First Time Bareboat - Belize, Abacos or BVI?

[MMR]

While sailing in Belize would be amazing, for a first charter, I'd go BVI. More options, more places to provision (if you forget something), just more forgiving place to LEARN to charter (what to bring, how to get from here to there, etc.)

[speciald]

In the BVI's,you can have a dive boat pick you up from an anchorage and drop you back on the boat after your dive even if your crew moved the boat to another anchorage while you were gone. Don't bother going acros to the USVI unless you want to do duty free shopping.

[CalypsoP35]

We've chartered twice in the BVI's and loved it. Both times we chartered a 45 - 47 foot catamaran, for eight people (two families of 4). The catamaran offers a lot of space and each family had their own hull with two cabins and two heads. You'd better like the people you are sailing with, because you spend almost 100% of the time together and there is some splitting of duties. Having said that, I thought having the extra people along really added to our enjoyment. In our case it made my life easier because I had another capable boater so I did not have to do everything associated with sailing.

[AlanBrown]

I'll add my two cents and offer a good word for the Abacos. It is a beautiful part of the Bahamas, close to the States, and the Sea of Abaco offers a very sheltered cruising area.

As far as nightlife goes, it's up to you. Every cay has it's own "special" place to hang out. The water is crystal clear, anchorages abundant, and there are many reasonably-priced marinas to pull into if you have a need to re-gain your land legs.

There are several chartering companies in Marsh Harbour, including a Moorings. For a relaxing week of cruising, take a close look at the Abacos.

P.S. I cruised up to Abaco in 2004 and I haven't left. To quote one of my Abaco Forum friends, "Veni, Vidi, Velcro". When translated it means, "I Came, I Saw, I Stuck Around".

[Crapaud]

In Nov, we are going on our 4th trip to the BVIs in 6 years - we enjoy it. The charter companies are all first class - we have chartered with Moorings and BVI Yachts and both got high marks for service and friendliness, but I have heard great things about Sunsail, Horizon and TMM.

The Bahamas are very beautiful as is Belize (friend's photos and journals), but they both have draft concerns and Belize has less from a amenities stand point.

Clear water, a fair wind and good company make the trip - no matter where you are. . .