Tag Archives: British Virgin Islands

Technical Services in the British Virgin Islands – by Randy

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Given that the BVIs lie approximately half way between Florida and Grenada, it is a logical place to plan to stop to attend to the inevitable maintenance issues that come up on a cruising boat. We have encountered several mechanical issues that required the help of well qualified technicians both on our way south last year and again this month as we cruised the British Virgin Islands. As has been our policy in the past, we are not going to focus on the vendors that we have encountered that did less than satisfactory work but rather provide you recommendations for companies and individuals that we have found to be both honest and competent.

Welding and Westerbeke Genset

Our list of reputable firms in the BVI has to begin with BVI Marine Management in Nanny Cay. Mr. Tim Brown is the Service Manager there and he is a tremendous resource to call upon if you need anything boat maintenance related. We utilized BVI Marine Management to do some stainless steel fabrication and welding last year when we were redesigning our tender lift to better deal with the sometimes rough conditions that we have encountered in the Caribbean. Additionally, they have helped us obtain parts for our Westerbeke Genset (BVI Marine is a Westerbeke authorized dealer). BVI Marine Management can be contacted at (284) 494-2938.

Cummins QSM 11s

Sanchez Christopher

Sanchez Christopher

When we arrived in the BVI earlier this month, we needed to have some work done on our main engine heat exchangers and after coolers. I called Tim Brown at BVI Marine Management and asked if they could do the work and he informed me that they did not have the capacity to work on QSM 11s but he had a solid recommendation. I was referred to John, the Service Manager at Parts and Power, in Road Harbor, Tortola, (284) 494-2830. Again, we were dealt with honestly and the work performed was excellent and more than met our expectations. The technician assigned to our boat was Mr. Sanchez Christopher.  Sanchez is a very knowledgable and hardworking diesel mechanic and it was a pleasure working with him.

Air conditioning and Refrigeration

Our final recommendation for the BVI is Mr. Alfred August , Manager at Marine Cooling Systems. If you have any refrigeration or cooling issues while in the BVI, Alfred is the guy to call. Alfred can be reached at (284) 441-6556 or email at marinecoolingsystems@gmail.com.

We recognize that there are many other well qualified technicians in the BVI and this list is in no way intended to be all inclusive. We have always felt more comfortable calling on someone whom we have had a favorable recommendation from a fellow cruiser; someone who understands the lifestyle and the resulting demands on our mechanical systems aboard our floating home. If our recommendations can provide you with that little bit of extra comfort factor while trying to address mechanical issues in unfamiliar territory, we are happy to help out. We will keep our list updated as we establish relationships with other vendors and technicians along the way.

Cane Garden Bay, British Virgin Islands

Mad Dash for the British Virgin Islands, 9 Countries in 6 Days – by Randy

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Underway

Underway

We had a great time in St. Lucia, we got a lot accomplished and look forward to returning in the future. Unfortunately, the various delays that we encountered in St. Lucia, waiting on parts and technicians left us with our scheduling backs against the wall. We had plans for meeting our good friends Mike Cleary, Bridget Finnegan, and Mike’s daughter Madison in the BVIs. They had a Sunsail sailboat chartered in Tortola beginning on February 19, so when we literally dropped the solar panel technician on the fuel dock in St. Lucia on the morning of February 13th, we knew we had some serious real estate to cover to be 350 miles north in just six days. During our dash north we cruised through the territorial waters of St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, Nevis, Statia, St. Marteen and finally the British Virgin Islands. Wow, I am tired just writing about it.

Sunrise departure from Martinique
Cruising past the active volcano in Montserrat
Sunrise departure from Deshaies, Guadeloupe
Ryan & Patton at the helm
Cruising past the active volcano in Montserrat
R&R hoisting the courtesy flag in St. Eustatia in front of the Quill volcano
Sunrise departure from St. Marteen
Cruising past Richard Branson’s Necker Island, BVI
Cruising into North Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI
R&R hoisting the BVI courtesey flag

Most of the trip was run in seas of 4-6 ft, with a few periods of 8-9 ft, and even a day with the Caribbean Sea as smooth as a small mountain lake. Our speed averaged 8-10 knots but when we had the opportunity, we ran as high as 25 knots to keep the scenery moving. We have visited all of the countries we just mentioned during our trip south last year so although we are disappointed that we had to hustle through these countries to meet our friends, it was worth it to get to be in the BVI with friends that are virtually like family to us.

Norman Island (The Bight) and North Gorda Soud

Bridget, Madison & Mike, Bubbly Pool, Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Bridget, Madison & Mike, Bubbly Pool, Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Once in the BVI we began our trip by heading off to the Bight on Norman island. A mandatory stop at the infamous Willie T floating bar and grill was followed by a trip to Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke.

Pirates Restaurant, The Bight, Norman Island, BVI
Pirates Restaurant, The Bight, Norman Island, BVI
Mike, Madison & Randy, Saba Rock, BVI
Full Moon Part at Foxy’s Taboo, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Bridget, Madison & Mike, Full Moon Part at Foxy’s Taboo, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Full Moon Part at Foxy’s Taboo, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Mike, Bridget & Madison underway
Madison picking up the mooring

We followed that up with a two day trip to Anegada, then over to Marina Cay and The Baths.

Anegada

Welome to Anegada, BVI
Patton relaxing in the sand at Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada, BVI
Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada, BVI
Patton, Loblolly Beach, Anegada, BVI
Mike, Madison & Bridget snorkling, Loblolly Beach, Anegada, BVI
Madison, Mike & Bridget, Anegada, BVI
Mike, Patton & Randy, Loblolly Beach, Anegada, BVI
Loblolly Beach, Anegada, BVI
Randy & Patton, Anegada, BVI
Anegada, BVI
Anegada, BVI
Anegada, BVI

Marina Cay

Marina Cay, BVI
Marina Cay, BVI
Marina Cay, BVI
Marina Cay, BVI
Scrub Island Resort, BVI
Scrub Island Resort, BVI
Izzy R at Marina Cay

The Baths

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI

After that whirlwind, we capped the Cleary clan’s trip to the BVI by meeting our cruising friends Jeff and Izzy Rogers for an evening of good food, conversation and music in one of our favorite spots in the BVI, Cane Garden Bay.

Cane Garden Bay, British Virgin Islands

Cane Garden Bay, British Virgin Islands

Our friends have gone home and it is time for our adventure to continue. It occurs to me that this nomad lifestyle works well for our family. I have an idea, I think we should keep this trip going. We will discuss it at dinner tonight and I will get back to you. For now, keep following our progress as our  life adventure continues …

Patton, Randy, Ryan, Ronan, Cow Wreck Beach, BVI

The British Virgin Islands – by Theresa

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Anegada

Anegada departure

Six months into our journey finds us in the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). We have so enjoyed cruising around the BVIs that we applied for, and received, an extension from immigration to lengthen our stay here.

The BVIs are a veritable paradise for cruising yachtsmen. Since most of the islands are within eyesight of each other, one can easily motor (or sail) from one island, or adventure, to another, with each island serving up a different flavor of local culture and quaintness. Below are a few highlights from our adventures in these beautiful islands thus far:

ANEGADA:

Randy and I have visited Anegada on two prior occasions in bareboat chartered vessels and on both occasions were in awe of its clear blue waters and pristine white sandy beaches. On our last trip chartering in the BVIs, Randy purchased the Anegada Approach chart, which we then had framed and hung in the Pilot’s Discretion galley. We have looked upon that framed chart for the past several years dreaming of returning in the  Pilot’s Discretion. We experienced yet another surreal moment in our journey when we arrived at the Anegada Approach in our own boat!

In terms of seamanship, Anegada is the furthest island away from all of the others and requires more time on open waters to reach. The island is completely surrounded by reefs (home to the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world), however, with careful navigation, and GPS, the approach is easily manageable. The beachside dining at the  Anegada Reef Hotel and the snorkeling at Cow Wreck Beach and Loblolly Bay make it well worth the trip.

Anegada Reef Hotel

Cow Wreck Beach

Patton, Randy, Ryan, Ronan, Cow Wreck Beach, BVI
Cow Wreck Beach
R&R, Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada, BVI

Loblolly Bay

The Big Bambo, Anegada, BVI
Loblolly Bay, Anegada, BVI
Loblolly Bay, Anegada, BVI
Loblolly Bay, Anegada, BVI

Departing Anegada

 

Anegada departure
Anegada departure

JOST VAN DYKE:

Jost Van Dyke has several harbors on the south side, all offering good anchorage, mooring fields, protection, restaurants and amenities. While moored in Little Harbor, we hiked the trail behind Sidneys’ Peace & Love to the top of the island and were rewarded with spectacular vista views.

Jost Van Dyke hike, BVI
Jost Van Dyke hike, BVI
R&R, Jost Van Dyke hike, BVI
Jost Van Dyke, hike, BVI
Pilot’s Discretion, Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Jost Van Dyke hike, BVI

During our stay in Manchioneel Bay, we hiked the trail behind Fox’s Taboo to the infamous “Bubbly Pool.” At The Bubbly Pool, the Atlantic Ocean presses through a crevice in the rocks creating a natural bubbly whirl pool.

Jost Van Dyke, Bubbly Pool hike, BVI
Jost Van Dyke, Bubbly Pool hike, BVI
Jost Van Dyke, Bubbly Pool hike, BVI
Jost Van Dyke, Bubbly Pool, BVI

After a long day’s hike, we availed ourselves of the various restaurants on the island. While on Jost Van Dyke, the boys declared the pizza at Corsairs beachfront pizzeria in Great Harbor, the best in the world. Although I thought the pizza was excellent, I found it improbable to note the pizza and ignore the fresh lobsters that they serve that are the size of a small pony.

Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVI

VIRGIN GORDA:

Virgin Gorda, BVI

Virgin Gorda, BVI

In Virgin Gorda, we picked up a mooring ball at Biras Creek in North Gorda Sound (aka Gorda Sound). Biras Creek has fewer mooring balls than other parts of Gorda Sound. As such it tends to be lower key, all the while providing easy access to all that the Sound has to offer.

Our top three favorites in Gorda Sound:

Hiking the Biras Creek Resort trails

Biras Creek Resort, Virgin Gorda, BVI
Biras Creek Resort Pool, Virgin Gorda, BVI
Pilot’s Discretion, Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda, BVI

The Rotti (a Caribbean curry dish) at the fat Virgin Café

Patton, Fat Virgin, Biras Creek, Vigin Gorda, BVI
Biras Creek, Vigin Gorda, BVI
Fat Virgin, Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda, BVI

The Bushwackers at Saba Rock

Saba Rock, BVI
Saba Rock, BVI
Randy, Saba Rock, BVI
Saba Rock, BVI

TORTOLA:

Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI

Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, BVI

Tortola is is where most people begin their visit to the BVIs since the main airport is located here and the largest town, Road Harbor is also on the island. One of our favorite places on Tortola is Cane Garden Bay, a beautiful harbor with lots of dog friendly beach front restaurants and shops. It is very family friendly location, and as this past week was spring break for many schools, the mooring balls filled up quickly.

Picnic table pontoon, Cane Garden Bay, Tortola,BVI
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, looking towards Jost Van Dyke, BVI

We are currently staying at the Nanny Cay marina both because it is a very well kept marina with several very good restaurants, a pool and beach as well as easy access to good provisioning. In addition, Nanny Cay has a full service boat yard, and marine vendors of every description. It is here that we are attending to our open maintenance issues before departing for St. Martin, the next leg of our journey.