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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: CottageGirl]
#67746
09/11/2015 05:25 AM
09/11/2015 05:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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We just did our provisioning for 10 out of STT/CYOA with Fine Foods Afloat and they were great. We had zero substitutions. Bringing some of your frozen proteins for a big crew is a money saver. The north shore anchorages of St. John are amazing and our favorites. Francis/Maho and Leinster are our favorites with $15 moorings. Cruz Bay is good for a last night. You will see turtles at those two anchorages, along with a lot of other critters. Both are very close to Sopers Hole. The only anchorage in the BVIs that compares to these two pristine anchorages is Diamond Cay, and Diamond Cay is more developed. Your charter company will give you BVI forms. Make certain you have a BVI immigration form for each person filled out and one customs form per family. You'll pay about $280 in cruising fees when you check in at the BVI. For US check in, forms are at http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...e=0#Post1513459 . No need for the individual forms. Your charter company can provide the info you'll need to prefill these forms. Cruz Bay has LOT of restaurants. For well handled big groups we like Lime Inn, Banana Deck, Cruz Bay Landing and High Tide. The beach strip in Cruz Bay is great with the Beach Bar, Joe's Rum Hut and High Tide. Joe's Rum Hut has cheap happy hour specials. Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: Winterstale]
#67749
09/11/2015 09:16 AM
09/11/2015 09:16 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,326 Triangle area of North Carolin...
Charlie2001
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,326
Triangle area of North Carolin...
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Dolphin Market is the closest place in Cruz Bay, it's easily walkable from the ferry dock, just up the hill from the National Park docks. They have really upgraded the place over the past couple years. We provision from them when we stay on St John and have been pleased with the quality of the meat. http://newsofstjohn.com/2015/08/17/dolphins-getting-a-major-makeover/Also, Starfish Market is slightly further but still walkable. It's down past where the car barge loads, and most anyone could give you directions if you need to walk over there if Dolphin doesn't have what you want.
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: CottageGirl]
#67750
09/11/2015 09:23 AM
09/11/2015 09:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,610 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,610
Woodstock, GA
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CottageGirl said: 1. We brought a polar bear cooler with us in March of this year. We checked it as luggage. No issues with USVI. When we went thru customs in BVI's it was fine to bring in but they asked the value and charged us 10% of the value (I guessed $100 so $10 fee) Since you're checking in by boat and won't have luggage with you I'd assume it's a non issue. 3. We love snorkeling Waterlemon Cay off St John. Again, you can normally carry on a Polar Bear if you choose.
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: burge]
#67761
10/28/2015 04:35 PM
10/28/2015 04:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
jgw50
Member
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Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3
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I have done the USVI airport pickup many times. Works better when combining a long trip with stops in St. John. Generally, charter companies in the BVI require that you get your BVI cruising permits for the length of your charter. If you bring that with you to customs when re-entering into the BVI they will not charge you for the cruising permits you already have, but will charge you for the new people you are bringing in. Also, its cheaper to bring a boat based in the BVI back in than a US based boat. I remember the cost being pretty cheap bringing a BVI boat back in (about $20 if I recall) during low season when the cruising permit cost is $0.75 per person per day.
Also, if picking up people at the airport, Crown is nice, but if you don't mind using your dingy, Lindberg is the best. People get off the plane, 400yd walk to emerald beach where you can pick them up in your Dingy. I'm sooo jealous of the people that get to walk off a plan onto a provisioned, checked out, ready to go boat! It can get a little rolley in a mono, but definitely worth it if your not spending the night. I've spend the night on cats many times and the kids love the pool at the Emerald Beach Best Western and the resturant / bar is adequate for a non-boat meal.
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: rhans]
#67766
10/28/2015 09:14 PM
10/28/2015 09:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,046 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,046
GA/NC
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rhans said: George, try to time the pick-up and pull up to the fuel dock @ AYH. Take on cheaper fuel and water along with your guests. Sadly we will be full of both fuel and water since its day one of the charter. The Moorings covers the fuel also. Might just send the dinghy in while the boat hovers! G
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#67767
11/06/2015 12:04 PM
11/06/2015 12:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969 NC, USA
capndar
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
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We have had good experience with Cost-U-Less for most things (really cheap booze)...we supplement with other spots
Capndar Masters 50 GT Sail/Power/Towing 3rd generation sailor
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: sail2wind]
#67772
11/06/2015 11:02 PM
11/06/2015 11:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 103 Olympia WA
ilonlova
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 103
Olympia WA
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We are doing a split pick up in April (half in St Thomas and half in Tortola - anyone know about how long it takes for a cat to get to West End from Red Hook? Crewed, so captain will be sailing.
It's not about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
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Re: Picking Up Charter in USVI > Sailing on to BVI
[Re: lcroberts]
#67777
11/21/2015 11:17 PM
11/21/2015 11:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20 Sumter, South Carolina
Curtis
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20
Sumter, South Carolina
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Icroberts, 1 & 2. we have always flown into STT, taxi from airport (used Alvin from Islander Taxi but will try Kevin based on awesome TTOL recommendations!)to Compass Point Marina/Benner Bay. Taxi driver drops me and one crew member off at Food Center which is a few miles before Red Hook - you will pass right by Food Center from airport on the way to Red Hook. The Marina Market grocery store that used to be in Red Hook is closed. I get groceries at Food Center while others unload at the dock. Taxi driver returns 30 mins later and picks me and groceries up, takes me back to boat at marina. Check with a medical doctor or nurse friend of yours, get them to save you one of the large styrofoam coolers that drugs are shipped in. These coolers hold about 50 lbs weight which is standard weight limit on most airlines w/o surcharge. Buy meat in advance and freeze meat. Use a few of the freezer packs that are shipped in the coolers with the drug shipments. I always take one whole beef tenderloin which when cut will make 8-10 very nice size filets mignon. Be sure that the butcher does not take it out of the original cryovac (sp?) packaging. Frozen, I throw this in with my suitcase with clothes, etc. On my 6 hour trip from South Carolina to STT, it is still frozen in my suitcase when I arrive in STT. Kept in a cooler (it will not leak if still in original cryovac packaging) it will hold for at least 3 - 4 days. I plan my menu to include some type boneless chicken breasts, which I slice in tenderloin "chicken strip" lengths, season with olive oil, greek, mexican or whatever seasoning you prefer, seal in ziplock type bag, freeze and pack in the styrofoam cooler. Buy flat package sandwich meats - my wife doesn't like oscar mayer or other package sandwich meats because of preservatives but for BVI trip preservatives are good. Get brand that is packaged in flat and not boxy type container. Flat packs well in cooler and uses less space than boxy square type containers. Freeze sandwich meat. Get flat packaged cheese as well, but no need to freeze. Make hamburger patties, wrap with saran wrap, freeze flat in ziplock for cheseburgers in paradise night - we usually have those at Cooper Isl. Buy a flat or two of the precooked bacon. Pack all of these meat and cheese items in medical styrofoam cooler; the frozen items will function as ice and keep cheese, etc. cool. Seal cooler well with duct taqpe (but before sealing, I put a partial roll of the duct tape inside cooler, on top, with note: Dear US Customs: If you inspect this cooler, will you kindly use the extra roll of duct tape and re-tape the cooler after your inspection. Thank you for the great work you do." They have never inspected my cooler even though they have often gone through my suitcase. Find a cardboard box that the cooler will fit tightly into. Check it just as you would a suitcase. I have each of the other 7 in my group pack a few spices, etc. in their luggage - no need to buy 8 or 9 full size spices in BIV when you will only use a small amount. No problems with taking food into BVI. It will be on your boat and you will go ashore once in BVI to clear customs. BVI customs does not ask about items aboard your vessel. Th Food Center in STT will have everything else you need. You can trash the free styrofoam cooler or give it to one of the guys on the dock. Re-supply bread, eggs, veggies, bottled water half way on cruise, at Bobby's CGB or at Trellis Bay. 3. Restaurant in Cruz BAy - several, but Cruz Bay is always our last stop (we do the circle backwards I guess. We sail from STT to JVD for first night, clearing customs at JVD. Go clockwise around the circle, last night on St. John anchoring at Caneel Bay for short taxi or dinghy to Cruz). We always like Cafe Roma - food is very good; it may not be fancy or the best restaurant in Cruz Bay, but we love it, especially last night when we are worn out). We have tried others Rhumb Line, Banana ____ something or another...but have always liked Cafe Roma the best for our last night. Will see what others have to say about snorkeling on St John as nowhere in the USVI is near the top of my list. We have seen many sea turtles in Hawksnest Bay, snorkeling at Trunk bay is supposed to be good but a lot better in BVI at Monkey Point, Loblolly, Norman Isl., etc. Trunk Bay reminds me too much of US - way too many signs, do this, don't do that, etc. Everything in BVI seems to work perfectly well without US Park Service posting signs everywhere. 4. We clear customs going into BVI at JVD but do paperwork ahead of time - your charter company in STT should have blank BVI customs forms for you ahead of time. Otherwise plan on spending an hour or so clearing. WE then clear back into US at Cruz Bay - easy. I've probably gone on for too long here but we have always done exactly as you are planning to do on this trip. Yo0u may pm me if you want more details. My next trip this June will be from Moorings in Tortola so I will posting for restaurant tips, provisioning, etc in Tortola early next year.
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