Have a great time George.I will be a first time BVI charterer next year. I'd like some info on Trellis Bay/ Beef Island. How easy is the airport access? How close is it to Virgin Gorda? Is it a one day sail from the Bitter End? Or should I be closer in (one day out)? What is the noise level from the airport and is it easy to pick up/ drop off passengers at the airport?
Ditto on leaving where you are early and arriving to your next destination early. You'll enjoy the afternoon in your new location and not have the drama of trying to find a mooring at the new anchorage lat in the day. For some unexplained reason, I have never chartered a boat in the BVI's that had the anchor chain marked, so you'll be trying to figure out how much scope you have.Easy as others have explained. Your guest will love it. I encourage you to get to the bay as early as you can to maximize your odds of finding an empty mooring. My rule of thumb was also before 2pm in the BVIs. As crowds build, it can get earlier and earlier. Noon should be very safe and very doable from BEYC.
True, but it's also not everyone's cup of tea.Try and schedule your visit to Trellis Bay to coincide with the full moon.
They have a legendary party then.
Really depends if you're chartering in low or high season. In low season, there's usually overnight mooring balls available even after 3PM. My only recommendation is if you're planning to visit the Baths on Virgin Gorda, these day moorings fill up fast all year round and it's best to arrive as early as possible, even before 8AM. Rouse your crew up early (or even just motor and let them sleep), get underway and have breakfast after you grab a mooring @ the Baths. An overnight in either Trellis Bay or Cooper Island makes a quick passage to the Baths.Easy as others have explained. Your guest will love it. I encourage you to get to the bay as early as you can to maximize your odds of finding an empty mooring. My rule of thumb was also before 2pm in the BVIs. As crowds build, it can get earlier and earlier. Noon should be very safe and very doable from BEYC.
We did a mooring at BEYC, but next time will consider taking a mooring at Saba Rock instead. I heard that they offer free water top-offs to those who rent their mooring balls, and with the high cost of water there, that's a nice extra. Only thing I don't know is whether Saba Rock's mooring balls are too unprotected.I might try the baths by taxi someday. Even a mooring at BEYC, dingy in and taxi over would work. Don't need a slip to pull it off.
Saba Rock is an excellent place to moor. We even anchored between their mooring field and BEYC beach once. Not sure there is enough room now. Not only can you top water (up to a limit), but you get a free bag of ice too!! There are some wind directions that might get a bit more rolly. I love Saba and have one of my fav BVI pics at their bar, with a marine VHF radio among the bar back. I believe one of the mechanics for the charter companies is stationed there too.......We did a mooring at BEYC, but next time will consider taking a mooring at Saba Rock instead. I heard that they offer free water top-offs to those who rent their mooring balls, and with the high cost of water there, that's a nice extra. Only thing I don't know is whether Saba Rock's mooring balls are too unprotected.
Regardless of where you do your mooring ball in Virgin Gorda, Saba Rock is definitely worth a dinghy ride for happy hour, and Fat Virgin's is worth a dinghy ride for dinner.
I've made that dinghy run before. It is a fun adventure. Watch the weather - if the wind backs and is strong the swell wraps around JVD and the ride home will be really unpleasant. Personally I would not take kids or newbies.After taking a mooring ball in Great Harbour, we dinghied over to White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar. That beach is one of the most gorgeous anywhere!
I've never had an issue with the moorings at Saba. The BEYC and Saba balls are intermixed at the boundary so make sure you get what you think you have.We did a mooring at BEYC, but next time will consider taking a mooring at Saba Rock instead. I heard that they offer free water top-offs to those who rent their mooring balls, and with the high cost of water there, that's a nice extra. Only thing I don't know is whether Saba Rock's mooring balls are too unprotected.
We usually eat dinner aboard in North Sound, although the Restaurant at Leverick sometimes draws. We like eating at the bar at Saba for lunch and sometimes at Jumbies at Leverick. When it is open we very much like the Sand Box on Prickley Pear. Most of the boats anchored off the beach there are long-term liveaboard cruisers. Last I check Anouk, the lady that sells t-shirts and jewelry from her dinghy, lived aboard there.Regardless of where you do your mooring ball in Virgin Gorda, Saba Rock is definitely worth a dinghy ride for happy hour, and Fat Virgin's is worth a dinghy ride for dinner.
Yes. The Moorings has kept a mechanic there for a long time. He now services Moorings, SunSail, and Footloose boats in North Sound.I believe one of the mechanics for the charter companies is stationed there too.
+1Saba Rock is an excellent place to moor.
