TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Few questions

Happy Sunday! We are leaving in 9 days and I feel fairly prepared for our family's 1st bareboat charter. However, I realize that there is much that we will simply have to experience. I have a few final questions.

1. I am struggling with a day where we leave Maho in St. John and attempt to make it to a good launching point for the Baths early the next morning. We have a power cat, but my wife would like to eat lunch at the Bight and I would like to see Deadman's Bay on Peter. If we leave Maho early, do you think there is any way to get to Sopers (customs), eat lunch at the Bight, spend a few hours at Deadman's and then find a ball at Cooper? It would definitely be our busiest day, but I am trying to knock off a few things on this passage since we will not be in this area again on our trip. By the way, this would be a Sunday night, so I am hoping Cooper will be less crowded. My concern is that we want to enjoy places, not race around. I could skip Deadman's and go straight to Cooper if the beach is just as nice. Deadman's looks like our kind of beach though. Thoughts?

2. The day we go to the Baths, I hope to arrive early and then take the dinghy up to Spring Bay and Little Trunk. Will someone please confirm that these beaches are reachable by dinghy? We would then motor up the North Sound for the afternoon and night.

3. We plan to stay in the North Sound three nights and want to eat dinner at Coco Maya. Should I rent a car from Nick for this or taxi to and from?

4. We plan to spend a day on Anegada and a veteran charter captain has said to just go to Cow Wreck for the day by taxi instead of renting a car to hit Cow Wreck and Loblolly. My wife and I will be with our 10 and 12 year old daughters. Our thought is to hit Cow Wreck and either eat there or come back toward the boat for dinner. What do you think? Where would be the best place to each with our girls (good food in a more relaxed setting would be best)?

I realize this is a lot. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide! We will be there from June 14th though the 25th. If you see an ECU Pirates flag on a 38' TMM power cat, come say hello.

Steve

Dad with three daughters and over 100 charters..

In my opinion you are trying to plan to hard and trying to pack too much in. Keep reading the cruising guide and learning about the options. Then take each day as it comes.

On your first trip to Anegada. Pick one of the beaches and relax there for the day. Or rent a "car" and explore the remote Anegada like intellectually curios tourist. Both are a lifestyle choice and approach for each family or crew to decide on. Some like to lay like a lizard on the beach, others are into the beach bar, some just want explore and avoid the sun. Bring some cheap small art paint or water colors to let the girls paint anything they may find on the beaches. It is always in our bag with the sunscreen.

For the females in our crew one long relaxed lunch at Deadman's Bay on Peter Island is a must. If you go to Deadman's you must know how to anchor. Not everyone on this board is delighted to pay for that or welcomes more the dressy style Peter Island prefers from their guests. Call ahead and make lunch or even SPA reservations.

http://peterisland.com/dining#deadmans-beach-bar-grill

For the new family crew the The Baths by boat and dinghy can be daunting. Lunch at the Top of The Baths is worth it whether you start from the Top or from the Beach. If you put a kayak and I would put a kayak on the boat. Consider using the kayak to get in and out of Devils Bay it may take a couple of trips but the is best way to get in and out.

I would always have 24 hours of good food on the boat in case the family decides they want to stay where they are and not get off at any spot after a day of sun. I would never have a plan to push the girls along to keep your schedule. In our world the boat never moves until everyone is ready to move to someplace else. Then based on the time of day, wind, waves, and mood of the crew we pick the next spot.

With daughters 10 and 12 you may find large late lunches ashore out of the sun with lighter dinners aboard may work better on at least some days.

The power cat will be great for Anegada. I would look for a flatter calmer day if you have that choice. If Anegada was on my must list? I would head there directly on the first flat or near flat June day. Even if that was the first morning on the boat and then work back.

With a group of females? I would highly consider one day in a slip in the pool at Scrub. On the good day the ladies in the laundry will wash all your towels, sheets, and grimy stuff for a few dollars.

During late June there is no way to predict the weather until you get there. Most likely the weather will be all over the place and flexibility of the power cat will let you and family go all over the place if you just pick your windows when the time is good to move.

Have fun pay attention to the mood of the females of the crew as each opportunity presents itself.

My 2 cents: If you are renting a car in North Sound, do The Baths by vehicle. Getting in and out by swimming can be daunting and if you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon you will lose the crowds instead of being one of them. You can get to Spring Bay via another cool place called The Crawl. It is on the road to the Baths and is part of the National Parks system. Very cool lagoon formed by the same rock formations as the Baths. Much easier than trying to dinghy in. That leaves you time to do both Deadmans and Cooper.

There is a fresh water pool at the Top of the Baths. You could take a dip there, rinse off and freshen up for Coco Maya. Don't forget to stop at Mad Dog! Cool, funky bar, kid friendly right at the Baths. Good lunch stop.
Have a blast!!!!

Wow, those are two over the top responses! Thank you for taking the time to help! Just curious, with an E or SE wind, what makes doing the Baths by boat so challenging? I would not mind the swim from the dinghy mooring if there are no rollers for drop off? Also, if we do the Baths by boat, how far is the walk to the Top of the Baths restaurant?

Definitely rent a jeep if you're at Leverick for 3 days. Great roads, can't really get lost, and lots to see visit.

You will likely not know how many people you will find in the water until you get there. Cruise ships and all kinds of schedules of others come into play. Running a dinghy through swimmers comes with all kinds of issues. Just one could be three females all telling the dinghy driver what to do at the same time as swimmers telling the entire boat what to do and not do. Over the years I have have successfully got many groups near the beach at Devils Bay dropped them off then taken the dinghy back out to the dinghy line and swam in to meet the group. Each year climbing into the dinghy after lunch gets harder. Now we skip the baths, take a car, or use kayaks.

June should be light? But many times when you get there all the balls are taken with boats circling in the crowded mooring field. The area is so open with rocks on one side. Any wave action makes the area uncomfortable to be on a boat.

The Top of The Baths is literally right at the top of the baths. On a perfect day. The crew enters the Baths on the Devils Bay side and climbs up to a late lunch by the pool. The group leisurely hangs there for lunch and drinks until everyone has had their fill. Then with some luck you have the Baths near to yourself for quite climb down through the boulders. Maybe take your Christmas Card pick at a nice quite spot? The take a late in the afternoon run to North Sound. You can race to try and beat the cruise passengers and other tour groups in the morning or with a power cat be the last ones their in the day. Today if we do the baths we try to be the last and not race to be the first of the day.

Each day at the beach is different and there is no way for me to tell how your crew will be at getting on and off the dinghy. So there is no way I am going to type a message telling a family I have never met to bring a dinghy near a beach for drop off. The same would true trying to judge your ability to maneuver and outboard through a pack of cruise ship hippopotamus.

So in June it might be empty and flat calm. Or too rough to get the boat on a mooring, unsafe to leave the boat on a mooring if you get hooked to it, to hard to get in the dinghy, or get anywhere near the shore with an outboard dinghy.

Here is some video of the Devils Bay side when people are there. The other side will likely have far more in the water with each day and hour different.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2_TbzU1-Bw

Devil Bay Entrance

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> This by far the best way to enjoy the Baths, especially the early morning idea - Even when I stay in VGYH it is always the best morning trip we do! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

On our last trip, We got to the baths early and had a wonderful breakfast at the top of the baths. If you go by car, please be sure to take your national parks permit, otherwise you will have to pay admission.

Warren

More great help! Thank you all! How about dinner on Anegada with 10 and 12 year old girls? I have received recommendations for Wonky Dog and Potters. We will likely stay at Cow Wreck until later in the afternoon - so we could eat there as well.

With a ten year old girl. Big lunch at Cow Wreck to keep both girls out of the sun for a while. Then a quite very simple dinner comfort meal on the boat in the anchorage. Your family music playing, maybe a DVD player running stuff for the sunburned kids as they zone out.

All children are different... but this one place where you can make dinner reservations spend a lot of cash to just hear... "When can we go back to the boat".....

If I arrived late in the afternoon then maybe dinner ashore makes sense with kids after the boat ride. Then Cow Wreck in the morning.

The drive from NS to the Baths is fun with spectacular views!
If you have time drive out to Coppermine Pt.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I have gone to wonky dog every trip since they opened. They have my vote.

We're land based with stays at Peter Island (5x), Cooper Island (1x) and Virgin Gorda (2x), so I thought I'd throw in a few comments. We've loved all the places we've been in the BVIs, so you can't go wrong at any of the places you've mentioned.

Deadmans at Peter Island is a gorgeous beach. Its longer and more picturesque than Cooper. The restaurant on Deadmans at lunch doesn't require a dressy style at all. A coverup over a swimsuit is fine for women and men can wear a t-shirt and swimsuit or shorts. Sometimes we've seen groups of business people from Tortola eat lunch there and they are dressed up, but the resort guests and day trip visitors are usually very casual. We've always enjoyed the food there.

When you're in North Sound, you may want to consider going to Saba at Happy Hour and for dinner. If its the same as 2 years ago, they feed the huge tarpon at the dock and its quite a sight. Your daughters may enjoy it. We had a delicious dinner there.

If you rent a car on VG, be sure to drive up to Hog Heaven for a drink. It has a truly amazing view of the North Sound area and an easy drive. Its just stunning and one of our favorite views in the Caribbean.

Happy trip planning!

We have done the Baths by dinghy and car. Its easier by car plus the ride over presents some great views. Rent from Nick. On Anegada taxi or car rental both work well. You can arrange a taxi at Potters that will take you to Cow Wreck then pick you up at an appointed time to return to Setting Point or on to Loblolly.

Something rather unexpected happens to many sailors and visitors to the Islands.

I call it Island Time, others may call it other things.

The first concerning symptom is that everything takes longer than you expect, and you don't understand why. The second, and confirming symptom of this malady is, you cease to care that everything takes longer, and you begin to enjoy everything more.

The quicker you get to enjoying the now, and not worrying about the next, the better.

Plans are just plans. They are easily changed, and sometimes you have the choice to change, sometimes you do not have any choice. No one can see or do everything in one trip.

You'll see.

Arriving later in the day at Cooper on a Sunday can be hit or miss. We were there last night (Sunday) and the mooring field was full. Then two boats left, and three came in to take their moorings. Be sure to have a Plan B for a late Sunday arrival at Cooper.

Regarding Anegada... My wife and I were there last week. We hit the Cow Wreck for lunch, then went to Loblolly Bay for afternoon snorkeling. If you have snorkeler's in the fam, Loblolly is a must IMO.

We rented a car from Dean Wheatley (284-495-9677). He is the best! We called him the day before we arrived. We moored near the Wonkey Dog, dinghied to their pier, and he picked us up there exactly on time and took us to his business to sign for the car. It was $60 well spent. We had the freedom of a car, and he even said just leave the Jeep with the keys in it at the Wonky Dog and he'd pick it up later. That evening we went back to the boat and cleaned up. Then had a great lobster dinner at the Wonky Dog.

Have a great trip!

Tremendous advice all! Slowing down and enjoying each moment will be a practice of discipline for a first time bare boating planner dad. However, we have been to the islands enough times for me to understand the importance of this. Unfortunately, I still lose sight of it, so thank you very much for the reminders! Steve

You will know what gear to be in when the girls are in front of you, boat all secure for sea, all girls all cleaned up asking where are we going next? Or the opposite you are the only one thinking it is time to hoist anchors, with no one near the boat, and stuff strewn on every counter. If there is someplace important on the list? Go there first or at least early in the trip.

Just to chime in on the Baths by car. Car rental is for 24 hours. So we typically arrive at Leverick by 3pm or so. Get a rental car and head to Coco Maya for dinner. Next morning, we head to the baths for breakfast and to enjoy the baths. We enjoy the views all the way there. After the baths, you can take in some other sites - we've stopped at Coppermine Point, Spanish Town (to pick up supplies), Savannah Bay, some ruins on the way to Hog Heaven (I believe in Nail bay?) and the final stop before heading back to Leverick, Hog Heaven. You get to see a lot of the island with great views..etc.

Typically we do this Thu/Fri so we enjoy Coca Maya Thursday night and then the BBQ at Leverick Friday night. We then depart Saturday morning. This allows you to do and see a lot in a short time.

Swimming in to the baths is over rated and I've seen too many people that shouldn't do it, try it.

I may be the lone wolf on the board but I have a few differences of opinion while also agreeing to a large degree with the generalities of the posts from other members regarding not being too rigid with your schedule and pummeling your crew with long days on the water.

1. I have made the trek from Soper's to JVD, Bubbly Pool, and back to Cooper's sailing so I think you can leave Maho, get to Soper's, eat at the Bight or Deadman's (probably not stopping at both; the beach at Cooper's is just as nice at Deadman's), and make it work as long as long as you (and crew) understand it will be a long day. I don't mind doing this one day of the trip as long as it eases your transits and timing for future days in some regard. But, like the others, this would not be a fun pace to keep up and likely would lead to a mutinous crew if more than one day. I also warn the crew ahead of time and make them well aware of the hard and lengthy day while trying to help them see the overall benefit for later.

I also think you could stay at Great Harbor on Peter instead of going to Cooper if your time and crew are running thin as a back-up plan. Not too much farther to make the Baths from Peter than from Cooper with a Power Cat.

2. I have done the Baths's both ways and I still love swimming in from the bottom more personally as long as your crew are capable swimmers. My 12 and 15 year old like it better as well but to each his own. Love walking up the Top, seeing the view, jumping in the pool, and grabbing a drink and lunch.

However, if you are going to be in North Sound for 3 days then it probably does make sense to rent the car. Make sure you can drive a stick cause that will likely be what you get and the views are indeed very cool and worth seeing.

3. Nick is definitely the best hook up for VG regarding taxis et al.

4. Can't speak to the food at Cow Wreck or Loblolly. I do agree that hitting both of these in a day dosen't really get you much extra benefit, unless you just get there super early. The Anegada Beach Club is a great place to hang with the kids as well and has a pool and volleyball court. Snorkeling not as good there though. Dinner on the boat is fine but if you have the money, the Wonky Dog does have excellent food.

Just thought I would provide a different perspective though I don't disagree with what others have posted.

Cruzdoc

Even if we don't like this bareboating thing, which we will, we are going to keep doing it so I can continue to communicate with such generous people!

You guys are having a very positive impact on our family's time together. Thank you!

Have never been given a stick shift in renting for over 15 trips in 12 years.

Some of the Safari buses are manual transmission. That's the only time I've ever see it.

If you don't want to deal with a manual transmission anywhere in the Virgins simply tell the rental agent you need a Two Pedal - Mash n Go <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

We have ended up with the safari buses both times cause we have eight or more and I guess that's why I made that assumption regarding the manual transmission. Sorry if I caused some confusion there.

For this time of the year, am I safe to reserve a car for 4 at Leverick or on Anegada the day before or a few days before?

I would do it now. You never know when you may run into a flotilla that takes all the cars.

Or automatic. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

To expand on Rita’s point.
It’s not just that the Baths are better early in
the morning or late afternoon. It’s dramatically
better.
By early, I would say 7:00 or 7:30.
Late, 3:30 or 4:00.
To get to the Crawl, park at Spring Bay National Park.
Walk west down the path maybe 300 yards.
To the left of the Crawl is Spring Bay.
Follow the beach to the end.
There is no path from Spring Bay to the Baths so you’ll
need to snorkel the rest of the way.
It takes about 15 or 20 minutes and there’s some
good fish, rocks, and coral along the way.
There’s two palm trees that form an “X”.
You’ll see the end of the buoy line to the right of a
huge rock and can swim between them.
Head into the beach and you’re there.
That’s what I’d do if I were you.
If you don’t, you’ll probably still have a good time.

Mike
Trying to be the man my dog thinks I am

Steve, I noticed your last minute tied bits thread is closed,

Here are a few:

1. teach your daughters how to tie the fender line to the boat, assign them a fender and a specific spot on the boat (port and starboard) Once you receive your docking instructions from the dock master have your girls tie their fender. The will be proud and get a sense of accomplishment.

2. When approaching a mooring ball, line your vessel up with the pendant of the ball, rather than the way other boats in the mooring field are pointing.

3. If you do have a nice freezer, put your "drinking" ice in the freezer. You will be surprised how much colder and long lasting it will become by doing so.

4. Go down the water slide at Scrub.

5. Encourage your girls to collect sea glass rather than sea shells.

Hope you have a great time,

Tony

+1 with filling any extra space in the freezer with ice is always a good idea.

Thank you guys! I think I started a little TTOL brawl inadvertently yesterday. Leave it to a newbie to get everyone riled up. We are 95% packed and ready for Tuesday! We are staying at Maria's Tuesday night - any close dinner recommendations?

Steve

Right across the street from the ferry docks
and taxi stand is a small outdoor place
called Capricio's. I've never had dinner there
but breakfast is excellent.

Mike

Perfect! I was looking for a breakfast place that morning. Thank you Mike!

They also have inside tables and their lunch is also very good!

This will be too late for Steve's trip but I would caution that swimming from Spring Bay to the Baths can be tricky as there can be a strong current there, esp. if the seas are up. Note: can be a steep drop off at Spring Bay, Baths and Devils Bay which is why dingying in at the Baths is not possible (there is a line across the water parallel to the beach, and a dingy line strung off to the right as you
approach the parallel line) And I cannot tell you the number of times we have watched the dumping of people into the water at Spring Bay when they have tried to do the same there...not worth the risk of injury from falling, boat flipping or getting hit by the boat.