Looks like our 10 day trip is set to go out from Fajardo, PR in January.

Any advice on which route to take to be able to experience Culebra, Vieques and St. John?

My first though was to do a Northerly clockwise route: Palomino, Culebra, St. Thomas, St. John, back to St Thomas, Vieques, Fajardo. I imagine we'll be sailing close hauled the first half and then broad reaching the last half.

Appreciate any words of wisdom from those of you who have sailed these waters.

It's more of an Easterly and Westerly route.
I would skip Palaminos and stop their on your way back.
Culebra to St Thomas (fill water tanks) St John then back to St Thomas(fill Water tanks) then to Vieques
Your route makes good sense, on the way back from St John to Fajardo you'll be running and broad reaching depending on the wind.
Bon Voyage.

We sailed from Fajardo for the first time last December and really enjoyed it. Our trip was a bit different in that we were on more of a mission to spend some time in the BVIs as well as the USVI and SVIs. It was a fun adventure but I think next time we'd limit our itinerary to the USVI and not worry about the BVIs. We were fortunate in that there was no wind or swell on our trip East - though plenty of rain and even some lightning and thunder. There was substantial wind and swell on our return which although made for fun downwind sailing, I'm glad we didn't have to beat into those conditions. I think part of your route might boil down to wind direction and sea conditions at the time. If you get a primarily East wind, it might make sense to do Vieques first and then head to St. Thomas from there. More than a hint of North or South though (which is likely) and you might as well head straight East.

BTW, you may already be aware of this, but you are required to check in with customs when returning from the USVI to Puerto Rico (including Vieques and Culebra) by boat. Technically I think you are supposed to physically appear, but we were able to call in and provide the information. This is only when returning to Puerto Rico and not required for the trip West. They are quite serious about this and we received a stern warning for not clearing when we were supposed to. Here is the US Customs website that discusses it: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-locations/pr-us-vi.

Have fun - wish I was heading down with you.

Thanks for the info. So I need to check in 2x? Once in St. Thomas and once in the SVI? Odd considering its all U.S. territory.

I'll keep the wind and sea conditions in mind when considering our final route.

Maybe next time snmhanson. I'll post a trip report when we get back.

you do not have to check into St. Thomas, only back in SVI or P.R. I personally would sail to Viequez first, which makes the sail much easier to STT then beating due east and then return to Culebra and back to Fajardo.

Are you on a cat or a mono? What size? I ask because it might be important depending on the conditions you see in January. Frequently that time of year you can see some stronger winds from a ENE, NE or nearly straight north.
If on a cat I would head east from Culebra to the lee side of St Thomas. Most charter cats don't go to weather well. You will most likely be motoring or motor sailing so why not spend the least amount of time in rough waters? From Culebra to STT (to buy water if you wish) is about 18 miles or around 3hrs. Stop for lunch and in another couple of hours you are on a mooring in calm water on St John. I assume you are going to Vieques for the Biobay which means you would be leaving from around Esperanza. From there to St Thomas one is traveling about 32 miles. If there is any north in the wind at all, even a mono won't be able to lay STT. If winds are straight east you may be able to get there on one tack depending on sea state, vessel and sailing skill. Assuming you sail well and are doing 6kts beating you have about 5hrs ahead of you. I've made the trip from Culebra and Vieques back to St Thomas many times on everything from a 31' mono to a 46' cat. My preference is the short run from Culebra unless the sea is pretty flat, which is unlikely in January.
Enjoy your trip

Yes, it makes more sense I didn't factor in Customs when returning from the USVI.

It'll be a mono-hull. Most likely either a 40 or 44 ft Jeanneau. Looks like Culebra to STT is the safer, calmer bet. I have a two crew mates who are green. Not sure I want to risk seeing what shades of grey their palor can turn if we hit rough seas for 5 hours from Vieques to STT.

Culebra to STT is generally on the nose and not calm in January. You should expect 6-10 seas and pounding spray off the bow. I totally respect Kimber, but do not expect smooth sailing in January.

Totally agree with Sail2. The typical north swells in January can make that one choppy wet ride. I've made that passage in January several times and often thought seriously about hanging a right to St. Croix.

Why do you guys use SVI as a term? Is that a yachtie thing? There is no such thing as a Spanish Virgin Island as far as I know. Splain Lucy? LOL
Cheers
irina

wiki... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Virgin_Islands

irina, there are cruising guides to the SVI's as well.

So expect a rough ride either starting from Culebra or Vieques for January? Just shorten the time by leaving from Culebra to STT. Thanks for your advice.

not necessarily, it could be raining and dead calm <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> we like to sail and not motor, so even headed out of Culebra, we point toward Sail Rock and then can do one tack back to STT. Leaving out of Veiques you will have more of a NE tack. Again, all this based on the wind and weather of the day. As everyone has pointed out, there is no water in the SVI's, so be frugal as your mono probably has a limited supply. You can buy very light weight 5 gallon collapsible showers at Walmart. Strap them on the boom and take a nice hot cockpit shower. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

The SVI was a marketing ploy to expand the cruising area of the VI in the 90's when Sun Yacht and other companies were looking to expand.
It worked and the name stands today in cruising guides and travel magazines

Not that I don't love a good sail to wind, but there is plenty to do for 10 day in the SVI's. Might be best to save USVI's for a trip chartered out of STT. I've made the crossing a number of times and it can be mild or wild. But I would not want that to be someones first time out or at laest not early in the trip(let them get their sea legs) Just MHO We'll be there for 2 weeks in Nov and Dec '14, anyone else be there?

Ok Great! So it's a made up marketing thing.
Thanks.
irina

Kort, we can't make it 10 days without a water fill up. Although a trip to Fajardo is pretty easy.

Culebra is sometimes called La Ultima Virgen, the last virgin. I think it was a marketing thing also.

Any recommendations on swell and weather predictions services to find a window to attempt the let from Culebra to STT?

Other than the radio marine forecast that is.

Thanks,
Dan

windguru works great for us

Depending on the wind, (and how much sailing you want to do) a leg across to St Croix and then a beam reach back to STT might be fun.

Alas, Sail Caribe does not allow sailing to St. Croix. That was part of my original plan.

Found this site for wind and wave direction as well if that helps anyone:

http://en.windfinder.com/forecast/isla_culebra