British Virgin IslandsCaribbean

New Years in the BVI could not have been better this year

By January 17, 2018 No Comments
New Years charter

Several years ago, I made a decision that I did not want to deal with the insane amount of boats that show up in the BVI during New Year’s week. I have often joked that a half sunk barge would be chartered out during New Years. ???? The problem with the amount of boats in the BVI during New Year’s week is that you have to get to each anchorage around noon in order to have a spot for the night and guest usually do not want to do that as they want to stay out and play.

Of course, this year is much different since the BVI was decimated by two hurricanes this summer. This caused so many people to choose to stay away. With this said I chatted with my guest and they agreed we should give it a shot. Boy was it worth it!

We had a great time snorkeling the amazing and still intact reefs, playing on the gorgeous beaches, and sail the clear blue water. My guest even got to do three scuba dives. All of this and we pulled into each bay after 4pm and had no problems.

Of course, there were resorts and bars closed as they repaired, but all in all we found any service we needed when we needed it and here is a recap of each island.

Norman – The Caves and Indians are still awesome and worth snorkeling. Pirates Bight is open and serving dinner, plus the beach is still nice. The only thing missing is the Willy T, which is destroyed and on the shore.

Cooper – The resort is closed, but the anchorage is still nice, the beach is accessible, and the snorkeling is still good.

Tortola – We visited Soper’s Hole which was hit hard, but the marina seems open. Customs is open, but they are working under a tent and can only accept cash right now. I do feel sorry for them. We also visited Fat Hog’s Bay where Penn’s Landing has free moorings and showers, plus and a wonderful restaurant. There are several destroyed boats around and cleanup is happening ashore, but still a nice place.

Beef – All the live aboard boats plus the neglected and derelict boats in Trellis Bay were left there for the storms and they are all washed up around the bay. There must be 25 of them. The good news is that the grocery store and restaurant is open and the full moon parties are still happening. We arrived at 5:30 and still had room to anchor.

Virgin Gorda – The Baths are still great and have no crowds. Poor Man Bar on the beach and Top of the Baths are both open. Over in Spanish town the marina is open, but many of the slips still have sunk boats in them. You can get fuel, water, and ice, but the grocery store is gone. Up in the North Sound only Leverick Bay is open. They have everything available including $1 a foot dockage and Michael Beans on Mon-Wend night.

Anegada – The beach and snorkeling are still amazing, and Cow Wreck and Loblolly are both open. In the anchorage my favorite place, Neptune’s Treasure, is rebuilding, but Anegada Reef Hotel and Wonky Dog are open.

Jost Van Dyke – It seems like only Foxy’s is open in Great Harbor and Soggy Dollar is open in White Bay.

All in all, it is impressive how great of a charter we were able to have only months after the second strongest hurricane in Atlantic history hit the BVI head on. This bolds well for the future and if you are thinking of coming down you should do it. Enjoy the BVI without the insane crowds. It is like May around here…..great weather and low crowds.

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