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Advice for BVI Rookies
#215784
01/27/2020 06:52 PM
01/27/2020 06:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
bjack0013
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
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I'm a first time poster that's been lurking for several weeks as we plan our trip. Thank you all for the effort you put into this site - it's a huge help. We are in the process of finalizing our plans and have a few questions I'm hoping you all can help us with. I'm going to post our draft itinerary in a separate message. Crew: 16 people / 8 couples – big crew sailing to celebrate 40th birthdays for most of the group Boats: 2 x 450 lagoons Company: TMMRum – Planning to provision alcohol from CC because they look to have a larger selection. What is your favorite sipping rum and what is the best for mixing? We're bourbon / tequila / wine drinkers typically but plan to indulge in the local rum. Also, is there a good liquor store somewhere for picking up a rare rum or two that we can’t buy in the USA? If so, where? Provisioning meat/seafood – Is there a good seafood market in the BVIs we should watch for as we hop around? I’ve also heard we can pay fishermen directly for fish if we come across a fishing boat. Has anyone had luck with this? Fishing: We have an active crew and folks want to fish, however from what we’ve read and been told by base operations, the effort isn’t a good use of time in the BVIs. Is this the consensus here or is it nice to have 1-2 rods onboard? Put another way, what are the chances of catching something we’ll turn into ceviche or grill on the fly? Diving: Where are the top 1-2 spots to get in a good half-day, 2 dive trip? Also, is it rare to get a skipper that’s a divemaster or is this worth requesting? Kite surfing: Where’s the best spot and outfitter for kite surfing lessons? What are the top 2-3 restaurants / dining experiences for 16 people? We have no intention of eating every meal or doing everything together, but would like to plan 2-3 good / fun group meals. Initial thoughts are there’s a private beach dining option at Caravela but we haven’t looked into this. Wonky’s seems appropriate as well. Stand-up paddle boards: Will we get use out of provisioning 2 stand-up paddle boards? We’re planning to confirm these but can skip it if folks say don’t mess with it. Massage services - Is there a massage service that'll come to our boat for an afternoon? What's the best value massage stop in the islands (we don't have to have a fancy resort). Proximity / convenience are more important than the ammenities. Thank you for your help!
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#215798
01/27/2020 08:27 PM
01/27/2020 08:27 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
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How long is your charter? Is the first night a sleep on board? Is your last night back at TMM in order to make flights the next day? Are you hiring a skipper or operating the boats yourselves, one or both boats? If you are hiring a skipper, where would you plan on them sleeping?
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#215843
01/28/2020 09:00 AM
01/28/2020 09:00 AM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 207 East Tennessee
Annoddddd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 207
East Tennessee
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I also agree with slowing it down. Leverick Bay on a Friday night for the Jumbies and BBQ is great and can handle a large group. You can also reserve slips on the dock and allow the crew time to enjoy Leverick without having to dinghy from the boat. They have a spa and the massages are wonderful. Personally I don’t think there’s enough space on the boats to have a massage there. We also have had intentions of fishing and a friend brought all their gear down and it never got used. We’d just skipped it and enjoyed the beauty of the islands. Keep a watch on weather, wind and swells and know what areas to avoid for a north swell. Wind guru is one app we like. https://www.windguru.cz/58Our main agenda items: sailing, floating on noodles, snorkeling, enjoying the beaches, enjoying chatting with the locals and dinner ashore every evening. It’s all part of the wonderful BVI experience. You will have a blast! Plan less and enjoy more. Oh, and speaking of less. Pack in soft sided bags and whatever you lay out to bring, put at least half back.
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#215959
01/29/2020 09:33 AM
01/29/2020 09:33 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 67 Knoxville, TN
Laserking
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 67
Knoxville, TN
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I agree with everyone's suggestions about not cramming too much in. It's better if it's relaxing, and no better place to relax than on your boat with a drink. Having skippers is a big plus on your first trip. They know all the great spots, there is no stress for you as far as what time to leave, when to get water, etc. We've chartered with TMM for years, and they're one of if not the best company in then BVI, and although we sail ourselves, I know that the skips they provide are fantastic. I agree with the Wonky Dog for dining with a large group. Foxy's can handle it as well. Kiteboarding is great off of The Cow Wreck in the sound on the north side of Anegada. We're heading down tomorrow, so may see you depending on when your trip is leaving. Ariadne from TMM.
Doc
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: Twells]
#216019
01/29/2020 07:01 PM
01/29/2020 07:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 845 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 845
Redmond, WA
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I agree with the posters above. I am an experienced diver, and have done this trip 8 times (at least), so here's my 2 cents:
Rum: we just stick with Meyers for mixing Spa: you won't need it because you are so happy and relaxed. Book a spa for the Monday after you get home. Fishing: not worth the hassle. Scuba: not the best diving, but the Rhone is worth it if you have never been. But only in good visibility. I normally skip it now. SUP: Yes worth it. Also, it makes a nice bar on the beach, as well as an escape hatch when your crew starts to annoy you. Food: I like Willy T for a group dinner too. Easy...and entertainment is free. Sometimes its easier to break up for dinner. The big group can slow you down. Enjoy, you are going to love it. Not to derail the thread, but interested in your dive recommendation for places much better than BVI. We are long time skin divers, but newer to scuba and have only Mexico, Hawaii, San Juan's and Thailand to compare and have not found better diving than in the BVI.
Last edited by MrEZgoin; 01/29/2020 07:02 PM.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#216025
01/29/2020 08:19 PM
01/29/2020 08:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251 Okla
ScurvyD
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
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I think the diving is very subjective. Personally we like the drift diving of Cozumel better than the BVI. Its just a matter of preference.
I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#216139
01/30/2020 06:44 PM
01/30/2020 06:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214 Toledo, OH, USA
Orange_Burst
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,214
Toledo, OH, USA
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Regarding timing, we're sailing 2/15-2/22. If any of our paths cross we'll have to enjoy painkillers or whack bush on the beach! .
This gave me a chuckle...it’s bushwhacker....and they are delicious!
Colleen
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: Orange_Burst]
#216143
01/30/2020 07:03 PM
01/30/2020 07:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
bjack0013
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 17
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This gave me a chuckle...it’s bushwhacker....and they are delicious!
They sound delicious! Thanks for clarifying. On a somewhat related note, should we plan to buy a cooler to have on hand? I've noticed in trip report photos some folks have a ~65QT cooler on the boat for drinks in addition to the small refrigerator onboard. Should we bring one or buy one there?
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#216144
01/30/2020 07:08 PM
01/30/2020 07:08 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392 Maryland
Kirk
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,392
Maryland
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Many charter co's have coolers to use on the boat.
Kirk in Maryland
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#216146
01/30/2020 07:47 PM
01/30/2020 07:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,385 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,385
Washington DC
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Hit Baths in the late afternoon and then coco maya for dinner and a great sunset...all via taxi. Skip renting a car
Hog Heaven for lunch
I get 2 extra coolers at base camp.
Last edited by bailau; 01/30/2020 07:48 PM.
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Re: Advice for BVI Rookies
[Re: bjack0013]
#219285
03/01/2020 12:27 PM
03/01/2020 12:27 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 413 Virgin Gorda, BVI
VirginGordaResident
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 413
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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Very helpful, everyone. Big thanks for Warren for spending a load of time talking earlier this week.
We hear you all loud and clear to plan less for more relaxation. We're scrapping fishing and will dive if it fits in the schedule w/good visibility - probably the Rhone wreckage. Massage is likely out and we'll get a SUP if the winds look good for it.
We're also adding in Oil Nut Bay in exchange for Scrub as Oil Nut looks awesome.
As for a Coco Maya dinner, what's the most efficeint way to do this? We were planning to stay at/near Leverick for this stop but it's a long way from Coco Maya. That day we're planning to hit the Top of the Baths for breakfast -> Baths -> Hog Heaven -> Oil Nut Bay. We plan to have a car that day but don't want to drive boozed. Should we hit CocoMaya on our way in the night before? Is there an easy way to get back near Leverick? All can change but we are thinking we'll head to Anegada early AM from staying at / near Leverick.
Regarding timing, we're sailing 2/15-2/22. If any of our paths cross we'll have to enjoy painkillers or whack bush on the beach!
Thanks again for all your help. It will be too much to try to hit Top of the Baths, Baths, Hog Heaven and Oil Nut Bay all in one day. The roads do not make it all the way up to ONB so you will need to come by boat.
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