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Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17673
09/16/2012 06:39 PM
09/16/2012 06:39 PM
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Anonymous
OP
Unregistered
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Anonymous
OP
Unregistered
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Hi, we've charter yachts in the Med but want to come to Caribbean next July (mid to end of the month). BUT we're not sure whether to sail around Antigua, St Lucia, Grenadines or BVIs.
We'd like a cat (not really available in the med), my Hubby is the sailor but we've all helped out ok. We are Hubby, Wife, Son of 19, his g/f 19 and our Daughter of 14 so ideally would like 3 or 4 cabins with 2 or 3 heads. Son is 6ft 3" so would prefer extra space a Cat gives.
The flights are cheapest to Antigua, then St Lucia, then Grenada and BVIs look more plus have 2 flights required from UK which is a pain.
Can anyone help us out please? Have got a few mixed messages <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Thanks. hopefully Ju
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: Jeannius]
#17675
09/16/2012 09:33 PM
09/16/2012 09:33 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
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I have been based in both BVI and Antigua running charters, so I have some insight. BVI is certainly the easiest, but Antigua is pretty easy also. horizonyachtcharters.com run a great operation in Jolly Harbour. Very easy provisioning, they have a few cats. The Caveat with Antigua is you most likely will not see another boat as yachting season is dead after about May 15th. BVI still is more active until about August 1st. BVI has more places to eat/drink ashore than Antigua so you need to provision accordingly. Liat does have one direct ANU-BVI flight daily, but depending on the size of your group an aircharter could be cheaper.
Mike
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17676
09/17/2012 07:22 AM
09/17/2012 07:22 AM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923 Annapolis
Eva
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,923
Annapolis
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I've chartered in all of the places you're considering, and would offer an additional thought: the Abacos (Bahamas). Beautiful sailing, amazing clear waters, stunning beaches, and charming settlements. The area is well charted, with a cruising guide which is updated every year, so the sailing is easy. You anchor in firm sand, and you can see your anchor as you drop it. The entire region is geared to boaters/sailors, as that is how the islanders get around, as well as many visitors (even land-based ones). The Abacos may not have the yachtie party scene of the BVI, but there are plenty of beach bars and restaurants where you can find activity. You can get there via Miami (MIA) to Marsh Harbour (MHH). Moorings/Sunsail are there, as are a few local charter companies -- with plenty of catamarans from which to choose.
I've got a Caribbean Soul I can barely control... (JB)
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17678
09/17/2012 06:48 PM
09/17/2012 06:48 PM
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Anonymous
OP
Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Thank you everyone.
We've researched a bit more and although BVIs seem to look more "yachty" the extra £1000 (based on £200 each for the Liat flight) could pay our food etc for the 10 ~ 14 days. As it's going to be an expensive holiday every penny counts.
We're not that fussed about night life as we're quite a quiet family and are thinking maybe the BVIs will be too busy, so maybe Antigua would suit us?
Our daughter's a bit wary of snorkeling off the boat so would prefer to walk from the beach - would the Antigua beaches be better for these, or elsewhere?
Thanks again Ju
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17679
09/17/2012 10:15 PM
09/17/2012 10:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228 Somewhere out there
kneafseym
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,228
Somewhere out there
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Generally snorkeling off the beach isn't always the best, but there are always things to see. BVI has the advantage here as there are moorings at places you might like to snorkel. ANU has many more beaches than BVI and less bluffs and islands to snorkle, but no matter where you jump in there is always stuff to see. Give my friends Al and Jackie an email at Horizon Antigua, Jolly Harbour is a great spot to provision and hang out, but it is more South Florida feeling than the Caribbean.
There are also options in ANU to hit other islands, but unless you have a long charter, I would stick with Antigua and Barbuda.
Mike
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: kneafseym]
#17680
09/18/2012 08:28 AM
09/18/2012 08:28 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
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Another way to help reduce costs and likely save enough to make BVI more feasible would be to look for time through an owner. You can often save up to 30%. Check discount charters at www.sailonline.com. Time sells fast though, so contact any owners who's boats you are interested in asap. There's a handful of Cat's listed that would probably all work out for you.
Matt
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: kneafseym]
#17681
09/18/2012 05:11 PM
09/18/2012 05:11 PM
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Mmmm, thanks again. Only thinking of snorkeling off the beach as our daughter didn't like it the last time when we went to Florida Keys - off the boat, although it was a day trip and lots of people and a big boat. This time we'll ease her into the wonderful world of snorkeling.
Now I'm swaying back to BVIs - oh dear what a dilema!
Yes Mike, Jackie from Horizon has been really helpful and we may well hire one of their boats because she's been helpful and the price is comparable with others.
Really need to decide soon and book our flights - yippee <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Thanks again Ju
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17682
09/18/2012 10:27 PM
09/18/2012 10:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 901 SoCal
Bow_Rider
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 901
SoCal
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If you do end up in the BVI the snorkeling is great off the shore at Norman to the left of the swim area in front of pirates, lots of schools of fish and interesting rocks and coral. My daughter (14 till the end of this month) is also hesitant snorkeling off the boat and she loved the spot I'm talking about. She will go off the boat but it's not her favorite thing. Snorkeling off the shore at The Baths is good too. And I've heard at Mahoe on Virgin Gorda, we were hoping to do that but on the day we were there there was lots of wind and a larger swell than normal and we skipped the snorkel but flew the kite!
************************** Alison
Life is short, dance often.
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: Twanger]
#17684
09/19/2012 09:05 PM
09/19/2012 09:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 901 SoCal
Bow_Rider
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 901
SoCal
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Twanger said: Another place it's easy to snorkel off the boat (in the BVI) is Monkey Point, Guana Island. There are moorings very close to the good snorkeling and the water is generally very calm. Agreed, my daughter didn't mind the swim from the boat to snorkeling at Monkey Point. That also reminded me that another thing that helped my daughter was to swim along behind the kayak when we went snorkeling from the boat. She'd hold onto the handle on the back of the kayak and her dad would paddle around. Wherever you end up I'm sure you'll all have a great time!
************************** Alison
Life is short, dance often.
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: Bow_Rider]
#17685
09/22/2012 02:14 PM
09/22/2012 02:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166 Minnesota
RichHarmer
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 166
Minnesota
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As far as snorkeling goes, I've been lots of places in the BVI. My favorite two places are along the shore of Great Caminoe right "behind" the moorings of Marina Cay. There is even a spot to moor you dinghy.
Then, there is a new-ish place along the shoreline of little yost while moored at Diamond cay.
I thought the Indians were so-so, the caves at norman were so-so (some some squid there), the snorkeling at Anegada was terrible (coral damage). Monkey Point was pretty fun. Once it was calm and millions of minnows and that drew other fish. The other time the wind was out of the wrong place and it was really choppy in there. Was still worth going.
I used CatCo twice and had a good experience both times. Provisioning is easy on Tortola with Bobby's. You can pre-order or just go there and figure out what you want and have them deliver it to your boat.
Glad to answer any questions I can answer. We did three bareboat trips in the BVIs.
Rich
Last edited by RichHarmer; 09/22/2012 02:20 PM.
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
[Re: barata]
#17687
09/29/2012 03:29 PM
09/29/2012 03:29 PM
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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Anonymous
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Unregistered
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How crowded? Problem finding mooring buoys?
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Re: Best place to charter as newbie Caribbean sailors
#17688
10/01/2012 12:36 PM
10/01/2012 12:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,108 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,108
Central Florida!
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Where?? If your questions have to do with the BVI, the best place to post those questions is in the BVI forum.
Carol Hill
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