Best Connected Route From BVI to Florida

[dmerck]

I have an AT&T international Cell Plan I use for work but I need to get our new 43’ 2006 Leopard to Florida by May to have work done on her. Can anyone recommend a route that will allow us to enjoy the trip back while maintaining 3G connectivity. Is a cell phone booster a must? Thanks so much!!

[Scott Berg]

If you truly have to be connected for more than email daily I'd probably recommend a delivery captain, hotel, and airplane. There are just too many holes you may fall into.

[dmerck]

Are there places with decent connectivity? If so which places? I have the ability to take some time off if/when needed. If I have to, I could go part of the way and then fly. I would prefer to make the most of the opportunity to spend time with wife and 20 year old son. Options/thoughts?

[DeValency]

We have done this rout last year, having AT&T international but also IridiumGo as I wanted to stay in touch with my own company and get updated weather. AT&T worked well at most times along the coasts without a booster. This was our route:
St. Maarten along the BVI and USVI and along PR south coast - to Ponce
Ponce to Puerto Real in PR west coast
Puerto Real across the Mona (northern route) tp the DR, Marina de Puerto Bahia
Puerto Bahia to West Caicos Island. Anchoring overnight
West Caicos to Long Island, the Bahamas, had a reasonable cellular connection along the islands all the way
Long Island to the Great Exuma - George Town
George Town to Eleuthera Island
Eleuthera Island long leg straight to Palm Beach, FL

You may have a little more flexibility as my boat draft is 6'.

We wanted to stop overnight as possible without extending the trip but had 6-7 overnight sailing in this voyage, few overnights are unavoidable, but we were also under some time constraints to arrive to the US.

I would say we could get a reasonable cellular reception when sailing along all the islands on the way but there were still days and nights away from any land and the IridiumGo worked well at all times.

Wish we had more time (BIG mistake to be limited with time) and no islands in lockdown (started very much along our way as of early March 2020 through the arrival to Florida on April 1st) - it is a great trip.

Enjoy

[Joli]

You should be able to make the trip in one working week if you don't stop. We were 6.5 days USVI'S to Charleston last year with a 14 hour delay from TS Bertha.

[Stmurray62]

I’m a delivery Captain, done this trip several times. Best bet is buy or rent an Iridium Go sat phone.

Capt Steve Murray
904 557 6932

[Gaia]

We have done this and echo the Iridium Go suggestion. Marvelous if you have to stay in touch.

Jim sv Gaia

[DockDoc]

St Marteen to Chesapeake. Did it in 2 months. It was a vacation trip so we didn't rush.

IridiumGo. You can text, get text emails, and make some decent calls with this. No videos, and no big pictures. Data is in KB sent so even 1 MB can bog it down. Best used for weather and texting. Some folks are pros.

I really like Culebra. Great anchorage, food, atmosphere. I would add that stop to your trip.

[garychurch]

Garmin InReach SE Explorer is a good alternative to an Iridium Go.

Garmin Earthmate app for computer, tablet or phone works with the inReach to send and receive emails, text message and weather. Garmin inReach monthly communication subscription is less than $30 per month.

[Scott Berg]

I think he was asking about total conductivity, World Wide Web, more than just email

[DeValency]

Last week I received an email from Starlink, inviting me to proceed with the registration made few months ago and pre-order the service and hardware, - $99/month and $499 for the equipment, expecting it to be available in six months. I couldn’t get any further information on the type of antenna and the feasibility of using the service on board but guess we are somewhat getting closer.

Maybe in a year.