Saturday 7 May 2022

Virgin Island Adventure 2022 Part 2 The British Virgin Islands

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.

Soper's Hole Tortola

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.

Dinghy Parking Full




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.














A beautiful beach for a walk.  Water colour has not been edited... this is real.

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





A walk through town to the Rum Distillery





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

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.





The Indians - kind of rough for snorkeling there today

Boats moored to snorkel at the The Caves on Treasure Point



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


There is a line to tie up your dinghy

 
 
Norm Snorkelling at the cave entrance - not too many fish there today and the coral is gone because of Hurricane Irma









Time to go over to Willy T's
 



Yes, we jumped


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Pirates Bight (photo from Trip Advisor)


Pirates Bight Restaurant on Norman Island


Dinner at the Pirates Bight Restaurant.  Chicken Roti tonight


DAY 4   Cooper Island

Another beautiful morning and we are off to Cooper Island today


Another windy day but a beautiful ride



Cooper Island Beach Club





Took the dinghy over to a well know snorkelling spot at Cistern Point.  More fish  here than at the caves on Norman Isnad

The purple dots are tiny jelly fish (harmless)






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  







We tied up the dinghy at the dinghy line and had a "bit" of a swim









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





The beautiful Saba Rock Resort has just reopened after being demolished by Hurricane Irma (photo from Booking .com)

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



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


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.




...Saw lots and lots of goats

The botanical garden 


On the east end of the island was Loblolly Beach and the Big Bamboo Resort



Some refreshments after a hot ride





Then off to the other end of the Island to beautiful Cow Wreck Beach











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





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






At the gas dock - Yikes




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