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White Bay #272987
01/10/2022 10:29 PM
01/10/2022 10:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
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Sckavanagh Offline OP
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Sckavanagh  Offline OP
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Is it true that most Bare Boat Charters won’t allow you to moor in White Bay during the day? We are chartering with BVI Yacht Charters and saw someone post on FB that companies won’t let you moor there for the day and we’ll have to stay in Great Harbor then either cab over or dinghy over for the day. We are planning on late June / early July. Emailing charter to confirm but if true… what are peoples best suggestion to hanging out at White Cay for a couple hours?

Last edited by Sckavanagh; 01/10/2022 11:27 PM.
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Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #272989
01/10/2022 10:48 PM
01/10/2022 10:48 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Online content
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GeorgeC1  Online Content
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I think you mean White Bay on Jost. Most companies allow you into White Bay. There are a couple that restrict it due to a history of boats getting damaged. If your anchor on the Soggy D side it can get very busy and you will have lots of boats anchored close. It’s not a suitable overnight unless you have a forecast for no chance of rain squalls. I learned that the hard way!

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #272992
01/10/2022 11:26 PM
01/10/2022 11:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
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Sckavanagh Offline OP
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Yes… White Bay. Hoping to stop in for about 2 or 3 hours for a drink before staying the night in Great Harbor. Not trying to be near Soggy D but would love to have the boat closer than Great Harbor and having to dinghy over from here.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #272993
01/11/2022 12:00 AM
01/11/2022 12:00 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 396
Pacific NW
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snmhanson Offline
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Pacific NW
I'd just take a taxi from Great Harbour. Takes about 2-3 minutes depending on traffic...

Last edited by snmhanson; 01/11/2022 12:01 AM.
Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #272996
01/11/2022 06:39 AM
01/11/2022 06:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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Originally Posted by Sckavanagh
Yes… White Bay. Hoping to stop in for about 2 or 3 hours for a drink before staying the night in Great Harbor. Not trying to be near Soggy D but would love to have the boat closer than Great Harbor and having to dinghy over from here.


We regularly stay on the East side of White Bay, JVD. Stayed there for 3 straight days in June on a ball. If no north swell great spot. Nice snorkeling along that rock wall. Quieter and less busy than Great Harbour JVD

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #272997
01/11/2022 06:59 AM
01/11/2022 06:59 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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Several boats broke loose from moorings this week on the east side. I wish my charter company would prohibit boats from coming in here quite honestly - increasingly dangerous. It is easy to grab a cab or in smooth seas dinghy over from Great Harbour.

Re: White Cay [Re: MIDiver] #272999
01/11/2022 07:24 AM
01/11/2022 07:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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Originally Posted by MIDiver
Several boats broke loose from moorings this week on the east side. I wish my charter company would prohibit boats from coming in here quite honestly - increasingly dangerous. It is easy to grab a cab or in smooth seas dinghy over from Great Harbour.


Bad mooring balls?

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273001
01/11/2022 08:00 AM
01/11/2022 08:00 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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Bailau - happened right before we arrived so I don’t have all the details. Both were rescued when floating by observant sailors who weren’t down at the other end knee deep in painkillers.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273002
01/11/2022 08:47 AM
01/11/2022 08:47 AM
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Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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Well I am glad we had you next to us to watch over us last time...lol

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273003
01/11/2022 08:57 AM
01/11/2022 08:57 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by Sckavanagh
n either cab over or dinghy over for the day

seems like you answered your own question! It's not very far; a $5 taxi or a 20 minute walk or a short dinghy ride (not my favorite due to the return trip).


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: White Cay [Re: bailau] #273004
01/11/2022 09:08 AM
01/11/2022 09:08 AM
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MIDiver Offline
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Originally Posted by bailau
Well I am glad we had you next to us to watch over us last time...lol


Ha! You know me well - east side is my happy place smile

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273005
01/11/2022 09:16 AM
01/11/2022 09:16 AM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 528
Ohio
jagmansr Offline
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Ohio
It's no big deal to dingy over from Great Harbor, we do it all the time. White Bay does have history of having the most accidents in the BVI. Why take the chance and ruin your vacation?

Re: White Cay [Re: bailau] #273006
01/11/2022 09:43 AM
01/11/2022 09:43 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,994
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Online content
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Originally Posted by bailau
Originally Posted by MIDiver
Several boats broke loose from moorings this week on the east side. I wish my charter company would prohibit boats from coming in here quite honestly - increasingly dangerous. It is easy to grab a cab or in smooth seas dinghy over from Great Harbour.


Bad mooring balls?


I don’t know the specifics of the boats coming off mentioned. The issue in WB is it’s a sand bottom and shallow. If you get a thunderstorm the pennant has no scope and can slam tight as each wave rolls buy. This can pull out the sand screw or chaff or otherwise damage the ground tackle. Catamaran crossbar cleats can be yanked off. The good news is you can literally look down and check the condition of the Moorings. If no wave activity which is the norm they are fine.

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/11/2022 09:45 AM.
Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273007
01/11/2022 09:58 AM
01/11/2022 09:58 AM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 20
Montréal
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Memphré Offline
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Hello, I have just returned from an 11 day trip with a BVI Yacht Charter catamaran and I confirm that White Bay is a no go zone.


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Re: White Cay [Re: jagmansr] #273008
01/11/2022 10:29 AM
01/11/2022 10:29 AM
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 7
West Michigan
Variance Sailing Offline
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West Michigan
Agree. We have always stayed in Great Harbor and taken the dinghy to White Bay for painkillers...

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273009
01/11/2022 10:30 AM
01/11/2022 10:30 AM
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 17
Dallas
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dlparch Offline
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Anchored there in 2019 for lunch onboard and quick trip for guests to run up to Soggy Dollar. Quite shallow, I think it was less than 6'-0". I dove on my anchor to check, and my keel was about 1'-0" away from an abandoned block concrete that was probably left over from a long forgotten mooring. If waves had increased, or if I'd gotten waked, I would have had a bad day. I let some more scope out and stayed put. I got increasingly worried though as boats come flying through channel and anchorage and get way too close. Then they start acting erratically after too long on shore. And then power boats start rafting up w/very small anchors. Granted, it was a busy day, but it was tough to even dinghy back to shore to pick up my guests. I had to head out the eastern cut because there was no room to maneuver out the western buoyed channel.

It's just not worth it sometimes.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273016
01/11/2022 12:30 PM
01/11/2022 12:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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Ottawa, Canada
We have stayed at white bay once and took the dingy over from Great harbour once as well. When we stayed it was on the east side in front of Ivan's Peace and Love - attached to a mooring. Weather and swell forecast were Ideal it is a beautiful anchorage but I agree no way I would have anything to do with the $hit show in front of Soggy's! Next time (hopefully in April!) I think I will stay in Great harbour or even Little Harbour - more options for dinner and like everyone says it is an easy dingy or taxi ride over!

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273017
01/11/2022 12:40 PM
01/11/2022 12:40 PM
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Posts: 1,130
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MIDiver Offline
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So update on the boats that broke loose from the mooring balls - this morning I spoke with someone that was here when it happened. Evidently the issue was the pendants - they started to unweave and the boats broke loose. It appears they weren't properly woven and fused together. The pendants were new (since we were here in early December) which is really unfortunate as the proprietor who "owns" them was trying to make improvements. We always tie directly to the ball when able but for those on mooring balls everywhere, check that pendant.

Last edited by MIDiver; 01/11/2022 12:43 PM. Reason: more info
Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273018
01/11/2022 12:45 PM
01/11/2022 12:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 68
Upstate NY
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Upstate NY
Actually, for me White Bay would be the last place I would want to go, there are so many other places to relax. Soggie Dollar is for amateurs.


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Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273019
01/11/2022 01:16 PM
01/11/2022 01:16 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 165
Chicago, IL, USA
vytis104 Offline
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Chicago, IL, USA
I would never go into white bay personally. Why? Not worth the risk. Go into Great Harbor, get your ball and hike. Its a great hike over the hill (no flip flops). If walking isnt an option, Id still prefer a taxi to the mooring field in white bay. What if you end up wanting to stay longer? What if you are intrigued by Gertrudes/Hendos/Ivans and decide to slowly make your way back?

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273021
01/11/2022 01:44 PM
01/11/2022 01:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,113
Petoskey, MI
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We were in White Bay last month. Came over from Little Harbour and found a mooring ball. Stayed a few hours and then headed to Great Harbour for the night. It was not off limits from our charter company (TMM). That being said, Soggy Dollar is worth the trip if you've never been. However, my main reason for going is the food at Hendo's. The lobster grilled cheese might have been the best thing I ate on our last trip. We joked about swinging by for carry out the rest of our trip :-)

Re: White Cay [Re: MIDiver] #273031
01/11/2022 02:39 PM
01/11/2022 02:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,345
Washington DC
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bailau Online content
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Originally Posted by MIDiver
So update on the boats that broke loose from the mooring balls - this morning I spoke with someone that was here when it happened. Evidently the issue was the pendants - they started to unweave and the boats broke loose. It appears they weren't properly woven and fused together. The pendants were new (since we were here in early December) which is really unfortunate as the proprietor who "owns" them was trying to make improvements. We always tie directly to the ball when able but for those on mooring balls everywhere, check that pendant.


That makes more sense for multiple breaks. Hendos does have the best food there by far. I have had way more issues in Great Harbour JVD then on the East side of White Bay (again with the right weather). The walk to Great Harbour isn't bad either but I wouldn't do at night.

Dinghy needs perfect conditions as well and a light crew...

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273036
01/11/2022 03:38 PM
01/11/2022 03:38 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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If you are going to dinghy watch for the ferry and the go fast boats..not something I would do when its a cheap cabride or free walk.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273039
01/11/2022 04:09 PM
01/11/2022 04:09 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 111
marisol Offline
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We have been chartering with BVIYC for many years. White Bay is definitely red lined. We always dinghy over from Great Harbor. We are fans of Gertrude's.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273040
01/11/2022 04:18 PM
01/11/2022 04:18 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 27
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Sckavanagh Offline OP
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Sckavanagh  Offline OP
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For those that chartered with BVIYC… any other places that are off limit I should be aware of while planning our trip? I was told with a Captain that Anegada is allowed.

Re: White Cay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273042
01/11/2022 04:36 PM
01/11/2022 04:36 PM
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 20
Montréal
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Memphré Offline
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You will find everything in this video. https://www.bviyachtcharters.com/chart-briefing-video/


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Re: White Bay [Re: Sckavanagh] #273047
01/11/2022 05:29 PM
01/11/2022 05:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 165
Chicago, IL, USA
vytis104 Offline
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Chicago, IL, USA
Chartered with BVI Yacht Charters. Just ask permission. If they feel you have the experience, they will let you go. I have 30 years of offshore racing experience. They, within reason, let us do anything we asked to do.

Old Walkers ApproachHere is a link to AN OLD copy of Walkers Approach. Which does a great job explaining the passage in incredibly great detail. I have not verified this info recently (boys etc...) and now do this journey by memory.

The channel markers are easier to identify now. Leave early in the day so the sun isnt playing tricks on the water. Have someone else identifying your next navigation marker as you approach while you adjust course.


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