Second-tier charters in the BVI?

[XTR]

Originally Posted by anthony11

I see to see much more discussion of chartering in the British Virgin Islands than in the US Virgin Islands. Is the sailing better there? For US citizens staying in US territory would see to be less complex. Am I missing something?

Yes you are, and it is really no less complex other than clearing customs in and out. TSA at Logan is worse.

1. Most of the charter companies are in BVI
2. USVI is really just St. Thomas and St. John (which is mostly a national park),
3. BVI is Tortola, Norman, Peter, Virgin Gorda, Salt, Anegeda, Jost van ****, et al..

4. Yes, you need a passport, but other than that flying to BVI is no different than flying to any other destination

5. We won't begin to talk about the crime in St. Thomas.

Someone here is going overboard with the dirty word filter, jebus people

[captainjay]

Originally Posted by XTR

Yes you are, and it is really no less complex other than clearing customs in and out. TSA at Logan is worse.

1. Most of the charter companies are in BVI
2. USVI is really just St. Thomas and St. John (which is mostly a national park),
3. BVI is Tortola, Norman, Peter, Virgin Gorda, Salt, Anegeda, Jost van ****, et al..

4. Yes, you need a passport, but other than that flying to BVI is no different than flying to any other destination

5. We won't begin to talk about the crime in St. Thomas.

Someone here is going overboard with the dirty word filter, jebus people

Our you kidding me? Have you ever spent any real time in St Thomas. The crime stories are ridiculous. Yes there is crime here. It is a city of 50,000 people and on any given day maybe 50,000 tourists. If you get drunk in the wrong part of town some one may rob you. This is true of any city in America. Almost all crime here is either crime of opportunity or thug on thug. As for chartering out of one or the other, you can and will likely see all the same islands one way or the other. Not spending an extra half a day or full day dealing with ferry's and or commuter planes from PR makes the USVI a good jumping off point for most people. As for the USVI's just being St Thomas and St John that's two more island with some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. As for St John being mostly National Park You say that like it's a bad thing.





Jay

[RealityCheck]

While I love BVI and do spend most of my time sailing and cove hopping, St John USVI is one of my favorite locations or I should say has several of my favorite locations. St. John has by far the most superior hiking trails in that part of the islands. As with many locations you have your typical charter boat hang outs/ moorings and many less frequented locations which I prefer. Even the more popular ones can be almost empty depending on what season and what part of the day your visiting. Leisurely swims with BIG Turtles and then taking a nice hike up a trail for a few hours then back to the boat is a nice day or as I do it many days.

You do have far more charter facilities in the BVI and most have chase boats that can get to you if you have difficulties while on charter and can often reach you in a few minutes due to multi locations where they are often staged.

Even if you do Fly into Beef Island and charter via a BVI company... you should consider visiting St. John. The only real difficulty is the customs clearance. While checking out of West End, Sophers Hole is simple and Waterleamon key USVI is only a mile away... you have to go to Cruze Bay to check in and this is a problem due to very limited mooring/ anchoring space. Some do "invade" for a day but it is not recommended. If you actually own the boat you can apply for the Local Boaters Option with the USCG and simply phone it in... which is what I do. Not as easy on a charter boat and you will probably spend a half day going to Cruz Bay to clear in... if your a US citizen, at least you don't have to clear out. Actually Cruz Bay isn't a bad place to spend some time... good shops for the ladies and good places to eat and maybe have a drink... just don't go flashing the fruit around as the local iguanas are large and will make a go for it.... really....

NOTE: While flights into Beef Island are more expensive and fewer in number... the cost of possible overnighting in St. Thomas and ferry rides to BVI and back to St Thomas at the end of your trip... could eat up almost two days of your vacation. St. Thomas does have several location worth seeing but more of them can be done on land than water. if you make several trips down... I would do at least one to St. Thomas and see the sites... maybe take the ski lift to see the harbor... fantastic views. The snow is cold so don't eat too much of it...and most contain large quantities of alcohol