If you or a loved one has ever dreamed about sailing or yachting in the waters of such a special place, you can stop dreaming. Nothing is much easier than coming here from Stateside to the US (NO CUSTOMS CHECK IN) Virgin Islands! Off the plane, taxi to your yacht (carrying your duffel with a couple of t-shirts, shorts and bathing suit) and you are on your way to Paradise! Heard of St. John? This island, mostly national park, is the jewel in the Crown of US Destinations. You can hike for miles, rub noses with an octopus in the clearest water you've ever seen, tickle a lobster (no hunting, just make friends), swim with the turtles (guaranteed in 98 % of the coves) and all this in water warm as your bathtub. Return to your yacht, clean up (or not) and be served a silly tropical drink or two, or more! with a little umbrella while you watch the sun set from your deck hammock (lots of fabled Green Flashes here!). Your next mission, if you choose to accept it, is to gorge yourself on the finest cuisine prepared and customized to your preference. And how long have you been in Paradise with all these experiences under your belt?? (Ooops, no belts here...) About 5 hrs. And this is just night #one...One word of warning: You might stay forever, as I have.
British Virgin Islands: Now, if you can tear yourself away from the glory of St. John, it's time to experience the fabled and fascinating BVI. And nothing could be easier for you! Your captain takes your documents into Customs and Immigration for the simple checkin procedure. You don't have to do a thing. You lie in the hammock, swim over a colorful reef, read a book, sunworship, whatever you want to do during the brief time it takes for your skipper to check you and your yacht into the fabulous waters, beaches and bars of the BVI. No luggage lugging, no nothing...Off you go to Jost Van Dyke, Treasure Caves of Norman Island in the Bight, up to North Sound Virgin Gorda, after a stop to wander over the spectacular beauty of the famous Baths wherever...so many places, too many to mention.
How about a visit to the "Drowned Island", Anegada for the best snorkelling in the Caribbee!! The views of water and sky go on forever. The tallest point is 23 feet, a counterpoint to the other peaky islands, inhabitants: around 100 smiling people. The waters are chock full of succulent lobster...spot the flock of brilliant flamingos who I have seen take off to make a bright and brilliant pink circle! or sneak up on them in any one of many ponds. They have been sucessfully reintroduced to this island, once their natural home.
If any of this sounds like you you are not alone. I hope this little offering as helped you to realize that this is a destination unlike any other. You can write your own story after your first, of what will be many, visits to this magical place.
