I will be sailing in the BVI starting next Saturday? Just wondering if anyone out there has recently come back from the BVI? With the economy being a bit slow I was wondering how busy the palce was? Lots of boats sitting idle? Was it easy getting a mooring ball to hook up for the evening? How about the restaurants & bars? Crowded? Thanks.
Recent BVI information?
- Thread starter Pat T
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Just got back
Just got back from a week in paradise (AKA BVI). We were there the previous year during Spring Break and it was a zoo-people and boats everywhere.
This year, there was a nice crowd, but not too many. The restaurants were generally full or near full, but we never had to wait. We managed to catch the traditional Christmas winds (in early February), so the water was not a clear as usual, but still better than 98% of water in the world. We sailed out of the new Moorings faciility-great service and an excellent boat this year.
We managed to make to the Baths before the heavy winds set in and blocked the beach. Definitely worth the visit if you can make it ashore and spend time crawling under the rocks. We also managed to make it Anagada for the first time in four attempts-also definitely worth the trip if the weather allows. Just respect the charts and the channel markers (one of the late comers to the anchorage failed to do so and discovered the reason the charts show reefs there).
The Willy T was hoping as usual. All the usual/typicall crowd was there. Snorkling at the Indians and the Caves at Normal Island was a bit challenging, as we had rather stong winds and currents at both locations-but both still worth the effort.
Bottom line, all is well in paradise.
Just got back from a week in paradise (AKA BVI). We were there the previous year during Spring Break and it was a zoo-people and boats everywhere.
This year, there was a nice crowd, but not too many. The restaurants were generally full or near full, but we never had to wait. We managed to catch the traditional Christmas winds (in early February), so the water was not a clear as usual, but still better than 98% of water in the world. We sailed out of the new Moorings faciility-great service and an excellent boat this year.
We managed to make to the Baths before the heavy winds set in and blocked the beach. Definitely worth the visit if you can make it ashore and spend time crawling under the rocks. We also managed to make it Anagada for the first time in four attempts-also definitely worth the trip if the weather allows. Just respect the charts and the channel markers (one of the late comers to the anchorage failed to do so and discovered the reason the charts show reefs there).
The Willy T was hoping as usual. All the usual/typicall crowd was there. Snorkling at the Indians and the Caves at Normal Island was a bit challenging, as we had rather stong winds and currents at both locations-but both still worth the effort.
Bottom line, all is well in paradise.
Just got back
Forgot to address the mooring situation-we had no problem picking up a mooring with the exception of Soper's Hole-Soper's is a great spot with a good restaurant and excellent grocery store, but the public moorings were somewhat limited.
One last item-we elected to provision at Bobby's this trip-definitely the best provisioning option we have used in four trips. Prices were reasonable and the selection was outstanding. Bobby's provided pick up and delivery of our crew-we were extremely pleased with this decision and we will definitely follow that option next year.
Forgot to address the mooring situation-we had no problem picking up a mooring with the exception of Soper's Hole-Soper's is a great spot with a good restaurant and excellent grocery store, but the public moorings were somewhat limited.
One last item-we elected to provision at Bobby's this trip-definitely the best provisioning option we have used in four trips. Prices were reasonable and the selection was outstanding. Bobby's provided pick up and delivery of our crew-we were extremely pleased with this decision and we will definitely follow that option next year.
Another option for visiting the Baths: Go to Leverick Bay and take a taxi over the hill through Spanish Town and to the Baths. No worry about winds on the west side anchorage at the Baths, since your boat is in the sound up north. Or, for a few pennies more, you can rent an open jeep. It's a great drive. Since most people don't bother going into Spanish Town harbor, it's something we missed on our first few visits, but enjoyed that time. You can check out the rest of the town, too, and the airport. Pretty nifty island, Virgin Gorda.
Have a great time, you can't miss. And even if it is crowded, just means ya gotta get top any anchorage before 1500. Or drop a hook - easier said than done with the balls, or if they even let you do that anymore.
BVI update
I just checked out of my Moorings 403 (Pelican Pat) at noon Saturday in Tortola. It was a great week. Slept in the cockpit every night. Most places added a service charge (tip) to your bill. There was a megayacht cruising around. "A" is all it says on the transom. Google it and you'll find it ias the 6th biggest motor yacht in the world. Russian oil guy, i recall. The people are pleasant, so be likewise to them.
(Sunday night) For the Baths, I suggest getting a slip at the marina at Spanish Town/ Virgin Gorda. Take a taxi (many in the parking lot next to the food store) to the Top of the Baths. You can walk down the path and thru the Baths. Neat. I was later told to take your park permit from the boat and there’s no $3.oo charge p.p. for the park. Go back up the hill, and have a drink(s) and maybe a swim at the pool. It is a great panoramic view, and would be real nice at sundown. I recall the taxi was $5.oo round trip. We watched the Super Bowl from the open-air bar (Chez Bamboo) right alongside the marina. Decent food.
Monday night we went to Anegada. Our chart plotter said we were outside the entrance channel, but just believe your eyes when you see the markers. The outside red is missing, so go to the green and follow the marks/course. Once you get to the green where you can turn left there are mooring balls. If you go beyond them there are small red green markers that get you into the anchoring area. We dingy’d to the dock at the bar where you can see a Moorings flag. A taxi there said ten bucks for Lobolly Bay. We walked out front then to the left to the store. That lady called a cab for $4, and I think it was the same guy. We missed most of the island, so if you have a boatload, I siggest you rent a jeep and see all of Anegada. The fish platters at the Big Bamboo/Lobolly Bay were great for $20, or the lobster for $40 or a partial was less than that. Look at the wall menu for the latest price. Ice cream available. Nice beach there, too.
(Tuesday night) Be advised, if you go to the Bitter End Yacht Club, they only have 120V, 50 amp connectors on the dock. The dock person said it was 4-wire, so that would mean a Marinco6365CR connector- different from a 6361CR in some way. The female dock connector has the 3 contacts PLUS the metal sleeve contact. There seems to be a few power cords to borrow, but none were available when we checked in. Take a short adapter if you plan to go. The Pub on the waterfront there has good prices. Tuesday night is a live band outdoors and some kind of buffet that others in our (SOS) club took advantage of. $45.oo. We got ice at BEYC dock office, but it was the bad kind with hole in it. Great for drinks, but not for longer-term cooling. We saw a second ice machine in front of the Emporium so maybe they have the solid pieces. Internet at the hotel lobby was $10.oo for 20 minutes.
Wednesday we dove at the Dogs then to Cane Garden Bay for a mooring, and where there are places to shop and eat ashore.
Thursday we went to Foxy’s(Great Harbor), but the harbor was crowded when we got there a bit before noon. We anchored. Long Bay had a lot of boats, but it’s a big bay.
Friday morning we went to the Soggy Dollar Bar the next cove west (White Bay) for lunch only. Swimming ashore seems to be the big deal, but you can beach a dingy. Have a long enough line that will reach to the trees to tie up. Four places to eat, plus shops. Seems SDB was the place to be. Only at (My Love?) restaurant could my friend get a lobster dinner and I got the lobster linguini for $22.oo that seemed to have as much meat as her lobster. Flies, though tolerable.
Friday we got a slip in Soper’s Hole for 1.25 a foot. THEN there was $20 tax. BE ADVISED the dock man said AC was metered at 50 cents a kilowatt (for 30 amp). THEN when we checked out we were told our slip was NOT metered, and a flat fee of $25 was charged. Had we known that, we would have passed on the AC. Rip off! You get a 5-minute shower token per crew, but can buy more for $4 each. I could have used only one token, but used 2 to shave in the shower. Water at the sinks is free, so maybe use that to shave. The tokens are not refundable. I have 6 now. The harbor was chock-a-block with boats.
Saturday was an easy motor back to Moorings and checkout was easy. At the airport, they looked into your carry-ons at three different tables. PLUS a body pat-down before going out the gate. In San Juan the security took a pint jar of peanut butter that had not been opened. They said it was over 3.5 oz, and not allowed- even though it was not a liquid. C4 maybe? They did not take the 4 smallish cans of meats. I had just bought a $2.50 bottle of water before going into security and was drinking it. Not allowed, so it was taken. Right past security there is a drink machine. The waiting area was very chilly.
I just checked out of my Moorings 403 (Pelican Pat) at noon Saturday in Tortola. It was a great week. Slept in the cockpit every night. Most places added a service charge (tip) to your bill. There was a megayacht cruising around. "A" is all it says on the transom. Google it and you'll find it ias the 6th biggest motor yacht in the world. Russian oil guy, i recall. The people are pleasant, so be likewise to them.
(Sunday night) For the Baths, I suggest getting a slip at the marina at Spanish Town/ Virgin Gorda. Take a taxi (many in the parking lot next to the food store) to the Top of the Baths. You can walk down the path and thru the Baths. Neat. I was later told to take your park permit from the boat and there’s no $3.oo charge p.p. for the park. Go back up the hill, and have a drink(s) and maybe a swim at the pool. It is a great panoramic view, and would be real nice at sundown. I recall the taxi was $5.oo round trip. We watched the Super Bowl from the open-air bar (Chez Bamboo) right alongside the marina. Decent food.
Monday night we went to Anegada. Our chart plotter said we were outside the entrance channel, but just believe your eyes when you see the markers. The outside red is missing, so go to the green and follow the marks/course. Once you get to the green where you can turn left there are mooring balls. If you go beyond them there are small red green markers that get you into the anchoring area. We dingy’d to the dock at the bar where you can see a Moorings flag. A taxi there said ten bucks for Lobolly Bay. We walked out front then to the left to the store. That lady called a cab for $4, and I think it was the same guy. We missed most of the island, so if you have a boatload, I siggest you rent a jeep and see all of Anegada. The fish platters at the Big Bamboo/Lobolly Bay were great for $20, or the lobster for $40 or a partial was less than that. Look at the wall menu for the latest price. Ice cream available. Nice beach there, too.
(Tuesday night) Be advised, if you go to the Bitter End Yacht Club, they only have 120V, 50 amp connectors on the dock. The dock person said it was 4-wire, so that would mean a Marinco6365CR connector- different from a 6361CR in some way. The female dock connector has the 3 contacts PLUS the metal sleeve contact. There seems to be a few power cords to borrow, but none were available when we checked in. Take a short adapter if you plan to go. The Pub on the waterfront there has good prices. Tuesday night is a live band outdoors and some kind of buffet that others in our (SOS) club took advantage of. $45.oo. We got ice at BEYC dock office, but it was the bad kind with hole in it. Great for drinks, but not for longer-term cooling. We saw a second ice machine in front of the Emporium so maybe they have the solid pieces. Internet at the hotel lobby was $10.oo for 20 minutes.
Wednesday we dove at the Dogs then to Cane Garden Bay for a mooring, and where there are places to shop and eat ashore.
Thursday we went to Foxy’s(Great Harbor), but the harbor was crowded when we got there a bit before noon. We anchored. Long Bay had a lot of boats, but it’s a big bay.
Friday morning we went to the Soggy Dollar Bar the next cove west (White Bay) for lunch only. Swimming ashore seems to be the big deal, but you can beach a dingy. Have a long enough line that will reach to the trees to tie up. Four places to eat, plus shops. Seems SDB was the place to be. Only at (My Love?) restaurant could my friend get a lobster dinner and I got the lobster linguini for $22.oo that seemed to have as much meat as her lobster. Flies, though tolerable.
Friday we got a slip in Soper’s Hole for 1.25 a foot. THEN there was $20 tax. BE ADVISED the dock man said AC was metered at 50 cents a kilowatt (for 30 amp). THEN when we checked out we were told our slip was NOT metered, and a flat fee of $25 was charged. Had we known that, we would have passed on the AC. Rip off! You get a 5-minute shower token per crew, but can buy more for $4 each. I could have used only one token, but used 2 to shave in the shower. Water at the sinks is free, so maybe use that to shave. The tokens are not refundable. I have 6 now. The harbor was chock-a-block with boats.
Saturday was an easy motor back to Moorings and checkout was easy. At the airport, they looked into your carry-ons at three different tables. PLUS a body pat-down before going out the gate. In San Juan the security took a pint jar of peanut butter that had not been opened. They said it was over 3.5 oz, and not allowed- even though it was not a liquid. C4 maybe? They did not take the 4 smallish cans of meats. I had just bought a $2.50 bottle of water before going into security and was drinking it. Not allowed, so it was taken. Right past security there is a drink machine. The waiting area was very chilly.
Good BVI information....
....I will take with me guys. Thanks. I am getting on the plane this Thursday morning. So we appreciate any more valuable tips.
....I will take with me guys. Thanks. I am getting on the plane this Thursday morning. So we appreciate any more valuable tips.
I just now finished typing up a journal of the trip. I can email it. send me an email at repenceatmsn.com and i'll send it in a reply.
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