We recently returned from a charter in the BVI - took me a little longer to get the notes down than I'd hoped, but I finally got around to it.

This was our second trip - we chartered previously in 2001. This time, I went looking for more information when planning the trip. I found traveltalkonline.com in early January, and I've been hooked ever since.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />Thanks to those who maintain the site, and to all who contribute. This is one of the most positive examples of community and information sharing I've seen on the net. In particular, thanks to Walker Mangum. Walker's provided lots of good advice on this board, and his website BVIPirate.com is a great resource, particularly for those planning a trip to Anegada.

Hope you find the notes helpful.

Jack and Sharon.

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BVI Notes
April 23-May 6, 2004

Chartered with the Moorings this time. We had chartered with Sunsail previously and were satisfied, but decided to take advantage of the Moorings 35% anniversary discount and try them - we were pleased, the service and equipment were as good or better, and the facilities were nicer.

We provisioned with Bobby's, based largely on a number of threads posted here earlier this year. We had used Ample Hamper last time, and enjoyed the prepared meals, but that was no longer an option. Bobby's did a great job - delivered within minutes of the agreed to time, and were only out of one item. They are priced competitively and the service was great! Highly recommended.

We didn't make it to Jost Van Dyke last time, so we headed there first - mostly downwind, which was important since the winds were 20+ kts. (nearly the whole time we were there) - "enhanced tradewinds" is how the weather forecast referred to it. Not bad, but made I now have a better understanding of the term "beating to windward."

Ate at Sidney's Peace and Love the first night out. I haven't seen much on Traveltalk about it. We liked it - "all u can eat" Barbecue, a large Lobster that was actually "large," great conch fritters and their "do it yourself" bar - reasonable price, good service, and you can't beat eating dockside overlooking Little Harbour. They have a "Pig Roast" Monday and Saturday nights - I'd like to get back there and try it. Oh, and you can call in your order with your reservation and it'll be ready when you arrive.

I know there's been a lot of controversy about mooring "pendants" (no, I'm not trying to get that started again - we found that the Moor Seacure balls nearly all have larger line than the last time we were there. They also have anti-chafe on the loop. However, we still found several instances where the only thing holding the loop together was the anti-chafe; i.e., the line was completely worn through. Interestingly, the worst case of this we found was at Bitter End - we dropped three lines and went over to Biras Creek. The BVI Park balls still use lighter poly line, and several were shredded at the business end. I guess the message is clear - you're responsible for the boat, you have to check and make reasonable decision.

Based largely on some comments here, we spent a night ad Diamond Cay. Yes, there are 10 balls, and no, they don't list the location on the receipts yet - there was only one other boat the night we were there. Foxy's Taboo wasn't open for dinner yet, but the opportunity to dinghy over to Sandy Spit for snorkeling was great. One of our best nights.

Also based on a thread that ran here recently, we decided to try Monkey Point. It was definitely worth the trip. There were only a hand-full of balls, and some of those were commercial, but we were lucky and got one. A reasonable alternative is to anchor at White Bay and dinghy down (White Bay is beautiful, too). The reports of "clouds" of small fish at Monkey Point are true - it's amazing. Fortunately, we didn't see anything larger.

In North Sound, we took dinghy over to Prickley Pear Island, and hiked the trail over to the north side. There's a beautiful beach there, only accessible via the trail or by boat. Secluded (we were the only folks there) and a great view of Eustatia Island and Necker Island - I believe the latter is where that Branson bloke has built a cottage. The trail is blazed with stones, but a little hard to follow - just head for the "saddle" of the island on the south side, and follow the "wash" down the north side. We lunched at Fat Virgin's in Biras Creek - one of our favorite places last time. The cheeseburgers are still great!

The one other place I wanted to mention was the restaurant at Leverick Bay. We went last time and were decidedly underwhelmed.. It's under new management now, though, and is much improved. Alex manages, Chef Tucker is in back, and we were waited on by "V." There were several large parties that night, but the food was great, the service was prompt, and we would highly recommend it. Btw - it's even better if you have the "Drinking Man's Guide" - one of the entrée's is free, and the DMG *is* a great value.

Finally, we went ashore at CIBC to pay for the ball, but decided to eat on the boat (trying to kill off provisions at the end of the charter). Now I see on Traveltalk that they have killer Conch Fritters - wish we'd tried them. Oh well, guess we'll just have to go back... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />