{"id":2077,"date":"2003-11-22T16:34:16","date_gmt":"2003-11-22T21:34:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/?p=2077"},"modified":"2026-03-01T15:15:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T20:15:45","slug":"sailing-the-bvi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/?p=2077","title":{"rendered":"Sailing the BVIs &#8211; Thanksgiving 2003"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-2077-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" poster=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Thanksgining2003-2-SD-480p-m4v-image.jpg\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Thanksgining2003-2-SD-480p.m4v?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Thanksgining2003-2-SD-480p.m4v\">http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Thanksgining2003-2-SD-480p.m4v<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>Started at <a title=\"Compass Point Marina\" href=\"http:\/\/marinas.com\/map\/index.php?infowindowcategory=marina&amp;infowindowid=7028\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Compass Point Marina<\/a>, St Thomas, USVI where we charters a Jeanneau 40 from <a title=\"VIP Yachts\" href=\"http:\/\/vipyachts.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VIP Yacht<\/a>. The then sailed to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>St. John, Francis Bay,<\/li>\n<li>Tortola, \u00a0BVI Soper&#8217;s Hole, The Pusser&#8217;s Landing at Soper&#8217;s Hole, West End. Located directly across from the Custom&#8217;s Dock, an ideal stop for yachts to clear in. Moorings are affordable, as is food, ice and water \u00a0This is home to Pusser&#8217;s Bar and Restaurant\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwith some of Tortola&#8217;s best food and a fully stocked Pusser&#8217;s Co. Store. Serving lunch and dinner with dishes including everything from lobster to steaks, as well as snacks and pizza.<\/li>\n<li>Norman Island, One of the more popular anchorages in the British Virgin Islands is The Bight at Norman Island. The Willy T&#8217;s floating bar and restaurant can likely take credit for at least some of the popularity of this truly excellent anchorage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_10974\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Willy_T_Jumping_Censored.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10974\" class=\"wp-image-10974 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Willy_T_Jumping_Censored-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Willy_T_Jumping_Censored-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Willy_T_Jumping_Censored-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/Willy_T_Jumping_Censored-200x200.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10974\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Willy Ts<\/p><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The Indians,<\/li>\n<li>Peter Island,<\/li>\n<li>Cooper Island,<\/li>\n<li>Dog Island,<\/li>\n<li>Virgin Gorda,\n<p><div id=\"attachment_2084\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/bitterend.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2084\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-2084 \" src=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/bitterend-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"bitterend\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2084\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bitterend Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Anegada BVI\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bvitourism.com\/anegada\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anegada<\/a>, Measuring 11 miles by three, its highest point is just 28 feet<br \/>\nabove sea level.<\/li>\n<li>Jost Van Dyke, Club Paradise is famous for its conch stew and barbecued ribs, while the Caribbean&#8217;s most famous cocktail, The Painkiller&#8217;s was invented at The <a title=\"Soggy Dollar Bar\" href=\"http:\/\/www.soggydollar.com\/default2.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soggy Dollar Bar<\/a>.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_2082\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Soggy-Dollar-Bar.tiff\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2082\" class=\" wp-image-2082\" src=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Soggy-Dollar-Bar.tiff\" alt=\"Soggy Dollar Bar\" width=\"250\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2082\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Soggy Dollar Bar &#8211; Jost Van Dyke<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>St. John, Coral Bay,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-10975 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2003\/11\/caribbean_trip-250x166.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>ANCHORAGES<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The beautiful, clear waters of the British Virgin Islands offer countless anchorages. Sailors should use caution when anchoring to prevent damage to fragile coral reefs. Where mooring buoys are not provided, sailors should anchor in sandy areas and be sure to never sail at night. Nightfall arrives quickly, and even the most experienced sailors in the BVI do not sail past dusk.<\/p>\n<p>Although we have listed several accepted anchorages throughout the islands, it is recommended that current navigational charts be used when cruising and anchoring in the BVI waters. U.S. National Ocean Service (NOAA), U.S. Defense Mapping Agency, British Admiralty and Imray produce charts for the area. Electronic charts are available from C-Map, BSB\/NOAA, Garmin G-Map, Laser Plot, Maptech, Navionics and Northstar..<\/p>\n<p><strong>Deadman&#8217;s Bay, Peter Island<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Peter Island<br \/>\nEastern tip; long beach at the yacht club; prone to swell particularly in winter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Tortola<br \/>\nWell protected harbour bordered by white sand beach and restaurant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Little Harbour, Jost Van Dyke<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Jost Van Dyke &#8211; Little Harbour<br \/>\nCalm, quiet lagoon, three restaurants on shore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Machioneel Bay, Cooper&#8217;s Island<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Cooper Island<br \/>\nNorthwest shore; dock for dinghies, beach and restaurant.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Marina Cay<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Marina Cay<br \/>\nNorth of Trellis Bay, enter from the north to skirt coral. Moorings, small beach, Pusser&#8217;s Restaurant and Stores, and the Rob White happy hour bar on the top of the eight acre island.<\/p>\n<p><strong>North Sound, Virgin Gorda<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Virgin Gorda &#8211; North Sound<br \/>\nEastern tip of the island, surrounded by several islands, a variety of overnight anchorages; northern Caquhoun Reef for drafts greater than five feet; Anguilla Point entrance for shallow drafts in calm weather only; restaurants.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pelican Islands &amp; The Indians<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Pelican Island<br \/>\nClose to The Bight, good snorkelling and scuba diving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Road Harbour, Tortola<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Tortola &#8211; Road Town Area<br \/>\nThe BVI&#8217;s largest harbour bordered by Road Town; immigration and custom facilities; shops, restaurants, grocery store, and marina close by.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Salt Island<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Salt Island<br \/>\nLocation of the Wreck of the Rhone II, accessible by moorings at Lee Bay. Both Lee Bay and Salt Pond Bay have rough anchorages &#8211; recommended for day use only.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sandy Cay, Jost Van Dyke<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Jost Van Dyke<br \/>\nLong white sandy beach; prone to swells.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Soper&#8217;s Hole, West End Tortola<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Tortola &#8211; West End \/ Soper&#8217;s Hole<br \/>\nOne of the main ports of entry, deep and sheltered. Restaurant, ferries, marinas, and immigration and custom clearance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Baths, Virgin Gorda<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Virgin Gorda<br \/>\nSouthwestern shore; small grottoes and pools, excellent snorkelling; overnight swells are common.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Bight, Norman Island<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Norman Island<br \/>\nUninhabited, hiking to the top of the island; caves reachable by dinghy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Dogs<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Virgin Gorda &#8211; North Sound<br \/>\nBetween North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke; look to anchor on calm days west of George Dog or on south side of Great Dog.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trellis Bay, Beef Island<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Tortola &#8211; Beef Island<br \/>\nSheltered anchorage across from Marina Cay bordered by semicircular beach; restaurants, water sports, arts and crafts, and cyber caf\u00c3\u00a9 on premises. A short walk to the airport. Great Full Moon Party too.<\/p>\n<p><strong>White Bay, Jost Van Dyke<br \/>\n<\/strong>Island: Jost Van Dyke &#8211; White Bay<br \/>\nA channel through the reef provides access; subject to swells in the winter; white sand beach and restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; See more at: http:\/\/www.bvitourism.com\/moorings-anchorages#sthash.yp2FEvYE.dpuf<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Started at Compass Point Marina, St Thomas, USVI where we charters a Jeanneau 40 from VIP Yacht. The then sailed to: St. John, Francis Bay, Tortola, \u00a0BVI Soper&#8217;s Hole, The Pusser&#8217;s Landing at Soper&#8217;s Hole, West End. Located directly across &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/?p=2077\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[753,767],"tags":[760,759,764,757,761,755,756,765,754,762,763,758,766],"class_list":["post-2077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-british-virgin-islands","category-sailing","tag-anegada","tag-bitter-end-yacht-club","tag-bvi-anchorages","tag-cooper-island","tag-jost-van-dyke","tag-norman-island","tag-peter-island","tag-soggy-dollar","tag-st-john","tag-st-thomas","tag-tortola","tag-virgin-gorda","tag-willy-ts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2077"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10977,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2077\/revisions\/10977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frenchbychoice.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}