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What's the best way to get to Anegada? Is it well marked? I hear some of the charter companies don't allow you to go over there? Any info would be great!

Get Walker’s chart for the approach. I believe the last green marker is still missing but not sure.

Bvipirate.com for the approach chart....

Very few of the charter companies will prohibit you from going - generally, they just want you to call the day before you head over and get their final okay - that is what we have always done with BVI Yacht Charters.

The best way to get to Anegada is very very carefully. Not sure if all channel markers are in place even now. Walker Mangum has a very detailed set of instructions. I am sure someone can point you to these. There are literally hundreds of wrecks on the coral reefs surrounding Anegada.

It is definitely worth the trip, but do your homework first, or you too will be the afternoon’s entertainment as you try to take a shortcut into the mooring field.

Regarding charter companies, we only know about Moorings. They do not do service calls to Anegada, and not sure if you still have to sign a release if you are planning a trip to Anegada. Again, well worth the effort to go there.

Thanks for your responses...so what's worth it? Any recommendations on what to do? See? Restaurants?

Spend the day at Cow Wreck and dinner at " The Wonky Dog"..check out Anegada Beach Club on your tour. Best to rent a car and have a great time..IMHO dont be tempted to rent scooters for almost the same price..the roads are not suited for them.Pick up some baked goods from Pam at Neptune's Treasure..

I'm with Manpot on renting a car. Call Dean Wheatley. He will meet you at the dock. 284-544-3703. Just in case, his email is dwjeep@hotmail.com

What he said!

Anegada BVI Pirate info

Great information here enjoy....

Is that detailed chart needed? Or should I just follow those waypoints listed on BVI Pirate and be ok?

If you load his waypoints into your chartplotter, and ignore ones that may be there either from a prior charter or perhaps the charts themselves, you should be fine. Just be sure to visually confirm whatever buoys are in place as you head in. The chart isn't necessary but I plan to get one and frame it.

I purchased the chart, but more because I enjoy studying nautical charts. If you do your homework and have a sail plan in order you won't really need the chart, but the more information you have the better prepared you are. Our last visit the waypoints were right on and it was very straight forward to the entrance and sighting the "twin sisters". Do heed the advice of shallow water towards the back of the mooring field, it was a low water season on our trip and the last mooring ball available was in that location. We were stuck but only for a second. Do not follow the boats (cats) that cut across the reef, not sure if they have local knowledge of a short cut or they just don't know and got lucky? But I saw several Catamarans approach and leave the anchorage without going through the channel.

WOW. I'll be on a cat, but would not do THAT...especially my first time.

a lot of local captains know their way in and out of the anchorage across the reefs. my first trip to Anegada, I had a captain on board a 51 Privilege and he had me take the helm while he stood on the bow and pointed out the coral heads to steers around. No problem, mon.

IMHO, folks worry too much about Anegada. It's only 11 nm from North Sound and the channel is marked. If you can't figure it out you shouldn't be the captain on a yacht.

Hah, i have one of Walker's charts framed along with his Cow Wreck print D Office. The chart is in my office and the D Office is in the kitchen. It has great colors

We are traveling to the BVI in late November. The Anegada Lobster Festival appears to be the first weekend after we board the boat. First time on our new Leopard PC 433. I have ordered Walker's charts. I have read everything on PirateBVI about going to Anegada. We draw less than 2 feet (power cat not a sailboat). It would be awkward to run aground the first time out but goodness I do love lobster.

Do we need to make a reservation for dinner at the Lobster Festival? Which restaurant would you recommend and do you have contact info for them.

kgiesselman, here is some useful information: http://bvifoodfete.com/anegada-lobster-festival/

Last year I heard they ran out of lobster during the festival as Anegada restaurants were generally the only ones back up and running after Irma, and it sounded like a lot of locals headed there for a much-needed break. For my first trip to Anegada, I would want to experience it the other 363 days of the year when it's less crowded.

Setting Point's restaurant row - Potters by the Sea, Anegada Reef Hotel, The Lobster Trap, The Wonky Dog, Whistling Pines (haven't heard if they reopened), and Neptune's Treasure - all do a nice job preparing lobster. Wonky Dog offers some 'fancier' preparations beyond the usual grilled lobster. I've never been disappointed at Potters nor at ARH. In June I tried The Lobster Trap for the first time and was very impressed with the lobster and grilled fish offerings and also the dining facilities and friendliness of the staff.

I agree. It's not the distance that was concerning. I know I read somewhere that one of the first channel markers (red or green?) was missing. Having never been can you blame one for taking extra precautions?

I agree. It's not the distance that was concerning. I know I read somewhere that one of the first channel markers (red or green?) was missing. Having never been can you blame one for taking extra precautions?[/quote]

I agree with your cautious approach (pun intended). It is an easy approach if all markers are in the correct place and you spot them before heading in. Eyeballs should always be your first navigation tool. Having the waypoints in a chart plotter is a good confirmation and Walker's waypoints show where the markers are supposed to be located.

Go wide (using GPS ),. Do not cut the corner. Some markers were missing in August. Go reasonable speed. Also may want to verify your depth gauge offset to see how much water is actually under the keel. And if a deeper draft boat is ahead of you (and appears to be going correct course), then follow it... IF it then suddenly stops, THEN you will have to decide which direction is safe!!

Actually, do NOT assume a boat in front is on the right course. I have seen too many take short cuts, either by "local knowledge" or pure luck.

All that said, it is not too difficult given modern GPS/ Chartplotters.

I agree with that comment. One thing I failed to check before leaving the marina was the depth gauge calibration. This is pretty much a non-issue until you're trying to anchor at Anegada in a mono that draws 5'9" and the depth gauge is showing negative numbers when there should be 2-6 feet under the keel. I realized it wasn't calibrated heading into the anchorage but figured I could grab an outer ball and not have an issue, but all were taken. Without accurate depth readings I was dependent on where other monos had anchored and what was showing on the chartplotter.

How do yo tell a deep draft mono from a shallow one? I don’t know

You Scuba Doo below the monohull... Haha...

Following other boats not necessarily a bad thing.... nor necessarily a good thing, but if they are going on logical course that you have plotted, it can be reassuring to a first timer.

There are green and red buoys marking the Sisters, then follow gerens and reds in until the last green. Follow around to west into the morring field. EAsy Peasy

We are staying on Tortola in November. What is the ferry schedule to Anegada like? Also, where are the best places to snorkel from the beach?

In August the inner green was missing. We saw plenty boats come through the last red/green pair and head straight for the mooring field. Which is probably a very bad idea.

There is Monday, Wednesday, Friday service from Road Town. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday there is service from Trellis Bay.

I think the best snorkeling is from Flash of Beauty near Loblolly Bay. And they have the best fried conch on the island. Actually, it's be best I've had anywhere.

You can also fly from Tortola on VI Airlink - I get into Beef tomorrow at around 3:15 and will hop on a 5 pm flight to Anegada to hook up with Catatonic 500 - they also take off in the morning at 8am — $158 one way but it gets me there!!

It should be noted, that is for 2 people. The VI Airlink fare is $79 one way, $99 return.

With VI Airlink we paid $664.40 RT STT to NGD and for NGD to EIS RT was $198.00. That is for 2 people. We are staying on Anegada and going to Tortola for the day.

My one-way was just for me.....could be because I booked it yesterday to fly tomorrow?

I don't think so. I have definitely booked 1 day in advance before. Did you call or book it online? When I look online, the flights tomorrow are $84.70 one way (I think the website charges a small fee vs. calling).


I would call and check with them or check at the airport. Seems too high!

Thanks Jason - and is that via VI Airlink?

Yes

Any updates on which channel markers are in place?

As of Oct 29, outer red & green in place, along with 1 red midways, and the inner green is now back in place.

Thank you. I'll update afterwards if there are any changes.

outer Red and green, then 2 red middle, then inner green as of 11/5/18

Thanks Deepcut!