Advice for BVI Rookies

I'm a first time poster that's been lurking for several weeks as we plan our trip. Thank you all for the effort you put into this site - it's a huge help. We are in the process of finalizing our plans and have a few questions I'm hoping you all can help us with. I'm going to post our draft itinerary in a separate message.

Crew: 16 people / 8 couples – big crew sailing to celebrate 40th birthdays for most of the group
Boats: 2 x 450 lagoons
Company: TMM

Rum – Planning to provision alcohol from CC because they look to have a larger selection. What is your favorite sipping rum and what is the best for mixing? We're bourbon / tequila / wine drinkers typically but plan to indulge in the local rum. Also, is there a good liquor store somewhere for picking up a rare rum or two that we can’t buy in the USA? If so, where?

Provisioning meat/seafood – Is there a good seafood market in the BVIs we should watch for as we hop around? I’ve also heard we can pay fishermen directly for fish if we come across a fishing boat. Has anyone had luck with this?

Fishing: We have an active crew and folks want to fish, however from what we’ve read and been told by base operations, the effort isn’t a good use of time in the BVIs. Is this the consensus here or is it nice to have 1-2 rods onboard? Put another way, what are the chances of catching something we’ll turn into ceviche or grill on the fly?

Diving: Where are the top 1-2 spots to get in a good half-day, 2 dive trip? Also, is it rare to get a skipper that’s a divemaster or is this worth requesting?

Kite surfing: Where’s the best spot and outfitter for kite surfing lessons?

What are the top 2-3 restaurants / dining experiences for 16 people? We have no intention of eating every meal or doing everything together, but would like to plan 2-3 good / fun group meals. Initial thoughts are there’s a private beach dining option at Caravela but we haven’t looked into this. Wonky’s seems appropriate as well.

Stand-up paddle boards: Will we get use out of provisioning 2 stand-up paddle boards? We’re planning to confirm these but can skip it if folks say don’t mess with it.

Massage services - Is there a massage service that'll come to our boat for an afternoon? What's the best value massage stop in the islands (we don't have to have a fancy resort). Proximity / convenience are more important than the ammenities.

Thank you for your help!

The best dive site in the BVIs is usually considered The Rhone and it takes 2 tanks to see it all. You can do a rendezvous from Norman or Cooper if you need a divemaster and you don't have one in your crew. There are certainly dive master captains, but I don't know if TMM has one. We had a dive master instructor when we took our sailing classes from Swain.

When we see kite surfers, they are usually between the North Sound and Necker so there must be something special about that area. Maybe ask Leverick if they can suggest a place to book lessons.

The best meal I had on our last trip was the lobster at Pirates on Norman, but it's not cheap. Wonky Dog is also a good spot to bring a big group for food - be sure to order ahead. Leverick has solid food upstairs. Oil Nut Bay had great food on our last trip but the portions are tiny and expensive.

I have always wanted to get a massage at the floating spa in White Bay but the scheduling has never worked out for me. Maybe someone else can speak to the quality of the therapists there - the setting is certainly special!

Just some general feedback - it sounds like you're planning too much for a first trip. Fishing, diving, kite surfing, massage? I would maybe choose 2 and keep the rest of your schedule flexible. You don't want to be racing from spot to spot and you'll need to arrive early at the popular anchorages to make sure you get a ball if you have something booked for the next morning. There is also Boaty Ball to consider but it's pricey and unreliable that you'll get one every time you want one.

Very helpful - thanks for the feedback.

How long is your charter? Is the first night a sleep on board? Is your last night back at TMM in order to make flights the next day? Are you hiring a skipper or operating the boats yourselves, one or both boats? If you are hiring a skipper, where would you plan on them sleeping?

I'm on this trip as well and can answer some of these:

- 14-22; sleep aboard the night of the 14th
- figured we would overnight somewhere close on the 21st so people can get to their late afternoon flights on the 22nd
- yes, hiring a skipper for both boats
- skip is supposed to be sleeping in one of the V-berths

thanks to all of you for making this site so informative. it has been a huge help in planning for this trip.

I sent you a private message.

If you’re getting your booze from Caribbean Cellars I suggest grabbing a bottle of Diplomatico rum for your sipping rum, and you can’t go wrong with Pussers for everything else. As for local rum, I’ve read good things about the Callwood rum distillery near Cane Garden Bay but I’ve never been. Perhaps someone else can chime in on the local rum better than I can.

Agree with Kryssa....too much for this type of trip especially with the logistics involved. We are very active as well and there is enough else to do without all this agenda

Skip fishing, kite surfing, massages and add rum. Definitely get paddleboards as they make great floating bars

Dinner Coco Maya VG and if going to Anegada Potters or Wonky Dog

I do these types of trips regularly...slow it down

All IMHO

Bring a bottle of Don Q Gran Anejo from the duty free shop at SJU.

Kiteboarding - go to Tommy Gaunt Kiteboarding at Anegada Beach Club. The beach there is also the safest place to learn in the BVI.

Fishing - I almost always drag 6-8 lines on longer sails, but frankly the odds of catching good eating fish is pretty small unless you spend some hours trolling the south drop some 3 miles south of the Drake. You'll likely catch a few bonito in the inshore waters. Reasonably edible if marinated and grilled. You'll probably have more fun casting a swim shad lure with a collapsible spinning rod near sunset while moored/anchored.

Dining - for a grouo of 16, The Restaurant at Leverick Bay and Wonky Dog both can handle the crowd, have a range of offerings, and are very convenient to get to. I think Caravela at Scrub has been relabeled Cardamon & Co - ate there pre-Irma, but was underwhelmed given the high prices. Brandywine Estate Restuarant is a bit off the usual charter loop, but they have great food & views, and they have 2 mooring balls and dinghy dock in Brandywine Bay.

I also agree with slowing it down.

Leverick Bay on a Friday night for the Jumbies and BBQ is great and can handle a large group. You can also reserve slips on the dock and allow the crew time to enjoy Leverick without having to dinghy from the boat.

They have a spa and the massages are wonderful. Personally I don’t think there’s enough space on the boats to have a massage there.

We also have had intentions of fishing and a friend brought all their gear down and it never got used. We’d just skipped it and enjoyed the beauty of the islands.

Keep a watch on weather, wind and swells and know what areas to avoid for a north swell. Wind guru is one app we like.
https://www.windguru.cz/58

Our main agenda items: sailing, floating on noodles, snorkeling, enjoying the beaches, enjoying chatting with the locals and dinner ashore every evening. It’s all part of the wonderful BVI experience.

You will have a blast! Plan less and enjoy more.

Oh, and speaking of less. Pack in soft sided bags and whatever you lay out to bring, put at least half back.

I agree with everyone's suggestions about not cramming too much in. It's better if it's relaxing, and no better place to relax than on your boat with a drink. Having skippers is a big plus on your first trip. They know all the great spots, there is no stress for you as far as what time to leave, when to get water, etc. We've chartered with TMM for years, and they're one of if not the best company in then BVI, and although we sail ourselves, I know that the skips they provide are fantastic. I agree with the Wonky Dog for dining with a large group. Foxy's can handle it as well. Kiteboarding is great off of The Cow Wreck in the sound on the north side of Anegada. We're heading down tomorrow, so may see you depending on when your trip is leaving. Ariadne from TMM.

I agree with the posters above.
I am an experienced diver, and have done this trip 8 times (at least), so here's my 2 cents:

Rum: we just stick with Meyers for mixing
Spa: you won't need it because you are so happy and relaxed. Book a spa for the Monday after you get home.
Fishing: not worth the hassle.
Scuba: not the best diving, but the Rhone is worth it if you have never been. But only in good visibility. I normally skip it now.
SUP: Yes worth it. Also, it makes a nice bar on the beach, as well as an escape hatch when your crew starts to annoy you.
Food: I like Willy T for a group dinner too. Easy...and entertainment is free. Sometimes its easier to break up for dinner. The big group can slow you down.
Enjoy, you are going to love it.

Not to derail the thread, but interested in your dive recommendation for places much better than BVI. We are long time skin divers, but newer to scuba and have only Mexico, Hawaii, San Juan's and Thailand to compare and have not found better diving than in the BVI.

Bonaire
Fiji
Truk Lagoon
Roatan and Guanaja Honduras

Contrary to what’s written above, The diving in the bvi can be very good/excellent.

Last month our numerous dives were outstanding.

Check out my daughters video from a recent trip.

https://youtu.be/sXG7oe29fB0

I think the diving is very subjective. Personally we like the drift diving of Cozumel better than the BVI. Its just a matter of preference.

That’s always fun too

Re the diving, it really is a matter of preference.
My favs: Try wall diving in Cozumel and Grand Cayman, and you can't beat Belize.

Very helpful, everyone. Big thanks for Warren for spending a load of time talking earlier this week.

We hear you all loud and clear to plan less for more relaxation. We're scrapping fishing and will dive if it fits in the schedule w/good visibility - probably the Rhone wreckage. Massage is likely out and we'll get a SUP if the winds look good for it.

We're also adding in Oil Nut Bay in exchange for Scrub as Oil Nut looks awesome.

As for a Coco Maya dinner, what's the most efficeint way to do this? We were planning to stay at/near Leverick for this stop but it's a long way from Coco Maya. That day we're planning to hit the Top of the Baths for breakfast -> Baths -> Hog Heaven -> Oil Nut Bay. We plan to have a car that day but don't want to drive boozed. Should we hit CocoMaya on our way in the night before? Is there an easy way to get back near Leverick? All can change but we are thinking we'll head to Anegada early AM from staying at / near Leverick.

Regarding timing, we're sailing 2/15-2/22. If any of our paths cross we'll have to enjoy painkillers or whack bush on the beach!

Thanks again for all your help.

This gave me a chuckle...it’s bushwhacker....and they are delicious!

They sound delicious! Thanks for clarifying.

On a somewhat related note, should we plan to buy a cooler to have on hand? I've noticed in trip report photos some folks have a ~65QT cooler on the boat for drinks in addition to the small refrigerator onboard. Should we bring one or buy one there?

Many charter co's have coolers to use on the boat.

Hit Baths in the late afternoon and then coco maya for dinner and a great sunset...all via taxi. Skip renting a car

Hog Heaven for lunch

I get 2 extra coolers at base camp.

I think a Yeti cooler was recently added to the TMM boat you chartered.

It will be too much to try to hit Top of the Baths, Baths, Hog Heaven and Oil Nut Bay all in one day. The roads do not make it all the way up to ONB so you will need to come by boat.