you should be just fine...
Good scoops by henryv, on being early into your destination harbors, entering the passes, and keeping a bow watch.
I think the charter companies want you in by 4 pm or so. We like to get in about 3 pm or sooner. Reason is that as the sun gets lower in the sky, the rays reflect off the water and we are not able to read the depths, or see any coral heads.
Also, more good scoops by henryv, Cooper starts filling up fairly early. But that will depend on how many people are bare boating when you all are there. Might not be too crowded in jan.
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The below listed places are in operation and on our itinerary : Definite stops for a day or two at the bays and harbors.
Cooper will be our first anchorage, out of Road Harbor, ( 6 miles) and in may, ( our trip ) it gets filled up pretty fast. Cooper island beach club ( moor secure moorings - blue and white ) are an easy dink into one of the two docks. Also, you can dink a minute or two down to the south end of the bay, and the whole family can snorkel Cistern Point. They have a dinghy string line there to tie up your dink.
We have always had excellent dinners at the Cooper Island Beach Club restaurant, One of our faves ) and they have a nice beach,with round wooden tables in the water to place your drinks while you play in the ocean. Fun in the sun and in the water, and nice lounge chairs up at the Beach Club area. All family friendly. For the adults, they also have a separate and new Rum Bar . History of Rums by the bartender.
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LEVERICK BAY, NORTH SOUND, VIRGIN GORDA :
Another, really fun place for adults and family good times.
We do not miss Friday nights at Leverick Bay,
Pick up a moor- secure mooring ( blue and white ) or call and request a slip. After, securing a mooring, We really like splashing into the Leverick Bay Resort Swimming Pool. We also make reservations for the outdoor Friday BBQ, tables on the sand, or at the pool, great food, and a fun band for dancing, and then the mocko jumbie show. ( tall, tall stilt dancers ) Also, the pool is always open so added fun for the kids and family. ( With mooring fee, we used to be able to fill up FRESH WATER TANKS for free, and get a bag of free ice, and get a land shower....and a good little grocery store for any added provisions ) . If the BATHS are on you to do list, and no moorings are available or to rough of seas, you can take a taxi from Leverick to the Baths, and have an island tour at the same time.
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After the baths, we like to walk up to THE TOP O THE BATHS Bar and Restaurant, swim in the pool and have lunch...phenominal view of the islands. Then taxi back to Leverick. Our dirver stopped several times for us to take photos at special sites.
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Another place for family fun might be SCRUB ISLAND.....new and quality, and fun activities, restaurant , swimming pool, beaches, snorkeling , kayaking ( including tours ), stand up paddle boarding, and mild hikes with super views. ( Fresh Water top off for the boat - fee for water here ). This is our 17th BVI sailing vacation, and it will be our first time to SCRUB. Will be spending a couple of days there. No moorings here, call ahead for a slip. New slips, dock staff will assist your docking. .
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TIME WISE,, HOW LONG WILL YOU BE SAILING the BVI ? There are a lot more islands, many are back up and operating .
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There is great family snorkeling at the Indians and Pelican Is, about a mile outside the Bight on Norman Island. Excellent . Also, another fave snorkel site is MONKEY POINT, Tip of Guana Island. ( free national park moorings, time limit is 90 minutes, then youy drop off for other boats to come in and snrokel. This great snorkeling area is about a 30 minute motor from SCRUB IS, or Marnia Cay.
Please make sure the kids masks, snorkel mouth pieces , and fins fit . No leaky masks . That includes mom and dad as well. A leaky mask will ruin the whole snorkel experience.
Just a few ideas of places that we believe would be super fun for the whole entire family and the friends.
Enjoy,
