15/05/2020
A lot of people have been asking me lately about what a USVI itinerary might look like. Well, here is an example!
Day 1
Guest Pickup at Lindbergh Bay.
This is a stunning beach, the bay is huge and offers an incredible view. There are a few resorts and restaurants on one end of the beach, and open beach on the other end. It is a large beach, taking about 20-30 minutes each way to walk. You would never guess from looking at it, that it is across the street from the airport!
This means that you can actually walk across the street to meet the boat without the need for a 45 minute taxi ride. If you cannot carry your bags, you could take a taxi if you want. But if you have rolling luggage, I would recommend just walking. You simply have to walk out of the airport parking lot and across the street, about 5 minutes total.
We would pick you up by dinghy, and you will be on the boat drinking cocktails in a gorgeous bay within minutes of stepping off of the plane! If you want to go for a swim right away you can, the water is beautiful.
Depending on the time of your arrival, and how long we spend at the first stop, we may have time to sail to Water Island next for the night.
Water Island is a charming little island located just off the south shore of Saint Thomas. It has 2 bars on opposite ends of gorgeous Honeymoon Beach. Dinghies often has live music, especially all day on Sundays. On the other end of the beach is a shack that offers movie night on Monday nights on a projection screen between two palm trees starting at sunset. They also sell drinks and food, and everyone gathers around on sun chairs or blankets.
There is a protected snorkeling area, and sometimes there can be a little bit of nightlife here.
Day 2
Sail to Buck Island.
Buck Island is an uninhabited Island a little further south of St Thomas. Turtle Cove is a famous spot for snorkeling. In Shallow water you can easily access a Shipwreck called the Cartanza, and see tons of Fish and Turtles. We would likely sail here and have lunch aboard, snorkel and maybe walk the island.
Sail to Christmas Cove.
Xmas Cove is one of our favorite spots, we spend almost all of our time here. It is a well protected cove behind the island of Little St James. There are tons of Eagle Rays and Turtles here, and it is also home to Pizza Pi, a floating pizza restaurant. This is also a great place for Watersports such as tubing, Wakeboarding and Dinghy Slinghy.
Day 3
Sail to the secluded, beautiful Hans Lollik Island.
This is one of the more remote stops, where most times we would have the entire island to ourselves. There is a beautiful beach with lots of shade and even places to have a fire. Snorkeling is great right off the back of the boat, and I have caught lobster here many times before. Nicola and I came here and spent 4 days for Valentines Day!
Weather permitting, we might spend the entire day and night here. We may anchor in Magans Bay or carry on to Lovango.
Day 4
Sail to Lovango Cay
Lovango Cay was first populated in 1728. By 1917 the population was 49 and it had one of the first schools built in the territory. It also had the last legal brothel in the territory, and was for many years a destination for the many colorful mariners who were native to the area at the time. This is where the name came from (Lov An Go).
Today it has a fine dining restaurant called Zozos on one side as well as a handful of private residences (all off grid) and on the other side it is secluded.
The backside of Lovango between Lovango and Congo has some of the most beautiful waters I have ever seen, incredible snorkeling in shallow water, spectacular diving on the far side of Congo with a 90 foot drop, the largest and scariest cliff jumping location I have ever seen named Carvel Rock and a huge Cave. Carvel was featured in The Amazing Race 25, where the 11 competing teams had to climb across the top of the rock before jumping off into the ocean. It was also used as target practice when ships unloaded their cannons before entering Cruz Bay STJ. It was named Carvel because it looks and is about the size of the ship of the same name.
Sail to Caneel Bay, Saint John
Caneel Bay is world famous. Built by Laurence Rockefeller. In 1956 he also donated land to the Federal Government to establish a National Park. The 5000 acres became the nation’s twenty-ninth National Park. Since then other donations have been made and presently the Virgin Islands National Park includes 7200 acres of land and 5600 acres of underwater lands. Caneel Bay was the only resort ever to be allowed within the boundary of the National Park.
After Irma and Maria, the resort sadly never reopened. The land has since been largely reclaimed by nature, making once private beaches now open to the public. While the resort itself is off limits, the entire property is still very beautiful. Perhaps even more so as some of the cottages are now growing trees and vines throughout.
There are several beaches here to choose from, and Cruz Bay is right around the corner with tons of lovely stores, beach bars, fine dining and a local farmers market of fresh fruits and hand made items such as wooden bowls and conch horns.
This is another great spot for Watersports activities, beaching it up or just swimming and relaxing on the boat. There are also multiple short hikes available, with rewarding views.
Day 5 (Maybe 5 and 6)
Hawksnest Bay
Beautiful beaches and snorkeling, with Eagle Rays and turtles.
Cinnamon Bay
Great beach and snorkeling around Cinnamon Cay, as well as an uphill hike to the America House overlooking Francis and Maho bays. Medium difficulty, very rewarding!
Perfect spot for learning to Paddle Board or Kayaking. You can even paddle up to Maho Bay and let the wind blow you back!
Maho Bay and Francis Bay
This is a must see spot. Turtles popping up in all directions, beautiful water, gorgeous beaches, protection from the Trade Winds for Watersports, SUP and Kayaking, and a short dinghy trip to Whistling Cay for a beginner course on rock climbing and cliff jumping. There is also a cool off the grid beach bar that offers live music!
Waterlemon Cay
Waterlemon Cay is the #1 destination for snorkeling on St John. There is also an easy walk along the shore to the Annaburg Plantation which offers stunning views of Tortola and Jost Van D**e as well as a tour through Saint Johns past. There is also a light duty uphill hike that takes you past the ruins of one of the oldest Churches in North America to the Great House at the top of the Leinster Bay Trail. From here you can see Virgin Gorda, Norman Island, Cooper Island, Peter Island, Ginger and Salt, Tortola, Jost Van D**e, the rest of Saint John and Saint Thomas. Possibly the best spot in the world to watch a sunset!
Day 6 and/or 7
We sail past the West End of Saint John past Haulover and brushing our port side along the BVI territorial waters. You will see Tortola and Norman very close, and even as far as Virgin Gorda. This is a great area for catching fish!
From here on out we are on the South Shore of Saint John. All beaches are much harder to get to, making them much more secluded and quiet compared to North Shore beaches. This is also deep in the park boundary, so there are very few houses and no towns where we will be going. Perfect for stargazing at night!
Flanagan Island
Possible Snorkel and lunch stop.
Salt Pond Bay
Very secluded and protected, Salt Pond is a tranquil place to relax. There is a short walk to the Salt Pond, or the Rams Head Trail hike. Also great for Watersports, Sup, Kayak and especially the Lilly Pad!
Little Lameshur Bay
There is no hike here, but otherwise the description matches Salt Pond. Very quiet, relaxing, accessible only by 4X4 and boat. Perfect for Watersports activities and Toys.
Reef Bay
This is a stunning spot for snorkeling, and there is a Hiking Trail that leads to native Arawak Indian Petroglyphs.
Last Day
Likely wake up in one of these secluded locations, have a relaxing breakfast followed by a leisurely downwind sail to Redhook Saint Thomas, where you will meet a taxi to take you to the Airport.
Optional Saint Croix itinerary:
If you wanted to, or depending on weather, we may decide to include Saint Croix. The sail is longer than the sail to Anegada, about 3 and a half hours or so each way. But it is worth it! This would take up about 3 days of the itinerary, and would likely take place starting on day 2 after Water Island or Buck Island. Depending on the weather.
The rest of the itinerary would be slightly shuffled around, and we would discuss which stops would be removed.
Day 1 of Saint Croix
Buck Island National Treasure
Pretty much the most beautiful place in all of the Virgin Islands, this is the Anegada of the USVI. Established as a National Treasure, and the borders expanded by Clinton, Buck Island is a Turtle Hatching location. During the months of June and July, Turtles from all over come here to lay their eggs. The beach is unbelievable pure sand all the way around the Western Point. The Eastern Point has a Barrier Reef. Inside the reef is teeming with fish. As there is no fishing of any kind allowed here, the fish swim right up to you in massive schools. Nothing short of a Disney fairytale or fantasy.
Day 2
If we don't end up spending the entire St Croix portion of the trip at Buck Island, then we would sail the North Shore of St Croix, stopping at Cane Bay for lunch and a swim. There are Coral Gardens here in about 20 feet of depth, dropping off to hundreds of feet just a short swim away. Tons of life to see beating any reef I have seen in the BVI. It just goes on forever! If anyone were interested in SCUBA diving, this and Salt River Canyons are both amazing dives on the North Shore.
Continue sailing to Historic Frederiksted.
While we may choose to explore the beautiful town of Frederiksted, with her forts and local flavor, our real destination will be Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge at the Western Most part of the Island.
Another hatching place for Leatherback Turtles in the summer months, Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge is far from town, secluded, and absolutely jaw dropping. The stars are out in full glory at night, the beach is never ending (one of the longest in the Caribbean), and the breeze smells of the unspoiled nature surrounding you. The only downside is that the beach is not always open for visitors, such as when turtles are nesting here. Even so, it is worth seeing this hidden gem, and maybe even get a glimpse of the turtles hatching!
It is also worth noting for St Croix that there is a Rain forrest in St Croix, and tours can be arranged to see it and also the "drinking pigs" that live there.
Also please note that, much like a basic BVI Itinerary, this example only lists my favorite stops. There are countless more stops, and to fit them all in I would end up writing you a book. We may end up changing this itinerary, if we feel that other stops might be better suited to the weather conditions at the time of the charter. Thankfully there are so many beautiful stops, that there is plenty more to do beyond just what is listed here. Some thoughts that come to mind are:
Hanson Bay and the Lime Out floating taco bar, Jumbie Beach, Trunk Bay, Henley Cay, Mingo Cay, Magens Bay, Coki Bay, Smith Bay, Abi Beach, Secret Harbor and many more.
There are also countless more dive sites, hiking trails, shops and beach bars, etc. I can provide more info on these based on your interest.
I hope that this gives you some idea of what the USVI has to offer. A week is not nearly enough time to explore all of these wonderful places to their full potential!
Capt. Kyle Bilik and First Mate Nicola Greenaway
~ S/Y ReAction
