TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Do you prefer land based or water based trips?

I'm just curious what everyone likes best, land or water based trips and why?

We will be doing our 1st sail next year after 3 land based trips to the USVIs and BVIs.

I like them both -- but I'd have to say water-based. We like the time under sail and we like being able to see many different places on the same trip. We usually try to combine a little bit of both on all of our trips.

In the islands I greatly prefer water-based trips. I get bored being at the same place every day, and I really enjoy sailing and being on the ball or at anchor a different place each night. I do like land-based trips in places like Puerto Rico or Hawaii where there is more infrastructure are plenty of diversions. I think I have mild ADHD and sailing gives me plenty to do and keeps me busy - I'm always going back and forth between the sheets, the chart plotter and the helm.

Matt

I love water based trips. Nothing beats waking up early sitting on the back of the boat with a cup of fresh coffee watching the turtles pop up to say good morning. Each day is like an excursion; snorkeling, sailing, island/bar hopping. On a water based trip, you can always rent a car and explore land too.

Haven't done a land based trip in the area since my honeymoon to St. Thomas 14 years ago. Love going via boat - you can be in a new spot every day and see so much more. I also love spending time in the water and that is so easy to do when your back yard IS the water!

We have guests who enjoy both..why not a few days on land..sail and then a few days on land. I love to sail but you do miss quite a lot not being land based..and its a great way to really relax with good showers etc after days at sea..

After untold number of land-based stays, my sailing fever came back after many years (albeit only on a Hobie on Oklahoma lakes). So my wife and I recently got our ASA certifications and we are preparing for our first bareboat.

For one thing, I love the feeling of riding with the wind. There is something about it that I can't explain -- it is just such a peaceful feeling. Second, I like the ability of being able to move in whatever direction we and the wind chooses and to explore new waters (and beach bars <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> ).

That's not to say that we won't do land based anymore though. We love JVD and consider it a home away from home. We have come to be good friends with several of the residents and they always welcome us like we were family.

So ... why not make the best of both worlds !!! That's our plan anyway.

I love the water and sailing so, if it were my choice, it would be long sails every day.

However, trips to the BVI should not be about satisfying one crew member's wants/needs. Play to the lowest common denominator in comfort level among crew members and everyone will be happier for it.

If everyone wants to sail 5-6h every day, go for it. If one person wants a long hot shower, dry sheets and land for a day or two, work that into the plan. Mid-range, some folks just don't like long sails and would rather have a short sail and a long time parked some where. That can be arranged as well.

While you can build in a skeleton itinerary (like a list of places you want to go) its more relaxing to see how things go and lay out a daily plan over coffee in the morning ..... unless you just have to and like to plan everything and if that floats your boat, that's fine too.

We've had 9 land based trips to the BVI's and love it. It gives us the opportunity to meet more people and see more of each island. We usually spend part of the trip on Anegada and part on Tortola.
Love sitting on the deck at CRC for the first cup of coffee in the morning, or going for a long walk on the beach on Anegada. Both islands are great and are very different from each other which is what we love about the BVI.
That said we are considering mixing in a little water time on one of our next trips just to get the experience.

Dave

Nothing like the water if you have the capability.

Water

Manpot is right…several days of each is great…however, on the water, you don't have to worry about any schedule (ferries, cabs, etc) go with the flow!! I am a water guy!

I prefer the water it seems to me there is never any time with nothing to do, swim fish whatever. We also enjoy the boat rides on our schedule. I usually like a few days land based after our boating trip. But if I had to choose between the two it would be on the water 99% of the time.

Land. Make friends and live your normal life with their life brings much caring and understanding of different cultures and people

Water! We used to go to St. John every year - and we'd spend each day finding a day sail to go on. We love, love, love to be on the water - whether it's the BVI's or our small lake up north.
Love the concept that you have your accommodations and transportation all wrapped up in one!;

I agree. Never done a land based trip to the bvi. Sailing is the best. 85 days to go.
best wishes from Germany
Lars

We generally focus our trips around the sailing, but always spend at least a couple of days ashore, preferably a few on either end. The land based time is great and you really get to see and interact with the locals in a totally different way than you do going from beach bar to beach bar. The sailing time is also so unique and wonderful, riding on the wind from point to point, being on and in the water almost all hours of the day, etc. For me/us, the answer is undoubtedly a resounding BOTH!

If I have a crew i sail. On my own I an land based and island hop. I find plenty to do land based but I'm wierd. I love to explore and understand where I am. Not many places on earth that are a geological and social "Whitman's Sampler" and always within 5 minutes of a cold beer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Out on Great Camanoe we are lucky because we have the benefits of being land based, but since we all have boats, we can get around to other islands, too. Best of both worlds.

We always do a mix...4 days in Cane Garden Bay where we don't have to drive (chicken!) anywhere and then a week on a boat. I love them both. Can't wait till next April...

Wish we could afford water based <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

for $2400, you can get a pretty nice mono

There are great things about both - while I love being on the water, waking up somewhere different on the boat each morning, and the "every day is an excursion" life, I also appreciate a good night's sleep each night, a land shower, and spending time getting to know the locals. I visit JVD for a week+ twice a year and love coming back on island to visit with people who have become friends over the years. I can always island-hop via ferries

That said, anytime I'm able to get a crew together so that a charter makes financial sense, I do that too! But it's not for everyone

Felix

We like both. This year, we did (or are still doing) 3 land-based trips and 3 sailing trips, although we usually stay on land a couple days before and after sailing.