Last Minute Planning

We will be wheels up in 23 days for a 10 day charter with 10 people on a cat with BVIYC. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> It will be my families 3rd trip but our friends first. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Looking for any planning advice. This is what I have so far.
- packing list for friends (their stuff needs to fit in a carry on duffle). We will pack checked bags for scuba/snorkel gear and toiletries.
- I am going to send my provision list to Bobby's/Rite-way and Tico's/CC once we finalize the food list with 2 weeks remaining.
- I have not used Kevin before, but will text & email him a week out with our arrival info.
- I saw some good recommendations for sea safe for the jellies and will buy that online before we leave.


Can some one offer a good checklist of things to bring ( I recall seeing this before) and a "countdown checklist"?

How are the skeeters? I never had an issue before, but am wondering if I should bring some Deet-based spray/lotion.

How early should I contact Nick for a reservation at Leverick?

Any other tips would be really helpful.

Also, I ordered the TTOL flag, so we will fly it this trip.

we find the no-see-ums worse than the skeeters.
Deet-based stuff works great.
We try to say off the beach in the evening, which is when they seem the worst.

We were just there a couple of weeks ago and the mosquitos were not a problem. A couple of things I brought that I would suggest. A 50' piece of cheap yellow rope the type that floats I cut it into 3 pieces to tie floats off to the boat so you don't float too far away with the wind or current. Don't forget a few floating chairs also I got a 'Sea Step" for getting into the dinghy while snorkeling or swimming. I had several people see it and ask where I got it they work great. Oh yea a couple of flashlights. What I did was I got the type you wear on your head and gave one each to the two grandkids that were with us. They loved lighting the way while riding in the dinghy after dark.

Bring DEET and / or bug bands if you're planning on spending much time ashore. We ate a late lunch at Cruz Bay a couple of weeks ago, and the mosquitoes were plentiful.

Nick@surfbvi.com is the email addy

We use picaridin-based bug spray. We've been happy with the Repel brand, Cutter Advanced works too. DEET will melt plastic (like sunglasses), discolor boat cushions and can cause a strong reaction in some people (me). The picaridin works and kept us Chik-V free during five trips last year.

Cheers, RickG

"For the first time ever, testing done by Consumer Reports has found some of most effective insect repellents do not rely on DEET, the group announced on Wednesday.

"The top scorers included Sawyers Fisherman's Formula, whose active ingredient was 20 percent picaridin; and Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, which contained 30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus to keep bugs at bay."