BVI bareboat trip

[tropicalfever]

Headed down thrid week of Febuary for our first trip to the BVI's. Going down with four couples. We are chartering a Moorings 4600. Looking for any insight to first hand experiences you might have and must see places.

[Bfan53again]

We've chartered from The Moorings in the BVI 3 times (last time on a 4700 cat) and always had a wonderful trip.......

If you have a Moorings captain on board, he or she can obviously recommend a good cruise itinerary. If not, your chart briefing the morning you pick up your boat will also be a source of places to see and things to do.

Here's a great web site for the BVI with loads of info: http://www.bviwelcome.com/index.html

Have fun and be sure to report back on your adventures, OK?

[Skibo]

If you have an captain make sure you head up to Anegada. It's worth the trip.

[zippy]

Headed down thrid week of Febuary for our first trip to the BVI's. Going down with four couples. We are chartering a Moorings 4600. Looking for any insight to first hand experiences you might have and must see places.

Soggy Dollar Bar - Jost Van Dyke BVI!!!

[Wildh2oskier]

Are these those nudist boats?

[tropicalfever]

Are these those nudist boats?

No. A bareboat charter is were you rent a boat and you operate it. You decide when where you go.

[tropicalfever]

If you have an captain make sure you head up to Anegada. It's worth the trip.

No captain but I believe we are planning on going to Anegada. I want to see Cow Wreck Beach.

[Wildh2oskier]

Are these those nudist boats?

No. A bareboat charter is were you rent a boat and you operate it. You decide when where you go.

Oh, well if I was renting it....it would be.

[MacPhin]

If you have an captain make sure you head up to Anegada. It's worth the trip.

No captain but I believe we are planning on going to Anegada. I want to see Cow Wreck Beach.

it's been over ten years since we bareboated in the bvi's so this might not be true anymore...but back then charter companies didn't allow their bareboats to go there. too many reefs..liability issue. i would definitley look into that one. i do think they allow you if you're in one of their floatillas, or hire a captain for a day

[Bfan53again]

If you have an captain make sure you head up to Anegada. It's worth the trip.

No captain but I believe we are planning on going to Anegada. I want to see Cow Wreck Beach.

Without a captain on board, most charter companies require that you sail in a flotilla to Anegada.....it is surrounded by dangerous reefs and you need to pay close attention!

That said, we ate at place on Cow Wreck Beach (the only place there) with our feet in the sand gazing at the open ocean.......like we were the only people on the planet. Priceless.......

[Caribbean Soul Man]

If you have an captain make sure you head up to Anegada. It's worth the trip.

No captain but I believe we are planning on going to Anegada. I want to see Cow Wreck Beach.

Without a captain on board, most charter companies require that you sail in a flotilla to Anegada.....it is surrounded by dangerous reefs and you need to pay close attention!

That said, we ate at place on Cow Wreck Beach (the only place there) with our feet in the sand gazing at the open ocean.......like we were the only people on the planet. Priceless.......

depends on the experience level of the capt. as well

If you make it to Anegada, it will be one of the highlights of your trip. The snorkeling, fishing (if you're into that) and grilled lobster under the stars are worth it!
If you like good rum, save a little time for a tour of the Callwood Distillery just above Cane Garden Bay. IMO it's some of the best rum on earth

[bubba phan]

tropicalfever, get ready for the experience of your life! My hubby and I have vacationed in the BVIs each winter for many years and are now hooked on bareboat chartering through Moorings. Sounds like we will be there roughly the same time as you ( Feb. 24 - March 8 ). Look for us a 37 ft. powercat.....there aren't many of those floating around down there...LOL

I agree that Anegada is a must....a beautiful coral atoll with pristine beaches and amazingly hospitable residents. In addition to Cow Wreck Beach, Loblolly and Flash of Beauty are breathtaking. Jost Van Dyke is fantastic, too. White Bay is not to be missed.....so stunning it will make your eyes hurt. Another fun, fun place is Norman Island for a night or two at Pirates Bight....and a requisite visit to the infamous Willie T. It's a floating, anchored barge that is Party Central! Snorkling at The Caves is just "around the corner" if you're moored at Pirates Bight. Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda is great, too. We have had the some of the finest meals of any vacation anywhere at the restaurant at the Marina and there is a super fun beachfront bar and pool, as well. I could go on and on but, I think you get the picture. They do a great job at the charter briefing of hitting the "not to miss" highlights that should be considered in your float plan.

We have never been told of any restrictions going to Anegada but had heard rumors. We were never told of any and were, in fact, told some specific tips for getting through the reef. I can only imagine that the experience of the captain (my hubby has 35+ years oceangoing experience) plays a major part in whether or not the charter company feels comfortable allowing one of their vessels to make the trip. Leverick Bay is a great jumping off spot, if you do go.

Regardless of where your journey takes you, you're sure to have a wonderfully memorable experience.....enjoy!

p.s. The picture in my sig line is Loblolly.

[Bfan53again]

Great advice, bubbaphan.........Loblolly Bay on Anegada is spectacular!

[Caribbean Soul Man]

Great advice, bubbaphan.........Loblolly Bay on Anegada is spectacular!

and after snorkeling the reef at Loblolly, conch fritters and a cold beer at the Big Bamboo are the perfect way to start off your evening

[AlbatrossFlyer]

rent some scooters on Anegada and explore the island. great way to get to the beaches and snorkeling on the other side of the island. If you want to snorkel check the tides and avoid low tide.

On Jost Van Dyke be sure to hit Ivan's Stress Free Bar (just down the beach from the Soggy Dollar) and look for the pics of jimmy and kenny when they stopped in. Dinner at the Soggy Dollar is great, but you have to radio in and make a reservation ahead of time. Pretty much a must do for any of the beach restaurants.

PM me if you want copies our itineraries from our trips.

[IndianaPH]

Headed down thrid week of Febuary for our first trip to the BVI's. Going down with four couples. We are chartering a Moorings 4600. Looking for any insight to first hand experiences you might have and must see places.

Please let me know how this trip turns out. We are heading down at the end of July for a bareboat trip through the Moorings. We are also chartering a 4600, so please let me know how it is and if you have any pictures. We are leaving from Tortola. Four couples are going down and one of them had spent considerable time on Tortola and throughout the BVI's.

I don't have a complete itinerary yet, the person making the plans is making us wait, but from looking at pictures from the first two sets of coordinates he provided, it is going to be wonderful.

[Bfan53again]

Great advice, bubbaphan.........Loblolly Bay on Anegada is spectacular!

and after snorkeling the reef at Loblolly, conch fritters and a cold beer at the Big Bamboo are the perfect way to start off your evening

Thanks.....I was trying to remember the name of the Big Bamboo!

You'll be hard pressed to find a more beautiful spot on earth to enjoy food and drink.

[tropicalfever]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm ready to be on our way. What about packing? What should we take that we might not think of? I've been told to take clothes pins, duct tape for naming the dink, and zip lock baggies.

[Dutch Harbor PH]

They say a pictures worth a word or 2..... so go here......and enjoy....REMEMBER it's the journey, not the destination!!!

[Bfan53again]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I'm ready to be on our way. What about packing? What should we take that we might not think of? I've been told to take clothes pins, duct tape for naming the dink, and zip lock baggies.

Mrs. Bfan is the "Queen" of packing. We do carry-on only, use space bags to compress our clothes (just t-shirts & shorts/bathing suits), take camp soap to bathe and wash out our clothes, clothes pins to hang the wet clothes on the boat's lifelines to dry, hats, and sunblock. Those are the essentials.....