We all know about the BVIs as the so called first destination for an introduction to boat chartering. Looking for some suggestions as to other beautiful islands to visit for a first time charter experience. We have been sailing for over 6 years and want to go south with a rookie couple. The BVIs look great but would like to go somewhere that is just as pretty without all the crowds. Any secret cruising destinations that are little known about would be appreciated. Thanks
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St Maartin
After 4 trips to the BVI, this year instead, will be going to St. Maartin. While each of the islands has their charms, we settled on St. Maartin because of all the direct flights available from the U.S.. After leaving NY we can be at the charter base in under 4 hours.
After 4 trips to the BVI, this year instead, will be going to St. Maartin. While each of the islands has their charms, we settled on St. Maartin because of all the direct flights available from the U.S.. After leaving NY we can be at the charter base in under 4 hours.
Be Cautious
The BVI's are known for their benign conditions. When you get into the Windward Islands (Anguilla to Trinidad) the winds are stronger and the seas more "rolly". To take "rookies" into those conditions requires caution for their comfort. That's why the BVI's are often recommended. We are making our sixth trip to the BVI's with our club in April, along with 4 other boats. I feel the same about the commercialism of the BVI's. I first went there in 1988 and have seen a lot of development. But if you know the islands, it's easy to still pick out-of-the-way places to get away from the crowds.
The BVI's are known for their benign conditions. When you get into the Windward Islands (Anguilla to Trinidad) the winds are stronger and the seas more "rolly". To take "rookies" into those conditions requires caution for their comfort. That's why the BVI's are often recommended. We are making our sixth trip to the BVI's with our club in April, along with 4 other boats. I feel the same about the commercialism of the BVI's. I first went there in 1988 and have seen a lot of development. But if you know the islands, it's easy to still pick out-of-the-way places to get away from the crowds.
Tonga - Fiji
Paul, The nicest cruising is in the Fiji islands. No dangerous critters on land, australia has 18 species of poisinous snakes, reef sharks and sea snaks are bout it. Not much chartering there though, but Tonga is clean-clear waters, 500 nm to the east of Fiji, and the Moorings do rent out their Beneteaus there. Crime non-existant, no diseases same Dingy fever (use mosquito repellant) many, many lovey little islands channes and fairways throughout, nice hurricane-hole there in Va'vau. About Tahiti times ten...
Paul, The nicest cruising is in the Fiji islands. No dangerous critters on land, australia has 18 species of poisinous snakes, reef sharks and sea snaks are bout it. Not much chartering there though, but Tonga is clean-clear waters, 500 nm to the east of Fiji, and the Moorings do rent out their Beneteaus there. Crime non-existant, no diseases same Dingy fever (use mosquito repellant) many, many lovey little islands channes and fairways throughout, nice hurricane-hole there in Va'vau. About Tahiti times ten...
Tahiti
We are just back from Tahiti. Absolutely beautiful. Most of the islands are surrounded by fringeing reefs with a few safe deep passes as the places of entry into the most beauful lagoons you can possibly imagine. Most of the islands are about 25 miles apart so that you can have line of sight crossings. We went with Sunsail but Moorings are there also. Plenty of opportunities to dine ashore too. By the way, even though Australia does have a few nasties I am a perfect example of the fact than you can survive here.
We are just back from Tahiti. Absolutely beautiful. Most of the islands are surrounded by fringeing reefs with a few safe deep passes as the places of entry into the most beauful lagoons you can possibly imagine. Most of the islands are about 25 miles apart so that you can have line of sight crossings. We went with Sunsail but Moorings are there also. Plenty of opportunities to dine ashore too. By the way, even though Australia does have a few nasties I am a perfect example of the fact than you can survive here.
Tahiti Airport riot
Sydney is a beautiful city. When I was last there the bobs were unarmed, but I hear they carry guns in Kings Cross now? Tahiti is a French enslaved colony. The Tahitians hate the French, the French are bigots and prejudiced against the indigenious Tahition natives, who burned the airport down in the mid 90's while we were in Kiwi land. Those atolls are pretty much the same across the south pacific, but the most beautiful (hence most dangerous) are in the, Laus, Taveunea, Vanu Lavu, and the Yaswas of the Fiji islands... There are half dozen deaths a year in sydney due to the funnel-web spider.
Sydney is a beautiful city. When I was last there the bobs were unarmed, but I hear they carry guns in Kings Cross now? Tahiti is a French enslaved colony. The Tahitians hate the French, the French are bigots and prejudiced against the indigenious Tahition natives, who burned the airport down in the mid 90's while we were in Kiwi land. Those atolls are pretty much the same across the south pacific, but the most beautiful (hence most dangerous) are in the, Laus, Taveunea, Vanu Lavu, and the Yaswas of the Fiji islands... There are half dozen deaths a year in sydney due to the funnel-web spider.
Coin of The Realm
BTW Tahiti is THE most expensive stop in all the south pacific, might as well be on the French Riviera. The ratio of the Tahitian to Tongan currency is about the same as the odds against going to heaven...Tonga is VERY reasonable, as is FIJI and New Zealand.
BTW Tahiti is THE most expensive stop in all the south pacific, might as well be on the French Riviera. The ratio of the Tahitian to Tongan currency is about the same as the odds against going to heaven...Tonga is VERY reasonable, as is FIJI and New Zealand.
Belize
Did this one last year and liked it better than the BVI for the reasons you state. Locals were friendlier and it was definately not crowded. Ambergris Cay and Cay Caulker were kind of a BVI type anchorage, but beyond that we never anchored with more than one other cruising boat and one or two local fishing boats. The barrier reef is 2nd largest in world (Australia #1) and you stay inside so waters are protected. You do have to stay alert as it is shallow and navigation aids make the BVI look sophisticated. No rescue services so you are on your own there. Snorkeling is pretty good. but I thought BVI better. I have hit more BVI sites, so perhaps this not a fair comment. I enjoyed my encounters with the locals in the fishing camps, some of whom had not talked to anyone for a couple of weeks. They sure enjoyed a Belikin - the local beer, which I sure enjoyed. My next charter is going to be there and I hope soon, before it becomes more developed.
Did this one last year and liked it better than the BVI for the reasons you state. Locals were friendlier and it was definately not crowded. Ambergris Cay and Cay Caulker were kind of a BVI type anchorage, but beyond that we never anchored with more than one other cruising boat and one or two local fishing boats. The barrier reef is 2nd largest in world (Australia #1) and you stay inside so waters are protected. You do have to stay alert as it is shallow and navigation aids make the BVI look sophisticated. No rescue services so you are on your own there. Snorkeling is pretty good. but I thought BVI better. I have hit more BVI sites, so perhaps this not a fair comment. I enjoyed my encounters with the locals in the fishing camps, some of whom had not talked to anyone for a couple of weeks. They sure enjoyed a Belikin - the local beer, which I sure enjoyed. My next charter is going to be there and I hope soon, before it becomes more developed.
Stick with the BVI's
As a first time charterer my advise is stick with the BVI's, there is a reason they are popular with Newbie charterers, besides you'll get to witness first hand every possible mistake that can be made chartering all in one place & all in just a few short days. I've seen many 'first timers' head out to other places and end up with a far less enjoyable trip because they over-extended themselves to soon. Besides you don't have to stay on the 'usual' tourist route (Soggy Dollar, Foxies, & the Willy T are not the only places in the Islands). Take out your chart and look at Hans Lollock, West anchorage Tabago Cay, Southside St. John's & if you still feel like pushing it a little head for Culebra, you will get some nice & practical sailing experience getting back if you keep the Iron Sail turned off. Even though I bounced around from ST. Martin to Bonaire the Turks & D.R. quite a bit in my little Macgregor 26X, I usually made a point of hanging out on St. John, where the sailing is fun and the people are friendly-Just remember to say Hi to everyone at Woody's from Maddmike now here in Sri Lanka.
As a first time charterer my advise is stick with the BVI's, there is a reason they are popular with Newbie charterers, besides you'll get to witness first hand every possible mistake that can be made chartering all in one place & all in just a few short days. I've seen many 'first timers' head out to other places and end up with a far less enjoyable trip because they over-extended themselves to soon. Besides you don't have to stay on the 'usual' tourist route (Soggy Dollar, Foxies, & the Willy T are not the only places in the Islands). Take out your chart and look at Hans Lollock, West anchorage Tabago Cay, Southside St. John's & if you still feel like pushing it a little head for Culebra, you will get some nice & practical sailing experience getting back if you keep the Iron Sail turned off. Even though I bounced around from ST. Martin to Bonaire the Turks & D.R. quite a bit in my little Macgregor 26X, I usually made a point of hanging out on St. John, where the sailing is fun and the people are friendly-Just remember to say Hi to everyone at Woody's from Maddmike now here in Sri Lanka.
BVI in 26X
maddmike As a H26 owner, I'd love to read more about your BVI/26X adventures. Mike S/V High Cotton
maddmike As a H26 owner, I'd love to read more about your BVI/26X adventures. Mike S/V High Cotton
Per request info. on my MAC 26X to/beyond BVI's
My initial trip out to the BVI's was a stopping point (for 5 months in 1998) on the solo 'Waterways of the Americas' Expedition' 1997-2004(From the Arctic to & then on through the South American River systems) via the Alaska Inside Passage, Arctic Ocean, Mackenzie River, Missouri & Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, then across the Gulf to Ft. Meyers & over to Stuart Fl. with the usual Island hopping through the Bahama's, Turk's, D.R., P.R., US & BVI's, Leeward & Windward Is., Trinidad, and on through the Orinoco, Rio Negro, & Amazon Rivers. On my return trip I spent 1 & 1/2 years in the US, British, & Spanish Virgins doing day & overnight charters for couples & regular jumping back and forth across to South America, Bonaire, Etc.). I think you can still Google archived info. for the 'Waterways' trip as I had a site to let school kids I met along the way talk to each other via the internet. Additional info. & pictures of modifications on the boat can be foundon on the MacgeregorOwners site under 'off-shore Crossings'. Additionally FYI, I delivered an older H28 from Tampa Bay to the BVI via the same route without much problems some years ago. Hope this helps, Cheers Mike
My initial trip out to the BVI's was a stopping point (for 5 months in 1998) on the solo 'Waterways of the Americas' Expedition' 1997-2004(From the Arctic to & then on through the South American River systems) via the Alaska Inside Passage, Arctic Ocean, Mackenzie River, Missouri & Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, then across the Gulf to Ft. Meyers & over to Stuart Fl. with the usual Island hopping through the Bahama's, Turk's, D.R., P.R., US & BVI's, Leeward & Windward Is., Trinidad, and on through the Orinoco, Rio Negro, & Amazon Rivers. On my return trip I spent 1 & 1/2 years in the US, British, & Spanish Virgins doing day & overnight charters for couples & regular jumping back and forth across to South America, Bonaire, Etc.). I think you can still Google archived info. for the 'Waterways' trip as I had a site to let school kids I met along the way talk to each other via the internet. Additional info. & pictures of modifications on the boat can be foundon on the MacgeregorOwners site under 'off-shore Crossings'. Additionally FYI, I delivered an older H28 from Tampa Bay to the BVI via the same route without much problems some years ago. Hope this helps, Cheers Mike
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