BVI Charter

boatbum

boatbum

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I've been pondering a charter in the BVI. Specifically I'd rather start in BVI (Road Town) than in the USVI since that way we incur all the penalties of border crossing at the airport instead of leaving from St. Thomas and getting caught on Jost Van Dyke or West End.
Does anyone have experience with chart software and etc. associated with a trip like this? I normally use Garmin but have Nobeltec charts as well but wonder who has the coverage with the best detail.
 
Thanks for the tips on the other fora, it seems everyone has the same opinion, e-charting is a bust in the caribean.
Papillon, have a blast!
 
Ok things are getting more serious. At this point the team has left it up to me to choose the boat and the departure site. I am still thinking Tortola because I like the idea of not having to check in locally from STT. Yeah connections are worse but once there, we 'are there' and there are less worries and things to consider. In short, we're talking party animals.
We are probably looking at late Fall '07.
We've been in the area a couple of times and done some snorkeling but Anegada seems like a spot that should not be missed. Are there others? We've seen the Soggy dollar, Foxies, Peter Island, Bitter End Yacht club, Pusser's road town west end, Bumba's shack somewhere on Tortolla (please don't ask me where), Sandy spit, The Indians, the caves etc..
What's missing?
 
Speaking of sandy spit. Any surfers out there? Bring a long board or kyack. When the swell comes from North East, there is an amazing left break ** sandy spit that wells up around a coral reef. The wave wraps 2/3rds of the way around the island. Its the coolets thing. Surfing in a semi circle 20 feet from the beach with your kids running along side....
 
boatbum, anegada is spectacular on the right day. if the sun isnt out or the wind is howling or the swell is up its just another destination, but on the right day its a spot you will never forget. Bare boat companies usually prohibit you from going there on your own unless you have some sort of formal boating licence, however they all have flotilla day where they have a lead boat lead you there from north sound. another great spot is money bay on the back of norman. used to be of limits to bareboats but we see a lot there these days, if you want to go to money bay get there early as theres not much room.
bazza.
 
boatbum,
We had a great time in January in the VI's and learned a few things for the next time.

We will definitely fly into Tortola and stay in the BVI's the entire trip.

The two dinghy trips (8 persons in our crew) from Caneel Bay (moorage available)to Cruz Bay (usually no moorage)to clear customs, about 1.5 miles of 5 mph chop, was a relative PITA. Relative, that is, to clearing BVI customs in West End (Sopers Hole).

Even clearing BVI customs is kind of a pain with the typically rude and apathetic government workers.

After stocking up on additional provisions, we spent the first night at the charter company dock in St. Thomas. That night my 7yo son got over 100 no see-um bites. He was miserable for about 4 days.

Needless to say, when we return we will fly into Tortola. There's a reasonable marina near the airport and the beautiful Marina Cay (a must stay IMO) is only a stone's throw away.
 
oh yea. marina cay. on sunday to thursday micheal bean has a coctail hour pirate show. its definately the most entertaining place in the bvi. we take our guests just about every week. I have never had anyone not love it. Arrr!
bazza
 
Papillon
Thanks for getting back on your trip and hopefully those are the worst points which will fade in comparison to the good times. I don't like gyrations on vacation. Any time I have to deal with logistics I like them to be over with at each end of the vacation so I have been tough on going into Tortola and having everything settle down upon arrival. It seems much easier to deal with it during travel as opposed to interrupting the itinerary on the water.
Anyway, I'm thinking Nanny Cay as the starting point with a stay at the hotel on each end.
 
boatbum,

We seriously looked at Nanny Cay as a stopover. Nice marina, hotel with a pool, conveniently located. We decided against it because it looked a little crowded and there were very few, if any, mooring balls.

All in all, our BVI trip was fantastic.

One more caution: Don't over-provision at the outset. There are so many places to get provisions now and there are many great restaurants. And considering the costs of your vacation, the increased costs of provisioning as you go are negligible.
 
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