It has been too long since our last Beach Snob post and too long since we set foot on a warm sandy beach. We finally broke our long period of too much work and too much cold weather with a trip to one of our favorite islands. We really hesitated to post this one because this is our secret place, the one you hope not too many people find out about.
If you can imagine a a perfect beach with no crowds then you can imagine Spring Bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Virgin Gorda and Spring Bay is not an easy place to get to and maybe that is why you will not find rows of high rise hotels lining the beaches. Actually you will find no high rise hotels and no crowds on this island. Well.. with the exception of one famous beach area known as The Baths, which can be crowded during the mid morning tourist ferried from the cruise ships and mega hotels in the US Virgins. To solve that problem we just don't go to The Baths during the crowded times.
Spring Bay Beach which also connects to Little Trunk Beach and Valley Trunk Beach is never crowded and the beaches are perhaps the best you will find anywhere. The beaches are surrounded by giant granite boulders plenty of palm and shade trees.
The connecting beaches offer a lot of variety, at Spring Bay your can swim in a unique area that is known as "the crawl". This swimming hole is hidden from the ocean by the surrounding boulders that protect it from the ocean swells. This is a one of kind spot with jaw dropping scenery all around you.
If you like long secluded beaches, then take a hike over the rocks and along the path to Valley Trunk Beach. This one is our favorite for walking, it is at long stretch of perfect beach accented with large boulders and palm trees. Best of all you can usually have this beach all to yourself! No hotels, no vendors the only sign of civilization is one large private estate that is tucked away in far from the beach.
You may be wondering where we stay if there are no large hotels? Actually there are hotels on Virgin Gorda that range from 5 star small ultra luxury to our favorite and the only hotel on Spring Bay. Guavaberry Spring Bay is the only "hotel" on Spring Bay and the only one where you have private access to their awesome beach. Guavaberry Spring Bay is not actually a hotel, it is a collection of private secluded cottages all with unbelievable views of the Virgin Islands. Forget cramped little hotel rooms and tiny balconies, these cottages have extra large covered decks where you can stretch out and enjoy the awesome view. Each cottage has it's own kitchen so you can stock up your own food or if you want go out you can choose from several great restaurants on the island.
Guavaberry Spring Bay is not for the traveler that demands all the trappings of a 5 star resort. However, it delivers comfortable clean cottages with unbelievable views of the Virgin Islands. The prices are very reasonable and Tina and her staff will make sure you enjoy your stay.
So now you have it.. the Beach Snobs #1 pick for beach getaways. Spring Bay Beach is A+ and Gauvaberry is an A+ for value.
