First, thanks for all the great info shared on this forum!

I have cruised the BVI many times since my first trip in 1989 when I was a young single guy sailing with all my single buddies out of Charlotte Amelie (lots of stories from those days!!). I was also a partner in Tortola-based Moorings boats for most of the '90's (pre-marriage and young kids...).

I am a week and a half away from my first return to the BVI in about 5 years, now with my wife and two college age boys (all of whom have cruised various locales with me on many occasions including the BVI more than once).

This is my first trip down to the islands during high season (we typically sail in November and now I need to take advantage of both boys having spring break the same week!), I have a three questions:

1) How crowded should I expect it to be in the various anchorages?
2) With all the talk about BoatyBall and and getting on a mooring, etc., how early should I plan on being in the various harbors to get on a mooring?
3) Does anyone anchor anymore? Is there room in any of the popular harbors given the longer radius I'd have on the hook than the boats on moorings do?

Thanks in advance!

Yoff

Anchoring, from our experience:

Norman - unlikely you would need to but you can always anchor out the back, plenty of room, frequently see others doing this (generally larger boats). When on our own yacht we always did this.
Peter - Great Harbour - Not huge amount of room where depth and space suits anchoring, but enough for a handful of boats.
Peter - Little Harbour - yes, but take a stern line ashore.
Cooper - only really if you're a BIG boat with oodles of chain, in which case yes but well outside of the area where the mooring balls are. We've had no issues on 70ft+ boats but wouldn't attempt with the average charter boat. Or in right conditions round the corner in Haulovers Bay.
Marina Cay - yes, plenty of space to anchor, again outside of the mooring-ball area. Often also seen smaller boats anchoring between the reef and the mooring-ball area. Its not for me...but each to there own.
North Sound - Vixen Point and round into Prickly Bay, great anchoring. Or just out the back of the BEYC mooring field...you'll have the place to yourself. Lots of other spots in North Sound also.
Anegada - yes, per crusing guide and also Pomato Point.
JVD - Diamond Cay.
JVD - Great Harbour, not as much room as there used to be and if prudent you won't be tucked in very far, but still a perfectly good option.

Generally always a decent anchoring option if you find balls all taken. With the exception perhaps of Cooper.

Thanks, Christo. Why would you not anchor in Manchineel Bay on a charter boat? I remember the bottom being grassy, but no too tough to get a hold in. Has the mooring field moved the anchorage into much deeper water?

The mooring field has been expanded and there is really no room to anchor there unless you get out a bit. The depths there will be 50 fee and most charterboats don’t have the chain.
G

What he said.

As suspected. That's a lot of chain!! Thanks for confirming.

Three boats anchored there currently...including what looks like a Moorings 45ft mono.


https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6uZ6RF-04/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

That looks just about perfect! ⛵️🏝