TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico Overnight on STT

Hey everyone,

I'm considering trying something new and sailing my charter boat from Tortola to STT to pickup 12 people. The cost, time, and frustration getting from STT to Hodges Creek -- and/or the cost of flying into EIS and getting to Hodges Creek -- has led me to consider picking up the boat myself and motor-sailing it Red Hook to clear into USVI and pickup my crew there. Either in Red Hook, or someplace close like secret harbor or Cowpet. They can taxi as a group from the airport to these beaches and hop on the boat with little stress.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!
Drew

A couple (three) thoughts:
1. You will have to go to Cruz Bay to clear in.
2. I don't know about picking up at American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook), but I suspect they will not make it easy.
3. There is not a good way to pick people up at Cowpet or Secret Harbour, unless everyone wants to swim.

If you are going to use AYH then just reserve and rent a slip for the night. Good bars and restaurants there. By the time the afternoon flights get in you won't have time to go anyplace anyway. Also Moe's Market across the street for provisions.
Jay

Just a couple of weeks ago we anchored at Christmas cove and took the dinghy over to St James yacht club in Cowpet to pick up new crew. Talked with someone at the club and they were fine with us using the dinghy dock for the pickup. It's a bit of ride due to ferry wakes and traffic but certainly doable.

There is also a dinghy dock at Secret Harbor resort. We took a ride in the dinghy to check it out but decided it was too far.

Thanks for the info everyone!

Is Secret Harbor an okay overnight spot?

Also, can anyone confirm the process of checking OUT of BVI and INTO USVI? Do I need to check out? What about the reverse, leaving the USVI and re-entering the BVI?

Thanks!
Drew

Secret Harbor can be an OK overnight - it does get a good SE roll often though.
There is no dinghy dock at Secret Harbor.
The St Thomas Yacht Club is in Cowpet bay.
Great St James is the island where Christmas Cove is located.

There is a dinghy dock in Secret Harbor. The first one of the right as you enter is a big private dock but just a bit further in is another dock at the end of the resort which we used. A bit hard to get the dinghy tied up but it worked.

it's been years, is there still a dive shop at Secret Harbour?

There is a beat up dock at Secret Harbour. It is not good for dinghies and is actually not for the general public.

There's a dive shop at Secret Harbour. Aqua Action. I concur that the dock would not be good for dinghies but I don't know why you couldn't beach a dinghy for a short period down by the dive shop.

This would be my plan. 1 trip for luggage. Humans can change in the resort restrooms and swim!