I'm doing a bareboat to the BVI in the spring and I was wondering from those who have been there where to go and where not to go. I'm sure there are some "must see" places, but what about those secret places that most newby bareboaters miss? Thanks, Bob
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Everyone has their favorite...
...and this will generate a lot of response. There are numerous places and each charter company will give you a briefing of places to go and places out of bounds (not to go). Every anchorage/island has it's own uniqueness. One place that I personally like is Little Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. We get a mooring as close to the NW shore as possible. We have dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach. This is usually a quiet evening. I get up early the next morning and just enjoy the locals starting their day. The hills around the harbor begin to bustle (not much of this on Jost) and the goats begin to patrol along the shore with their neck bells tinkling. I sip a cup of coffee and scope our the surrounds with the bins while savoring the warmth of the rising sun - superb!
...and this will generate a lot of response. There are numerous places and each charter company will give you a briefing of places to go and places out of bounds (not to go). Every anchorage/island has it's own uniqueness. One place that I personally like is Little Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. We get a mooring as close to the NW shore as possible. We have dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach. This is usually a quiet evening. I get up early the next morning and just enjoy the locals starting their day. The hills around the harbor begin to bustle (not much of this on Jost) and the goats begin to patrol along the shore with their neck bells tinkling. I sip a cup of coffee and scope our the surrounds with the bins while savoring the warmth of the rising sun - superb!
As much as possibe
Since it seldom rains and the wind is consistent you do not have to worry about what way to go each day. Therefore you should plan the ininerary ahead of time. Get together with your crew and use the guide books and do a circle tour. We usually go NE from Tortola and proceed clockwise with Virgin Gorda (eat at the Yacht Club) being half way and head back to the SW. Stop at all the harbors you can as you go around. Take the walking tours if interested. If you can leave earlier in the morning, you can do some sailing and snorkeling, eat lunch in one harbor, then sail some more to the next place - get there early to find a mooring - and stay the night. Next day, the same thing. What a magnificant boring week. The restaurants are all pricey but excellent. We eat out once during a one week charter. We have chartered the Virgin Islands three times and found that we can plan our own meals ahead of time and go shopping for the week as soon as we get there. You will get the food you want and not the excess you get when you use the charter operators food service. Food is similar to what you will find in US - but more expensive. Take as much packaged food as you can possibly haul in your luggage - tea, coffee, oatmeal etc. This may not be legal but...... One year we took a ham and steaks packed in dry ice. Take a hand held GPS if you have one, sail in the South Atlantic, look out for the Danish charterers
, and you will love it. Too bad it is so expensive. Check our web site.
Since it seldom rains and the wind is consistent you do not have to worry about what way to go each day. Therefore you should plan the ininerary ahead of time. Get together with your crew and use the guide books and do a circle tour. We usually go NE from Tortola and proceed clockwise with Virgin Gorda (eat at the Yacht Club) being half way and head back to the SW. Stop at all the harbors you can as you go around. Take the walking tours if interested. If you can leave earlier in the morning, you can do some sailing and snorkeling, eat lunch in one harbor, then sail some more to the next place - get there early to find a mooring - and stay the night. Next day, the same thing. What a magnificant boring week. The restaurants are all pricey but excellent. We eat out once during a one week charter. We have chartered the Virgin Islands three times and found that we can plan our own meals ahead of time and go shopping for the week as soon as we get there. You will get the food you want and not the excess you get when you use the charter operators food service. Food is similar to what you will find in US - but more expensive. Take as much packaged food as you can possibly haul in your luggage - tea, coffee, oatmeal etc. This may not be legal but...... One year we took a ham and steaks packed in dry ice. Take a hand held GPS if you have one, sail in the South Atlantic, look out for the Danish charterers
, and you will love it. Too bad it is so expensive. Check our web site.Attachments
Bight
Paul is right. If you have a good charter company and at least seven days you can cover most of the BVI's with their suggested routes. We always enjoy a mooring on Normans's Island on the eastern side of the Bight right around the point from the Caves. From there you can dinghy to the ship restaurant for dinner and in the morning dinghy around the point to the Caves for some of the best snorkeling
Paul is right. If you have a good charter company and at least seven days you can cover most of the BVI's with their suggested routes. We always enjoy a mooring on Normans's Island on the eastern side of the Bight right around the point from the Caves. From there you can dinghy to the ship restaurant for dinner and in the morning dinghy around the point to the Caves for some of the best snorkeling
Leinster bay on St. John...
was a nice place to overnight, the little island in the bay had some good snorkeling. Manchioneel bay on cooper (I think), large painkillers and a great burger, the mooring fill up fast and this was also a good overnight place. There was a good little spot on Peter island, I think it was little harbour, you need to get in close, but it had good holding and was a pleasant overnight spot. The link below is an interesting site about chartering in the BVI's and has some good general info Hope this helps. Bruce. Neon Moon
was a nice place to overnight, the little island in the bay had some good snorkeling. Manchioneel bay on cooper (I think), large painkillers and a great burger, the mooring fill up fast and this was also a good overnight place. There was a good little spot on Peter island, I think it was little harbour, you need to get in close, but it had good holding and was a pleasant overnight spot. The link below is an interesting site about chartering in the BVI's and has some good general info Hope this helps. Bruce. Neon Moon
Great Lameshur
Bob, Check with your charter company, but we like Great Lameshur Bay on the south coast of St. John. We were the only boat there sharing the bay only with sea turtles. A deer came down to shore in the morning and we couldn't hear another sound of civilization. Fair winds, Linda & Steve S/V Options
Bob, Check with your charter company, but we like Great Lameshur Bay on the south coast of St. John. We were the only boat there sharing the bay only with sea turtles. A deer came down to shore in the morning and we couldn't hear another sound of civilization. Fair winds, Linda & Steve S/V Options
Cane Garden Bay, Great Harbor & Anegada!
also check www.traveltalkonline.com, click on British Virgin Islands. Very active BB for BVI charterers, great resource. Have fun.
also check www.traveltalkonline.com, click on British Virgin Islands. Very active BB for BVI charterers, great resource. Have fun.
Off the beaten track
There are two anchorage just minutes from the mob. On Norman's north side try Benures. As you enter there is a submerged reef on your starboard side, slip around behind it and anchor in 10 to 12 feet. You will swing very clsoe to the shore so dive your anchor and don't mind the nurse sharks, they will stay under the boat!?? I''ve never seen another boat here. On the south side of Peter there is a very nice anchorage at White Bay. Maybe one other boat will be there. Anegada is nice if only for the chance to sail for while. I found the GPS waypoint in the Scott's crusing guide set you a little too far to the west. The current will set you that way as well The moorings take a group from the North Sound I believe on Wed and you can tag along. If you have the experience you should be able to badger you charter company into letting you go. Check you wallet if you go without it. Brewers on the North side of Tortola is worth a visit. You cannot anchor because of the power cables, but you can get at taxi from Cane Garden. It is a wet ride in an inflatable. Will s/v Natural Magic
There are two anchorage just minutes from the mob. On Norman's north side try Benures. As you enter there is a submerged reef on your starboard side, slip around behind it and anchor in 10 to 12 feet. You will swing very clsoe to the shore so dive your anchor and don't mind the nurse sharks, they will stay under the boat!?? I''ve never seen another boat here. On the south side of Peter there is a very nice anchorage at White Bay. Maybe one other boat will be there. Anegada is nice if only for the chance to sail for while. I found the GPS waypoint in the Scott's crusing guide set you a little too far to the west. The current will set you that way as well The moorings take a group from the North Sound I believe on Wed and you can tag along. If you have the experience you should be able to badger you charter company into letting you go. Check you wallet if you go without it. Brewers on the North side of Tortola is worth a visit. You cannot anchor because of the power cables, but you can get at taxi from Cane Garden. It is a wet ride in an inflatable. Will s/v Natural Magic
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