First BVI Trip Itinerary -- Suggestions Please

Hi All, I've been a lurker on this board since I decided I wanted to sail the BVIs, but this is my first post. We finally pulled the trigger and booked a trip! We will be sailing a Jeanneu 379 from Sunsail from May 20-25, with a checkout captain. This is the itinerary we were thinking of... but it's not the 'typical' route I have seen everywhere else online. Is this doable? Also, do you reccomend reservations at Scrubb and Leverick Marinas? That seems like it would take away our ability to switch up the route on the fly... Anyways, thanks for all the knowledge I've pick up from you all so far and I really appreciate your input on our route.

Thanks,
Ken & Crew


May 20:
Ken/Kelly land at Noon
Spencer/Kara land at 1:40
Take ferry then cab to Wickman’s Cay II Marina – Road Town, Tortola
Check-In and drop off bags at Sunsail
Provision at supermarket within walking distance
Meet Skipper and Get on Boat at 6 PM
Dinner and go out in Tortola
Sleep on boat in the Marina

May 21:
Boat Briefing at 9 AM – Ken must go, anyone else welcome
Set Sail 10-11 AM en route to “Leverick Bay Marina” Virga Gorda.
Sailing Practice with skipper on the way
Dock at the Marina
Say goodbye to skipper (help him get back if needed…)
Rent Scooters or take cab to explore The Baths.
Dinner at Leverick Bay Resort or nearby

May 22:
Stop at the Dogs for Snorkeling and Lunch
Short Sail to Scrub Island Resort
Dock at Scrub Island Marina for the night with the mega yachts ($95 includes access to infinity pool, slides, swim up bar, showers, gym, etc.)
Fancy Dinner (dress up aka wear a shirt)

May 23:
Sleep In/Relax at Resort Breakfast on boat or at resort
Leave around 11-12 to sail to Jost Van Dyke (From “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems” Video)
Lunch on beach/boat/picnic
Soggy Dollar Bar (inventor of Pain Killer Drink)
Dinner on beach/boat/picnic

May 24:
Sail to “Norman Island”
Lunch on the boat
Stops at “The Caves” and/or “Treasure Point” for swimming/snorkeling/exploring
Anchor at “The Bight Bay”
Relax on the beach/boat, dinner on the island (Pirates Bight) or grill
Nightlife at “Willy T” (floating 100’ steel schooner), famous for its late night dive platform and general debauchery

May 25:
Early departure back to Wickman’s Cay Marina
10-11 AM arrival

20 May: Pre-order non-perishable provisions and have them delivered (lost of decent options), shop your perishables and hand carry to the dock.

21 May: Might be a bit optimistic to make VG/LB Marina in time to go to the Baths. Yes, its doable but its a good part of 15 sailing miles from RT to NS. Consider an overnight at LB/NS, Baths and relax day 2, depart early morning, day 3 enroute (see below)

May 22nd: Relax at LB/NS, trip to the baths, dinner somewhere on VG (lots of decent options)

May 23: From NS, head to Monkey Point (going outside and North of the Great Camino/East of Guana Is.) Great snorkeling (the Dogs can be problematic I think), then to Scrub. You're backtracking a bit but if you want to visit here, it's close to Monkey pt. Alternatively, you can skip Scrub (I would) and head to JVD (about 8 miles from Monkey pt) after snorkeling there. Then you're back on your itinerary.

Look at your options for overnighting at JVD, there are several depending on what you like .... quiet and peaceful or party time.

From there it looks good. Others will chime in. Have fun.

You can arrange a rental car at Leverick Bay and tour the island. It's a lot less expensive than a taxi.

Thanks for the ideas. Our original plan was Norman>Scrub>VG>JVD. But we were concerned about getting back to Road Town before 11AM. Is that doable? I think this route is a better route if we could get back in time. Although, I will have to dock for the first time without a skipper.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" />

I think you are probably trying to fit in too much. Hitting the opposite ends of the BVI is certainly doable and if you are there to sail (not our primary focus) you'll spend a lot of time doing it. We prefer to spend more time at stops enjoying the water, snorkeling..etc.

I'd suggest doing as much as you can that first day - boat briefing, chart briefing..etc. Then see if its possible to have the skipper join you early the next morning. The earlier you get off, the better.

As Jbuch said its a decent trip up to the North Sound. You may be better off making a stop at the dogs that day. Then spend two nights at Leverick and explore the island. This would also have you at Leverick for the BBQ. Go to Coco Mayo or some place on island Thursday night.

Then on the 23rd, rather than sleeping in.. get an early start and you can get to JVD around the same time - break it up with a stop at Monkey point on the way. Then the rest could remain the same.

We are going to be there at about the same time arriving Wednesday 5/20 sleeping onboard at the Moorings on a 393 PC. I think the NS is a push for the first day. You may want to think about Norman or Cooper ( I chose Norman for the 21st ) then we are going clockwise to stay away from the Pocker Run traffic. Dinner out at at wickmans Cay will involve a taxi run or eat at Charlie's on the dock. Nice place I've been there a couple of times. The Scrub Island is a good choice but I would make a snorkel stop at Monkey Point on the way to JDV leaving Scrub earlier in the morning. Norman is a good choice for the final night but they are having the Poker Run on.the 24th and I think that's one of the stops so it may be pretty busy. CGB may be a better last night considering. Only my thoughts. If staying at a marina I feel better having a reservation. I have one at Leverick for the 25th. It's ashame your trip has to be so short because there is so much to see and do.

As much as I love Leverick....make plans for another trip that is longer....if I had only five nights...I would hit Cooper first, then Marina Cay/Scrub - snorkel Diamond Reef, then JVD (don't sleep in or you won't get a mooring in Great Harbour and if you are first timers on a mono, I wouldn't recommend trying to get into White Bay - grab a ball in GH and either dinghy or cab to White Bay for Soggy Dollar) - your last day coincides with the BVi Poker Run and there will be LOTS of fast boats around so be aware - you can still plan on Norman....just keep in mind it is one of the stops on the Run.

Thanks guys. So many options and so hard to pick what not to do. One last question for you pros... what time in the morning would be safe to leave to get back to Wickman's Caye before 11AM?

from Jost, an hour to Soper's and an other hour + to RT

What time do you need to be leaving the base? Might be good to start there.

But depending on where you are you can easily get there within 2 hours - probably in an hour if you motor. We always get there before we planned - also depends a little on where you stay. Figure 6 knots if you motor and take a look at the distance.