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BVI vs Grenadines #187512
03/16/2019 09:21 AM
03/16/2019 09:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
jredenbaugh Offline OP
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jredenbaugh  Offline OP
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Posts: 56
We have done bareboat power cats 2x in the BVIs. We love it. I am just searching around to see if we should try something new. Can anyone that has done both give me some pros and cons, tips, or suggestions? I am sure either is a can’t lose. #firstworldproblems

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Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #187524
03/16/2019 10:30 AM
03/16/2019 10:30 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 51
S
Sailbum Offline
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Sailbum  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 51
After doing the BVIs several times, we did a St. Lucia to Grenada one way through the Grenadines last year. I highly recommend it. We had a sailing cat, not power, so you will have more flexibility - starting and ending in Grenada or St. Lucia depending upon the best travel and boat choices.

There are several great places to explore, Bequia, Tobago Keys, Salt Whistle Bay, Union Island, and more. It is not as developed or as touristy as the BVI - which I think is great, but others may miss some of the modern conveniences of the BVI. Restaurants, for example, are definitely more 'rustic' - your menu choices are in most cases limited to chicken, fish or lambi (conch) with rice and vegetables. Of course, you can always go to Mustique for some finer dining. The trade off is relatively fewer other boats, though some anchorages, like the Tobago Keys will still have plenty of other boats. Depending upon season, you should have no trouble finding anchorages with 1 or 2 other boats if any. Moorings are sometimes available, but much more limited - you will anchor more.

You may also want to look into the Exumas. We went this past November and loved it. Again, more remote than the BVI, and although the restaurants are few and far between, they are far more upscale dining experiences available (than the Grenadines) due to the frequent high end clientele around the Exumas.

Like you said, you can't lose.

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: Sailbum] #187530
03/16/2019 11:45 AM
03/16/2019 11:45 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
jredenbaugh Offline OP
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jredenbaugh  Offline OP
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Thank you for the feed back. We will look into the Exumas also. Fun to explore!

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #187547
03/16/2019 02:31 PM
03/16/2019 02:31 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 364
Carib_Ian Offline
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Carib_Ian  Offline
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Posts: 364
And maybe while you are at it, check out the Abaco islands in the Bahamas for great boating to cute islands and friendly people

But to your original question, the Grenadines are beautiful but the distances between islands are greater than the BVIs. There are spots in the Grenadines that are getting more popular (eg Bequia) which means more choice of bars and restaurants.

You have a lot to think about!

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #187675
03/17/2019 07:44 PM
03/17/2019 07:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 56
jredenbaugh Offline OP
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jredenbaugh  Offline OP
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Posts: 56
Do you have to go through customs at every island? Grenada, Carriacou, etc? How long does this process take? Which islands is it required?

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #187755
03/18/2019 05:04 PM
03/18/2019 05:04 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Michigan
Originally Posted by jredenbaugh
Do you have to go through customs at every island? Grenada, Carriacou, etc? How long does this process take? Which islands is it required?


Carriacou is part of Grenada. No C&I. Clear out Grenadian waters and then in at Union. From there north to St Vincent you're set. Going south Rinse/ repeat.

As far as time goes that has a lot to do with how YOU present yourself.

Last edited by rhans; 03/18/2019 05:08 PM.
Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #187841
03/19/2019 04:07 PM
03/19/2019 04:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
UncleLuff Offline
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UncleLuff  Offline
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Posts: 345
Ottawa, Canada
Sailbum pretty much summed it up. From my limited experience with Grenada (will have more insight into Grenadines in 6-7 weeks!) . I would add, I am not sure how prevalent power cats are in the windwards, a lot of them in the BVIs. Also wind gusts especially going around the north and south tips of the islands will be more variable, greater currents and swells. All in All a more challenging sailing grounds but much more fun! banana

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #189329
04/01/2019 09:51 AM
04/01/2019 09:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
Maria_and_Steve Offline
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Maria_and_Steve  Offline
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Colorado and Sailing the World
We saw a power cat in Bequia 2 nights ago. As it drug through the anchorage, hitting two anchored sailboats, we wondered how well it motored in the more significant trade winds and higher seas down here? The charterers left before we could ask them smile

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #217902
02/17/2020 02:11 PM
02/17/2020 02:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 54
London, England
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sunman60 Offline
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sunman60  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2020
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London, England
the biggest difference between the BVI's & the Grenadine area is the swell, you're pretty well protected in the BVI but the Grenadines are unprotected & therefore open water which can bring big(ish) swells, if 2-3m swells don't freak you or your crew out head toe The Grenadines, the sailing area, anchorages, restaurants etc are fantastic!

Re: BVI vs Grenadines [Re: jredenbaugh] #219549
03/03/2020 10:33 PM
03/03/2020 10:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 304
California
Sunnykm Offline
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Sunnykm  Offline
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Posts: 304
California
Just saw this thread...heading to St Lucia in May for a southern sail. Only BVI experience, so a little anxious about the long open water sail out of St Lucia. We have our favorite captained hired to sail this trip which is great and a huge relief.


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