I'm heading down to the VI's in a month for a 10 day R and R with family and friends. What should we not miss, I know the standard sights to see, what about those that are a little (or a lot) off the beaten path? We will have 3 kids with us (from ages 5 to 11), so we may have to keep most of the visits PG, that doesn't mean there won't be time to run off for a few painkillers. Let me know the places not to miss, or the ones you wish you had spent a little more time at. We will be leaving from Red Hook and chartering an Island Packet (Ramming Speed!) Thanks in advance Bruce. Neon Moon
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Frank Walker
St John's
Bruce, We have spent 7 weeks there over the last five winters and find that we spend more and more time around St John's. Dingy into Cruz Bay and take a taxi ride around the island. If you are in to snorkeling then the Indians and Watermellon Bay are the best spots we have found. There is an eco camp above Francis Bay (Mary's Point) that is a good place to eat a resonable priced meal and watch the sunsets. Pretty good climb up some stairs but worth the trip. Take a flashlight if you plan to stay after dark. You will be happy with Island Yachts, those are the best maintained boats in the entire charter fleet. We would go with them if we could get a decent price in the winter, but continue to go wthe CSC one dock over. Have a nice trip. Frank
Bruce, We have spent 7 weeks there over the last five winters and find that we spend more and more time around St John's. Dingy into Cruz Bay and take a taxi ride around the island. If you are in to snorkeling then the Indians and Watermellon Bay are the best spots we have found. There is an eco camp above Francis Bay (Mary's Point) that is a good place to eat a resonable priced meal and watch the sunsets. Pretty good climb up some stairs but worth the trip. Take a flashlight if you plan to stay after dark. You will be happy with Island Yachts, those are the best maintained boats in the entire charter fleet. We would go with them if we could get a decent price in the winter, but continue to go wthe CSC one dock over. Have a nice trip. Frank
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Peter Roach
Keep going
I have sailed that area extensively and would suggest that you go to the BVIs almost exclusively. With kids you definitely need to go to Normand Island (there is a path behind the bar that takes you up to the top of the mountain for the most spectacular view you have ever seen), dead man's bay on Peter Island (walk over to the back of the island and do some exploring - if you are into collecting sea glass you can fill a dingy - leave some for me), visit the dogs (small islands by Virgin Gorda), spend two days at the Bitter End (there is a neat resort right behind the bitter end that has a real pool table), go to beef Island (eat at the little restaurant on the island in the bay - be careful there is a donkey at the end of the buffet line that will steal you food! oh - and don't let the donkey go in the bar - long story), go to 'Cane Garden Bay' on Tortola (if the ground swells are running you should skip this - yes it is the same cane garden bay that is in the Jimmy Buffet song), stop off at sandy cay (neat little tropical island), finish up at great harbor (you can't miss Foxeys – you can also walk over the hill to little harbor to eat at Syndney's Peace and Love Cafe - be careful the drinks are on the honor system and you will drink WAY too much) Have fun - I am envious.
I have sailed that area extensively and would suggest that you go to the BVIs almost exclusively. With kids you definitely need to go to Normand Island (there is a path behind the bar that takes you up to the top of the mountain for the most spectacular view you have ever seen), dead man's bay on Peter Island (walk over to the back of the island and do some exploring - if you are into collecting sea glass you can fill a dingy - leave some for me), visit the dogs (small islands by Virgin Gorda), spend two days at the Bitter End (there is a neat resort right behind the bitter end that has a real pool table), go to beef Island (eat at the little restaurant on the island in the bay - be careful there is a donkey at the end of the buffet line that will steal you food! oh - and don't let the donkey go in the bar - long story), go to 'Cane Garden Bay' on Tortola (if the ground swells are running you should skip this - yes it is the same cane garden bay that is in the Jimmy Buffet song), stop off at sandy cay (neat little tropical island), finish up at great harbor (you can't miss Foxeys – you can also walk over the hill to little harbor to eat at Syndney's Peace and Love Cafe - be careful the drinks are on the honor system and you will drink WAY too much) Have fun - I am envious.
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Les Murray
Monkey Point, Sandy Spit...
I did the BVI this winter. Some places I went that were off the beaten path include Monkey Point and Sandy Spit. Monkey Point has the best snorkeling of all the spots around Tortolla. It is on the North end on Guano Island. Great reefs and fish everywhere. Even better than Norman Island. Second is Sandy Spit. Near Sandy Cay on Jost van Dyke. It is a small island, about a 1/4 acre. Reefs are ok, but the spit is surrounded by a big beach. Not as popular as Sandy Cay. These were two of my favorite stops when I was down there. Enjoy, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
I did the BVI this winter. Some places I went that were off the beaten path include Monkey Point and Sandy Spit. Monkey Point has the best snorkeling of all the spots around Tortolla. It is on the North end on Guano Island. Great reefs and fish everywhere. Even better than Norman Island. Second is Sandy Spit. Near Sandy Cay on Jost van Dyke. It is a small island, about a 1/4 acre. Reefs are ok, but the spit is surrounded by a big beach. Not as popular as Sandy Cay. These were two of my favorite stops when I was down there. Enjoy, Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
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Susan Hopkins
Foxy's
Re Peter Roach's absolutely perfect itinerary, which I have done many times, I would add one extra bit. Foxy's is at Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, but Great Harbor is not exactly the most attractive anchorage. So grab a mooring at Little Harbor instead, which is just a short hop from Cane Garden Bay. Little Harbor has moorings, is small and quiet, and there's lobster at Sydney's Peace and Love. Then make Foxy's a REAL experience by doing The Death March. The road between Little Harbor and Great Harbor will give you some of the best exercise you've ever had, with beautiful ocean views over the cliff. By the time you reach Foxy's, a Heineken never tasted so good. Then take a taxi to White Bay. (Anchoring at White Bay is off limits with most charter companies.) It's a bit touristy but has a lovely, big beach--great unless a cruise ship is anchored out and the hoardes are ashore. But even watching those folks can be a lot of fun; "inappropriate Speedo spotting" can be very entertaining. A taxi all the way back to Little Harbor then becomes necessary (due to the Heinekens, Pain Killers, and tired kids). Another beautiful, and often deserted, anchorage (no moorings or bars) is Benures Bay on the north shore of Norman Island. It has fair snorkeling. A lucky pair of my Maui Jims now live on the bottom there.
Re Peter Roach's absolutely perfect itinerary, which I have done many times, I would add one extra bit. Foxy's is at Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, but Great Harbor is not exactly the most attractive anchorage. So grab a mooring at Little Harbor instead, which is just a short hop from Cane Garden Bay. Little Harbor has moorings, is small and quiet, and there's lobster at Sydney's Peace and Love. Then make Foxy's a REAL experience by doing The Death March. The road between Little Harbor and Great Harbor will give you some of the best exercise you've ever had, with beautiful ocean views over the cliff. By the time you reach Foxy's, a Heineken never tasted so good. Then take a taxi to White Bay. (Anchoring at White Bay is off limits with most charter companies.) It's a bit touristy but has a lovely, big beach--great unless a cruise ship is anchored out and the hoardes are ashore. But even watching those folks can be a lot of fun; "inappropriate Speedo spotting" can be very entertaining. A taxi all the way back to Little Harbor then becomes necessary (due to the Heinekens, Pain Killers, and tired kids). Another beautiful, and often deserted, anchorage (no moorings or bars) is Benures Bay on the north shore of Norman Island. It has fair snorkeling. A lucky pair of my Maui Jims now live on the bottom there.
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Doug T.
Little Harbor
If you're not into exercise (e.g. too much lobster & too many Pain Killers, or it's pitch dark outside), you can get a taxi from Little Harbor to Foxy's.
If you're not into exercise (e.g. too much lobster & too many Pain Killers, or it's pitch dark outside), you can get a taxi from Little Harbor to Foxy's.
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Bill Murray
crossing the border
If you charter in the US and want to visit the british -- or vis a versa -- ask your charterer before you go some very pointed questions. Clearing customs and immigration is no big deal but getting service when you are "out of the country" can be a really big deal! Because service chase boats have to clear through customs too, and because customs isn't always open 24-7, you can have big problems if you have a breakdown and are in the british when your charterer is in the US etc. We chgartered in the british VI and cruisewd to St John (US). took the dinghy ashore and cleared into customs. we then went shopping and had dinner. When we went to return the dinghy would not start! And no oars, or tools either! Called the charterer (now the world's biggest outfit) who said "tough luck -- see you in the morning when customs re-opens". They had no contacts with anyone local to help us out and were quite unsympathetic. Eventually, I borrowed some tools and did the repair myself on the beach with a flashlight. Fortunately, I was successful and we made it back to the boat. In the morning the service chase boat showed up looking for us with a new engine. We learned to ask a lot of hard questions and then plan ahead accordingly. BTW, we had a really great time for two weeks on that trip. No charterer is perfect, the trick is to do enough personal planning so you can weather through the parts that the charterer didn't figure out for you.
If you charter in the US and want to visit the british -- or vis a versa -- ask your charterer before you go some very pointed questions. Clearing customs and immigration is no big deal but getting service when you are "out of the country" can be a really big deal! Because service chase boats have to clear through customs too, and because customs isn't always open 24-7, you can have big problems if you have a breakdown and are in the british when your charterer is in the US etc. We chgartered in the british VI and cruisewd to St John (US). took the dinghy ashore and cleared into customs. we then went shopping and had dinner. When we went to return the dinghy would not start! And no oars, or tools either! Called the charterer (now the world's biggest outfit) who said "tough luck -- see you in the morning when customs re-opens". They had no contacts with anyone local to help us out and were quite unsympathetic. Eventually, I borrowed some tools and did the repair myself on the beach with a flashlight. Fortunately, I was successful and we made it back to the boat. In the morning the service chase boat showed up looking for us with a new engine. We learned to ask a lot of hard questions and then plan ahead accordingly. BTW, we had a really great time for two weeks on that trip. No charterer is perfect, the trick is to do enough personal planning so you can weather through the parts that the charterer didn't figure out for you.
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Bob Howie
Marina Cay
Across from Beef Island and up the road from Jost Van Dyke enroute to Virgin Gorda. Great scenery, great beach, good swimming and great MANGOritas!
Across from Beef Island and up the road from Jost Van Dyke enroute to Virgin Gorda. Great scenery, great beach, good swimming and great MANGOritas!
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Larry
BVI
I've chartered 3 times in V.I.If possible start in BVI and stay there . We lost half day going through customs.Of course go to Foxy's,the Baths(the kids will love it),but also go to White Bay on Jost-you can day anchor there (narrow entrance) or anchor in Great Harbor(Foxy,s)and dinghy around the point-Beautiful beach and birthplace of Painkiller. When going to Gorda Sound I skip Bitter End Y.C.-too stuffy for me-instead pick up mmooring at Prickly Pear on left as you enter Sound and dinghy in to the Sand Lot Bar where the volley ball nets are. Go to Marina Cay-Beef Island is ok but the show at the Last Resort has seen better days.If you have time for Annagada do it .Have fun
I've chartered 3 times in V.I.If possible start in BVI and stay there . We lost half day going through customs.Of course go to Foxy's,the Baths(the kids will love it),but also go to White Bay on Jost-you can day anchor there (narrow entrance) or anchor in Great Harbor(Foxy,s)and dinghy around the point-Beautiful beach and birthplace of Painkiller. When going to Gorda Sound I skip Bitter End Y.C.-too stuffy for me-instead pick up mmooring at Prickly Pear on left as you enter Sound and dinghy in to the Sand Lot Bar where the volley ball nets are. Go to Marina Cay-Beef Island is ok but the show at the Last Resort has seen better days.If you have time for Annagada do it .Have fun
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Brad
Can't argue with any of these.
Marina Cay is the best anchorage you can find....spend a night there and dingy into the bar....very nice. Just for fun, try spending a night on the hook at Road Town. Walk about town....great experience. You can't miss Foxey's.....but don't forget the Bomba Shack on the south end of Tortola. Especially if you catch a full moon, it's a must. Have a great time. Brad
Marina Cay is the best anchorage you can find....spend a night there and dingy into the bar....very nice. Just for fun, try spending a night on the hook at Road Town. Walk about town....great experience. You can't miss Foxey's.....but don't forget the Bomba Shack on the south end of Tortola. Especially if you catch a full moon, it's a must. Have a great time. Brad
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Brad
Ahhhh, an Island Packet
Very "sea kindly" but the boats that don't tack. It's a beautiful boat to live on....luckly, you won't be tacking much. You'll love it. Brad
Very "sea kindly" but the boats that don't tack. It's a beautiful boat to live on....luckly, you won't be tacking much. You'll love it. Brad
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