Dave just asked me the following...thought maybe it might be useful info for others chartering in the near future...

"I wanted to see if I could get more detail from you about your visit to the New Oil Nut Bay. We will be in BVI in June via Sunsail. Like you, I think we would prefer to avoid Leverick issues and anchor at Prickly Pear My questions are:

How is Prickly Pear? are they open? food?
Did you dingy over to Oil Nut? Any issues?
Did you go over to Oil Nut for just happy hour?"


Reply Quote


Hi Dave,

Earlier this week we anchored off Prickly Pear, in front of The Sandbox...slightly towards the entrance channel to North Sound. The holding was superb, anchor didn't move an inch. Beautifully flat there, we spent 2 nights...no mooring fees! Anchored in about 12ft of water.

We took dinghy right up to the furthest bit of Oil Nut (by their beach Club) and anchored on the sandbar just behind the reef. Snorkelled from the dinghy...saw 15 Green Turtles, rays...all sorts. Nobody from ONB came to try and chase us away, so all good!

We then backtracked in dinghy to their new Marina Village. Had some lunch, drinks, used their pool...an hour or so was long enough for us. It's really swish and they are super friendly.

Then took dinghy all the way down North Sound to Leverick...ordered takeout to collect later...then back to boat.

Just before sunset we took dinghy back down to Leverick, picked up dinner and returned to enjoy in the cockpit whilst watching the sunset.

We had 12-17 knots of wind during our stay and all of the above was easy, comfortable and a lot of fun.

So much fun...that we did it all again the next day!

Hope that helps! Shout if you had any other questions, happy to help!

Oh and Sandbox on Prickly is shut...half built...I really doubt it will be open in June, nobody was working on it.

I saw on a menu for a Grand Case restaurant that "TGCA not included", or similar words in French. What is that?

We are thinking of sailing ourselves or, more probable, hiring a delivery captain to get our boat to St. Thomas. Are there seasonal slips/moorings say between late Dec. and April? If CYOA had availability that might be perfect. Any suggestions appreciated.

Clicking on the "BVI Cruise Schedule" tab at the top of the TTOL home page takes one to bviports.org. "Click on "June 2019" and you get to SCHEDULE OF CRUISE SHIP BOOKINGS FOR June 2019." There are 9 listings, each with a Location of "VIC CP." The glossary at the bottom of the page defines "CP" as "Cruise Pier." However, there is no definition for "VIC". Anybody know what "VIC" stands for?

As long as the board don’t mind me posting regularly as I remember it then I will proceed. Wife albeit very tired, speech slightly better and to the poster who implied she is one tough cookie, you just have no idea. Wants to make everyday count, regardless of the consequences. Her motto is make everyday work whatever happens until is just doesn’t.

So have a list of places to visit not having really ever done the Simpson Bay Area and visited tonight “Nowhere Special”. Very nice indeed. Pretty outdoor seating. Lovely, gentle non pushy service. Great Bean soup, Johnny cakes and avocado dip...biggest glass almost tumbler size of White Zinfandel for $5.00, and had the best homemade bread pudding. Didn’t want too much to eat and we had guitar entertainment. Really lovely and extremely reasonable.
Found also Palapa Restaurant and they have done a superb job with several different eating and drink areas. Will book next week.
Off to bed.

Arrived STT after overnight flight thru Phili, we were meeting our crew the next day at the ferry landing, so hung out at Emerald Beach resort. Meeting 3 different sets of crew off 3 different planes mid day, and they all landed with in 5 minutes of each other. You couldn't plan that if you tried. We all made the 1:30 ferry over to Roadtown and were off to Navigare for an overnight sleep aboard on our Lagoon 50 (6 person stateroom). Our provisions showed up right on time from Caribbean cellars and Bobbys. Both were a really good experience from ordering to delivery.

Had a good dinner at the Marina that night. Up early, and boaty ball Number 1 score of the trip, we were going to Cooper Island. We had a quick boat walk thru and briefing. In all the years I have been sailing, I haven't had a company not send someone out with us to see how we handled the boat, but they sent us on our way. Which was super cool. So off to Cooper Island we went. Still one of my favorite anchorages. Turtles, snorkeling, paddleboarding was the call of the day.

Day 2 we were off to Peter Island as the kids, should say 25-28 yo, really wanted to go to Willie T. I have to say, its really not the same as when it was in Norman. A bit less activity than I remember.

Day 3 - boaty ball score #2 at Leverick - really like this system. We got an early start and headed to the baths where we were able to score a mooring ball as well. Had a great day at the bath running around and eating lunch. Fun to be there when no cruise ships are in Roadtown - Had an amazing dinner ashore (Anegada lobster was off the charts). Took pictures in the phone booth (or what was left of it).

Day 4 - Okay I don't want to brag again, but Boaty ball #3 at Anegada was secured, so we had an easy sail/motor up to Anegada. I have to agree with a former poster, Cow Wrecks beach is by far my favorite in the BVI. We also managed to get to Loblolly for some snorkeling and food as well.

Day 5/6 - Headed to Sandy Cay, for a lunch stop and walk on the beach. Unfortunately we were too late to get a ball in Great harbor, but little harbor was unoccupied. Its hard to see Sydney's PL the way it is now, as compared to before. We took taxi bus over to Whites bay, and I cannot believe how scary that ride is. We decided to stay another day on Jost, so mid day headed for Great harbor to secure a ball for the night. Was pretty easy at 11am, but by 2, all balls were gone. Spent the afternoon at Whites Bay, and dinner at Foxy's buffet. The buffet was the best ribs I've had in years. Only complaint is I couldn't eat more.

Day 7 - Checked out of BVI from Jost and headed to Lindy pt to dingy over to cruz bay to check in. Easy check in, and had an early mid moring ice cream. Walked around town a bit and lunch ashore. Back to the boat and off to Hawksnest for the night. Saw so many turtles at St Johns.

Day 8 - Moved over to Cinnamon and again had a leisurely day in the water snorkeling with turtles, paddle boarding and walking the beach.

Day 9 - A quick trip over to Sophers Hole to check back into the BVI. Easy to do, and then we went ashore to get ice. I have to say the Sopher's is not recovered yet (other than the new Marina building and docks. There is not a lot there anymore. But lots of construction underway. Next stop Norman. BTW - lots of mooring balls here. Also was saw lots of turtles. I dont recall seeing so many before. I was really surprised to see how well they rebuilt the pirates restaurant. We had a great final dinner there. Sad to have to leave the islands

Day 10 - our check out with Navigare was easy and we were off the boat and at the ferry landing for our 11:35 back to STT.

Already going thru painkiller withdrawls.

Thanks TTOL'ers for all the great info before the trip.

Currently in Vieques and planning an overnight stop
In Isla Paliminos off San Juan. Anyone have current
Information about this place?
Thanks and sorry if it's posted twice.
Fred

Is the little crepe stand in the GC parking lot still open? We are on the island (Trip reports forthcoming) and definitely want to visit him.

Mbrott

Has anyone had the experience of a 40 minute connection in Phily? We arrive on American from ORD into Phily. I'm a little nervous about the connection time but American says we will be fine!?!? We are in good health and can hoof it if need be BUT makes me nervous!

Afternoon folks. Good news and not so good news. Departed out of Miami about 15 mins late on Tuesday half empty plane but arrived on time. Arranged wheelchair for my wife and basically from coming down the stairs from the plane and since our luggage was the first off, was outside in 5 mins. Fantastic. Car arranged through Thrifty at the airport and was at our Villa in Terres Basses very quickly. All the basics food and drink was was there as pre-arranged and after unpacking which took longer than expected as will explain later was sat at Tropicana in Marigot at around 6.45 for a great meal.
Weather so, so, raining slightly and looked at the long range forecast and clouds forecast most days so we will see.

The bad. About one week ago, my wife woke up disoriented and speech very slurred and obviously had not been drinking. I think she had a mini stroke and because of a very bad experience with a recent operation refused to see anyone. It has been touch and go to come here and was going to cancel but she refused. Speech ok until the late afternoons
onwards and then it deteriorates, so I just hope it improves as here for three weeks plus 4 days in Anguilla where she broke a rib falling down some steps last year!! Being a Lady what’s made her more upset was the fact that some mouthwash(never pack this again as can always buy the damn stuff here) leaked all over her clothes that were packed in the luggage, plus her favorite jacket and although I tried to get the stains out, most were ruined so been shopping today, so one thing and another it’s been difficult.

However, already had dinner at L’Auberge Gourmand in GC which we really enjoyed and this morning finally found Jules and yes you guys were right, delicious croissants and sandwiches, the tuna was exceptional with great coffee and atmosphere. Loved it. Seems the morning are sunny but afternoons cloudy. Just going to take it easy from day to day and see how we feel but still happy to be here and find the drivers apart from the bikers courteous, people as usual very friendly and hope things generally improve and we can do a lot more as have a long list of things to do, places to see and food to stuff my face with.
Bran