Virgin Islands Yacht Chartering: August 2012

Sample Charter Itinerary for the British Virgin Islands including Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island and so much more. Suitable for Sail, Catamarans and Motor Yacht Charters.
Enjoy!!

(Please enquire HERE for ongoing special pricing for selected
yachts and dates.)

(Note: Passports are now required for all US Citizens of any age to enter and leave the British Virgin Islands.)

Passengers of all nationalities, please click HERE for current, up to date information.

Passports are NOT required if your charter remains in the USVI waters only such as islands of St Thomas and surrounds and all the waters of St John, with no travel to the BVI.

Planning where and how you will go is almost as much fun as actually being aboard! Well, maybe not quite as much. Many of our clients are “first-timers”, soon to be “second and third-timers”. We’d like to introduce you to the Virgin Islands so you can explore some of the fascinating places you will see, if you choose to, on your charter in the beautiful waters of the Virgin Islands. But remember: This is only a sampler. The beauty of a private yacht charter is the ability to change everything from day to day. No schedules, no fixed route.

Flag of the United States Virgin Islands

St Thomas USVI: You might choose St Thomas’ Cyril E. King airport (STT). View the airport's location and history here.

No customs or immigration is required for US Citizens.

If your charter is scheduled to begin from St Thomas, it is a short taxi ride to the East End of St Thomas to meet your yacht at the large marina there. I can help you with taxi arrangements and places to stay if you choose to come in a night before.

Alone, at peace on the sea.

If your charter is scheduled to begin from Tortola, BVI (many charters start from there) you can catch one of the frequent fast ferries (Ferry Schedules are very subject to change) over to either the West End or Roadtown, BVI ferry terminals there. Ferries run usually up until 430PM daily, but you must check the current schedule when close to your charter departure date. Slip Aweigh Charters will help you coordinate the transfer. Holidays, Weekends, Off Season days will often affect the schedule for these ferries.

Flag of the British Virgin Islands

Tortola, BVI: If you choose to fly into Tortola’s Beef Island Airport (EIS) instead, view the link here, you will enter into the BVI through customs and immigration at the airport. Please note: No jets fly into Beef Island, only prop-planes. You likely will fly into San Juan, PR (SJU) to connect with one of the local feeder airlines such as Cape Air, American Eagle or Liat, among others. Private air charter transfers can also be arranged. Starting from Tortola allows you to begin your trip further into the waters of the BVI. The beautiful “drowned island” of Anegada then becomes more easily reached. (More about this magical place later)

Special Note: The British Virgin Islands only accepts US currency.

Slip Aweigh Charters
is here to help you plan the most convenient, least expensive and trouble-free way to arrive to meet your chosen yacht.

Watch a fantastic video HERE from one of my favorite yachts,

Blue Passion.

Read on for some things to see and do on your British Virgin Islands’ Cruise

Please understand, this is not a cruise ship itinerary where you have no freedom to choose. This is a personalized, customized cruise where you get to make daily changes on where you go and what you do. Basically, you’re in charge of all the fun!!

(Please note: This is a sample itinerary only. There are so many places and things to see and do. Discuss your plan on your first day of charter. However, remember, your professional captain will determine whether weather and/or sea conditions are right for your preferred plan. The focus is on your comfort and safety as well as your total enjoyment.)

Starting from Tortola, British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Day 1 – From Road Town or West End, Tortola to the Bight, Norman Island

Either arrival location in Tortola, BVI from STT offers easy access to The Bight for the night at Norman Island. There you will find the “Indians” and the Treasure Caves.

Entrance to Treasure Caves, Norman Island BVI

Both locations offer exquisite snorkeling and diving opportunities. But that’s not all. Here in this cove and on this island made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson”s book, “Treasure Island” now reside modern day pirates. You will find them at Pirate’s Bight Restaurant: http://www.piratesbight.com/

Ye’ll know when happy hour begins as they sound a cannon from the beach when it’s time.

Kids will LOVE this beach for exploring and digging and building sand castles or Pirate’s Lairs. Here you’ll revel in the Pirate lore and dine, if you wish, on local roti (spicy curry wrapped meat and vegetables) and sunset cocktails. Pirates Bight announces Happy Hour with a blast from a pirate cannon! Enjoy the sunset and/or their after dinner wildness.

The Fabled Willie T Party Boat

There is a ton ‘o fun to be had at the Willie T., a floating bar and restaurant, also a destination for several of the numerous regattas held in these waters every year.

The Willie T! Bar and restaurant.

Day 2 – Leave early from the Bight on Norman Island so you can get to the Baths early.

The main attraction today is the huge rock formation called the Baths, on the south western tip of Virgin Gorda. Click HERE to view the Island. We consider it tops on our favorites list.

If going to the Baths, we strongly recommend getting there early in the morning, especially when visiting in popular seasons.

It’s quite possible to leave from the Bight or from your anchorage in front of Spanishtown and sail up to North Sound, Virgin Gorda, home to the famous Bitter End Yacht Club anchorage. More on this location, below.

Option for your Anegada visit while on your one week charter. Begin to explore HERE.

Anegada’s local name is The Drowned Island.
Your Professional Skipper will guide you and your party safely through the fringing reefs which helped to make this lovely island.

Its highest point is about 28 feet. You can visit with the re-introduced flock of flamingos, watch fields full of the beautiful indigenous purple orchids, and in settled conditions, snorkel on the most beautiful Reef, in my opinion, in all of the Virgin Islands.

Your Captain will tell you if conditions are right for making this trip, but if you leave from North Sound, Virgin Gorda, location of the world famous Bitter End Yacht Club, it’s usually a straight shot usually on a reach, if sailing. If you have chosen to eat dinner off the yacht, this is the BEST place to do that. You will never again taste the delicious flesh of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster prepared the way they do it here. Grilled outdoors, wrapped in foil with seasonings and then slowly steamed on Manjack branch fires. Oh, it is just so yummy!

Views of North Sound, Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock and Eustatia Reef in the background.

Before you leave: Things to do while visiting North Sound in Virgin Gorda:

Eustatia Reef is just to the North of the Cut between Prickly Pear Island and the North end of Virgin Gorda. A short dinghy ride will take you there. View unbroken vistas of the Atlantic Ocean while floating over fields of colorful fish and corals.

Try your skill at windsurfing off a little beach near the resort. Hike up the goat trail just West of Byras Creek resort. At the top, the whole Atlantic comes into view. It’s staggeringly beautiful. Imagine the pirate ships approaching to plunder the square rigged traders in the Sir Francis Drake channel. Stroll the whole area surrounding the Bitter End Yacht Club. It is a truly lovely little hike and suitable for all ages.

PS: There are NO poisonous snakes on any of these islands.

If going to Anegada as described above, your Captain will direct the right time of day to leave. It is essential that the sun be at the right angle to watch out for black coral heads in the shallow water. You can troll for fish on your way over. (Please inquire about BVI fishing licenses well ahead of your charter. You must have one to fish anywhere in the BVI waters.)

As you depart North Sound, and clear Prickly Pear Island on starboard and Mosquito Island to port, be sure to take a long, long look at Necker Island to starboard.

Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island

What fun!!! Sir Richard Branson with one of his furry friends!

You might have heard of Sir Richard Branson? This is his island and it too could be yours for around $27,000 for one week for two. BUT, this is only for a few special weeks set aside. This island is private, including the beaches and sparkling celebs have frequently stayed here. Sir Richard has lemurs on this island, and is busily working to reintroduce Scarlet Ibis, Flamingos and Roseate Spoonbills. You might see some flying from there.

If not going to Anegada:

Prepare to slide off the wind west to enter the backside channel, past Marina Cay, near Great Camanoe, Scrub Island Resort and go through the cut at Trellis Bay to make a lunch stop at World Famous Monkey Point on Guana Island. All our charter guests got a special prize when they could see and guess the reason for the name of this place.

(Map compliments of www.onlinebvi.com)

Next stop: Diamond Cay, Little Jost Van Dyke

Here you will find the home of Foxy’s Taboo. Take a look HERE.

Visit Sandy Spit, one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere on earth. That could be you anchored off there. Just ask!

Green Cay and Sandy Spit, Little Jost Van Dyke

And what about the now world famous (well, maybe not the whole world....yet, which is a good thing) Bubbly Pool!! It’s a short walk down a goat trail and is fabulous when the North Swell is running!! You will be immersed, safely, in ocean foam from the North Atlantic. Visit this magical place HERE

Here you can spend the night or slide on down to Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, home to so many famous bars and restaurants.

Foxy’s son, Seddy Callwood, has a great little bar/restaurant. Visit One Love HERE.

And here, too, is the home of the famous Painkiller: The Soggy Dollar Bar.

(Named for decades of sailors who swam shore to get a cold one. Of course, dripping wet)

And Seddy’s brother, Wendell, offers Wendell’s World. Great fun, and all of this situated on the gorgeous white sand beach.

Visit Corsairs Bar/Restaurant HERE. Pirates were often called Corsairs and you’ll be meetin’ Pirates here, matey!

For more complete information about the whole of Jost Van Dyke, please visit this link: http://www.b-v-i.com/JostVanDyke/default.htm

As one local told me: “It is illegal in the BVI not to try its most famous drink!”

So, you wouldn’t want to violate the law, right? Try one of these Famous Painkillers!

For now, our little excursion has ended and I had to stop counting the days for your trip. It’s just so hard to do and so much is up to you! Come, see for yourself.

Most charters are for 7 nights/8 days from noon to noon. Of course, you could always opt for longer on board. Why not see more?

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You can see that we, of Slip Aweigh Charters Inc. truly love this place. It was hard to leave the charter yachting business afloat after so many years. But we still can have fun booking your unforgettable vacation in the BVI. It’s a natural jewel of an island chain featuring protected waters, delightful snorkeling and diving sites and sunsets unable to be described. More colors of blue than you ever thought possible. Don’t you think it’s time you came to visit?

Also, ask me about Land and Sea charter vacations. I have some great ideas for you.

Give us a call at 866.297.0163 (US Phone/Fax)

Or local: 727.289.4372 Eastern Time Zone

Or send us an email to: info@yachtchartersusvi.com

www.yachtchartersusvi.com

Oh, and here’s an easy way to contact us. Fill in this FORM and we’ll set to work creating a vacation especially for you and unlike any other you’ve ever dreamed of.

Some links for additional information on the islands...

BVI Entry Requirements

British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

Events in the British Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands' Duty Free Shopping

The WilliamThornton
a/k/a "Willie T's" in
The Bight at Norman Island

Foxy's Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour,
Jost Van Dyke

Foxy's Taboo at Diamond Cay
Jost Van Dyke

The Baths of Virgin Gorda

Blue Water Divers Scuba and Snorkel
Tortola, British Virgin Islands

www.limin-times.com
BVI "Happenings" here

Soggy Dollar Bar
White Bay, Jost Van Dyke BVI

Peter Island Resort
Peter Island BVI

Bitter End Yacht Club
North Sound, Virgin Gorda BVI

Cooper Island Beach Club
Cooper Island BVI

Pusser's Bar, Restaurant and Rum
Tortola BVI

Norman Island

Pirates Bight Bar and Restaurant
Norman Island BVI

www.bvi.com

Wikipedia Information and History
of the British Virgin Islands

Michael Beans, Modern day
pirate and BVI Entertainer

Resources for Pirates
and Hearties

Visit the Pirate’s Lair, a site
with lots of present-day fun

See yourselves on the Web.
Yacht Shots BVI will shoot action pictures of you on your yacht
available for viewing, sharing and for purchase.

US Virgin Islands Resources

US Virgin Islands Entry Requirements

Virgin Islands National Park
St. John

United States Virgin Islands Division of Tourism

www.here.vi

www.usvi.net

Government Travel info for Virgin Islands and other US Territories

Blind Betty's Hot Sauce

Yacht Haven Grande
St. Thomas

American Yacht Harbor
St. Thomas

Freebird Creations
St. John

Mongoose Junction

St. John

Wharfside Village
St. John

Woody's Seafood Saloon
St John

Award-winning photographer
Gary Felton

Other Caribbean Resources

The Spanish Virgin Islands

Read what Walter Cronkite had to
say in National Geographic Magazine

International Cricket Matches in the West Indies

Good Caribbean Forum

Caribbean hotels and tours
Caribbean Hotels offers an online booking service for hotels in
Caribbean and other Caribbean travel information from our local
team based in Caribbean.

Caribbean Guide

Caribbean directory