TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands White Bay

Is it true that most Bare Boat Charters won’t allow you to moor in White Bay during the day? We are chartering with BVI Yacht Charters and saw someone post on FB that companies won’t let you moor there for the day and we’ll have to stay in Great Harbor then either cab over or dinghy over for the day. We are planning on late June / early July. Emailing charter to confirm but if true… what are peoples best suggestion to hanging out at White Cay for a couple hours?

I think you mean White Bay on Jost. Most companies allow you into White Bay. There are a couple that restrict it due to a history of boats getting damaged. If your anchor on the Soggy D side it can get very busy and you will have lots of boats anchored close. It’s not a suitable overnight unless you have a forecast for no chance of rain squalls. I learned that the hard way!

Yes… White Bay. Hoping to stop in for about 2 or 3 hours for a drink before staying the night in Great Harbor. Not trying to be near Soggy D but would love to have the boat closer than Great Harbor and having to dinghy over from here.

I'd just take a taxi from Great Harbour. Takes about 2-3 minutes depending on traffic...

We regularly stay on the East side of White Bay, JVD. Stayed there for 3 straight days in June on a ball. If no north swell great spot. Nice snorkeling along that rock wall. Quieter and less busy than Great Harbour JVD

Several boats broke loose from moorings this week on the east side. I wish my charter company would prohibit boats from coming in here quite honestly - increasingly dangerous. It is easy to grab a cab or in smooth seas dinghy over from Great Harbour.

Bad mooring balls?

Bailau - happened right before we arrived so I don’t have all the details. Both were rescued when floating by observant sailors who weren’t down at the other end knee deep in painkillers.

Well I am glad we had you next to us to watch over us last time...lol

seems like you answered your own question! It's not very far; a $5 taxi or a 20 minute walk or a short dinghy ride (not my favorite due to the return trip).

Ha! You know me well - east side is my happy place

It's no big deal to dingy over from Great Harbor, we do it all the time. White Bay does have history of having the most accidents in the BVI. Why take the chance and ruin your vacation?

I don’t know the specifics of the boats coming off mentioned. The issue in WB is it’s a sand bottom and shallow. If you get a thunderstorm the pennant has no scope and can slam tight as each wave rolls buy. This can pull out the sand screw or chaff or otherwise damage the ground tackle. Catamaran crossbar cleats can be yanked off. The good news is you can literally look down and check the condition of the Moorings. If no wave activity which is the norm they are fine.

Hello, I have just returned from an 11 day trip with a BVI Yacht Charter catamaran and I confirm that White Bay is a no go zone.

Agree. We have always stayed in Great Harbor and taken the dinghy to White Bay for painkillers...

Anchored there in 2019 for lunch onboard and quick trip for guests to run up to Soggy Dollar. Quite shallow, I think it was less than 6'-0". I dove on my anchor to check, and my keel was about 1'-0" away from an abandoned block concrete that was probably left over from a long forgotten mooring. If waves had increased, or if I'd gotten waked, I would have had a bad day. I let some more scope out and stayed put. I got increasingly worried though as boats come flying through channel and anchorage and get way too close. Then they start acting erratically after too long on shore. And then power boats start rafting up w/very small anchors. Granted, it was a busy day, but it was tough to even dinghy back to shore to pick up my guests. I had to head out the eastern cut because there was no room to maneuver out the western buoyed channel.

It's just not worth it sometimes.

We have stayed at white bay once and took the dingy over from Great harbour once as well. When we stayed it was on the east side in front of Ivan's Peace and Love - attached to a mooring. Weather and swell forecast were Ideal it is a beautiful anchorage but I agree no way I would have anything to do with the $hit show in front of Soggy's! Next time (hopefully in April!) I think I will stay in Great harbour or even Little Harbour - more options for dinner and like everyone says it is an easy dingy or taxi ride over!

So update on the boats that broke loose from the mooring balls - this morning I spoke with someone that was here when it happened. Evidently the issue was the pendants - they started to unweave and the boats broke loose. It appears they weren't properly woven and fused together. The pendants were new (since we were here in early December) which is really unfortunate as the proprietor who "owns" them was trying to make improvements. We always tie directly to the ball when able but for those on mooring balls everywhere, check that pendant.

Actually, for me White Bay would be the last place I would want to go, there are so many other places to relax. Soggie Dollar is for amateurs.

I would never go into white bay personally. Why? Not worth the risk. Go into Great Harbor, get your ball and hike. Its a great hike over the hill (no flip flops). If walking isnt an option, Id still prefer a taxi to the mooring field in white bay. What if you end up wanting to stay longer? What if you are intrigued by Gertrudes/Hendos/Ivans and decide to slowly make your way back?

We were in White Bay last month. Came over from Little Harbour and found a mooring ball. Stayed a few hours and then headed to Great Harbour for the night. It was not off limits from our charter company (TMM). That being said, Soggy Dollar is worth the trip if you've never been. However, my main reason for going is the food at Hendo's. The lobster grilled cheese might have been the best thing I ate on our last trip. We joked about swinging by for carry out the rest of our trip :-)

That makes more sense for multiple breaks. Hendos does have the best food there by far. I have had way more issues in Great Harbour JVD then on the East side of White Bay (again with the right weather). The walk to Great Harbour isn't bad either but I wouldn't do at night.

Dinghy needs perfect conditions as well and a light crew...

If you are going to dinghy watch for the ferry and the go fast boats..not something I would do when its a cheap cabride or free walk.

We have been chartering with BVIYC for many years. White Bay is definitely red lined. We always dinghy over from Great Harbor. We are fans of Gertrude's.

For those that chartered with BVIYC… any other places that are off limit I should be aware of while planning our trip? I was told with a Captain that Anegada is allowed.

You will find everything in this video. https://www.bviyachtcharters.com/chart-briefing-video/

Chartered with BVI Yacht Charters. Just ask permission. If they feel you have the experience, they will let you go. I have 30 years of offshore racing experience. They, within reason, let us do anything we asked to do.

Old Walkers ApproachHere is a link to AN OLD copy of Walkers Approach. Which does a great job explaining the passage in incredibly great detail. I have not verified this info recently (boys etc...) and now do this journey by memory.

The channel markers are easier to identify now. Leave early in the day so the sun isnt playing tricks on the water. Have someone else identifying your next navigation marker as you approach while you adjust course.