After booking over a year ago we are finally getting close to our date of departure. Any last minute tips would be appreciaited as this is our first time chartering. My wife and two children (8 and 10) will be joining me on what I hope will be a "once in a lifetime" vacation. I have already taken the advise of bring half the clothes and double the money to heart. We should have a full day to provision, and plan on using Bobbies Market. I was planning on bringing a few bicycle locks to secure the dinghy and kayak, are these neccesary? I have read that the boat should be locked whenever we are not aboard, is this good advise? Any other last minute advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Lock for the dingy not really necessary
The hardest part will be finding it at a busy dock. They all look alike, especailly after a night at the Willie T. Many a customer has "napped" until the last dingy was left. Bring a colored cloth to tie on to it. Make sure you have lifejackets and a flashlight on board. There are a lot of impaired dingy drivers in the dark. Also all of the boats are white so finding yours in the dark can be exciting. Never cast off the dingy until the motor is started and never turn it off until tied up. You probably already know this but I had a bad expierence with high wind, the dark, rum and a dingy that would not start that I had foolishly cast off too soon We do lock the boat when we leave but have never had a problem. We sleep best on a mooring ball since we have had trouble on several occasions with poor holding but that is just us. You are going to have a great time.
The hardest part will be finding it at a busy dock. They all look alike, especailly after a night at the Willie T. Many a customer has "napped" until the last dingy was left. Bring a colored cloth to tie on to it. Make sure you have lifejackets and a flashlight on board. There are a lot of impaired dingy drivers in the dark. Also all of the boats are white so finding yours in the dark can be exciting. Never cast off the dingy until the motor is started and never turn it off until tied up. You probably already know this but I had a bad expierence with high wind, the dark, rum and a dingy that would not start that I had foolishly cast off too soon We do lock the boat when we leave but have never had a problem. We sleep best on a mooring ball since we have had trouble on several occasions with poor holding but that is just us. You are going to have a great time.
Have fun!
Just did my 3rd trip there this January and will concur on Salim8's comments re security. I would recommend at least a day stop at Foxy's Taboo on the east end of Jost Van Dyke with a hike to the bubbly pool. I am sure you have already heard about the Baths and the original Foxy's. Let us know how it went when you return.
Just did my 3rd trip there this January and will concur on Salim8's comments re security. I would recommend at least a day stop at Foxy's Taboo on the east end of Jost Van Dyke with a hike to the bubbly pool. I am sure you have already heard about the Baths and the original Foxy's. Let us know how it went when you return.
I was a first timer too
We did our first time charter in late December 2007. Many great experiences and we learnt a lot. Feel free to contact me directly rudwin@enor.com and I will be happy to share. Roy
We did our first time charter in late December 2007. Many great experiences and we learnt a lot. Feel free to contact me directly rudwin@enor.com and I will be happy to share. Roy
Provisioning
Chief, We have done the BVI trip several times. You are definetly in for a treat. The first trip, we provisioned with Moorings and it was good. However, the fridge doesn't need to be that loaded. You have the right idea. Bobby's will also pick you up and drop you off. Penguin foods, behind the moorings, has some excellent complete meals that you can buy. Also, they will deliver. You can re provision in Cane Garden Bay. Bobby's has a store there. Also, in Spanish Town, there is a market right next to the marina. And if you go to Anegada there is a market that looks like a case lot store. With these convenient locations, you are never much out of reach of provisions. Save some meals for special spots. Some must see places, IMHO, are Foxy's, Soggy Dollar, Saba Rock in Virgin Gorda, Cane Garden Bay, Marina Key, The caves, baths and Monkey point for snorkeling. Have a great time. Mike D
Chief, We have done the BVI trip several times. You are definetly in for a treat. The first trip, we provisioned with Moorings and it was good. However, the fridge doesn't need to be that loaded. You have the right idea. Bobby's will also pick you up and drop you off. Penguin foods, behind the moorings, has some excellent complete meals that you can buy. Also, they will deliver. You can re provision in Cane Garden Bay. Bobby's has a store there. Also, in Spanish Town, there is a market right next to the marina. And if you go to Anegada there is a market that looks like a case lot store. With these convenient locations, you are never much out of reach of provisions. Save some meals for special spots. Some must see places, IMHO, are Foxy's, Soggy Dollar, Saba Rock in Virgin Gorda, Cane Garden Bay, Marina Key, The caves, baths and Monkey point for snorkeling. Have a great time. Mike D
Eat
breakfast and lunch on the boat, but go ashore for dinner. There is a quirky bar at every anchorage for dinner. Bring a handful of different colour lightsticks. Break one and hang it in the rigging when you go ashore at night. All boats look alike in the dark after painkillers. You will eat less food on the boat than you think.
breakfast and lunch on the boat, but go ashore for dinner. There is a quirky bar at every anchorage for dinner. Bring a handful of different colour lightsticks. Break one and hang it in the rigging when you go ashore at night. All boats look alike in the dark after painkillers. You will eat less food on the boat than you think.
Favorite stops
We're going back for trip number 8 this June. Our favorites include: Foxy's Taboo (do NOT miss snorkeling on the drop-off near Green Cay/Sandy Spit; snorkeling at Cistern Pt. on Cooper Island, the Cooper Island Beach Club for world-class sunsets and conch creole, watching the tarpon after dark at Saba Rock, hanging around on Marina Cay, and spending time at the Soggy Dollar in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. If you like, we'd be happy to discuss other favorite stops. You'll find us in the owner's directory and can e-mail us through there. You're certain to have a great time. Gary Kunkel Visalia CA
We're going back for trip number 8 this June. Our favorites include: Foxy's Taboo (do NOT miss snorkeling on the drop-off near Green Cay/Sandy Spit; snorkeling at Cistern Pt. on Cooper Island, the Cooper Island Beach Club for world-class sunsets and conch creole, watching the tarpon after dark at Saba Rock, hanging around on Marina Cay, and spending time at the Soggy Dollar in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. If you like, we'd be happy to discuss other favorite stops. You'll find us in the owner's directory and can e-mail us through there. You're certain to have a great time. Gary Kunkel Visalia CA
Don't waste sailing time at the market.
You can do your shopping at Bobby's Market online before you leave home and have your order delivered when you arrive at the boat.
You can do your shopping at Bobby's Market online before you leave home and have your order delivered when you arrive at the boat.
My BVI Favs
I agree with all but add, Sandy Cay - get there early and enjoy the island all to yourselves, The Indians and Caves - good snorkeling spot, Top of the Baths - a casual restaurant with a great view, pool, band, drinks. Skip Cane Garden Bay when the cruise ship is in. Reminded us of Jones Beach.... Enjoy!
I agree with all but add, Sandy Cay - get there early and enjoy the island all to yourselves, The Indians and Caves - good snorkeling spot, Top of the Baths - a casual restaurant with a great view, pool, band, drinks. Skip Cane Garden Bay when the cruise ship is in. Reminded us of Jones Beach.... Enjoy!
When calling a restaurant for reservations on VHF quite often the restaurant will ask for the name of your vessel. We made it a point not to use the name of our vessel but a ficticious name. Anyone monitoring VHF would not know we were at dinner.
Don't Anchor at the Baths.
I always advise not to anchor at the baths, it can be rough with a rough dinghy landing, but to go the extra 1.5 mile and spend the night at VGYH or on a local mooring. It costs about $1/ft and you can buy water and provisions, if necessary. (I always run out of beer). Pick up an open-air cab at VGYH and pay $3/pp to ride there about 1.5 miles. You can talk to the locals, be off the boat for a rest, and eat out that night, if you want at a nice restaurant (make arrangements with the cab driver). But lock it up! Even in the yacht harbour. We caught a guy checking us out, once.
I always advise not to anchor at the baths, it can be rough with a rough dinghy landing, but to go the extra 1.5 mile and spend the night at VGYH or on a local mooring. It costs about $1/ft and you can buy water and provisions, if necessary. (I always run out of beer). Pick up an open-air cab at VGYH and pay $3/pp to ride there about 1.5 miles. You can talk to the locals, be off the boat for a rest, and eat out that night, if you want at a nice restaurant (make arrangements with the cab driver). But lock it up! Even in the yacht harbour. We caught a guy checking us out, once.
Paul's advice is good. One other thing
to note is that it is very hot in the yacht harbor in VG Spanish Town. We stayed at Leverick Bay on a mooring and rented a jeep for a day. The ride over the moutnains is spectacular, we went to the Baths for a swim, and had lunch as suggested in the restaurant above them, toured Spansih Town, too, and had a great day.
to note is that it is very hot in the yacht harbor in VG Spanish Town. We stayed at Leverick Bay on a mooring and rented a jeep for a day. The ride over the moutnains is spectacular, we went to the Baths for a swim, and had lunch as suggested in the restaurant above them, toured Spansih Town, too, and had a great day.
It IS Hot in VGYH!!!...
...ff there is no breeze. So be cautious. But I can't comment about Leverick Bay. I've been there when my children were the same age as yours, quite a few years ago, but never rented a car. My brother has and said it was a beautiful trip to make on the island. BTW, the kids LOVED the pool at Pusser's. I loved the rum. We ate pizza all night. Got there later in the day and they gave away their slips for the price of a mooring - just ask them.
...ff there is no breeze. So be cautious. But I can't comment about Leverick Bay. I've been there when my children were the same age as yours, quite a few years ago, but never rented a car. My brother has and said it was a beautiful trip to make on the island. BTW, the kids LOVED the pool at Pusser's. I loved the rum. We ate pizza all night. Got there later in the day and they gave away their slips for the price of a mooring - just ask them.
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