Voyage to Paradise

Alternate Itinerary

This alternate itinerary is being fleshed out for comparision and selection by the crew. Of course any itinerary is subject to change on route as we see and hear about alternatives!

This will be a holiday after all, so the emphasis is on flexibility and comfort. Of course we don't want to miss any of the really good stuff! We start with a plan, recognizing that it may change along the way as we all discover the places and things we enjoy the most.

The itinerary we select, whether the one below or the initial one, is subject to change based on the desires of the crew in advance or as we sail. The suggestions here are based on many years of sailing the area, following the changes in restaurants and anchorages, and the enjoyment we have had as a couple and a family in our last two trips. In particular, we may choose to eat aboard more or less often than indicated as the spirit moves us.

The last day of the 2002-2003 school year in Fairfax County Public Schools is Friday, June 20. Although planning and cost estimation is based on departing June 21st and returning June 29th, a later week is possible. Plans should be finalized and the boat reserved by Christmas 2002.

Image used by permission from BVI Welcome On-line
copyright 1995-2000 by Island Publishing Services, Ltd

Saturday

Flights leave in the morning with a plane change in San Juan to Beef Island International Airport just off the eastern end of Tortola. We arrive at The Moorings in Roadtown in late afternoon, usually with plenty of time to move into the boat, unpack, receive the boat briefing (where everything is and how it works), and taxi into town for dinner (and painkillers!) at Pusser's Landing. The Roadtown Pusser's is the first stop in the Pusser's Triangle.

Sunday

The arrival of provisions is the last step in preparation for departure. The Ample Hamper arrived exactly as promised last year (startling in this land of "island time"). Our menu planning pays off as it becames a packing plan for the refrigerator and coolers. There is a surprising amount of storage in the galley and salon and we will soon be on our way. First stop: Salt Island, either anchoring in the lee of the island or picking up a mooring ball near the wreck of HMS Rhone for swimming and snorkeling before lunch.

After lunch we sail to Cooper Island. Ashore there is a small beach club and bar, perfect for lazing away (called "limin'") a few hours on the beach. There is snorkeling at the south end of the bay. "Tea" in the afternoon (although there is rarely any tea to be seen) may be back aboard or on the beach at our whim. We will watch the sunset as the grill warms for dinner aboard.

Monday

After breakfast, a short sail takes us to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. This spectacular rock formation is a "don't miss" while in the BVI. We'll anchor south of the traditional landing and go ashore in Devil's Bay. This gently rising, near deserted beach is only a few hundred feet from the back entrance to The Baths and landing the dinghy is significantly easier here. In all likelihood we'll have lunch on the beach before returning to the boat and sailing to Jane's favorite place: Marina Cay. "Tea" aboard on arrival, and dinner at The Last Resort on near-by Bellamy Cay or in the Marina Cay restaurant as the crew desires. Regardless, we will have a painkiller in the Pusser's Landing for our second stop on the Triangle.

Tuesday

An early start this morning for the three hour, 15 mile sail to Anegada allowing us to arrive at mid-day when visibility is best. We've never been to "The Forbidden Island" before and I'm tired of hearing how wonderful it is. Let's go look! Tea and dinner on board, but lot's of opportunities to explore, including Loblolly Bay reported to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Wednesday

We sail about half-way back after breakfast to The Dogs, a small group of islands--although known for good snorkeling--to which we also have never quite made it. Lunch at anchor before we return to Marina Cay to anchor for the night unless we choose to search out a new (to us) bay along Scrub or Guano Islands. Tea and dinner aboard.

Thursday

About a three hour sail on an easy broad reach will take us to uninhabited Sandy Cay for snorkeling and more limin' on the boat or the beach. A short sail across to the north side of Tortola will take us to Cane Garden Bay and dinner at Myett's or one of the other renowned island restaurants there. CGB is also home to Callwood's Distillery, the only rum-maker in the BVI. The picture at left shows us at anchor in CGB in August 2002.

Friday

Back across the channel and past Sandy Cay we'll sail to beautiful White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. The shallow water inside the reef and limited room have resulted in the local charter companies placing White Bay off-limits to most charters; your esteemed (okay, self-esteemed) captain has received permission to anchor here. In addition to the picture below looking along the beach, the oval picture on the first sailing page was taken at White Bay.

More limin', perhaps at the famous Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay. The bar is so-named because sailors would swim ashore and pay for their drinks with soggy dollars. We will proceed with more decorum in the dinghy. Unless you can't wait.

Dinner at Foxy's in neighboring Great Harbor, a short dinghy, water taxi, or land taxi ride away.

Saturday

Back across the channel to the Tortola West End anchorage of Soper's Hole. Lunch ashore (a treat!) and shopping. Painkiller's at Pusser's Landing completes the triangle and we receive our Triangle pennant. A stop in the West End Ample Hamper for something special for "tea" and dinner today. Then on to The Indians for sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. We'll sail another mile or so to The Caves of "Treasure Island" fame on Norman Island. Around tea-time we'll select an overnight anchorage in The Bight. We'll dinghy over to the William Thornton (a restaurant and bar on an old ship) or Pirates on the beach (or both!) for drinks before we retire to our boat for dinner. We've found visiting the Willie-T and Pirates to be fun, but eating there is not.

Sunday

After rising on our last day in paradise, we'll sail across Sir Francis Drake Channel for the last time, returning our boat to The Moorings by noon. After lunch, flights depart in the early afternoon and we arrive home in the late evening, replete with souvenirs, pictures, memories, and plans for another year.