TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Peter Island experience - April 2017

Need to (still) write a trip report but thought I'd separate out our Peter Island experience. Made a slip reservation for Mon 4/24 about a month before. We arrived mid-day, radioed in and were told to head to the left side of the long dock. Slips are too narrow for a cat, so you'll be alongside the main dock. Dock fee was $125 + $70 for power. Gentleman that helped us in said water was included and trash could be dumped at no charge. HOWEVER, after looking at the notice posted in the office and at their website, water is listed at $1/gallon (!!) and trash at $5/bag. Apparently, Jackson the harbormaster was off that day and this gentleman wasn't really sure of things. We paid with cash from our boat kitty which I think was unusual for them - they ask you to fill out a form with name, address, boat and credit card number.
The showers at the marina are wonderful - they're outdoor unisex showers, large and water pressure is great! Upstairs in the marina building there's a unisex full bathroom with shower also.
We at at Deadman's Beach Cafe for lunch - it's pricey, but the food is good and the service was great. There's a palapa right outside the restaurant that we settled into one day for lunch and Keisha our server made sure we had everything we needed for lunch and drinks. Dinner at Tradewinds restaurant was good - but they have a very small menu for dinners.
We used the loungers at the pool one afternoon with no one telling us we couldn't. We did get asked to leave the wicker and cushion loungers on deadman's beach, but were told we could use the white chairs if we'd like to. All in all, it really wasn't explained to us by anyone what we could and couldn't use. The resort was not crowded at all and we weren't offended when told that some things were for resort guests only.
A few days later, for our last night, we decided to try to get a mooring ball because we liked the vibe so much. Rolled in around 10:30 am - there are 4 mooring balls, although it appears that one has a small fishing boat permanently there leaving 3. Two were available - the most inside ball was only showing less than a foot of water underneath us so we opted for the ball nearest the entrance to the harbor. Mooring ball is $65/night. Had a great lunch again at Deadman's beach cafe; that night Tradewinds was closed for a private event so we went to the buffet at Deadman's beach. Pricey at $69/person and not worth it at all. I'd definitely skip that next time. They have a shuttle that will drive you to and from Deadman's if you want (nice to have at night in the dark). Now, I'm not sure what happens with swells and winds in that little harbor, but on a mooring ball it was like we were stuck in a swirling washer all night. We rolled and spun around on our mooring ball all night. It is a beautiful little harbor though.
So ....overall, we really liked Peter Island and would return again. It's especially nice to spend the last night or 2nd to last there to enjoy the nice showers!

So...from this post, I take it that the work on the marina is finished at last?

We had a couple on board our charter in 2015 who really wanted to stay there in a slip - so they treated everyone to it - they were told the marina was finished...it wasn't by any stretch - the showers back then were nothing all spectacular in the marina! Sad, dribbling excuses for showers - <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> but we still really enjoyed the pool and the beach at Deadman's.

We anchored at Deadman's with Evan & Nina, and Tony & Melody one year and had a great time - I really love it there. Yes, it can be pricey to eat and drink there, but it's a treat!

One night anchored would have paid for dinner. We love Peter too, might be the best Rum Punch in the BVI

Bridget - yes, the construction is done in the marina (although they're building a new administration building) There were many boats anchored in Deadman's. Def putting that on our list for next trip too! On Weds they have a manager's reception with a steel drum band - I'm sure it could be heard from the boats anchored there - free entertainment!

I think we're going to stay there on Reef Song before we all head up to NS for the Poker Run festivities! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I have been wondering if it is advisable to anchor overnight in Deadman's. I assume it is okay given this post - especially in June with an E or SE wind. Is this correct?

Yes - Deadman's is a very nice anchorage - seems like more people are discovering it is - you do have to be careful where you go since there are some areas of sea grass but we spent two very pleasant nights there!

Stayed here last Sunday night. Only transient in marina. Water swirls a little in the cove but overall a good experience. Resort was pretty quiet. Deadmans was beautiful. We were able to charge items to our boat account. More pricy dockage compared to Leverick and Scrub ($125 plus 70 elec) but we are used to rates in Newport RI ($5/ft), so this was less. I liked the fact we could take our time getting there since the dock was reserved. Would recommend as a first / last night stop.

Unisex is one way to describe them. Actually when we were there (in January) the most common situation seemed to be couples showering together. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


According to their web site, marina guests are entitled to use the "resort’s beaches, chairs and cabanas". Nobody questioned us when we did so -- sorry you had a slightly different experience.

Dan <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I assume you can leave your dinghy on the beach at Deadmans, correct?

Couple of comments. First, the bottom at Deadman is loose sand. You will drag. The only question is how much. Second, dinghies may only land at the far east end of the beach.

Dan, my husband and I may or may not have showered together <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It was really just the wicker and cushioned loungers that we were asked to leave for hotel guests. And the gentleman who asked us was kind enough to wait till I was done napping to ask. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

AFAIR, there are buoys marking a dinghy pass through the swim area near the east end. We've beached our dinghy there. I wouldn't beach it right in front of the resort.

be careful, as there can be some small waves, power in