TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Help! All the sudden it's trip time.

We arrive in Tortola in one month for our 7 night bareboat. Hubby and I have done this prekids but now have 5 kids (ages 4-14). Give me all the kid advice. We are on a power cat. What's kid friendly, what's not? It's been 14 years since we did the bvis. Any stops kids would love? Please all the food suggestions. I am more of a throw meatballs and peanut butter at people than gourmet. But kids need a dozen meals a day so last minute I am stressing. Also realizing things like snorkeling masks. Do we bring or rent? Kids dont really fit in adult masks. Is there a local who can solve my panic?? I am so excited and the kids have spent tons of time on the water but it's usually a drive so now feeling unprepared. Thank you!!

Buy kids masks, fins snorkel . Go to amazon. They have great deals on kids packages.

On the masks and related snorkeling equipment, renting would seem to make the most sense. This site, which has facilities in both Tortola and JVD (https://www.bviscubaco.com/find_us.shtml) advertises that it rents all manner of diving equipment, including a full set of fins, masks and snorkels for $6, and I'd be surprised if it did not have equipment for children:

EQUIPMENT RENTAL: lowest prices in the BVI
FREE DELIVERY & DIVE SITE BRIEFING

BCD's & Regulators (SHERWOOD) . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9 each
Scuba Tanks, Tank Racks, & Air fills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5
Masks, Fins, Snorkels (full set) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$6
Wetsuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5
Weights & Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3

https://www.bviscubaco.com/scuba_rates.shtml

Agree with Fitzhughlaw on renting, given the number you have. Island Surf and Sail (BVIWatertoys.com) also has them (in kids sizes). We also always order paddleboards from them which should be fun for the kids. Everything is delivered to the boat before you arrive. We now have older teenagers, but did our first charter with a 6 and 9 year old, so hear are a few thoughts:

Food/Provisionsing - We usually provision through Riteway and get other liquor through Tico or Caribbean Cellars as needed
Easy Kids Meals:
Kraft Mac n cheese
Grilling Burgers and dogs
Grilled Cheese, PB&J
Grill Chicken with Jerk Seasoning, black beans and yellow rice
Bowtie Pasta with a Red Sauce and add Italian sausage
Make them drink lots of water!

Fun Things with Kids:
Go with the Pirate theme - read up before and bring a couple of books
Go to Michael Beans Pirate Show at Leverick Bay - have the kids dress up
Obviously the usual easy snorkeling spots (Indians, Caves - maybe put a hidden treasure there for them to find, Monkey Point, Cistern Point (Cooper - but also small reef just off the beach to the right of the restaurant), Kitchen Point (Dogs)
Jump off Willy T (at lunch - don't take them later). Food is actually good too.
Watersports at BitterEnd (i.e. Hobie Cats)
Feeding of the Tarpon at Saba Rock at 5 PM.
Hiking and Crawling through the Baths - avoid Cruise Ship days and maybe better to cab from Leverick or Spanish Town vs swimming in. Swim in the pool at Top of the Baths after
Get a drink or lunch at Hog Heaven and take in spectacular view of North Sound
Anegada - rent a safari truck for the day and go to Loblolly and Cow Wreck, see the Flamingos. Consider a dinner out on the sand (lobster for adults) at Anegada Reef Hotel
Hike to the Bubbly Pool at Diamond Cay (by Little Jost). Eat at Foxy's Taboo
White Bay Jost - beach day with games at Soggy, Hendo's, etc. We like picking up picking up pizza to go at Coco Loco. Corsair's Pizza in Great Harbor is good as well, but not inexpensive.

Don't stress. You will have a great trip!

All that snorkel gear takes up a ton of room..rent it if you can and Scott and Debbie at Island Surf and Sail will take care of all of it for you...Travelling with surfboards has become $$ prohibitive these days so I get friends and guests to bring them one way and leave them at my house..

Rush has great suggestions for kids! A few to add-
Jumbies Show at Leverick (if Michael Beans doesn't fit timeline)
Coco Maya-fun for all ages since there are beach games to keep them busy like giant Jenga.
Consider the Necker Island nature tour-Amazing!

Ann has lots of games at Tipsy (North shore of Anegada - just East of Cow Wreck) to keep the kids busy while you drink. Her kitchen there also makes great lunch food.

These sound like awesome recommendations! As far as snorkel gear, check with your charter company - I only have experience on sail boats with BVI Yacht Charters, but they always have mask, fins, snorkels included with the boat - their system is they have a box full on the dock, and everyone just grabs what they need before leaving… you’re right about fins for kids, but I find about a 50/50 preference for or against fins anyway, maybe rent some kid fins to fill the gap…

Was that pre or post covid? Most companies dumped the masks during covid.

Cant beat peanut butter and meatballs! LOL.....It's vacation so I would offer unlimited snacks, Tortilla wraps and lunch meat are a great grab and go item, make a crap ton of mac and cheese the little ones can even reheat that easily, although with 5 kids you probably plow though pot meals LOL You can also make a lot of grab and go/ re-heatable foods in muffin pans like mini omelets, muffin pan tacos using wonton wrappers (if you can get them).

Do you have good life jackets for the kids? You may want to bring some, especially for the younger kids.

Good point, I was all anxious about the availability, was DURING…2021.
I’ve always brought my own, but some of our guests used the loaners.

BVIYC and Conch have masks, snorkels and fins post-Covid. Just got back from a Conch Charter on Monday. They had brand new equipment with tags still attached.

Yall thank you so so much!! We are 7 nights out of the moorings. Appreciate any and all advice! Rush I am so excited about doing a hidden treasure box!!

I didnt see it int he list above but get all swim noodles at base...they are great for snorkeling and for visability for other boaters