I'm off to the BVI's in April. I need some suggestions from others who have already been. What is the best airline to get there from SF and do I need to bring anything they haven't mentioned (like gloves or other gear)? Any other experience that would be helpful is appreciated.
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K
Keith
Whats good
We were there a year ago. and took American to PR and then to Beef Island. Everything went very well going but we had a several hour delay coming back at PR. We took some things we didn't need like insect repellent but better to have it and not need it. We took our own snorkel gear, including diving gloves. We took the Sport-a-seats a bit to pack but very glad we did. I took extra sunglasses and yep I lost a pair so I was gld to have had the extras. Other than that several bathing suits shirts and shoes. Keith
We were there a year ago. and took American to PR and then to Beef Island. Everything went very well going but we had a several hour delay coming back at PR. We took some things we didn't need like insect repellent but better to have it and not need it. We took our own snorkel gear, including diving gloves. We took the Sport-a-seats a bit to pack but very glad we did. I took extra sunglasses and yep I lost a pair so I was gld to have had the extras. Other than that several bathing suits shirts and shoes. Keith
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Neil
BVI Travel Plans
Roger, I am sure that you will get some good BVI suggestions from this forum. I have also been researching BVI vacations and found what looks like the motherlode of websites on the topic. See link. A few minutes ago they showed 15,542 posts, 1,206 threads and 41 people on line.. all focussed on their BVI interests and experiences. Recently I was amused to see one post complaining about a problem with a specific restaurant and the restaurant owner then responded with a very nice post explaining the problem! I assume that you are chartering. A neat sugestion was to take a flashing red bicycle rear light (or two) so that you can find your own boat in the crowded anchorage when returning from shore at night. I hope that this idea does not become too popular! Neil
Roger, I am sure that you will get some good BVI suggestions from this forum. I have also been researching BVI vacations and found what looks like the motherlode of websites on the topic. See link. A few minutes ago they showed 15,542 posts, 1,206 threads and 41 people on line.. all focussed on their BVI interests and experiences. Recently I was amused to see one post complaining about a problem with a specific restaurant and the restaurant owner then responded with a very nice post explaining the problem! I assume that you are chartering. A neat sugestion was to take a flashing red bicycle rear light (or two) so that you can find your own boat in the crowded anchorage when returning from shore at night. I hope that this idea does not become too popular! Neil
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Neil
L
Larry
Spirit
SF to NY on whatever NY to St Thomas on Spirit... if you go mid week you'll pay $99 or less each way Take ferry that leaves from the docks to RoadTown every hour or so, Try to stay away from PR rude people and bad service. Spirit is a great option and the ferry ride is an adventure I think the ferry is about $20 and never took off late when we needed it You go right pass St John... great Island to get pics of Norman will be off to your right as you get closer to Tortola. The ferry stops like 3 other places in the BVI's so another question would be what island are you looking for? We will also be there in April... on spirit and the ferry. We get on on the 21st Good luck Fare winds and calm seas!
SF to NY on whatever NY to St Thomas on Spirit... if you go mid week you'll pay $99 or less each way Take ferry that leaves from the docks to RoadTown every hour or so, Try to stay away from PR rude people and bad service. Spirit is a great option and the ferry ride is an adventure I think the ferry is about $20 and never took off late when we needed it You go right pass St John... great Island to get pics of Norman will be off to your right as you get closer to Tortola. The ferry stops like 3 other places in the BVI's so another question would be what island are you looking for? We will also be there in April... on spirit and the ferry. We get on on the 21st Good luck Fare winds and calm seas!
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Roger
The link didn't work
Neil, I would love to look at that website. The link you left did not work. Can you write it out or try it again. Thanks to all for the other suggestions. American has the best routes so I will book them. And yes, we are chartering. Trying something unique. We are joining a flotilla. It is a group of chartered boats (up to 14) and the lead boat has a Moorings captain, host and repair kind a guy. Sounds fun to me. Roger
Neil, I would love to look at that website. The link you left did not work. Can you write it out or try it again. Thanks to all for the other suggestions. American has the best routes so I will book them. And yes, we are chartering. Trying something unique. We are joining a flotilla. It is a group of chartered boats (up to 14) and the lead boat has a Moorings captain, host and repair kind a guy. Sounds fun to me. Roger
Second the recommendation on the ferry
When I go, it is almost always $100 cheaper to fly into St. Thomas than Beef Island. Ferries are cheap, reliable, and a fun way to start your vacation. Recommendation: Eat dinner at Marina Cay. Chef is beyond description. Pass on dessert. That's the only thing he doesn't make, and it shows. Recommendation: Lobby the flotilla as heavily as necessary to make the run to Anegada, and eat dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel. Family style, and again, beyond description. 'specially the lobster, but we've had everything on the menu and wouldn't refuse any of it. Recommendation: Check any rental scuba gear thoroughly, and if ANYTHING seems less than par, insist on replacement before you leave the shop. I was surprised that a destination with that level of competition would still have substandard operations, but they do. Nothing ruins a dive more than a regulator that won't stop free-flowing. Recommendation: Relax. This is one of the easiest cruising grounds in the world. Sometimes too easy (not unusual to find folks without a clue driving around $500K bareboats). I find that an amusing form of entertainment is to keep the VHF on the bareboat frequency and listen to folks try to explain to the charter base that the depth gauge still says 6 ft, but they aren't moving anymore.
When I go, it is almost always $100 cheaper to fly into St. Thomas than Beef Island. Ferries are cheap, reliable, and a fun way to start your vacation. Recommendation: Eat dinner at Marina Cay. Chef is beyond description. Pass on dessert. That's the only thing he doesn't make, and it shows. Recommendation: Lobby the flotilla as heavily as necessary to make the run to Anegada, and eat dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel. Family style, and again, beyond description. 'specially the lobster, but we've had everything on the menu and wouldn't refuse any of it. Recommendation: Check any rental scuba gear thoroughly, and if ANYTHING seems less than par, insist on replacement before you leave the shop. I was surprised that a destination with that level of competition would still have substandard operations, but they do. Nothing ruins a dive more than a regulator that won't stop free-flowing. Recommendation: Relax. This is one of the easiest cruising grounds in the world. Sometimes too easy (not unusual to find folks without a clue driving around $500K bareboats). I find that an amusing form of entertainment is to keep the VHF on the bareboat frequency and listen to folks try to explain to the charter base that the depth gauge still says 6 ft, but they aren't moving anymore.
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