Posted By: bviicatter
USVIs Lagoon 40 Point Compass October 28- Nov 3 2020 Trip Report - 11/06/2020 04:58 PM
Hi TTOL Friends- hope everyone is well as can be. I am reposting this from BVI thread at request of moderator.
We switched from BVI to USVI on Owners Time charter. We were on a 2019 Lagoon 40 Blue Iris out of Compass Point. The short version: go for it! We had a great trip!
More Details: Two families with total 4 kids, two Dads, wives elected to pass on this experiment. We have chartered/owned cats in BVI, Martinique, St. Lucia, about 30 charters since 2000
Entry/Exit: flew BWI to STT, cost about $400 per person. Note that there is no cruising tax, or exit fees. No clearing in or out. We had to get covid test five days before trip and fill out USVI entry portal questions. On arrival, it took 15 minutes to get temperature check and voila! off we went.
Provisioning: the supermarket near Compass Point Marina (walking distance) had a good selection of quality foods at reasonable prices.
Marina: Compass Point is comparable imo to Hodges Creek on Tortola. It is no Scrub Island. Marina staff are helpful and friendly. Only two heads on the grounds. Cluttered, long walk to boat out the pier. Decent restaurant bar on site (the Dive Bar) and small sundries store. Stand up boards can be rented at charter office. Internet by ALGlink surfworkplay There are still trashed boats off the marina. The place is serviceable and that is what we needed. Kudos to DYC for making a quick business decision to get their fleet up and running for benefit of locals, boat owners, and charterers.
Cruising: Best part. We spent our week circumnavigating St. John. It is probably like BVI was 25 years ago. Maho, Leincester, Coral Harbor, Great St. James, Lamshur, Caneel- all these bays are unspoiled most with no shore bomba shacks. The natural beauty is on par with BVIs. The fact that St John is undeveloped could be a plus for some cruisers. Snorkeling wonderful. Easy to snag mooring balls with self service drop boxes. Cruising guide tells how many balls per bay.
On Land: good trails and lots of historic sites, such as Annaberg Plantation. Cruz Bay for water and groceries, Coral Bay for Taco Boat- believe it or not, the Taco Boat is one of the best meals and values we have experienced in years of cruising. Try the ahi tacos!
Biggest Downer: cruising past Mary Point towards Great Thatch and seeing White Harbor, Great Harbor, and Little Harbor JVD empty. Not a single sail to be seen in BVI waters. Large barge anchored S/W corner Great Thatch to chase any charter boats that dare try to edge too close to BVI waters. That was a sobering and sad sight. A reminder that covid is real and will hurt and kill. That said- BVI has a policy that is strangling tourism to the death point to protect against covid.
Charter Service: our generator went down. After checking strainer, intakes, everything I could think of, we called for tech support. Melray was there in three hours on a fast rib. Courteous, professional, and efficient. Ran down a burnt wire, installed a fuse, briefed skipper, and departed. GREAT SERVICE, thank you Melray and Compass Point charter operations staff!
Return to base: no stress. Scooby and crew came aboard, put the boat on the fuel dock and into the slip. Boat debrief and off we went to Tickles and then airport.
Final Verdict: I love BVIs! I am saddened by the dislocation caused by covid! This USVI cruise was an eye opener for me. USVIs are easier in and out, less expensive for everything, and the places we cruised (St John) scenically beautiful, well custodianed, and just plain neat. We enjoyed the access to on land trails and historic sites. The beaches (Maho) are like a picture postcard. We will charter USVIs again, and I suspect USVI will become the new popular cruising grounds. The situation will flip, where USVI will be the secret gem. People eventually will again flock to BVIs- and cruisers wanting peaceful anchorages and unspoiled beauty will be mooring at Christmas Bay on Great St James and similar.
With Aloha!
JAM
Annapolis, Md
We switched from BVI to USVI on Owners Time charter. We were on a 2019 Lagoon 40 Blue Iris out of Compass Point. The short version: go for it! We had a great trip!
More Details: Two families with total 4 kids, two Dads, wives elected to pass on this experiment. We have chartered/owned cats in BVI, Martinique, St. Lucia, about 30 charters since 2000
Entry/Exit: flew BWI to STT, cost about $400 per person. Note that there is no cruising tax, or exit fees. No clearing in or out. We had to get covid test five days before trip and fill out USVI entry portal questions. On arrival, it took 15 minutes to get temperature check and voila! off we went.
Provisioning: the supermarket near Compass Point Marina (walking distance) had a good selection of quality foods at reasonable prices.
Marina: Compass Point is comparable imo to Hodges Creek on Tortola. It is no Scrub Island. Marina staff are helpful and friendly. Only two heads on the grounds. Cluttered, long walk to boat out the pier. Decent restaurant bar on site (the Dive Bar) and small sundries store. Stand up boards can be rented at charter office. Internet by ALGlink surfworkplay There are still trashed boats off the marina. The place is serviceable and that is what we needed. Kudos to DYC for making a quick business decision to get their fleet up and running for benefit of locals, boat owners, and charterers.
Cruising: Best part. We spent our week circumnavigating St. John. It is probably like BVI was 25 years ago. Maho, Leincester, Coral Harbor, Great St. James, Lamshur, Caneel- all these bays are unspoiled most with no shore bomba shacks. The natural beauty is on par with BVIs. The fact that St John is undeveloped could be a plus for some cruisers. Snorkeling wonderful. Easy to snag mooring balls with self service drop boxes. Cruising guide tells how many balls per bay.
On Land: good trails and lots of historic sites, such as Annaberg Plantation. Cruz Bay for water and groceries, Coral Bay for Taco Boat- believe it or not, the Taco Boat is one of the best meals and values we have experienced in years of cruising. Try the ahi tacos!
Biggest Downer: cruising past Mary Point towards Great Thatch and seeing White Harbor, Great Harbor, and Little Harbor JVD empty. Not a single sail to be seen in BVI waters. Large barge anchored S/W corner Great Thatch to chase any charter boats that dare try to edge too close to BVI waters. That was a sobering and sad sight. A reminder that covid is real and will hurt and kill. That said- BVI has a policy that is strangling tourism to the death point to protect against covid.
Charter Service: our generator went down. After checking strainer, intakes, everything I could think of, we called for tech support. Melray was there in three hours on a fast rib. Courteous, professional, and efficient. Ran down a burnt wire, installed a fuse, briefed skipper, and departed. GREAT SERVICE, thank you Melray and Compass Point charter operations staff!
Return to base: no stress. Scooby and crew came aboard, put the boat on the fuel dock and into the slip. Boat debrief and off we went to Tickles and then airport.
Final Verdict: I love BVIs! I am saddened by the dislocation caused by covid! This USVI cruise was an eye opener for me. USVIs are easier in and out, less expensive for everything, and the places we cruised (St John) scenically beautiful, well custodianed, and just plain neat. We enjoyed the access to on land trails and historic sites. The beaches (Maho) are like a picture postcard. We will charter USVIs again, and I suspect USVI will become the new popular cruising grounds. The situation will flip, where USVI will be the secret gem. People eventually will again flock to BVIs- and cruisers wanting peaceful anchorages and unspoiled beauty will be mooring at Christmas Bay on Great St James and similar.
With Aloha!
JAM
Annapolis, Md