Posted on the 20th of January 2021 by Cassie Roost.
Five kids, four parents, turquoise waters and blue skies. Our recent sailing trip with BVI Yacht charters was our best catamaran experience yet, and we have had at least seven across 10 countries. Covid did not stop our fun!!
Like many, we were waiting to see how the new BVI reopening rules would affect us and we understood the process, we were ready to go for it! The BVI Government has worked out their system, it is quite effective and the ladies at BVIYC handled our relentless questions with grace and facilitated whatever we needed. We had a slight delay at the Tortola airport to Covid test and get our trackers and off we went to the boat where our BVIYC had already loaded our provisions, water toys and scuba gear. The kids were thrilled!!
THE QUARANTINE CAKE WALK
We wondered if 4 days of boat-based quarantine with 5 kids on board would be challenging but it was quite the opposite! Kids mainly just want to swim/snorkel and jump off the boat anyway and between the huge floating play mat, the SUP, fishing and some great snorkeling, adults and kids had a blast. A new destination each day with good wind and short sail times gave everyone just the refresher they needed before we enjoyed the next bay. We did not need anything beyond that and great food (BBQ yum), a cocktail or three, and the music. We even had wi-fi the whole time which was great for ipad downtime for the kids and for staying in touch. When we needed a little provision top-up, the ninjas from BVIYC were amazing (and covid-safe) when we popped back in. I have honestly never seen that kind of customer service.
TIME FOR PAINKILLERS
Once we got our day 4 results right on schedule we were keen for a landlubbers lunch and a painkiller so we headed to the Bight at Norman Island. It was New Year’s Eve but perfect for families and very covid-sensible as there were only about 7-10 boats in the harbor (We found it sensible everywhere). Lunch at Pirates Bight was amazing and then we could not wait to jump off the back of the famous Willy Ts boat in the harbor. We had perhaps the best fresh wahoo I have ever eaten with the awesomely friendly Willie Ts Scottish crew/staff. Oh and don’t miss snorkeling the nearby Caves- one of top 3 snorkeling sites I have ever seen.
Then what a multi-day whirlwind of hitting the great highlights of BVIs, The Baths were amazing (leave plenty of time to explore and play, and eat lunch & swim at the Top of the Baths restaurant). Then over to Jost Van Dyke for a long visit to the famous Foxy’s and then in the next bay over the famous Soggy Dollar bar – a picture postcard spot if there ever was one. We never had a problem grabbing a mooring ball or having to go early for one anywhere.
OVER TOO SOON
Our only sad morning was before returning the boat to Cassie, Abbie and the team. Our only regret was not doing 11 days but we can’t wait to go back and see Anegada, the north side of Virgin Gorda, the Indians and the RMS Rhone. Oh, and perhaps a wee visit back to those ubiquitous painkiller makers…
Peter from Atlanta
To Peter and Crew, THANK YOU so much for sharing your experience. It means the world to us!
Did you take the COVID test after the 4 day quarantine? Where did that test take place? How did it fit in your island-hopping itinerary? You needed to come back to someplace on Tortola on Day 4 or 5? How did you get those test results?
Thx