My Virgin Island sailing trip began back almost a year ago when, through a Google search, I found Virgin Island Sailing’s website. The site was a great resource to begin my education on the BVI’s, with tips on the different types of charters available, sample itineraries, and things to do and see on the islands. Joann and Mallorie were of tremendous help and everything they said they would do happened almost immediately, several times on a Sunday my emails were answered by Joann. Payment and documentation went without a hitch and charts, a sailing guide and other info came almost immediately from Virgin Island Sailing once I booked the Jeanneau 52’ monohull that was to be home for 9 days.
Little Harbour Jost Van Dyke |
My charter was booked with Conch Charters with a sleep aboard the evening prior to departure. I found the boat to be in ready condition, clean, stocked with linens, cooking utensils, the cooler was iced and the air conditioning was on. The staff at Conch was very helpful and sat down with me and my crew to go over our itinerary and gave us great information on mooring and provisioning along the way. We had a problem with the motor on the dinghy breaking a throttle cable. I contacted Conch while on the water and told them we’d be in port at Spanish Town by 5pm. We had barely docked in Spansih Town when two guys came up and said they were there to fix the motor. Great response form Conch.
After a through yacht checkout we were on our way headed for Norman Island. The weather was warm with a shower off and on. After an hour or two of a close reach in light winds we were at the Bight on Norman Island. Another sailor we talked to suggested mooring at Kellys Cove on the Northeast end of the Bight as it would be quieter.
I would not recommend this as it was a bit rolly throughout the night. The snorkeling around Kellys was good so it might be a good spot for a day mooring while you head to the Indians. We topped off out stay at Normans with a marathon stay at the Willie T…that is not to be missed. All of us had a great time, but it is not for the faint hearted or children.
With the crew nursing hangovers the next morning we headed for Cooper Island and Manchioneel Bay, with a stop along the way to snorkel the wreck of the Rhone. Definitely worth a stop to dive or snorkel this wreck with some great marine life included. Spent the afternoon and evening at the Cooper Island Beach Club which had good food and drinks and a great atmosphere. Easy mooring here. |
Leverick Bay
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Hearing about the Friday night parties at Leverick Bay we headed over there the next morning with a stop off along the way at the “Baths”. This is not to be missed. We easily picked up a Park Service mooring ball and head in to hike and snorkel. You can easily spend several hours here seeing all the beautiful sights. We spotted rays, turtles, and more colorful fish that I can remember. Leverick Bay Resort is a great place to catch a mooring ball with a free bag of ice and a free fill of your water tank is a nice treat. This is a good place to do a load of laundry, or provision up. The Friday night BBQ at the resort is fantastic and the party continued until the wee hours. The Mocko Jumbie Sky Dancers are a blast. This should definitely be on your itinerary if you find yourself near here on a Friday.
Little Harbour Jost Van Dyke
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Saturday made for another day of recuperation for the crew and a good long sail on the North side of Tortola around to Jost Van Dyke for the party at Foxy’s was the order of the day. Great Harbour had no moorings available, which was the only time we found it difficult to find a mooring ball. No problem, we just sailed on over to Little Harbour around the corner and easily caught a mooring ball…and then a $5 taxi over the hill to Foxy’s for fantastic music and a great BBQ dinner. I was actually glad that Great Harbour was filled because Little Harbour is much more idyllic and quiet.
Sopers Hole West End
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Sunday found us enroute back to Norman Island and the Willie T for the local’s party, with a stop off at Sopers hole to fuel up and re-provision. Sopers is also a great place to do a little souvenir shopping and get a good dinner at Pussers.
The Willie T once again didn’t disappoint as a great time with surprisingly good food. This time caught a mooring ball further into the Bight and the stay was much calmer. Good wind made for a short trip with a couple of tacks. |
Monday made for a long haul up to Trellis Bay to the art colony to do a little shopping and relaxing. Off season made this a pretty quiet stop. A great find was Charlie T’s restaurant at Fat Hogs Bay, a $10 cab ride from Trellis Bay. Do not miss this place. Awesome food and a dining patio right on the water with fantastic sunset…or moonrise views. The whole crew had $20 steak and lobster that came with salad and dessert…and a friendly staff, which we did find to be a bit rare at some of the spots we visited.
Tuesday we had an easy sail back to the Bath’s for more snorkeling and then a night at the docks in Spanish Town. Another good spot to do some laundry, shop, and provision up.
The next day we sailed back to Soper’s Hole and easily picked up a mooring ball. This is a great spot to use as a base to head over to the Full Moon Party at Bomba’s Shack. A $10 cab ride over the hill and we were dropped off at Bomba’s. This was a great time with several hundred people, two bands, and plenty of Rum flowing. We actually planned our trip around being at Bomba’s for the full moon party and it did not disappoint. We had been advised about some problems with mooring in Cane Garden Bay and using the dingy over to Bomba’s as sometime the dinghy’s get used by someone else who feels they need them at the moment. I’m not sure if this is fact or fiction but staying at Sopers Hole and taking a $5 cab over to Bomba’s sure fit the bill.
Trellis Bay
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After dragging the crew in at 0430 we woke about 0830 for a sail back to Road Town and the prep for the journey home. A quiet night in the bay at Road Town made for a good way to start the long journey of flights back home.
BVI’s…we’ll be back…two of my crew said it was the best trip they ever made in their life…quite a testament.
Tips:
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Willie T’s on Norman Island
The Bath’s on Virgin Gorda
Leverick Bay on Friday night
Foxy’s on Saturday for BBQ
Bomba’s for the full moon party
Bring an underwater camera!
BUG SPRAY!!! At least in June
Less clothes than you think you need
More sunscreen than you think you need
Charlie T’s at Fat Hogs Bay for dinner
Many places include a service charge in the price for food so tipping may not necessary. |
Have a great trip!
Ted Kakuris
San Diego California
Conch Charters
Jeanneau 52
June 8-17 2011
Sleepaboard June 7
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