Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,431
Posts310,076
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
Aries4
Aries4
Morrisville, PA/West End, Tortola
Posts: 437
Joined: July 2006
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
36 registered members (blooming, CJIMI, Donaegada, Fletch, Zanshin, cabokid, OceanSong, bailau, caribbeangirl13, timnboston, RickG, Fran, eightzerobits, Bernd, kaba, SURICK, Michel_Benarrosh, Kennys, tradewinds, JeanneB, steve74, SacoFrank, SXMScubaman, RonDon, 12 invisible), 973 guests, and 66 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths #236232
10/05/2020 06:43 PM
10/05/2020 06:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
B
beeradley Offline OP
Traveler
beeradley  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
Hello. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on where we can anchor or moor overnight after spending the day at the Baths, I'm well of all the spots in North Sound, however we have to be back at Scrub 9:30am the next day and that makes it a very early mooring if we go all the way to North Sound. We need to be some where along the west side of the island to make the straight shot to Scrub the next morning. We know about St. Thomas Bay, but quite frankly it doesn't look very appealing, not to mention the ferry traffic. Has anyone stayed overnight in Little Dix or Savannah Bay? They look gorgeous but the little info I find on anchoring there isn't very detailed. Any help would be awesome!

P.S. Estimated time of an average sail from the west side of VG to Scrub?

BVI Sponsors
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236235
10/05/2020 07:17 PM
10/05/2020 07:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 23
G
gudiss Offline
Traveler
gudiss  Offline
Traveler
G
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 23
last xmas we hit the baths then motored around to little dix and set the hook right off the beach, 45' cat. beware of a northerly swell could roll a little- took the dink to thier floating dock and picked up a cab from the hotel and had dinner at cocomaya-

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236236
10/05/2020 07:23 PM
10/05/2020 07:23 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
Traveler
Husker  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
I've never overnighted at Little Dix nor Savannah....might be a little rolly in winter months (ground swell). You could try Cooper Is (Manchioneel Bay), but that usually fills up early and they don't really want you anchoring there. They do have boaty ball moorings there if you want to try and reserve. Its 6.6nm from Savannah to Scrub Is marina and 5.4 from Cooper....so about an hour sail either way. Another option is Marina Cay, which is right next to Scrub and a very nice anchorage with plenty of mooring balls if that's your preference. Very good snorkling at Diamond Reef as well. If I were you, I'd try Cooper first and if that didn't work out, head on across to Marina Cay.

Good luck.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236242
10/05/2020 08:09 PM
10/05/2020 08:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
Traveler
LocalSailor  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
The moorings outside Spanishtown have always worked fine for me in that situation.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236245
10/05/2020 08:24 PM
10/05/2020 08:24 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
maytrix Offline
Traveler
maytrix  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,720
Massachusetts
I'd go with Marina Cay. Makes for a nice relaxing morning with plenty of time to spare.


Matt
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236248
10/05/2020 08:47 PM
10/05/2020 08:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
B
beeradley Offline OP
Traveler
beeradley  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
Loving all the info. Keep it coming!

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236252
10/05/2020 09:34 PM
10/05/2020 09:34 PM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,212
JAX
jphart Offline
Traveler
jphart  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,212
JAX
What Maytrix said X2

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: jphart] #236254
10/05/2020 10:13 PM
10/05/2020 10:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 207
K
Kegoangoango Offline
Traveler
Kegoangoango  Offline
Traveler
K
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 207
x3 on Marina Cay.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: maytrix] #236256
10/05/2020 10:32 PM
10/05/2020 10:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
Traveler
NCSailor  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
Originally Posted by maytrix
I'd go with Marina Cay. Makes for a nice relaxing morning with plenty of time to spare.


This------------^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236258
10/05/2020 10:57 PM
10/05/2020 10:57 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Marina Cay or Trellis Bay - De Loose Mongoose looks like it will be fun to try at Trellis....


[Linked Image]

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236259
10/05/2020 11:06 PM
10/05/2020 11:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 11
B
BD21035 Offline
Traveler
BD21035  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 11
I like St Thomas Bay very much for the beautiful sunset and proximity to Coco Maya. I didn’t notice the ferry traffic any more than at Marina Cay where the Scub Island ferry passes frequently. That said, Marina Cay can’t be beat for the sunrise over Gorda, if you are on deck at that hour.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236268
10/06/2020 08:35 AM
10/06/2020 08:35 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Marina Cay is closed so I would not depend on the mooring quality. Trellis might be your best option or return to Scrub and enjoy the resort for your last night.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #236271
10/06/2020 09:03 AM
10/06/2020 09:03 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 793
Redmond, WA
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Marina Cay is closed so I would not depend on the mooring quality. Trellis might be your best option or return to Scrub and enjoy the resort for your last night.


Aren't these centrally maintained Moor Seacure moorings? They looked like they were being maintained in January.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: LocalSailor] #236283
10/06/2020 10:46 AM
10/06/2020 10:46 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
Traveler
Husker  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
Originally Posted by LocalSailor
The moorings outside Spanishtown have always worked fine for me in that situation.

Forgot about that option. Good call.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #236284
10/06/2020 10:53 AM
10/06/2020 10:53 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
Traveler
Husker  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Marina Cay is closed so I would not depend on the mooring quality. Trellis might be your best option or return to Scrub and enjoy the resort for your last night.

We were at Marina Cay in Feb, moorings looked maintained and in good shape. I want to say the fuel/water dock was in operation....the old gentleman who had always run it was still there although hours were reduced. I think he must own and run the mooring operation too. I second the recommendations for Trellis as well.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: BD21035] #236285
10/06/2020 10:57 AM
10/06/2020 10:57 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
Traveler
Husker  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
Originally Posted by BD21035
I like St Thomas Bay very much for the beautiful sunset and proximity to Coco Maya. I didn’t notice the ferry traffic any more than at Marina Cay where the Scub Island ferry passes frequently. That said, Marina Cay can’t be beat for the sunrise over Gorda, if you are on deck at that hour.

Agree on St. Thomas Bay, but it is shallow and you have to watch out for the underwater electric cables. We hooked one last time, not fun. Coco Maya is awesome.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236288
10/06/2020 11:54 AM
10/06/2020 11:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
Traveler
Zanshin  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
I've found that anchoring or mooring outside of Spanish Town can be surprisingly rough and rolly considering it's location. I have anchored between the reefs at Savannah (it is a bigger area than the satellite images or the maps would lead one to believe) and it was incredibly protected; but my worry was always what I could do if a major CuNim would hit at night. So my recourse has always been to just motor up into the wind and into the North Sound with all of its good anchorages and mooring fields - nothing is better protected in the BVI than the North Sound. Trellis is full of mooring balls, so anchoring is not an option - if the mooring balls are all taken then Marina Cay is the next open alternative and if all those mooring balls are taken there is still a large area of 30' deep anchoring available... But when anchoring there one is subject to the wakes of all the boat traffic during day and night.


[Linked Image]
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236292
10/06/2020 12:58 PM
10/06/2020 12:58 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Online content
Traveler
RickG  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
We anchor at Marina Cay and head over to The Baths at sunrise. I usually single hand it and let crew wake as they are ready. We get to enjoy our breakfast on an inner mooring at Devil Bay.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236305
10/06/2020 06:50 PM
10/06/2020 06:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
Watch out if you go snorkeling Diamond Reef. There is an odd woman who lives there, and she'll be on island all winter.

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236316
10/06/2020 10:18 PM
10/06/2020 10:18 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
DanS Offline
Traveler
DanS  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
We've always enjoyed staying at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour. That seems to be a minority opinion on this board. Part of the attraction was having Buck's Market and the Bath and Turtle right in the marina, and they've unfortunately moved further away. But I would still appreciate the reliably flat water, quick cab ride to the Baths, and short walk/cab to several eateries.

Dan cheers

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236319
10/07/2020 12:55 AM
10/07/2020 12:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
Traveler
Zanshin  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
DanS - I once spent a month in the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor after my boat lost its rudder at sea (I got towed in by Speedy's fishing boat) and waiting for a replacement rudder. It was nice there and very calm, but when I was there in January there were no facilities open there - nothing at all apart from a coffee shop was open in the general vicinity of the docks. And although the docks were, for the most part, rebuilt, they were empty and I don't know if they were even open for business for transients.


[Linked Image]
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236352
10/07/2020 10:14 AM
10/07/2020 10:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 386
Virgin Gorda, BVI
V
VirginGordaResident Offline
Traveler
VirginGordaResident  Offline
Traveler
V
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 386
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Long Bay by Mountain Point on Virgin Gorda is a great spot to anchor for the night. Beautiful, protected (unless there's a big ground swell, in which case your only options are really VGYH, North Sound or Marina Cay/Trellis), great snorkeling (there's even a sunken WWII ship called the Kodiak Queen!), and you can swim or dinghy access to a beach. Link here with some details: https://www.bareboatsbvi.com/virgin-gorda/long-bay-beach.php

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236354
10/07/2020 10:23 AM
10/07/2020 10:23 AM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 386
Virgin Gorda, BVI
V
VirginGordaResident Offline
Traveler
VirginGordaResident  Offline
Traveler
V
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 386
Virgin Gorda, BVI
Originally Posted by beeradley
Hello. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on where we can anchor or moor overnight after spending the day at the Baths, I'm well of all the spots in North Sound, however we have to be back at Scrub 9:30am the next day and that makes it a very early mooring if we go all the way to North Sound. We need to be some where along the west side of the island to make the straight shot to Scrub the next morning. We know about St. Thomas Bay, but quite frankly it doesn't look very appealing, not to mention the ferry traffic. Has anyone stayed overnight in Little Dix or Savannah Bay? They look gorgeous but the little info I find on anchoring there isn't very detailed. Any help would be awesome!

P.S. Estimated time of an average sail from the west side of VG to Scrub?


Also, Savanah Bay is absolutely beautiful and you won't regret spending the night there. Again, just be aware if there is swell you are going to want to be flexible and choose a different option. For entrance through the reef into Savanah Bay, stick to the right side.

As for your estimated time of an average sail from west side VG to Scrub, obviously it depends on the boat and wind. I'd plan for 2 hours to be safe, but it won't take that long

Attached Files Screen Shot 2020-10-07 at 10.21.19 AM.png
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: VirginGordaResident] #236358
10/07/2020 10:30 AM
10/07/2020 10:30 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by VirginGordaResident
Originally Posted by beeradley
Hello. I was wondering if I could get some opinions on where we can anchor or moor overnight after spending the day at the Baths, I'm well of all the spots in North Sound, however we have to be back at Scrub 9:30am the next day and that makes it a very early mooring if we go all the way to North Sound. We need to be some where along the west side of the island to make the straight shot to Scrub the next morning. We know about St. Thomas Bay, but quite frankly it doesn't look very appealing, not to mention the ferry traffic. Has anyone stayed overnight in Little Dix or Savannah Bay? They look gorgeous but the little info I find on anchoring there isn't very detailed. Any help would be awesome!

P.S. Estimated time of an average sail from the west side of VG to Scrub?


Also, Savanah Bay is absolutely beautiful and you won't regret spending the night there. Again, just be aware if there is swell you are going to want to be flexible and choose a different option. For entrance through the reef into Savanah Bay, stick to the right side.

As for your estimated time of an average sail from west side VG to Scrub, obviously it depends on the boat and wind. I'd plan for 2 hours to be safe, but it won't take that long

Not sure about the OPs status, but I thought Savanah was redlined by most charter companies unless an owner or crewed. Was it Savanah that a boat went ashore and was destroyed by the swell a few years ago?


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236362
10/07/2020 10:38 AM
10/07/2020 10:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
Zanshin Online content
Traveler
Zanshin  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,493
Grenada
I believe that Savannah is indeed redlined for charters. The boat that went aground recently was in White Bay


[Linked Image]
Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: Zanshin] #236381
10/07/2020 12:29 PM
10/07/2020 12:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
DanS Offline
Traveler
DanS  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
Originally Posted by Zanshin
DanS - I once spent a month in the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor after my boat lost its rudder at sea (I got towed in by Speedy's fishing boat) and waiting for a replacement rudder. It was nice there and very calm, but when I was there in January there were no facilities open there - nothing at all apart from a coffee shop was open in the general vicinity of the docks. And although the docks were, for the most part, rebuilt, they were empty and I don't know if they were even open for business for transients.


Thanks for the update. I should have mentioned that I have not been there post-Irma.

Dan cheers

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236408
10/07/2020 03:13 PM
10/07/2020 03:13 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
B
beeradley Offline OP
Traveler
beeradley  Offline OP
Traveler
B
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 21
San Diego
yikes...lol. This has been super helpful...rookie question here: What is a "Ground Swell" and how do we know if one will be in effect the night we anchor?

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236424
10/07/2020 04:15 PM
10/07/2020 04:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
DanS Offline
Traveler
DanS  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,421
New Jersey, USA
Originally Posted by beeradley
yikes...lol. This has been super helpful...rookie question here: What is a "Ground Swell" and how do we know if one will be in effect the night we anchor?

Large waves from the north due to storms in the North Atlantic. They generally occur only in the winter.

There are web sites that forecast wind and waves, for example http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=58

Dan cheers

Re: Overnight Anchoring/Mooring Near the Baths [Re: beeradley] #236427
10/07/2020 04:27 PM
10/07/2020 04:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Savannah Bay is not redlined by Moorings/Sunsail. It is however not usable with a North Swell and the entrance requires care.
G


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1