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Head to our first skippered charter in the BVI next week with Sunsail. We are booked for a Saturday to Saturday itinerary and I had a question about when we actually depart from Wickhams Cay/Road Town. We are scheduled to land at noon Beef Island (flying Seabourn, so who knows when we'll get there). The "One Week BVI Itinerary" we were sent a link of looks fine, but we are unsure when we actual kick-off the sail. It sounds like the first night might be spent aboard the boat at Wickman's Cay, which I'm hoping isn't the case. If so, then the itinerary doesn't seem to be feasible as listed. Do you need to overnight in at the base the first night?

Thanks,

Testudo

Sunsail is always first night sleep aboard! Six nights away. Sat-Sat would fit that unless you had first on Friday - which you don't. Call 'em first thing in the am to confirm. Itin is always subject to conditions.

Ambitious itin, I wouldn't do Anegada in just six nights either. Spanish Town and Trellis aren't high on most current lists post hurricanes either.

Yes, Sunsail is a rip off in that matter. They charge you for a full day but you spend it at the dock!

Actually going back at least 30 years that has been the policy at Sunsail. I would not however say it’s a ripoff since their pricing reflects a evening start and 6 nights out. In the old days when Sunsail was down in Sopers hole they would however hustle you off the dock on the first day and send you over to Jost or Norman so you kind of got a free day. They were my favorite charter company by a big margin back then.

Thanks y'all! Bummer, that's what I was afraid. Had hoped to be heading out in the late afternoon to Norman. Agree that Anegada will likely have to get jettisoned due to that "loss" of a day.

Any thoughts or recommendations on an itinerary? Wife and I have been stayover guests on VG and Jost multiple times with day trips to Anegada, Cooper, Norman. It'll be the other couples first time visiting the BVI.

My current plan would be:

Marina - Night #1
Norman/Indians - Snorkel
Cooper - Night #2
VG Baths/Spring Bay
VG North Sound - Night #3
Guana Island - Snorkel
(NS VG to JVD too long of a sail?)
Jost - Night #4 & #5 (We know we like JVD!)
Peter Island - Night #6
Marina

Cheers,

Testudo

You might see if you can meet with your skipper the afternoon you arrive. Perhaps ask Sunsail for his email. He may be able to get you off the dock that evening.
G

Have them send you the Email and photo
of the skipper so you can communicate about the trip before hand and make the arrangements that suit you.

I would not miss Anegada for a second day on Virgin Gorda. Anegada is special and we love the open water sails.

We did Anegada last May on a 7 night Sunsail trip. Doing 9 nights this May and planning on 2 nights in Anegada, weather permitting.

Since we've never really explored Tortola at all, what are some recommendations to spend a half day doing - beaches, restaurants, beach bars? We'll be limited to taking taxis and not sure what's up and running. Would prefer to be easy to reach from Road Town.

I would forego some places in order to get to anegada even for one night. How about
1 Sunsail Base
2 cooper ( i don't go there bc it's usually too rolly)
3 baths in the am and north sound overnight
4 early am sail to anegada/cow wreck for day and lobster dinner
5 day sail to jvd
6 jvd again or norman
Just a thought. I love planing itineraries even if they aren't mine!
Cheer!

I love Anegada too. But you might want to check with Cow Wreck. In December they were not doing dinners. Maybe they are by now.

After chartering in Antigua I now feel it's silly to think the sail to Anegada is too far to accomplish during a week long charter. From the north sound - a popular and good choice for an overnight anyway - it's a fairly quick and easy sail. I think it is a must do for each charter. While all of the BVI is spectacular, Anegada is unique.

We just did a 7 night charter with Sunsail, off the dock at and went straight up to Leverick for the night and BBQ, next day quick sail to Anegada for 3 nights down to JVD and finally last night in Norman, with 6 nights you can easily spend at least one night in Anegada, it is something special.

Thanks all. based on the general consensus, we'll see if we can get Anegada worked into our itinerary.

Any dinner recommendations on Tortola for our first night? So far Capriccio di Mare, Bananakeet and Sugar Mill have been recommended.

In terms of things to do on Tortola, hiking Sage Mountain is a change of pace. Not to difficult with a lot of great views in a rain forest environment. Of course drinking in beach bar is not a bad option!

Sugarmill is closed. I would recommend heading to Gene's at Manuel Reef marina. Another good option is the beach bar at Nanny Cay but I'm not sure what their special is for Saturday nights. Gene's is also closer and has great food.

Cheers,
Jason