A fixed itinerary for a bare boat trip in the BVI - not a good idea!

As experienced sailors, which cruised all the way from France, passing Africa, the Canarian Islands and then explored the whole Caribbean we know, that one of the mistakes a beginner makes, is to plan a sailing trip at home, like a trip with a car. You should always adopt your trip to the actual weather conditions and therefore plan from day to day. This will provide you with much smoother sailing and anchoring experience then if you stick to a fixed itinerary. For example, you want to avoid to stay over night in Cane Garden Bay when there is northerly swell, some anchorages in the VI are only safe in the summer. Do not rush at the beginning of your vacation. You need to adopt to the climate and seasickness kicks in much faster if you are stressed and tired. You are in vacation, to relax, not to "collect" islands! If you like parties, find the magazine "Limin' Times" and check out where and when the local bands play. You will get a lot of useful information at the briefing before you leave the base of your bareboat company or go for a crewed charter and have no worries at all, because you are in the hands of proffessionals.

BVI anchorages - Cooper Island

Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island is a beautiful spot with a palm fringed beach, a beach bar/restaurant and moorings balls. Good snorkelling is found at Cistern Point where you'll find large coral formations and plenty of sea life.

The restaurant is called Cooper Island Beach Club. The establishment is open for lunch and dinner, has a boutique and is also an outlet for UBS Divers.

Manchioneel Bay has a limited amount of mooring balls, around 40 and we advise that you get there early to avoid disappointment. Anchoring is extremely difficult due to a lot of Turtle Grass on the sea bed and we strongly advise that you don't try anchoring on your yacht charter in this for environmental issues and to preserve peace on board!

Manchioneel Bay on Cooper Island is ripped right out of picture post card with beautiful palms and a small beach. There's even a small bungalow on the beach that finishes off the image completely. The best snorkeling is near some jagged rocks. The snorkeling is spectacular. Large coral formations and colorful fish abound.

There is a small open air bar and restaurant right off the beach. There is also a boutique and dive shop as well as some cottages for rent. Cooper Island has about six full time residents, but no roads, cars, etc.

BVI anchorages - Cane garden bay

Entry into Cane Garden Bay at your sailing vacation is easy with a well marked channel on the North side of the bay. However, beware the north swell, if it is running significantly you are advised to keep clear of the bay, as at best you will spend an uncomfortable night at anchor. Caution would have to be exercised when trying to go ashore in the dinghy if the swell is particularly prevalent. The surf break at the northern side of the bay is well known to the islands surfing community and if they're playing there, perhaps you shouldn't be!

Cane Garden Bay is certainly populated with many restaurants, bars, hotels etc., but it isn't commercialized in the way that someone from Florida is used to at least. It isn't overbuilt, and there are no tall buildings, and no franchise stores. It has a quaint feel, and it's beautiful. Pink and powder blue clapboard houses cling to lush hillsides overlooking a beautiful harbor.

Cane Garden Bay is a great experience and going to sleep with the sounds of bands playing and people partying can seem otherworldly after visiting so many secluded places.

Latetly there have been some reports of stolen dinghies in Cane Garden Bay, so you want to lock your dinghy at night and even at the dock when you go to a bar or restaurant.

Tips for happy travelers to the Virgin Islands

St. Thomas and St. John are part of the United States, but part of the Caribbean, too. In coming to the American Paradise you will, in many respects, be visiting "another world." The Virgin Islands is not so much a melting pot as a tropical salad of peoples, cultures, backgrounds, tastes and lifestyles. Making visitors welcome is a tradition going back more than 300 years.

And yet. . . there are expectations on the part of our people, too. We customarily begin a conversation with a stranger by saying "good morning," "good day" or "good evening" -- and visitors will find that here in the tropics, it's a marvelous ice breaker. Service may seem slow compared to the bustle back home, but why would anyone want an island experience to be rushed?

The dress code is casual -- but a code it is, nonetheless. At the formal end of the spectrum, "elegantly island" for evening affairs means shirts with collars but rarely ties and jackets for men, and anything from simple classics to gala party wear for women. At the other extreme, sunbathing nude is not looked upon with favor, nor are swimsuits or other revealing attire in shopping areas or anywhere else away from the beach, pool or boat. Most eating and other establishments require shirts and footwear of both male and female clientele.

Ostentation here, as anywhere else, can be an invitation; so flashy jewelry is best left at home or in the hotel safe while you are out and about. The solar power here, more so than anywhere in more temperate climes, can sear unsuspecting skin -- of any natural shade! -- in no time at all; we strongly advise you to apply sun block liberally and repeatedly throughout your stay on your Caribbean yacht charter.

BVI anchorages - Jost van Dyke - little harbour

Moorings are plentiful and Little Harbour is a good alternative on a sailing vacation to the anchoring antics that go on in Great Harbour, where there are no moorings available. If Foxy's calling is too strong, you can always taxi over to Great Harbour, safe in the knowledge that your boat is secure to a mooring. Little Harbour also offers water, fuel and ice at the newly constructed pier beside Sidney's Peace and Love.

Jost Van Dyke, or Jost, as the locals call it is about four miles long and has just fewer than two hundred permanent residents. It is also the home to many famous hot spots like Foxy's.

Little Harbor is home to a place called "Sidney's Peace and Love". It is rustic and run by locals. It has a great atmosphere, and the folks that run the place couldn't be friendlier. Thousands of donated T-shirts line the ceiling. On some evenings Sidney fires up the grill and makes bar BQ. Sidney's also features an honor bar, where you make your own drinks and mark down a record for the bill. There is a small gift shop at the same place, and another restaurant called Harris's Place.

Important snorkeling tips

Snorkeling is one of the most favorite activities on a Caribbean sailing vacation, so please read this carefully!
Important snorkeling tips:

Get yourself prepared before you go snorkeling – put sunscreen on your back and the back of your legs. At the first days of your trip you maybe want to wear a t-shirt, to protect you from the sun. Do not put sunscreen in your face or on your feet, it will burn in your eyes and will deteriorate your mask and your fins. Before trying on your fins, wet them and your feet to make it easier. Do not snorkel without fins. You never know if you will get caught in a current. You have no chance to get back to your boat against a current without fins. You want to wear a snorkeling vest. If you only inflate this vest in case of an emergency it will not bother you during your snorkel trip, but it makes you more visible to other watercrafts and you can inflate it easily if you have a problem with you mask or fins. Test your mask for leaks and the fit of your fins close to your yacht, so you can make necessary adjustments before you head out. Do not snorkel alone. Always have a buddy on your side. Take your time and do not rush through the reef. Most of the fishes are shy and hide first if you approach a coral head. If you hover for a minute on top of this coral head you will see them reappear. A reef is like a painting- the longer you look at it the more details you will explore. If you have an underwater camera, take it with you all the time. You never know when you make your picture perfect encounter with you favorite fish or turtle. Disposable cameras without flash only take satisfying pictures in good light conditions and if you are close to the object.
Coral reefs – millenniums to grow, seconds to destroy.
The coral reefs are precious and delicate. Their future depends on you.
Please take care not to inflict further damage.
Touch nothing – The slightest touch with hands, fins or equipment can irreparably damage coral polyps, the tiny animals that build the coral reefs. Remember most coral reefs grow only half an inch per year.
Remain horizontal in the water and snorkel in water over your depth. Snorkeling on shallow reefs can easily inflict damage to the coral and cause personal injury. In a vertical position your flapping fins are killers. They break coral and stir up sediment that can smother the coral polyps. For equipment adjustment swim out and away from the coral into deep water.
Look, enjoy and leave – take nothing dead or alive from the reef
Feeding the fish – Caution, you may be injured. Feeding can make fish aggressive and
dangerous. It also upsets species distribution and may introduce disease.
Photographers – Don’t brace yourself on the coral to take a photo.

Think, care and enjoy – Help the reef give continuing enjoyment