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Day 1:
After lunch,
we'll depart for Leinster Bay, St. John. The bay is well protected and
quite comfortable. The snorkeling is excellent and there is an interesting
walk ashore on a trail leading to the 300-year old Annaberg Sugar Mills.
These ruins have been beautifully restored by the Park Service.
Day 2:
Enjoy a refreshing morning swim while
breakfast is being prepared. Afterwards, we'll depart St. John and enter
the beautiful British Virgin Islands. You will be crossing an
international boundary to Soper's Hole, our point of entry. Sailing
vacations captain Randy will prepare all the forms and take them to the
BVI Customs and Immigrations office. Sit back and enjoy a rum punch and
the views of the prettiest harbor in the Caribbean! Once we've cleared
customs, you may go ashore for about and hour and look around the terrific
shops. After lunch, we will sail toward Norman Island and the Bight. Often
referred to by the locals as "Treasure Island", legends of Norman Island
are resplendent with stories of buried pirate treasure! If there is enough
daylight, we will dingy around to Treasure Point. It is known for the
"caves", a great snorkel spot. Also, in the Bight is a floating bar, "The
William Thornton," which was christened in 1966. Handy, too, is a popular
beach bar known as "Billy Bones." For those with a lot of ambition, try
the somewhat challenging hiking trail up to Spy Glass Hill.
Day 3:
If the seas are calm, we can moor at
Pelican Island & The Indians for a snorkel stop. There's a fun tunnel
for brave snorkelers to explore! Afterwards we'll set sail for Marina Cay,
a tiny, picturesque sailing vacations island surrounded by a beautiful
reef. Rob and Rodie White settled on the island right before World War II.
You may visit the home that they built and have a drink at the spectacular
Sunset Bar. There's also a Pusser's Company Store stocked with their
nautical and tropical clothing, unique accessories and gifts. We'll show
you two super snorkeling spots or you can try some water sports like knee
boarding.
Day 4:
Today we set sail for the famous Bitter
End Sailing Vacations Yacht Club in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. If
time and weather permit, we can make a lunch stop at one of the islands
along the way. Christopher Columbus named Virgin Gorda because, from
seaward, it resembled a full-figured woman lying on her back. Maybe he had
been at sea too long! It was once the capital of the BVI's and now has a
population of 9,000 people. For your one night ashore, you may want to
consider dining at the Bitter End or have a very elegant meal at Biras
Creek. This is a wonderful area to stretch your legs and enjoy the
beautiful scenery. It's truly a "world-class" resort.
Day 5:
This may very well be your most favorite
day of the vacation!! Today we're sailing to the Baths. Located on the
southwest tip of Virgin Gorda, the Baths are a most unusual formation of
large granite boulders. Where the sea washes in between the huge rocks,
large pools have been created. Shafts of light play upon the water,
creating a dramatic effect. The adjacent beach is white and sandy with
excellent snorkeling. You'll enjoy the easy 20 minute trail through the
Baths over to Devil's Bay. Only one other place on the planet, the
Seychelles Islands off the coast of Africa, is similar to the Baths. You
may choose to board the complimentary shuttle at 9 or 10am at the Bitter
End Yacht Club to ferry across the North Sound to Gun Creek where a cab
will be waiting. The fare is 10 dollars per person round trip and the
driver is yours for the day. All of our guests really enjoy getting to see
this beautiful island. The driver will drop us at the Baths and we usually
ask him to pick us up at 3:00 or 4:00. We'll lunch at one of our favorite
spots, "Mad Dogs Bar and Grille". There's a beautiful view of the Sir
Francis Drake Channel on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It's
also world famous for their BLT (bacon, lettuce and tomato) sandwiches.
It's all very inexpensive and lots of fun! You'll need to wear your
swimsuit and a cover-up or T-shirt and shoes that can get wet and don't
forget your underwater camera. We will bring the snorkeling gear, a beach
blanket and a few towels. **Your Captain and Crew will be available as
your guide; but you may wish to go on this excursion by yourselves. Either
way, you will have a marvelous time!**
Day 6:
Today we head for Yost Van Dyke. Weather
permitting, we can make a lunch stop at Sandy Cay, the postcard-picture
perfect little deserted island that you may have all to yourself! Yost Van
Dyke is known for its 1000-foot high peaks. We will anchor in Great
Harbor, near Foxy's Tamarind Bar and Grill at the eastern end. Over the
years, Foxy's has become an institution for cruising boats and was been
named the "Number 3 Place to Be" in the world for the millennium. Foxy and
his wife Tessa have hosted the Wooden Boat Regatta for many years. You
will not want to miss hearing Foxy sing his calypso ballads from 4-6pm and
Tessa has a fantastic gift shop open until 6pm with lots of native made
gifts and goodies. If we arrive on a Friday or Saturday night, you may
want to spend your one night ashore at the restaurant enjoying the
bountiful buffet. The fish that is served is guaranteed to very fresh -
usually only 3 hours old! Roasted chicken and barbecued ribs are served
alongside Caribbean rice, salads, tropical fruits, vegetables and freshly
baked breads. What a super feast and no shoes are required! The band
starts around 8:30pm and plays until 11pm. It's a wonderful way to end
your holiday !
Day 7:
After departing Yost Van Dyke about 10:00am
for a motor sail back to St. Thomas, we hope you'll remember to fill out
our guest book and comment sheet. We have truly enjoyed having you onboard
and look forward to your next visit!!!!!
HAPPY SAILING!
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