British Virgin Islands Itinerary?
 

Mary Marty Marty - so many questions, only questions I have a comment on

Get the cruising guide for the Virgins and you can made a much better
decision then asking strangers who do not know you or your family.
Transmission - always lock in reverse two reasons, a spinning prop created
more drag then a not spinning and less wear on your transmission.

stu



"Marty" wrote in message ...
For a family with a 12 year old boy and a 9 year old girl, and the goal
of sailing (I mean sailing, not motoring or motorsailing) 3-4 hours each
day, with lots of beach exploration, tidepooling, snorkeling, hiking,
exploration of local flavors, and mooring at night,
what would be the perfect 5-7 days of sailing itinerary for the British
Virgin Islands?

What is the best time of year for the BVI's that is not a ghost town but
is not peak season (no problem with other people being around, just
don't want to worry about or fight for moorings) and not during
hurricane season, and weather/water conditions that are clothing
optional (not a nudist/naturist family, but looking for those
weather/water temp conditions)?

Thanks,

Marty

British Virgin Islands Itinerary?
 

No itinerary necessary, everything is packed pretty close together unless
you want to go to Anegada. Best time of year IMHO is early December, lowest
rates generally and you get the Christmas winds. I've been there twice and
the only spot where I couldn't get a mooring was at Manchioneel Bay, Salt
Island. I would avoid overnighting at Soper's Hole like the plague, the band
at Pusser's plays nonstop and at extreme volume from 7-11 p.m. every
evening, not pleasant but bearable for a brief visit during the day. There
are moorings at Spanish Town(Virgin Gorda), they weren't listed in the
Moor-Secure guides last time we were there 7-2002. I've heard from a lot of
folks that the Bitter End resort is quite nice though I've never been there
myself. Keep in mind that the cruising scene is adult oriented, you don't
see that many families with kids. Would recommend purchase of a good
cruising guide, do some homework in advance, and have fun! The kids will
probably have a blast if all they do is snorkeling. Got some pics posted
here.
http://community.webshots.com/user/racko8

John Cairns

"Marty" wrote in message ...
For a family with a 12 year old boy and a 9 year old girl, and the goal
of sailing (I mean sailing, not motoring or motorsailing) 3-4 hours each
day, with lots of beach exploration, tidepooling, snorkeling, hiking,
exploration of local flavors, and mooring at night,
what would be the perfect 5-7 days of sailing itinerary for the British
Virgin Islands?

What is the best time of year for the BVI's that is not a ghost town but
is not peak season (no problem with other people being around, just
don't want to worry about or fight for moorings) and not during
hurricane season, and weather/water conditions that are clothing
optional (not a nudist/naturist family, but looking for those
weather/water temp conditions)?

Thanks,

Marty

British Virgin Islands Itinerary?
 

Marty --

Go. Be happy. Lot's of family's there, especially off season. I like
April to June myself, but haven't ever had a bad time in 20ish charter
trips. See http://www.skolnick.org/sail.shtml for my opinions on
itineraries. See http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ for the opinions of
others. Summary (from Roadtown) -- reach to Salt Island & dive the Rhone
or visit the salt ponds. Beat to Cooper Island and moor at Manchioneel
Bay for the night. Reach to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Reach then motor
into North Sound for the night (I like Saba Rock). Sail to Anegada.
Lunch at one of The Dogs, overnight at Marina Cay. Lunch at Sandy Cay,
Sandy Spit, or Green Cay; overnight in Cane Garden Bay. Head to Jost Van
Dyke (I like White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar, but lots of people
prefer Great Harbor and dinner at Foxy's, and so far there are only
moorings in Little Harbor (eat at Sydney's Peace and Love)). Lunch stop
at Soper's Hole then overnight at Benure's Bay, The Bight, or Key Bay
depending on your style). Last day return your boat.

The BVI isn't the secret paradise it was 20 years ago, but it is still a
magnificient cruising ground and lots of fun.

regards, dave

British Virgin Islands Itinerary?
 

"John Cairns" wrote:
No itinerary necessary, everything is packed pretty close together unless
you want to go to Anegada. Best time of year IMHO is early December, lowest
rates generally and you get the Christmas winds. I've been there twice and
the only spot where I couldn't get a mooring was at Manchioneel Bay, Salt
Island...

Off-topic question here, from curiosity... I was down in the USVI's some
years ago, and I distinctly remember the great damage that the sailboat
anchors were doing to the reefs and to the bay bottoms. Did they ever manage
to institute an anchorage system to limit the damage?

thanks,
Garry

British Virgin Islands Itinerary?
 

Garry W wrote:
Off-topic question here, from curiosity... I was down in the USVI's some
years ago, and I distinctly remember the great damage that the sailboat
anchors were doing to the reefs and to the bay bottoms. Did they ever manage
to institute an anchorage system to limit the damage?

No anchoring along the south shore of St. John, USVI -- the Park Service
has installed lot's of moorings. In the BVI, there are balls in The
Bight, Norman Is; Great Harbor, JVD; Cane Garden Bay, Soper's Hole, and
Road Harbor Tortola; Trellis Bay, Beef Island; Marina Cay; Anegada;
North Sound, Virgin Gorda; and Cooper Island. The really good news is
that the anchorages with no mooring balls are practically empty at least
off-season. The water is clear and it is usually pretty easy to keep
anchor AND CHAIN off the coral and grass.

dave