on St. Thomas:
1. Sunset Grille
2. Fish Tails
3. Banana Tree Grille
4. Mafolie

Best Hotel/Resort on St. Thomas:
1. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
2. Marriot’s Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort
3. The Ritz-Carlton
4. Dreams Sugar Bay
Write ins with multiple votes: Mafolie Hotel, Bluebeards Castle

Best Villa/Condo Rental in St. Thomas:
1. Slice of Heaven, Magens Bay
2. Sapphire Beach Condos – write ins
3. Point Pleasant – write ins
4. Brigadoon – Red Hook

Best Shop or Boutique on St. Thomas:
1. Pirates in Paradise
2. Bones Rum
3. Native Arts & Crafts Cooperative
Write ins with multiple votes: Fish Face, Caribbean Surf Co.

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. Thomas:
1. Bones Rum
2. Larimar Jewelry
Write ins with multiple votes: Hook Bracelet, Cruzan Rum

Best attraction to experience in St. Thomas:
1. Coral World Ocean Park & Undersea Observatory
2. Skyride to Paradise Point
3. Mountain Top
4. Tree Limin’ Extreme
Write ins with multiple votes: Great House Botanical Gardens, Drake’s Seat, Magens Bay

St. John

Best Beach on St. John:
1. Trunk Bay
2. Cinnamon Bay
3. Maho Bay
4. Salomon and Honeymoon
Write in with multiple votes: Gibney

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. John:
1. The Beach Bar
2. Skinny Legs
3. Woody’s
4. Joe’s Rum Hut

Best Rum Drink on St. John:
1. Painkiller
2. Bushwhacker
3. Rum Punch
Write ins with multiple votes: Mojito and Island Girl from Joe’s Rum Hut, Lime in de Coconut

Best Restaurant on St. John:
1. The Lime Inn
2. Cruz Bay Landing
3. The Banana Deck
4. The Terrace Restaurant
Write in with multiple votes: The Fish Trap

Best Place to Stay on St. John:
1. Private Villa: There were more write ins on this one than votes on the entries posted. Most of the write ins were for private villas with no specific name mentioned with the exception of Villa Mar de Amores and Villa St. John.
2. Westin St. John Resort & Villas
3. Caneel Bay Resort
4. Gallow’s Point Resort

Best Shop or Boutique on St. John:
1. St. John Spice
2. Bougainvillea
3. Coconut Coast Studios
Write ins with multiple votes: Sloop Jones, Caravan, Freebird, Bamboo Studio

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. John:
1. St. John Hook Bracelet
2. Cruz Bay Grill Rub from St. John Spice
3. A Hand Painted Shirt from Sloop Jones
Write ins with multiple votes: T-shirt from The Beach Bar, Larimar Jewelry, rum, a good suntan

Best Attraction to Experience on St. John:
1. Snorkeling the trail at Trunk Bay
2. Snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay
3. Hiking anywhere in the VI National Park
Write ins with multiple votes: Drunk Bay, Exploring the town of Cruz Bay

St Croix

Best Beach on St. Croix:
1. Sandy Point Beach
2. Rainbow Beach
3. Cane Bay Beach
4. Sandcastle Beach
Write ins with multiple votes: Buck Island Beach

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. Croix:
1. Rhythms at Rainbow Beach
2. Rum Runners
3. eat @ cane bay
4. Off the Wall
Write ins with multiple votes: Beachside Café

Best Rum Drink on St. Croix
1. Painkiller
2. Cruzan Confusion
3. Green Flash
Write ins with multiple votes: Lime in de Coconut

Best restaurant on St Croix:
1. Polly’s On the Pier
2. Rowdy Joes
3. The Waves at Cane Bay
4. Galangal
Write ins with multiple votes: Duggans Reef, Rum Runners, LeReine Chicken Shack, eat @ cane bay

Best place to stay on St. Croix:
1. TIE: Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa and Sand Castle on the Beach
2. The Buccaneer
3. Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort
Write ins with multiple votes: Cottages by the Sea, Condo Rental

Best shop or boutique on St. Croix:
1. Sonya Ltd
2. Purple Papaya
3. ib designs
4. From the Gecko Boutique
Write ins with multiple votes: Franklins on the Waterfront

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. Croix:
1. St. Croix Hook Bracelet
2. Cruzan Rum
3. Chaney Jewelry

Best attraction to experience on St. Croix:
1. Catamaran Sail to Buck Island
2. Kayaking at night in a bioluminescent bay
3. Point Udall
4. Beer drinking pigs at Montpellier Domino Club
5. Cruzan Rum Factory Tour
Write ins with multiple votes: dive the wall, dive or snorkel the pier, Jump Up Festival, St. George Village Botanical Gardens

To read more about these and other islands, be sure to check our Blog Directory by Island

July 28, 2015June 5, 2019

5 Days on Staniel Cay, Part 1 – The Beaches

Staniel Cay, a small island in the middle of the Exuma Cays, a chain of beautiful islands and cays in the Bahamas, is a hub for the area because of the amenities it offers: a small airstrip, three grocery stores, three restaurants, a clinic, church, marina, gas and a variety of accommodations.

We got to spend 5 days on this lovey island (thanks to Embrace Resort), which is only about a square mile in size and home to about 100 people. What’s it like to stay on a small island, or cay such as Staniel Cay?

Well, if you like spending lots of time on beautiful deserted beaches, if you like an island where on-island transportation is via golf carts, bicycles or walking, if you don’t mind that there’s really only one nightspot – but it’s a good one, if you enjoy getting to know the locals and other visitors to the island by name, and if you don’t mind “island time”, you would probably love Staniel Cay. We absolutely did.

Our arrival from Nassau was by Flamingo Air on a very small plane that seated about 8 – less if the passengers have much to carry on. The views over the Exuma Cays were spectacular and we could hardly wait to land and start exploring.

From the moment we set foot on Staniel Cay, we felt welcomed. Smiles and greetings from everyone – even other visitors were abundant and we quickly started to relax and get on island time ourselves.

Our first day or so was spent exploring the island by foot and golf cart. What’s there to see? We’ll show you!

Beaches…
Exuma is known for its stunning beaches and sandbars and there are secluded ones around every corner in the chain of cays, but if you don’t want to leave Staniel Cay, there are several great ones right on island to explore, such as,

Ocean Beach.
On the east side of the island, you can access this long expanse of beautiful sand from the bluff above it. We took our golf cart, parked at the top of the bluff and walked down to the beach.

Once on the beach, you can find just the perfect secluded spot to spend the day. As you can see, you won’t be competing for a little space.

The surf was very calm the two days we visited and we spent a lot of time in the water snorkeling and floating, but I imagine it could get rough on stormy or windy days due to its orientation.

Find all of these beaches marked on the Staniel Cay map below.

Another beach that we really enjoyed was Pirate Trap Beach.

The beach itself is not huge and varies with the tide, but the views from the cove are stunning and the water was calm and great for swimming when we were there.

Although the Ocean Beach and Pirate Trap Beach were our favorites, there were several other beaches on island that are worth exploring.

Ho Tai Cay was a bit hard to find, but had a nice little park with picnic tables, a tire swing and a volleyball net in the water. The beach is located on an inlet on the islands southeast side and gets very low during low tide, but is probably always calm due to its location.

Just over the hill from the park was another beach that we believe was the upper edge of the South Beaches. We couldn’t find a public access path to the South Beaches (beside this little area) as the beach is dotted with private homes, but it looks like another beautiful area.

And last, but certainly not least – the beach next to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club. It was calm and fairly shallow. Looked like a perfect place to kayak or SUP.

Did we do anything other than visit beaches during our stay on Staniel Cay. Yep.
Check out Part 2 – The Island and Part 3 – Off the Cay. We’ll let you know the other fun things we got to experience on this beautiful cay!

Find Staniel Cay and its beaches on our Bahamas Map

To see more posts on the Bahamas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory