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Secret Spots (we won't tell) #294878
01/31/2023 12:36 AM
01/31/2023 12:36 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
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Shifty Offline OP
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Shifty  Offline OP
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In the wake of Jason's passing, perhaps a question someone just like him would answer best. Let me take an amateurish stab at this, as follows:

If you've been chartering for long enough to remember when you could anchor (yes, anchor, not moor, in the Bight) and you long for spots where you might still enjoy a relatively unspoiled moment of recluse for an evening or two, where might you consider going (whether BVI or USVI) if what your looking for includes the following elements:

-safe overnight anchorage (under prevailing conditions)
-no mooring balls
-good snorkeling
-no crowds
-no restaurants/bars
-eco-friendly anchoring (avoiding damage to seabed)
-NOT otherwise prohibited by local regulation

I've got an idea or two, but thought I'd leave it to the experts first.

Yours,
Shifty

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Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294879
01/31/2023 12:57 AM
01/31/2023 12:57 AM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Posts: 1,347
USVI

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294893
01/31/2023 10:30 AM
01/31/2023 10:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
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bailau Offline
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Key Cay was actually my first choice as well…incredible views of sunset and very peaceful

We do that as Cooper alternative

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294897
01/31/2023 11:23 AM
01/31/2023 11:23 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
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Husker Offline
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Bay Area
Key Cay is a good one. Another one that comes to mind, although its not quite as secluded, is NE side of Prickly Pear. We call it Corona Beach (for reasons unrelated to the beer). I don't know if it has an actual name. Its the SW part of Eustatia Sound. There are two lovely deserted white sand beaches and good anchoring in sand close in.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Husker] #294898
01/31/2023 12:01 PM
01/31/2023 12:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
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cwoody  Offline
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Middleburg, VA
Originally Posted by Husker
is NE side of Prickly Pear. We call it Corona Beach .


Unfortunately, much of the area around Necker used to be in the charter boat "Off Limits" zone.
Have to check with TMM when we come down.


Chuck W.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: cwoody] #294912
01/31/2023 03:08 PM
01/31/2023 03:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
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Husker Offline
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Originally Posted by cwoody
Originally Posted by Husker
is NE side of Prickly Pear. We call it Corona Beach .


Unfortunately, much of the area around Necker.....

Good point, cwoody. If TMM allows it, the entrance is pretty straight forward if you are coming from North Sound thru the Saba marked channel. Just be sure to take a nice wide turn to port around the reef that extends from the NE end of Prickly Pear.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294921
01/31/2023 05:08 PM
01/31/2023 05:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
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Shifty Offline OP
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Shifty  Offline OP
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Posts: 138
One reason I posed the question of this post is that I expect that next year's sailing trip will be the first time in almost 20 years that my crew will consist of no first-timers. As such, I feel (at last) at liberty to bypass some of the usual must-see's and visit some spots I've always had my eye on. Of course, as cwoody and Husker have observed, there are some places that look great (and probably are), but are off limits to "credit card captains" of my ilk. So it takes some creativity.

Has anybody spent a night on Saba Island on the south side of St. Thomas, just southwest of Water Island? Last year on our return trip from the SVI, we sailed right by it. There's an anchorage on the lee side that looks absolutely idyllic. And I think it's accessible to charter boats (though perhaps Captain Jay will jump my case with a correction). NOTE: I know that's a USVI destination and, thus, perhaps improperly placed on the BVI forum. But let's face it . . . hardly anybody's talking on the USVI forum these days, which I regret.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294931
01/31/2023 06:48 PM
01/31/2023 06:48 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
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MIDiver Offline
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TMM owner here - off limits unless you own the boat. Same with Savannah and some other spots. Agree that Key and White Bay Peter can be lovely under the right conditions.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294937
01/31/2023 11:17 PM
01/31/2023 11:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Matt W Offline
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Matt W  Offline
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Houston, TX
Key Cay and Prickly Pear/Eustatia Sound top my list as well. Didn't get to Eustatia last visit because of it being redlined. Btw - why do most charter companies redline it? Not a place to be in a northerly swell, but otherwise decently protected, plenty of room, and great holding in 10-15 feet of sand. I can see why they might not want folks navigating past Saba, but the entrance around the north side of Prickly Pear is quite straightforward.

Another one to check out is Muskmelon Bay at Guana. Great lunch stop on the way back from Anegada. Not much of a beach, but good snorkeling, the birds put on quite a show, and the scenery is spectacular. You could overnight here, but best in very settled conditions. I don't like it since the patch of sand where you can drop the hook is close to the shore and backwinding can be an issue. Would keep me up all night.

We used to like Benures as an alternative to the Bight, but I hear there are mooring balls there now.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294942
02/01/2023 09:01 AM
02/01/2023 09:01 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
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MIDiver Offline
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We popped over to Key and White Bay PI this morning before raising the sails from Norman - quite a few boats in each. We are running to the Sound today but may hit them before we return to base this weekend - seas are settling a bit.

Seeing what we see out on the waters, and in the bays, lately, I can understand why certain areas are redlined. Lots of questionable behavior and a record number of boats out.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294944
02/01/2023 10:04 AM
02/01/2023 10:04 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GA/NC
We might see you in the North Sound today. Going to wait until we get there to decide where to moor. Might try and catch the Beans show if not to !umpy by Leverick. On a M5000 named Annalola.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294947
02/01/2023 10:49 AM
02/01/2023 10:49 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
MD, USA
polaris Offline
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polaris  Offline
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MD, USA
Originally Posted by Shifty
In the wake of Jason's passing, perhaps a question someone just like him would answer best. Let me take an amateurish stab at this, as follows:

If you've been chartering for long enough to remember when you could anchor (yes, anchor, not moor, in the Bight) and you long for spots where you might still enjoy a relatively unspoiled moment of recluse for an evening or two, where might you consider going (whether BVI or USVI) if what your looking for includes the following elements:

-safe overnight anchorage (under prevailing conditions)
-no mooring balls
-good snorkeling
-no crowds
-no restaurants/bars
-eco-friendly anchoring (avoiding damage to seabed)
-NOT otherwise prohibited by local regulation

I've got an idea or two, but thought I'd leave it to the experts first.

Yours,
Shifty


Polaris
Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: polaris] #294948
02/01/2023 10:50 AM
02/01/2023 10:50 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
MD, USA
polaris Offline
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polaris  Offline
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Posts: 644
MD, USA
To meet all these criteria...try sailing in Belize!


Polaris
Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294949
02/01/2023 11:00 AM
02/01/2023 11:00 AM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
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MIDiver Offline
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George - our boat is Moon Dance - Lagoon 42. We’ll be at BEYC.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #294952
02/01/2023 11:26 AM
02/01/2023 11:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 285
Orlando, FL
mmchaplin Offline
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mmchaplin  Offline
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Posts: 285
Orlando, FL
Following!!!!


Cheers,

Marcia


Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295010
02/01/2023 07:30 PM
02/01/2023 07:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Posts: 1,347
USVI

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295013
02/01/2023 07:48 PM
02/01/2023 07:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 365
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
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skipdastraw  Offline
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New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
Wow-that link says Ginger is Under Contract. Wonder who is buying?

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295043
02/02/2023 10:06 AM
02/02/2023 10:06 AM
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 126
Chesapeake Bay, USA
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Nibj Offline
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Chesapeake Bay, USA
We liked Long Bay on Virgin Gorda. There was one other boat anchored near us.

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295050
02/02/2023 12:25 PM
02/02/2023 12:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
S
Shifty Offline OP
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Shifty  Offline OP
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Posts: 138
I've often wondered about Long Bay, Nibj! Looks like a solid option.

LocalSailor, I don't have my guide book right in front of me, but I seem to recall that there aren't overnight anchorages recommended. Do you think otherwise?

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295055
02/02/2023 12:40 PM
02/02/2023 12:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 126
Chesapeake Bay, USA
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Nibj Offline
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Chesapeake Bay, USA
Another possibility is Lee Bay on Great Camanoe. We tried to anchor there as well, but couldn't find good sand. Another boat was anchored apparently happily towards the north east corner, but we gave up and went to Marina Cay. It is a nice spot though, and maybe you could hike over to snorkel Cam Bay (might be private).

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295132
02/03/2023 11:53 AM
02/03/2023 11:53 AM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 385
Virgin Gorda, BVI
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VirginGordaResident Offline
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 385
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Originally Posted by Shifty
I've often wondered about Long Bay, Nibj! Looks like a solid option.

LocalSailor, I don't have my guide book right in front of me, but I seem to recall that there aren't overnight anchorages recommended. Do you think otherwise?


Long Bay is great and usually very quiet overnight anchorage, as long as their isn't a big north swell. Good snorkeling at Mountain Point, awesome free diving at the wreck nearby and you can dinghy to the beach. There is even a great hike right there which takes you out to Mountain Point by land called 99steps. Give yourself 1.5 hours round trip and bring water!

Here is a video of the 99steps hike -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKpY6UdLBQQ&t=6s

Re: Secret Spots (we won't tell) [Re: Shifty] #295214
02/04/2023 04:14 PM
02/04/2023 04:14 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 631
BaardJ Offline
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I've noticed that Long Bay, VG has gotten very popular lately with 8+ boats anchored there in November and January when I passed by. Several 100+ ft yachts also anchored there and lit up like the Vegas strip. Used to be only a boat or two would anchor there.


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