BVI 2022

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We embarked onto "Makin Memories", a 41 foot sailboat from Sunsail in Tortola, BVI and sailed across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to The Bight on Norman Island where we tied on to a mooring buoy for the night. Often referred to as "Treasure Island" by the locals, the island is thought to still hold buried treasure. The restaurant, aptly named "Pirate's Bight", is 5 star.

After snorkelling at the Caves in the morning, we sailed for 3 hours into a 20knt breeze only to find there were no vacant mooring buoys in Manchineel Bay on Cooper Island. We decided to motor north to Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda. Within sight of the marina, the engine died a slow death. Now under sail and with the assistance of a couple of passing fishermen, "Makin Memories" was able to tie to a mooring buoy at the entrance to the marina. With limited food on board, we made do with sandwiches for dinner.

The mechanic that came to our assistance the following morning, declared the engine unusable so we sailed back to the Moorings Marina in Road Town. A commercial towing vessel was there to greet us in the outer harbour and tow us to a slip in the marina. After waiting for a new boat to be cleaned, we transferred our belongings to "Tantalizer" a 45 foot sailboat from Moorings, the parent company. We departed late in the afternoon again to Norman Island as that was all time would allow. The experience at Pirate's Bight restaurant was just as good as the first time.

After a great sail north into a 18knt breeze, we docked at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour in Spanish Town and took advantage of the shore power and onboard air conditioning. Dinner at Cocomaya was a little disappointing. I guess it's unfair to compare Peking Duck in the BVI to Peking Duck in Beijing.

A trip to the BVI would not be complete without a visit to the Baths and a gentle walk to Devil's Bay beach. The beach was deserted, the water calm and inviting. A short scramble through the massive granite boulders leads to the Poor Man's Bar serving the best Pina Colada on the island. Lunch on board and a quick broad reach to Marina Cay where we snagged another mooring buoy, a short dingy ride from the restaurant on Scrub Island.

A morning snorkel on the Diamond Reef was well worth the effort. A long downwind sail to Cane Garden Bay where we had reserved a Boaty Ball for the night. Boaty ball is an online program that allows you to reserve a mooring buoy in one of several bays throughout the BVI. The program only accepts reservations after 7:00am. I had intended to sail to Great Harbour on Josh Van Dyke, but all the Boaty Balls had gone by 7:01. I was able to get one in Cane Garden Bay on the west side of Tortola.

Paul & Carla had a plane to catch so we docked at Soper's Hole Marina where they disembarked and, after lunch, took a taxi to the airport. Paolo and I sailed back to Norman Island and another great meal at Pirate's Bight.

Snorkelling at the Indians was great before we sailed back to Cooper Island where I had reserved a Boaty Ball in Manchineel Bay. One more snorkel in the morning at Cistern point. The reef is much better on the side opposite the dinghy line but be aware of the rougher water. A quick sail back to Moorings Marina and dock the boat. Paolo disembarked on Monday back to his job in Philadelphia.

I am now crew-less so I'm chilling out on the boat in the marina and taking time to write this blog before my massage at the spa. This afternoon I plan to go to Mulligans bar to watch England play Wales in the football world cup. All for now. Keith.

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Photos

Relaxing ashore
Pirate's Bight Restaurant on Norman Island

In Tow
When your engine fails help is near at hand

Cane Garden Bay
The is a bright side to rain storms

Devil's Bay
Deserted in the AM

Nature's artwork
On the walk to Devil's Bay

Back at The Baths
Enjoying a Pina Colada

Pirate's Bight
In the Bight on Norman Island