Trying to meet up with some friends. How long would it take to sail or motor from cooper island to sopers hole (Voyager)? We have a flight from STT at 1:30pm on Sat; therefore, I was planning to pick up a ball at Cooper Friday night with them and then head back first thing in the morning Sat. Scheduled a water taxi (Island Time) for 9:00am. We have Global Entry and will not be checking luggage. Would this work? Island Time recommended 4 hrs to make our flight, so I guess we could leave at 9:30am.

The distance from the Cooper Island anchorage to the middle of Soper's hole is 13 miles. The direction is pretty much downwind and since charter boats don't have downwind sails the speed won't be great. Motorsailing you could be doing perhaps 8 knots. So calculate 2 hours including picking up a mooring in Soper's hole.

Addendum - I just realized that you were returning your boat to Voyage charters in Soper's hole. I assume that they have a protocol, perhaps including a diver, for returning boats and this could take a while. There's a chance that they might not open early enough or that someone is ahead of you in line, so I would check with them first to see if you can make your 9am private ferry.

A lot of "ifs" in your plan! Work it backwards. Airlines recommend you arrive at STT three hours before your flight, especially on weekends. So that's 10:30 am. Because you have carry-on only, not sure you can use a porter, which saves time.

You will need to clear out of the BVI and into the USVI, which may be on St. John. Where will the water taxi leave you? If Red Hook, you will need to catch a taxi.

Can you change to a later flight?

I'm afraid I see the plan fraught with possibile problems.If everything goes right you'll be ok but one hiccup..Really you need to overnight in Soper's Hole on Friday..nice dinner at Omar';s Fusion etc. I would get your friends to meet you in Soper's and you'll be ready to go in the am.

Voyage takes about an hour or so to do your debrief, fill fuel, and check the boat on return.

With a water taxi that early, there won't be anyone at the base yet, so you'll need to go in the afternoon before and knock out everything that duckfat mentioned above.

thanks for the great feedback. I know this may not be ideal, but we really want to spend some time with our friends, so this is what we came up with after chatting with them last night. From my understanding Normans is a lot closer than Coopers. We do have a captain as this is our first trip, not sure if that helps with departure.

DAY 1 JVD
DAY 2 Cane Garden
DAY 3 Scrub (rented a dock at Scrub Resort)
DAY 4 North Sound
DAY 5 Coopers (meet up with friends)
DAY 6 Normans (meet up with friends)
DAY 7 Sail to Voyager early morning for departure

If you get there at 8am, there won't be anyone there to check you in. They don't even start until 9. (And it's Voyage, not Voyager) On a Saturday, there will probably be a lot of boats that need to be checked in.

Talk to the captain! I have never had one - except for a fully crewed trip - but it is possible that he will check the boat in - and you can go on your merry way without worrying about the timing. I doubt that any of us can give you better advice than what you have already been given - and basically rejected.

Good luck, and have a great trip!


-Peter

We normally go through San Juan, but according to CPB, there is no Global Entry at STT. As Malcolm said, your plan is fraught with potential issues.

Spending the night at Norman (not Normans or Coopers, btw) puts you closer to Sopers, but doesn't really solve the other issues. The usual advice is take the 7 am ferry to make a 1:30 pm flight, especially on Saturday. Why risk ruining a lovely vacation by missing your flight home, especially when planes are operating full?

Can you change your flight to Tortola? There are later connecting flights in San Juan than from STT.

I know you have booked at Scrub, but another day on VG would be more enjoyable, in my opinion.

Good point on trying to have the Capt. check the boat in, but Voyage usually gets payment for fuel & dinghy gas when you check in. We have a 9:30 water taxi and will back to the base from JVD at 4pm the day before.

A couple of things to consider. Your route won’t be fun if the wind gets above 15 knots. There is a reason most go CCW. If winds are light it will be fine. Set your pickup for 9. Leave Norman at 7am and be packed. With a Voyage skipper onboard the check in is a non event. If they have not fueled the boat at 9 leave a credit card number with Voyage. They will fuel it and bill you. If the water taxi picks you up at nine you will be fine for your 1:30 flight. The airport is less busy for the early departures. If you run late or it’s busy get a PORTOR! Again you will be fine.
G

Regarding transit times for water taxis - you will need to clear OUT of BVI (West End) and then into USVI in Cruz Bay. Depending on the volume of water taxis or private yachts clearing in and out in both places this could take some time - especially on a Saturday morning. You will physically take your bags and clear in in Cruz Bay (at least that is what was required in April). The taxi from Redhook to STT can take up to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

You have to have checked bags to use the porter at STT - or be willing to pay $20 per person IF they are willing to assist. Global Entry requires your physical cards (we use it every time).

I agree about skipping Scrub. I would also do this CCW and have your friends meet you at JVD.

sdrunner,

I would seriously consider the advice posted above. These captains are kindly giving you solid advice from many years of experience in the BVI. They all have dealt with all potential hiccups and now know what to expect and how to deal with it.

Either way, I wish you a wonderful vacation.

I had a call with our captain today and he said the proposed agenda was perfect and felt very confident on how we planned it out. He did not mention anything about going CW only that he thought we would have a better chance of getting balls in the morning. If the wind picks up, I will adjust and go CCW per your recommendations. The captain said we will leave Norman at 6:30 and that would give us more than enough time to check out and make a 9:00am taxi. I spoke to Island Time this morning and they recommended a 9:00am water taxi for a 1:30pm STT flight. We do have the global entry cards- hopefully that will help a bit.

Question: Why do you recommended we skip Scrub Island? My friends suggested as they thought it would be nice to get off and use the amenities at the hotel with the kids (9 &11).

I recognize that I am extremely green. I do truly appreciate all of your feedback and recommendations. This was a last-minute trip and the several kind folks here have helped me along the way!

Last July we got a slip at Scrub for one night. Covid quarantine was in place but we could use the pool and dinner via takeout was good. For an itinerary that isn't long enough for a trip to Anegada (two days is a must), I see nothing wrong with a breather stay at Scrub.

Scrub is essentially a Marriott with a marina. And pool. Really the only thing special about it is the ability to use said pool. Personally if on a charter I would want to squeeze every bit of time into exploring the area and beaches. I don’t see the Baths on your list (maybe I missed something in one of the posts). A second day in Virgin Gorda with time at the baths or a trip to Necker with Gumpton would be much preferred by every crew I have taken out (adults and kids included). Guana Island is also a great option unless you require dining at an establishment instead of on board. Stunning there. We skip Cooper now as well.

Kids love the Scrub pool and slide, but it's no different than you would find at an amusement park or typical resort. I would suggest a night in Lee Bay, weather permitting. It has a wonderful, sandy bottom and would be something to remember. I guess it depends if you are Disney-type people or independent travelers.

well the Christmas lights across from Scrub are attractive my friend...:)

I htink what we are saying it may not be your highest and best place unless someone needs land. We stayed their for 3 days at the tail end of a land base tour in Dec and 1 day from water in June '21

Instead may i suggest as MIDiver does take a taxi from North sound to baths in the afternoon and coco maya for dinner? The kids will love the Baths

Did you get Scotts guide to cruising the BVI yet? I give this to the kids to show the routes and sites

Thank you, Rob. Plan is to spend 3 1/2 months on island, so maybe there'll be some new decor! Invitation still stands.

Our group loved Scrub! We did it at 5 days into trip. Great place to get on land, awesome showers, pool great, close to great snorkeling and exploring the island. Restaurant and grocery pricey though.

Agreed. If you want to have a point in your trip where you can feel civilized, Scrub is very good. But to each his own.

For me..I'd take Leverick over Scrub..many options ..but , as said, to each his own.

like the current decor...and maybe if I can get wife back in BVI travel mode my friend

We always do both. 😁

For us Scrub as better showers, but Leverick has better provisioning and restaurant/bar.

Listen to Mal

We just completed our trip and had no issues at all with the departure time. We had a water Taxi scheduled for 9:00am from Sopers Hole. We arrived at the STT airport at 10:45 and were at our gate in exactly 8 minutes from the time the taxi dropped us off. We have Global Entry , TSA pre-screen and carry on bags. We did a 9:00am taxi as we knew we would beat the ferry at ST. Johns. I know there has been a lot of questions regarding how early you should arrive to the STT airport. If you you check-in on-line, have your boarding pass, TSA and GE I see no reason to get to the airport (3) hours early. I think 90 or even 60 mins is plenty of time.

We stuck to the itinerary above and agree with others… we would skip Scrub Island next time.

Truly an amazing trip! Thank you to the awesome members here who helped me with recommendations!!

The Key to your STT experience was you arrived at the airport at 10:45 am. 12 noon would have been a very different experience!

Exactly what George just said!

Second what George said.

Third