We are heading to the BVI for a 9 day charter at the beginning of February. Our last sailing trip there was 22 years ago for 2 weeks in the summer with our 3 young boys. (We had a wonderful trip. Now, 22 years later, I'm looking back thinking, "Were we nuts, or what?") This time we're just a bit older <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> and sailing with another couple. There have been a few changes in the BVI in 22 years, plus we are sailing in the high season. So, I'm seeking advice: 1) Jost Van Dyke will be crowded whenever we go. There are no cruise ships scheduled on Saturdays when we're there, but I understand there's still considerable traffic from STT. Are Saturday, Sunday or Monday the best dates to look at for Jost? 2) We almost always do our own provisioning. Chartering with BVI, and hope to stop at Riteway, Bakery, and TICO with short stops at each. Will taxi drivers wait while we shop, like other parts of the Caribbean, and we pay them extra, or is the meter running at a premium rate the whole time? What works best? 3) We subscribe to the "flexibility is key" sailing motto. That being said, with a sleepaboard the night before, is sailing to Jost Van Dyke our first day out of the question? We have lots of options, but that might work best for us.

Thanks in advance for the advice! Your site has been so helpful - we've already got our slip, car, and painkillers ordered at Leverick Bay, (Thanks, Nick!) and we hope to meet some of you on the trip!