How to get there
The Cooper Island boat leaves from the Prospect Reef dock in Road Town, Tortola. If you fly into St. Thomas, the Road Town Fast Ferry, a high-speed catamaran, takes passengers directly from Charlotte Amalie to Road Town for about $40 round trip. Walk or take a short taxi ride to the Prospect Reef dock. If you fly into Beef Island, Tortola, take a $20-$24 cab ride to Road Town.
Where to stay
Cooper Island Beach Club
Parlmes Enterprises Inc.
PO Box 512, Turners Falls, MA
413-863-3162
800-542-4624
www.cooper-island.com
E-mail: info@cooper-island.com
The eight-day, seven-night Dining Delight package includes meals, lodging, transportation on the regularly scheduled Cooper Island boat, sea kayak and snorkel equipment rental, welcome package, taxes, gratuities, and more. It's $1,099 per person ($1,499 with two dives each morning for five days) Dec. 15-Apr. 14; $799 ($1,199) April 15-May 31 and Nov. 1-Dec. 14; and $699 ($1,099) June 1-Oct. 31. Continental breakfast included in winter only. A Bare Bones package without meals is $699 in winter, $489 spring and fall, and $389 in summer.
Fort Burt Hotel
Road Town, Tortola
888-692-0993
www.bviguide.com/fortburt
E-mail: fortburt@caribsurf.com
If you need a night or two in Road Town before or after your stay at Cooper Island, this is ideal. It is near the ferry and has air conditioning, TV, and a pool. It also has an excellent open-air dining room overlooking Road Town Harbour that is operated by students from the New England Culinary Institute's Tortola campus. Rooms from $99 late December through mid-August.
What to bring
Cooper is casual. Although some visitors like to dress up a bit for dinner, it's not necessary. Bring bathing suits, T-shirts, shorts, windbreaker, lightweight sweater, sandals, flashlight, snorkeling equipment, camera, sunscreen, beach towel. If you are planning to visit Tortola, sneakers and socks and nice shorts and a shirt are a good idea for touring. If you are visiting in the shoulder or off-season when breakfast is not included, either bring cereal (milk is provided) or arrange for your kitchen to be stocked with breakfast items.