TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Christmas Week

Hello -

We will be making our first trip over the Christmas holiday week and are trying to get a sense of how busy things will be towards the beginning of the holiday week since we have never been down over this time period. We have a Powercat and are planning to have the boat delivered to Red Hook on December 22nd. Am I crazy to think that I have a shot at being able to grab a mooring ball in Great Harbour in JVD if we get over there around 3:30 PM? We have been down at other busy periods including Thanksgiving, Easter, and some of the spring break weeks so I definitely understand it will be pretty packed but based on some of the flight prices I am seeing it seems like a lot of boats will be going out around 12/23.

Thanks,
Chad

Probably not (find an open ball), but you never know. And, even if you don't get a ball there's a ton of room to anchor. Don't let the naysayers dissuade you... there's plenty of good holding in there if you know how to set an anchor. I was in GH on NYE 2014/2015 with at least 100 other boats. A squall came through in the night with winds ~30-35 kts, and I didn't witness a single boat drag. Fair winds, and say hello to Foxy for me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /><img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

As an alternative you could plan on little harbour. Last year, a day or two before Christmas we were the only boat in little harbour. It was quiet many other places too.

If you are talking about being there for Christmas and not New Years, you will have no problem finding a ball in either Great or Little Harbor.

Thanks for the feedback. We would be looking at December 22nd so maybe we could get lucky but if not it sounds like Little Harbour is a viable backup plan. We really don't want to fall back to Soper's Hole but I think we could still make it over there before dark if both are full.

Diamond Cay is another alternative. There are a few balls there and also good anchorages too.

I doubt that you will have trouble. I will be down on pura Vida with TMM. Maybe we will see you around.

Thanks again for the feedback. Our boat is named The Blind Squirrel which we have in service w/Marine Max. Hopefully we will catch-up with you during the trip.

You need to check in. I understand that. Your choices are Great Harbor or Sopers. Got that part, too.

There is this " thing" on your boat called a VHF radio. You can use it to find out " what your chances are" of getting a mooring in Great Harbor.
Start on Ch 16.

" Blind Squirrel, Blind Squirrel calling for traffic report in Great Harbor Jost.".

May have to repeat that a couple of times.

" Blind Squirrel this is Pure Vida. Go to CH xx_

"Blind Squirrel on CH xx to Pure Vida"

"Pure Vida copies, what is your question"

"Pure Vida, we need to check in and need a mooring, are there any open?"

" Blind Squirrel, Pure Vida counts 3 open"

" Blind Squirrel thanks Pure Vida. "

Done.

We will be somewhere in BVI Christmas week on Sea Tiger (Lagoon 42).

If there is no N swell running I would spend the night off St John. There is no need to rush and you will enjoy a far better anchorage then GH. Almost all the N shore St John anchorages are spectacular. Head over in the morning and clear customs. It will make for a very relaxing first day. By the time you get to GH with the usual delays you may find the customs guys are gone for the day. Quitting time is variable. Now your stuck on the boat for the night flying a yellow flag.
G