Arriving in paradise on 11/19. This will be our 4th charter with Moorings. Chartering the new 433PC, so really excited to see the new boat. We would like to visit St. John for the first time.

First of all is anyone aware of any restrictions with Moorings charters going to USVI?

I am looking for recommendations for a nice anchorage on St. John to spend a night. We are a family of 5 with 3 boys 12, 10 and 7 so looking for a great beach and some good snorkeling.

Also, any updated recommendations on customs and immigration that I should be aware of? From what I have read, I can check in with US Immigration in Cruz Bay and should be able to process my check-out at the same time to avoid having to return to Cruz when we leave. I also assume that I will have to immediately recheck at West End when we return to the BVI.

Thanks for your advice in advance.

Rob

All you need to do is let Moorings know you are planning on that. They will make sure you are on a US flagged boat. Easy to go over, we've done it a lot.

you only check into USVI, you do not need to check out. You can download the customs forms at home and have them filled out before you arrive at customs. We love Maho/Francis, Salt Pond and the Lamshures.

Make sure you do tell the Moorings so they can provide you with a copy of the documentation paperwork. Make sure you have life jackets in the dinghy. As mentioned any of the N shore anchorages are great.
G

We do this routinely on our private boat. Get the BVI forms from Moorings and make certain you get all of the required information from them. As sail2wind mentioned, the US forms are online and are linked from the Charter Boat forum. If everyone is a US citizen, no problem.

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...e=0#Post1690526

We checked in and out October 28 at Jost Van Dyke with no issues or changes in process. Only the captain needed to show up. They have consolidated the customs and immigration forms into a single form. The form for the boat is still one large legal-sized form with four carbon sheets, so press down hard.

Checking in at Cruz Bay is very quick. I would recommend coming in by 3PM to avoid the ferry boat and day boat rush. It takes five minutes. If you draw 5' or less you can anchor in the creek at Cruz Bay (left side as you enter the harbor, it is marked) for up to three hours. Lock your dinghy at the National Park Visitors Center dinghy dock (continuing past the customs house, moving to your left). Do not tie the boat or your dinghy up at the customs house.

My daughters and nephews love Maho Bay/Francis Bay. It is their favorite Virgin Islands anchorage across the BVI/USVI. There is a lot of beach, lots of sea life and great swimming right off the boat. It is also sheltered and rarely gets rolly.

Cruz Bay is a great place to grab some lunch at about 20 walkable restaurants or provisions at one of the markets or convenience stores. But, after spending two nights there recently, Caneel Bay anchorage is quite rolly. It was better pre-Halloween because the Caneel ferry was not blowing by every half hour from 5am-1am. In a monohull, that just makes life too painful.

Cheers, RickG

Make sure 7 year old is wearing a life jacket in the dinghy. Not sure about the 10 year old.

One more vote for Francis/Maho Bay (our top 3 anchorage in the USVI/BVI; always plenty of available mooring balls) and Salt Pond Bay (only 5 mooring balls and often full as you get later into the season, but nearby Lameshur Bays have plenty of moorings).

There is good snorkeling along rocks separating Francis and Maho.

Also consider a visit to the Annaberg Plantation ruins. I usually stop on the way from Francis Bay to West End. Tie up in Leinster Bay, dinghy to the small beach, then follow the shoreline trail to the parking lot and short uphill walk to the ruins. Upon your return, you can snorkel around Waterlemon Cay.

If you decide to go to the South shore from Cruz Bay, I suggest a stop at Genti Bay (only 1 public day mooring) to see the Petroglyphs (easy 1 mile walk) and the well preserved 19th century Reef Bay rum factory ruins.

You will still have to check out of the BVI before you head to STJ and of course back in upon returning.
Going all the way to Cruz Bay does suggest a visit to the South shore anchorages mentioned BUT unless you choose to return via the STJ North shore route it is not an easy sail to any C&I destination for the returning BVI check-in

True blue

Not to worry about the life jackets. All 3 of my boys are required to wear their life jackets whenever the boat is underway or when we are in the dinghy! "captains rules!"

I would not let the extra hour sail deter you from visiting the south anchorages. The snorkeling at Salt Pond is excellent. If you have AT&T you have full coverage in the anchorage.

Tying up at customs for 10minutes cost me $28.... Anchor and dingy into dock by ferry and walk over.

Christmas Cove for the best Pizza in the islands. Pizza Pi located in a really nice anchorage is a great spot to experience.