TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Late September Honeymoon, First Time BB Charter

First off I want to thank you all for your contributions to this forum, it has been instrumental in planning our trip! Katie and I will be married on September 17th and then we will fly down to the BVI on the 19th and start our first bare boat charter on September 21st. I've been operating my family's 40' Sea Ray on the great lakes since I was a kid, so we opted for the MarineMax 38' PC. Being in the BVI this time of year is a little scary for us, but we have decided to go for it. I wanted to share our loose itinerary on here for any feedback from you, as well as any recommendations regarding the time of year we will be there, and any potential tips to places that will be open or closed that time of year. Thanks in advance.

Monday - fly in to Beef Island, cheap hotel I forget where
Tuesday - relax, provision, sleep aboard in Hodges Creek
Wednesday - Check out salt island and cooper island, overnight cooper island.
Thursday - Fallen Jerusalem, The Baths, overnight north sound area
Friday - North sound, virgin gorda, eustasia sound
Saturday - check out the dogs during the day, and possibly an overnight at cam bay or lee bay?
Sunday - JVD, little JVD, CGB, sandy cay, green cay
Monday - day two of the same as above
Tuesday - the Indians and Norman Island
Wednesday - return boat in the AM

We are both more excited for this trip than the wedding...!

Aside from running into some closures while you're down at that time, your itinerary sounds like a good one.

I think Cooper Island Beach Club will be closed at that time - as will Saba Rock in North Sound, I believe. Leverick will be open so if you have A/C, you might think about taking a slip there so you can hook up to shore power and save yourself using the generator - price is the same as a mooring ball -- electricity will be extra but you get ice and water fill-up included. I believe Soggy Dollar Bar will be open on JVD and I'm fairly sure Foxy's is as well. CGB will have places still open -- others can weigh in on closures.

Have a fantastic time and congratulations!

Like the itinerary and you'll be amazed at how well a PC will maneuver. Hopefully, you'll have some great anniversaries in the BVI in the future! I wouldn't worry too much about September - not really too much chance of a hurricane causing any problem.

Looks like a great itinerary. On a trip of that duration I would fit Anegada into your plans. Cow Wreck will be open and also ARH. Not sure about Wonky Dog.

Anchor in Deadman's Peter Island and take the Dingy ashore to enjoy the beautiful beach and adult beverages at the bar. We usually radio or call the beach bar for their "permission" but have always been welcomed and allowed use of their beach chairs etc.

I found Coopers to be a little exposed for a first night on the water even with a cat and a moderate swell from the west. I am not sure if I would overnight there again but a definite stop for lunch and a snorkel for sure.

We have found Foxy's and Foxy's Taboo both closed in September in prior years. Soggy Dollar and Hendo's should be open in White Bay. Enjoy and congrats!

We've enjoyed September sailing and there were days where we did not see another boat and one night we were the only boat in Great Harbor JVD. Leverick and Willy T were open and. Soggy Dollar was open during the day. The only place that was busy at all was Cruz Bay, the north shore of St. John was very quiet.

Cheers, RickG

My Wife and I just had our honeymoon on a Moorings 393 PC in June. We had a wonderful time, though we did have another couple along who were our good friends. I would suggest you take the time and visit Anegada for a night. We decided to add it and we were glad we did. We rented scooters and went all around the island and ate at the Wonky Dog. It was in the top two meals I’ve ever had in my life and I’ve been wine and dined with my Wife in NYC a lot for her job so that is saying something.
I would get up early and get to where you are going to relax for the rest of the day, get a good spot, and have calmer seas. I would get up around 6am, have coffee, and run to the next area while everyone slept. If you want to, PM me and I’ll send you my detailed planning including the food planning.

Here was our itinerary.
Day 1- Head out of Roadtown to Norman, dive the caves, and party at Willie T’s.
Day 2- Head to Salt Island, snorkel the Rhone, spend overnight at Cooper Island. (It’s closed from Aug 15- 16 Oct according to their website). It was a great place to eat.
Day 3- Head to Levereck Bay (contact Nick, he’ll set you up) rent a car do the Baths, Hog Heaven, and explore Virgin Gorda.
Day 4- Head to Saba Rock, have drinks at happy hour, cooked on the boat.
Day 5- Get up extra early and head to Anegada (2 ½ hour run in the PC), Explore the island, Wonky Dog for dinner. Go and you won’t be disappointed.
Day 6- Up early again and run to Spit Cay, Soggy Dollar Bar, then Spend the night at CGB.
Day 7- We were going to head to Cooper Island again, but decided to do Norman again because it was rough. We ate at the Pirates Bight Restaurant and it was both romantic and good food.
Day 8- Snorkeled the Indians and returned the boat by 10am to the Moorings.

If we had to do it over again I would have added in another day so we could have explored JVD and relaxed a little more after the run from Anegada.