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sailing and STJ

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 4:08 pm
by lovestj
We will be in STJ in June, but sailing for the week before. Any suggestions on an itinerary for 5 days in the BVI? Looking for great snorkeling and nice beaches. Been to Jost, Cooper, the Baths.....
Thanks in advance.

Re: sailing and STJ

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:21 pm
by RicksFormula
I would definitely make a stop at Norman Island with The Caves and The Indians for excellent snorkeling and lunch at Pirate's Bight. Also Little Thatch Island (Otter Box Island) has some great coral just off the south end of Tortola.

Re: sailing and STJ

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:44 pm
by Teresa_Rae
Hopefully RickG will stop by this thread; he sails in the islands pretty regularly these days (got his own boat a few years ago!). He's posted some sailing trip reports here on the forum, you might want to search for them.

Re: sailing and STJ

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:41 pm
by RickG
Hey, lots to do on a boat! For five days a lot will depend on where you pick up your boat. You can find beaches at Norman, Peter, Cooper, Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. Anegada is not usually possible on a five day itinerary. Norman and Cooper have great snorkeling, with the wreck of the Rhone a good stop. You need to get to Cooper early in order to get a mooring ball, no anchoring there.

Talk to your charter company or skipper regarding what they recommend. Our favorite itinerary looks like:
1 - Norman Island - Indians, the Caves, Willy T, Pirates Bight
2 - Cooper Island - hit the Rhone on the way, Coppermine Point, Rum Bar
3 - Marina Cay - snorkel Diamond Reef by dinghy, hit the Baths early the next morning
4 - Diamond Cay/Jost Van Dyke - Sandy Spit, Bubbling Pool, Jewel's Punch, Taboo
5 - Great Harbor or Cane Garden Bay - Sandy Cay on the way

Buy a Cruising Guide to see all the possible options. A lot depends if you're going to eat aboard or on land. The BVI$ are getting more expensive to eat on land. We usually get a cocktail, but eat on the boat. Cocktails at Pirates Bight can hit $16.

Cheers, RickG

Re: sailing and STJ

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:13 pm
by lovestj
Thanks so much RickG. That is exactly what I needed. We have been going to STJ since 2003 and are looking forward to something new. We have seen the "hot spots" in the BVI, but excited to see something new. We will end up the trip with our normal STJ stay. Can't wait for June to get here.
Thank you again for the great ideas. Very helpful.