Need help (Newbies) planning a trip to the BVI's

A vacation in the BVI's has been on my bucket list ever since a cruise stop in Tortola/Jost a few years ago. We love the Caribbean. It would be my husband and I, both in our 40's. Last yr., we were going to spend a week at Peter's Island, but really that isn't what I had in mind...I just don't know how to plan it. My husband and I know nothing about sailing, and none of our friends or family have any interest in the trip. What I would really like to do is spend 1/2 sailing and 1/2 land. I know there are charters we could do, but in all honesty I'm afraid we would get bored by ourselves. We like to meet people and converse etc. Also, I'm assuming the cost would be less if you chartered with other people. Do people do this or is this just a crazy idea? If so, how would I go about finding other couples in our same situation? I think it would be great fun and we get along with most anybody. Any ideas where to start? Thanks so much!

Sounds like Festiva https://www.festivasailingvacations.com/ might be what you need. They've been doing sailing by the cabin for years. The format works well but of course you run the risk of your fellow crew members not being who you would choose to spend a week with, in very close company, for pretty much 24 hours a day. That's a risk you have to take.

There may be other options. I used to do BVI sailing vacations where people could book just by the cabin and my wife and I introduced many people from this forum to the joys of sailing but we have sold the boat so can't help. There was another forum member who used to do the same on his boat, but I believe he has also 'retired'.

I have been lucky to have a friend with a cat in charter with Moorings and have been down on girls trips many times but I haven't figured out how to get my husband and I out on a cat.

There are several companies that have cats with crew (captain and chef) and they rent out the boat by the room. Festiva is the one I have been in contact with and Sarah has been giving my prices by the stateroom for an all inclusive week in the BVI. My preference would be to get two to three of our friends(couples) and rent out a cat for a week, however, trying to sync schedules is like herding cats! At this point I am willing to take a chance on renting a stateroom on one of these crewed boats and just enjoy what and who joins us. My darling husband is just a bit reluctant to do this.

So yes there are companies with cats with crew who are ready to take us out, but it is just a bit of a crap shoot who else would be on board. But I think it would be fabulous it is just convincing the husband it would be fun. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Karen

Here are 2 other options to rent just a cabin on a catamaran and there are probably more:

http://www.poseidoncharters.com/sailing_cruises/caribbean_sailing_cruises/bvi-cabin-charter. This one is out of St Martin but does an overnight sail to/from BVI on the first and last night.

https://www.dreamyachtcharter.com/cabin-charter/tortola-dream-premium-8-days-7-nights/

We have a lot of guests who stay with us for their vacation and then do day trips several times during their stay. Cane Garden Bay gives access to a great beach, restaurants and bars in walking distance, and the social aspects you're looking for. Day trips are easily planned and give you options to see other islands.

Haven't seen them mentioned here but I have friends who have been really happy with Tradewinds out of Nanny Cay. We can't personally vouch for them but the word of mouth has been good enough we're considering it for a trip sometime. I'd miss sailing the boat but it would be nice to have someone cooking, cleaning and making drinks for us! Never get pampered like that.

https://www.trade-winds.com/

avp... you may wish to think about Jason's good advice

Day trips certainly are not "sailing" per se - but perhaps you simply want a day or two/three on the water - rather than be onboard 24hrs/day

There are several really great day-trip captains on Tortola
I will always vouch for Gary of Kuralu.. Jason may be willing to vouch for additional/others

It's so hard to find the right people to charter with. My husband took the learn to sail courses in Florida several years ago after we went on a charter as guests. We then bought a sailboat on our lake in Texas.
One option is for you two to take the learn to sail course together in the BVI (not totally a "vacation", but kinda).

We need a match.com for charters. There has to be more people like us that want to go, but can't fill a boat with people we already know. You definitely want to make sure you are matched with like minded folks, as it could be a nightmare with the wrong crew for you!

I personally wouldn't charter blindly with people I've never met. It is not like being on a cruise ship where you might be able to avoid them.

I'd suggest that you are off on the right foot by posting here - maybe someone in your area is looking for company and you might be able to meet ahead of a trip. Otherwise, charter with a captain. You can always socialize with the captain or on shore.

Lots of great advice for me to think about.

Maybe we should do a land vaca and do day trips. Not my original plan, but that may be a better idea. I have a few other trips on my list to do while thinking about it, but who knows? I may find a way to check it off!

Great forum and I appreciate the advice!

I sent you a PM

I second (or third) a land based stay with day trips. I've done it several times, stayed at Sugar Mill, Agape Cottages. Love the Sugar Mill. My stepson and daughter both honeymooned there as well, and did day trips. Lots of options and the hotel people can help set you up. Driving the hills of tortola is a hoot, and visiting beaches is awesome. Love it. Really, you can't go wrong.

We've used Cabin Charter Sailing a couple of times when we couldn't get a full boat together ourselves. http://cabinchartersailing.com/
We were concerned the first time about people we didn't know, but figured most people willing to look into a cabin only would be fairly laid back and easy going. (and if you weren't thrilled with someone, you could always wander off on your own when you landed each day).
Maybe we've just been very lucky, but we have enjoyed meeting a bunch of different people and still sail with a couple we meet on our first cabin only trip a few years ago.

Ever consider doing a sailing course? there are a number of live aboard sailing courses in the BVI/ USVI that takes you around to all the great sights

The costs are a little more expensive but you get ASA 101/103/104 so that you can sail on a smaller monohull or Cat the next time you come down.

Did this three years ago, loved it! Since then we have done 2 successful bareboat cruises in the BVI and now are planning another sailing course in Grenada to really get some open water experience.

Carol / Glenn:

Is that a forum that could be added to traveltalk? (Maybe in place of "Parties", which appears to have no entries?)

Another suggestion - update your profile so everyone knows where you are from. You never know when you might be near another member and they might have room and be interested in meeting in person first.

I have signed up for two BVI charters with total strangers. In 2014 I did my Intermediate Cruising course (aligned with Canadian Yachting Association) with 5 other people (including one instructor).

In 2016 I signed up with a flotilla organized by a sailing school from New Jersey where I was on a 50 ft Beneteau with 7 other people, none of whom I knew before the trip but who all knew and sailed with each other (making me the odd one out). That was two years ago and all of us are joining up again in February 2018 for our third charter together.

It can be a bit of a leap of faith to sign on to such an outing but I was travelling solo which allowed me to be a bit of a chameleon and mold myself to the people I was travelling with. In both instances everyone got along (we are all afterall, adults) though the first trip saw a distinction between those who wanted to party a little harder than the others.

People who know me well say that signing up for these types of trips is way outside my comfort zone (and they be right!! lol).

I don't want to sound like I'm doing a commercial here but the organizer of the February trip takes on couples as well as solo travellers. There are also a variety of boat sizes to choose from 45 ft, 50 ft monohulls plus a couple Cats. He puts couples travelling together on boats with other couples. But as part of a flotilla (typically 7 – 9 boats!), there are enough people at the various stops that you can socialize with people not on your boat if the chemistry isn't working. However for a week, my experience is people find a way to get along with one another since they have a common interests in sailing, travel and the Caribbean. If you want, send me a private message and I can give you the contact info or I can publish it here if the Moderators don't mind.

D

I sometimes have charterers who are looking for another couple(cabin) for their group. Flexibility is key, both on planning and on the water.

Several ways to go... be adventurous.

Hi there,
My friend and I, both in our 40's were land-based at the Perfect Pineapple on Jost. We did three day charters in a row with Jost Van Dyke scuba. We went to the North Sound, Baths, Savannah Bay, Monkey Point, The Indians, Norman Island, Willy T. It was really absolutely one of my best trips. The ability to come back "home" and have a drink at Hendo's and a shower was awesome- I highly highly recommend this. We went in June and JVD Scuba was running an incredible sale- 400 dollars a day for the boat plus fuel. We actually only booked one day to start and loved it so much we added on two days. Something to think about...

I'm not a seasoned sailor like many here, but I've been on group charters in the BVI's, and I say there is no way you'll get anything near the pleasure of a charter if you do a land based vacation. The whole point is to have an all inclusive vacation where you don't have to handle money, worry about where to eat, or go through the hassle of arranging excursions. The first time we sailed, we didn't know our group very well, and it was not a problem at all. People are generally on their best behavior while on vacation, and they are taking the same risk as you. Go ahead, take the plunge....book on with the strangers, and I'll bet you'll have the time of your life!

This.
I always say that the hardest part of putting together a great charter is finding the right people. It only takes one bad egg to salt an entire trip (I've had it happen). You may want to look into chartering a smaller monohull from one of the many companies down there, and simply have them add a captain. Even better, you could join up as part of a flotilla. You'd then have best of both worlds; you could retire to your own boat when you want some privacy or down time, but you'd have the opportunity to meet (and party with) the people on the other boats.
Good luck with your search <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Jason, who do you recommend for day trips out of CGB?
Thanks, Mary

There are several local guys who do JVD day trips. I would stop at the Myetts office and ask for help as they know who is working and who is on holiday. They are happy to help non-guests.

We always recommend a trip or 2 with Aristocat Charters. They have several itineraries and have departures from West End and Road Town.

Depending on your interests, many of our guest also take the Peter Island ferry over for the day and either make spa appointments or go hiking.

All are good options.