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Day
1:
After lunch, we'll depart for Leinster Bay, St. John. The bay is well
protected and quite comfortable. The snorkeling is excellent and there
is an interesting walk ashore on a trail leading to the 300-year old Annaberg
Sugar Mills. These ruins have been beautifully restored by the Park Service.
Day
2:
Enjoy a refreshing morning swim while breakfast is being prepared. Afterwards,
we'll depart St. John and enter the beautiful British Virgin Islands.
You will be crossing an international boundary to Soper's Hole, our point
of entry. Sailing vacations captain Randy will prepare all the forms and
take them to the BVI Customs and Immigrations office. Sit back and enjoy
a rum punch and the views of the prettiest harbor in the Caribbean! Once
we've cleared customs, you may go ashore for about and hour and look around
the terrific shops. After lunch, we will sail toward Norman Island and
the Bight. Often referred to by the locals as "Treasure Island",
legends of Norman Island are resplendent with stories of buried pirate
treasure! If there is enough daylight, we will dingy around to Treasure
Point. It is known for the "caves", a great snorkel spot. Also,
in the Bight is a floating bar, "The William Thornton," which was christened
in 1966. Handy, too, is a popular beach bar known as "Billy Bones." For
those with a lot of ambition, try the somewhat challenging hiking trail
up to Spy Glass Hill.
Day
3:
If the seas are calm, we can moor at Pelican Island & The Indians for
a snorkel stop. There's a fun tunnel for brave snorkelers to explore!
Afterwards we'll set sail for Marina Cay, a tiny, picturesque sailing
vacations island surrounded by a beautiful reef. Rob and Rodie White settled
on the island right before World War II. You may visit the home that they
built and have a drink at the spectacular Sunset Bar. There's also a Pusser's
Company Store stocked with their nautical and tropical clothing, unique
accessories and gifts. We'll show you two super snorkeling spots or you
can try some water sports like knee boarding.
Day
4:
Today we set sail for the famous Bitter End Sailing Vacations Yacht Club
in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. If time and weather permit, we can
make a lunch stop at one of the islands along the way. Christopher Columbus
named Virgin Gorda because, from seaward, it resembled a full-figured
woman lying on her back. Maybe he had been at sea too long! It was once
the capital of the BVI's and now has a population of 9,000 people. For
your one night ashore, you may want to consider dining at the Bitter End
or have a very elegant meal at Biras Creek. This is a wonderful area to
stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful scenery. It's truly a "world-class"
resort.
Day
5:
This may very well be your most favorite day of the vacation!! Today we're
sailing to the Baths. Located on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda, the
Baths are a most unusual formation of large granite boulders. Where the
sea washes in between the huge rocks, large pools have been created. Shafts
of light play upon the water, creating a dramatic effect. The adjacent
beach is white and sandy with excellent snorkeling. You'll enjoy the easy
20 minute trail through the Baths over to Devil's Bay. Only one other
place on the planet, the Seychelles Islands off the coast of Africa, is
similar to the Baths. You may choose to board the complimentary shuttle
at 9 or 10am at the Bitter End Yacht Club to ferry across the North Sound
to Gun Creek where a cab will be waiting. The fare is 10 dollars per person
round trip and the driver is yours for the day. All of our guests really
enjoy getting to see this beautiful island. The driver will drop us at
the Baths and we usually ask him to pick us up at 3:00 or 4:00. We'll
lunch at one of our favorite spots, "Mad Dogs Bar and Grille".
There's a beautiful view of the Sir Francis Drake Channel on one side
and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It's also world famous for their BLT
(bacon, lettuce and tomato) sandwiches. It's all very inexpensive and
lots of fun! You'll need to wear your swimsuit and a cover-up or T-shirt
and shoes that can get wet and don't forget your underwater camera. We
will bring the snorkeling gear, a beach blanket and a few towels. **Your
Captain and Crew will be available as your guide; but you may wish to
go on this excursion by yourselves. Either way, you will have a marvelous
time!**
Day
6:
Today we head for Yost Van Dyke. Weather permitting, we can make a lunch
stop at Sandy Cay, the postcard-picture perfect little deserted island
that you may have all to yourself! Yost Van Dyke is known for its 1000-foot
high peaks. We will anchor in Great Harbor, near Foxy's Tamarind Bar and
Grill at the eastern end. Over the years, Foxy's has become an institution
for cruising boats and was been named the "Number 3 Place to Be"
in the world for the millennium. Foxy and his wife Tessa have hosted the
Wooden Boat Regatta for many years. You will not want to miss hearing
Foxy sing his calypso ballads from 4-6pm and Tessa has a fantastic gift
shop open until 6pm with lots of native made gifts and goodies. If we
arrive on a Friday or Saturday night, you may want to spend your one night
ashore at the restaurant enjoying the bountiful buffet. The fish that
is served is guaranteed to very fresh - usually only 3 hours old! Roasted
chicken and barbecued ribs are served alongside Caribbean rice, salads,
tropical fruits, vegetables and freshly baked breads. What a super feast
and no shoes are required! The band starts around 8:30pm and plays until
11pm. It's a wonderful way to end your holiday !
Day
7:
After departing Yost Van Dyke about 10:00am for a motor sail back to St.
Thomas, we hope you'll remember to fill out our guest book and comment
sheet. We have truly enjoyed having you onboard and look forward to your
next visit!!!!!
HAPPY
SAILING!

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