About a year ago, we booked a trip with some good friends to charter a boat and cruise the islands of the BVI. We were sure Covid would be finished by now, but it was not to be.
We had lots of postponements, a cancellation of the trip, then a rebooking of the trip, getting Covid tests and even a flight cancellation 7 hours before our departure. We did a lot of scrambling to make this trip happen, and we were so glad we did! All 6 of us had a wonderful time, but many times were wondering if it really happened. After 3 days in St Thomas, we took the ferry over to Road Town Tortola and then taxied to our boat charter dock at Nanny Cay
Here is the link to part one: 3 days in St Thomas
TORTOLA
Our Charter Boat link Caribbean Cat
DAY 1
Very luxurious: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and very spacious living spaces.
After we loaded our provisions for breakfasts, lunch, snacks, drinks and water; and got the boat orientation, we were off to Jost Van Dyke. But first we dropped off our VCY captain at Sopers Hole.
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Soper's Hole Tortola |
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Doing a practice mooring at Soper's Hole |
Jost Van Dyke
Moored at Great Harbour just in time for cocktails
Over to Foxy's for Dinner.
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Dinghy Parking Full |
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Foxy's for Dinner on the Beach - the Coconut Curry Chicken and Spare Ribs did not disappoint |
DAY 2 - Jost Van Dyke and Cane Garden Bay
A Morning Dinghy Ride over to the stunningly beautiful White Bay and Painkillers at the Soggy Dollar.
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A beautiful beach for a walk. Water colour has not been edited... this is real. |
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And a swim |
Now back to the Boat, some lunch, and then a trip to the Bubbly Pool and then Cocktails at Roxy Taboo's
A 20 minute walk lead us to the Bubbly Pool which wasn't too bubbly today.
After some Painkillers at Foxy's Taboo, we are off to Cane Garden Bay, Tortola for the night.
Yes, our third beach in one day !
Cane Garden Bay
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A walk through town to the Rum Distillery |
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Then a walk back on the beach |
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Myett's Dining room on the beach - Photo from Trip Advisor |
Beautiful Dinner Sunset at Myett's and some delicious Mahi Mahi.
DAY 3 Norman Island
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Loading up the dinghy to go to Norman Island |
It was a very windy day with some large swells. Our catamaran handled it really well. We wouldn't even consider taking a boat out in Georgian Bay with these winds and waves.
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The Indians - kind of rough for snorkeling there today |
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Boats moored to snorkel at the The Caves on Treasure Point |
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The infamous Willy T's where you have a drink and jump off the top dec- looks quiet there today |
Snorkelling at The Caves of Norman Island
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There is a line to tie up your dinghy |
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Norm Snorkelling at the cave entrance - not too many fish there today and the coral is gone because of Hurricane Irma
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Time to go over to Willy T's
Yes, we jumped
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Pirates Bight (photo from Trip Advisor) |
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Pirates Bight Restaurant on Norman Island |
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Dinner at the Pirates Bight Restaurant. Chicken Roti tonight |
DAY 4 Cooper Island
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Another beautiful morning and we are off to Cooper Island today |
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Another windy day but a beautiful ride |
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Cooper Island Beach Club |
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Took the dinghy over to a well know snorkelling spot at Cistern Point. More fish here than at the caves on Norman Isnad |
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The purple dots are tiny jelly fish (harmless) |
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Restaurant (photo from Trip Advisor) |
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Grilled Red Snapper |
DAY 5: The Baths on Virgin Gorda and North Sound/The Valley/Saba Rock
The Baths
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We tied up the dinghy at the dinghy line and had a "bit" of a swim |
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Exploring one of the baths and caves |
Devil's Bay at the Baths. One of the most beautiful beaches we have seen, and we had it to ourselves :-)
The top of the Baths for lunch and beautiful views
Then back down to the beach
And our swim back out to the dinghy
Then we were off to the north end of Virgin Gorda for the afternoon and evening
The Valley and Saba Rock for the night
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The beautiful Saba Rock Resort has just reopened after being demolished by Hurricane Irma (photo from Booking .com) |
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Saba Rock is a small island of the British Virgin Islands, approximately an acre and a half in size. The island contains a small hotel, restaurant, bar, and gift shop |
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kite boarder at Bitter End Yacht Club |
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Busy tonight - lots of dinghy's docked |
Day 6 Anegada
Time to leave the Valley and Saba Rock and head to the very flat island of Anegada - well known for the lobsters and beautiful beaches
It was a windy ride with some very good sized swells. The catamaran made the ride in about an hour
As we approached Anegada, the water became very shallow. Keeping to the channel was a must! This shallow water was certainly beautiful with all the sand bars and coral heads.
We took the dinghy to shore to check out the restaurants and get some reservations. Since the island is so known for its lobsters, we were looking forward to a lobster dinner. All orders had to be made by 3pm and they would catch your lobster for you. Highly recommended was the Wonky Dog restaurant.
So, with dinner ordered, we decided to explore a bit.
Calm clear water and white sandy beach - so beautiful
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Dinghy dock and lobster pens |
We rented Scooters to check out the island
Went to the Flamingo Pond to look for Flamingos, but they were on the very far side of the island, so that was a bit of a let-down.
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...Saw lots and lots of goats |
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The botanical garden |
On the east end of the island was Loblolly Beach and the Big Bamboo Resort
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Some refreshments after a hot ride |
Then off to the other end of the Island to beautiful Cow Wreck Beach
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Filling the scooters with gas at the gas station truck |
Time for a swim and then back to the boat to get ready for the lobster dinner.
After breakfast it's off to Marina Cay
Day 7 Marina Cay
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Scrub Island |
A short dinghy ride over to Trellis Bay
Norm having a look at the beautiful handmade fire balls
Back to Nanny Cay to return our charter
Tortola Nanny Cay
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At the gas dock - Yikes
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After leaving our wonderful charter, time to go to our hotel and then to St Thomas in the morning.
Here are a few photos from our walk around Road Town Tortola