Secret Spots (we won't tell)

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

Peaceful *********

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...Peter_Island_British_Virgin_Islands.html

Key Cay was actually my first choice as well…incredible views of sunset and very peaceful

We do that as Cooper alternative

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

To meet all these criteria...try sailing in Belize!

George - our boat is Moon Dance - Lagoon 42. We’ll be at BEYC.

Following!!!!

Maybe Try ?

https://www.privateislandsonline.com/caribbean/british-virgin-islands/ginger-island

Wow-that link says Ginger is Under Contract. Wonder who is buying?

We liked Long Bay on Virgin Gorda. There was one other boat anchored near us.

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?

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).

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

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.