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. For those yearning for a deserted beach, we'll discuss
going to Anegada tomorrow, weather permitting.
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 less than twenty 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!