First Time Visitor, Weeklong Skippered Charter Tomorrow: Any Last Minute Advice?

Happy Friday to you all.

We are arriving tomorrow for a week aboard an Aquila 443 through MarineMax. Captain will be with us and we are a family of three with another adult couple. We have researched what we believe to be 'everything we need to know', but that still just makes us first-timers with tempered expectations. .

I've looked through the forums for things to take, drinks to make, and places to see, but I wanted to reach out and check for anything you all have found useful or information you wish you had before your trip.

Thank you all of the great info we've absorbed through your posts so far, and we look forward to understanding, firsthand, what it is that keeps bringing everyone back...

I arrive on Monday. There is a North swell moving in so you might want to figure that into your planning.
G

Whether you are shopping, eating in a restaurant, asking directions, or clearing customs, --in the Islands it is important to acknowledge other people. Simple " Good Morning", Good Afternoon" Good Evening" with a smile are pretty much indispensable in life there. Patience in all things, too, because most of life in the BVI happens on a slower wheel that anyone from Stateside ever expects on a first visit. It's all good.

Sit down the 1st day and get to know the captain...understand what his plans/rules are and go over your "plans". I am sure he will know about the North Swell George mentions and you will want to avoid mooring/anchoring in places where it will impact (I learned this the hard way). Breeze is spot on as the slower pace can be hard and friendliness and patience is the watchword of the day. Tip well for good service.

Enjoy the journey and leave 1/2 the clothes you were planning to bring at home....you wont see it all in 1 trip and that is part of what makes you want to come back for more

^^ Talk to captain. Let him know what you like (Party life vs quite anchorage vs mix of both). He should take "Oh you are first timers, here are places you likely need to visit". Keep the rapport going and as week goes on, "we loved xyzzy" More snorkel? Less Snorkel? More sailing (Oh well, next time). Enjoy the week.

Places i would recommend:
Cooper Island(snorkel Cistern point), Diamond reef (Near Scrub Island), The Bathes (as long as Cruise ship not visiting during that time..., Go early/alte if ship is in BVI), Overnight Savannah Bay, Leverick Bay Marina, Anegada (Lobster dinner @ Wonky Dog or Potters )... Rent car for day and visit Cow Wreck Beach, Loblolly, maybe Flash Of Beauty), Sandy spit or Sandy Cay, Jost Van Dyke (Visit Foxy's Eat Corsairs Or Harris's or Sydney's), Soggy Dollar Bar, Norman Island/Caves/ The Indians, And last but not least, Willy Ts.


Have Fun and Return!

Hello! Checking in from Leverick Bay...
Motored to A grade for lobster festival yesterday; severely disappointed in the $7 lobster roll at Anegada Reef - measly smattering of lobster salad in a roll.

Hit Prickly Pear island for a bit today then crossed over to Leverick, where we are docked for the night. Dinner upstairs to take a break from boat meals. Wifi on boat is crap, so more thoughts after finishing journal when we get home.

Stunning beauty everywhere and immense satisfaction in being able to come and see everything in person.

Your sampler for $7 should have included a rum punch so when you take that off, it's only a $5 taste of lobster. I thought most tastings were pretty reasonable but to be fair I did not try the Anegada Reef sampler. You don't get much lobster for $5 when you factor in the cost of labor, bread, fresh lemon, lettuce, mayonnaise, paper container, etc...

You can't get a full lobster roll anywhere for less that $15 so not sure what you expected. Hopefully you enjoyed the dinner at Leverick.

Have fun out there.

These are things you will need most:
Cash
Zinc oxide for your lips and face
Insulated cup for your painkiller
Waterproof beach bag
Good attitude