TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Swim Buoys at Spring Bay

Guavaberry Spring Bay posted a photo of new swim buoys installed at Spring Bay. This is a good move as dinks routinely land there and ask "How do I walk to the Baths?", unless they get flipped in the surf.

https://www.facebook.com/guavaberrysprin...e=1&theater

We'll be by next week and have a look.

Cheers, RickG

Saw that posting. Lots of mixed feelings about it, myself included. I have had several close calls while swimming. Dinghy's run right up where everyone is swimming. I have flipped a few of them off. Too bad it spoils an other wise perfect view.

I am curious. I have spent at least 8 to 10 weeks a year in the BVI for the last 20 years. I never see these close encounters with yacht dingies. In and near swim areas I see them operated very reasonably at idle speeds. What type of encounters have you had where dingies almost hit you. We're they at high speed? Idling but not looking at all where they are going? A dinghy passing 20 feet away at idle is not a threat.
The safety issue I see at the baths is local boats running day trippers at high speed between the Mooring field and the rocks. Several are resort boats that do it daily. Lots of snorklers in that area.
G

Dinghies that have come into Spring Bay have to thread around rocks and through active swimming areas. There is no dinghy channel. There can be a shore break there and I've seen multiple dinghies swamped there with injuries.

Cheers, RickG

I agree on the swamped issue. I have seen it many times at Devils bay, Sandy Isle and even White bay. Many have no idea how hard to manage even a 12 foot dinghy can be in even a small beach swell.
G

We have been going to Guavaberry Spring Bay for 30 years. It is a lovely beach and often mistaken for the Baths entrance. I cannot tell you how many times people with overloaded dinghy have tried to land on the beach. They come right in through the swimmers and are sideways and out of control. We attempted to help one boat load with several very elderly people in it. The boat was in danger of swamping or flipping. The jackass refused to turn off the motor, with the boat whipping around and the engine digging up sand. The people in the boat were jumping off on the beach side and getting smashed by boat as it careened our of control. It was a miracle that someone was not injured. Not the only clown car to land on the beach.....

So, does this mean that it's not allowed to use the dinghie to drop off people at the beach anymore? If so, I'm fine with it. Have also been close to getting hit while swimming and snorkeling.

Maggy, that's why they put in the buoys. You know what its like playing dodge dinghy at that beach. Soca used to bark at the dinghies coming in, she had it right.

We're stopping by Guavaberry Spring Bay next Tuesday with Cat & Kenneth to say hi to Pearl and meet Roxy. Bringing treats of course. I bet Pearl jumps in the car for a ride to the Baths.

Cheers, RickG

I was just thinking that there are lines in Devils bay too, but still dinghies are letting off people at the beach. Well, hopefully it will work.

How fun to stop by at Guavaberry. Say hi to them from me. Pearl loves a car ride, so I'm sure she will go for a ride with you.

Have fun!

This is a great idea; now if we can just get the dingys driving the dinghies to use them!
Each time we are at GSBH, we see these near mishaps and breathe another sigh of relief that there are no injuries. What they do not seem to understand is that there is a drop-off right near the shore that causes even small swells to make
beaching a boat very difficult without getting washed over and pulled back and out...which then makes disembarking impossible without either getting soaked at the very least and more likely getting dumped or hit by the boat. Many seem to think that beaching is the thing to do with children and the elderly but they are the most likely to get hurt. And the more bodies in the boat increases the risks much more. Better to dock at the yacht harbor and take a multiseat "taxi"; they let you off at the Baths and return to get you....all safe, and dry and you get to see some of the island. Better all around. Enjoy but be safe.