Trip report - takeaways

Wont report much on the sailing and diving last week - which was great - but all been recounted here before (sorry DIF peeps) other than to say it was CROWDED! Got shut out of Cooper at 12:30, Marina Cay at 2:30; Diamond Cay at 2:30 and got last mooring at Norman at 3:45. We found alternatives of course but it has become almost stressful racing to anchorages and then the hovering! Omg it takes away from the relaxation a little. I almost liked it better w no moorings and u knew you needed to find a nice place to anchor.
Anyway, I spoke to a ton of locals, of all varieties, and no one seems to think the airport extension is happening anytime soon. Yay! The cruise dock extension was being worked on when we were there and will be done soon.
I have to say that the TUI dock/moorings/sunsail was about as efficient and helpful as I have ever seen it and I have been chartering for 20 years and a former Sunsail boat owner. In some ways I am sad bc the charm of Island Time and them screwing up was part of the experience but of course it was frustrating (esp for a NYer like me). I have chartered at many bases in the Carib, Turkey and Greece and this is run the best. Shout out to Dive BVI, whom met us at the boat for 4 dives, including helping my sons friend get certified. The Last Resort was up running and the owners/staff were GREAT and the food, while limited in choice was first rate. Drove to the Baths for the first time ever from Leverick. The drive was incredible, and the whole experience easier (albeit ridiculously crowded) but still going by boat is an experience in and of itself if any moorings are open. Well, another one in the books!! Next stop, Heieneken Regatta St, Martin. Any TTOLs going?

Interesting to know it was that crowded that early. And I'm shocked to hear Normal filled up. That field is huge.

We appreciate this as we are heading down next week.

I think it will be fine next week. Last week was Presidents week. Moorings had TWO 30 boat charter groups out.

the gov't decided to privatize the airport.

We just came back from a charter last week and found anchorages filling up by early afternoon. We wondered if people were just getting up early and moving onto their next anchorage in order to grab a ball.

On separate days, here is what we encountered:

First time i had ever seen the Bight fill up. That was on Sunday Feb 22 and there had been some fierce weather with some rain and strong winds. Cleared by 4PM so we were off to Pirates and then Willy T's for our first, second, third and fourth painkillers of the charter (notice I did not write "of the trip").

Cooper (Manchioneel Bay) filled by 1PM - we grabbed a ball at Trellis. Met people later in the week who were there and told us a few spots opened up later in the day but as a charterer, we don't want to hang around for the possibility of a ball coming available.

Great Harbour filled by 130PM so we went to Little Harbour. Balls available then but they filled up by 3pm.

Grabbed one of 5-6 balls at Kelly Cove outside the Bight by 2PM and the last ones filled up minutes afterwards.