All in all this was a great trip. It was our first boat trip therefore also our first Elite Island Yachts.
The boat was incredible and the crew outstanding. The food was really really good and presented in a manner worthy of a five star restaurant!
Our fist night we stayed on the dock at Nanny Cay b/c on of our fellow passengers had a bag lost through the airlines. We had a great dinner and a good night’s sleep. The air conditioned cabins sure made a difference that night!
Next morning we headed out for Norman and the caves to do a little snorkeling. There was not much wind but the sails were raised anyway so we at least felt like we were doing something. After everyone had snorkeled a while we decided to head to the ledge on the other side of Norman and head north along it to Peter so we could try catching a fish or two. No luck with the fish but a great cruise. Ended up at Dead mans bay for lunch and swimming then around the corner to Great Harbor on Peter for supper and the night
The next morning we headed to the Baths. There was actually enough wind to sail a little now and we had a smooth sail all the way up. The others on our boat had never been to the Baths so they explored while we went in search of a phone to call home and check on the little one. Had lunch at Mountain Point. The snorkeling there is unreal, the best I have seen in the BVI. Ended up at Saba Rock for the night. Finished the evening up at the bar for darts and beers.
Off to Anegada the next day. We were motoring with the wind so the boat was hot hot hot!!! We just found some shade and relaxed all the way over, we sure were glad to jump in the water once we got there! Threw the anchor at Anegada reef hotel and headed for a taxi to Loblolly. What a wonderful beach! We had beers and relaxed on the beach then back to the boat to change for supper. Supper on the beach of lobsters and Mahi, everything was great. I had noticed the Honey Cat in the mooring field so I just had to find Queen Fifi and introduce myself. What a sweetie! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> After dinner the party got started and we all got rowdy. We were serenaded by a NY metropolitan Opera singer who was on another EIY and the evening progressed into Congo lines and body shots (I was in the Congo line, not involved with the body shots!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> I will admit to falling out of the dinghy at the boat! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Left Anegada the next morning and headed to Great Camanoe. We caught a Barracuda and a Wahoo along the way. The cuda got to live another day, the wahoo was lunch!!
We hung out at Cam Bay for lunch then headed around to Trellis for the night. Great night at the bar!
Off to Monkey point the next morning for snorkeling, HUGE TARPON!! The off to brewers bay for lunch. We dragged baits everywhere and caught a Little Tunny on the way to Brewers. From there to Sandy Spit for afternoon beer in the water. Ended up at Great Harbour JVD for supper at Foxy’s and the night.
Around the corner to White Bay in the morning for a great morning and lunch. Thanks to Bette and Scott ( Caribsearchers) for the PK’s!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> Y’all have to look at the pic of the board at The soggy dollar it is all TTOL!!! Left white bay and headed back to wards Norman for a snorkel at the Indians. Ended up in the Bight for supper and an evening of fishing. We put a few hooks over with some leftover steak on them and caught a Horse Eyed Jack. As he was coming in a huge shark made a pass. That was all it took. We got out the big rod, hooked up the jack and tried out luck. I ended up roping into a 7 + foot shark!! That was a hell of a battle! I fought him all the way to the sugar scoop of the boat where (thankfully) he threw the hook. We got a good look at him and think he was a lemon shark? Too big for a blacktip and no way it was a nurse. The fighting attracted the attention of another VERY big shark that made several passes by the boat while the fight ensued. All this while many many folks drunkenly jumped from the Willy T not 150 yards away!!
Had a nice sail back to Nanny Cay the next morning and headed off to the air port.
Positives of the trip.
1)The crew was awesome. Very friendly, wonderful cooking, worked around our desires to fish and try and sail
2)The boat was beautiful, well appointed and wonderfully stable
3)Fishing! I mean a cuda, wahoo, little tunny, horse eyed jacks, and big sharks off a sailboat?? Awesome!!
Negatives
1)The random guest system. We were paired with two nice couples who could not have been more different from us and even from one another, this made for an interesting week. Talking to others who have taken this trip it sounds like our week was strange in this mismatch.
2)There is a sales pitch, it is a soft sell and takes about 20 minutes. The only gripe I have is no one really lets you know it is coming prior to the trip unless you read a review like this. Again, not a big deal and in no way ruined our trip.
All in all we loved the trip and may even sign on to the program. I would highly reccomend the trip to anyone who wants to test the water on a sailing trip, just take friends if you can!
Pics here--
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding...mshare&Ux=0
