BVI vs USVI?

[Rubikoop]

Is this where I should start humming a patriotic tune and say something like "buy American". :-)

[LuxuryYachts]

There is a lot more development in the USVI. If you want lots of man-made distractions the USVIs is the place to go. I like the BVI because there are more islands and it's still a place where you get-away-from-it-all! Mother Nature at her finest...

[Lucky Larry]

Okay these are our current sailing grounds over the last 5 years. The BVIs have the most and best beach bars, St John is great for walking around in the woods, snorkeling, and maybe even an afternoon in Cruz Bay. SVI / Puerto Rico / Vieques and Culebra are the Islands to go to if you are looking for a beach to yourself, except on a Holiday weekend when they launch the Puerto Rican Navy.

Culebra is an absolute charm and we go between St Thomas and Culebra 3 or 4 times a year. It's an easy 1 day bash heading East and a half day downwind sail heading West. Even Norman Island BVI to Vieques is a one day sail in either direction. I've done it more than once.

I think that the ultimate is to pick up your charter in BVI and have a week to 10 days to sail downwind and turn it in at Puerto Del Rey Marina, Fajardo, PR. You can see them all without ever heading into the wind and current.

And no, I don't get more $$ if you charter our boat from SailCaribe in this way. I might get called to sail it to weather from PR/SVI to BVI someday but it hasn't happened yet. On our next trip we are sailing out of PR and dropping it at St Thomas.

[Dennis.G]

Originally Posted by LuxuryYachts

.... I like the BVI because there are more islands and it's still a place where you get-away-from-it-all! Mother Nature at her finest...

Mother Nature sure populated all the nice anchorages with a lot of mooring balls.

[Rubikoop]

Originally Posted by Dennis.G

Mother Nature sure populated all the nice anchorages with a lot of mooring balls.

Maybe the mooring balls are all natural free range ones.

[corporaljason]

Not sure how old this thread is but we are headed to BVI to charter a powered catamaran (marinemax charters) and looking for any "insider" info the charter company isnt telling us. Quick question, can you go to St. John from Tortola or do you have to go in and out of customs ? Thanks for any responses.

[Teknav]

Hi! The Customs Office is in Cruz Bay, not far from St. John's Ferry Dock; actually it is closer to the Park's Rangers office/dock. You have to clear Customs if you are coming from the BVI; very fast procedure. Enjoy St. John!

Mauritz

[maytrix]

You not only have to clear into the USVI, but you need to clear OUT of the BVI. Also make sure the charter company knows you plan on doing this. I believe it is easier with a US flagged vessel. I know anytime I mention it they make sure to put us on one.

As far as which is better. We like visiting St. John, but find the diving and snorkeling better in the BVI. Also seems there are more spots to go in to for dinner vs quieter anchorages on St. John, but with less right there on shore - especially at night - there are of course exceptions.

[finntwin]

BVI without question. Take the ferry and charter a boat. Experience will last a lifetime.

[corporaljason]

The reason I ask about going to St. John from Tortola is that we have some friends staying in St. John and we were thinking about picking them up for a day cruise but wasnt sure if its a pain to go in and out of BVI since it would just be for 1 day.

[FLLCatsailor]

Originally Posted by corporaljason

The reason I ask about going to St. John from Tortola is that we have some friends staying in St. John and we were thinking about picking them up for a day cruise but wasnt sure if its a pain to go in and out of BVI since it would just be for 1 day.

I would put it on them to ferry over to you guys if they want to enjoy your charter boat...

[Teknav]

I agree with FLL! A great suggestion! +

Mauritz
Been there and done that!

[corporaljason]

So I assume they have a ferry from St. John to Tortola ?

[Stu Jackson]

From a Google search on Tortola BVI ferries

Inter-Island Ferries | BVI Tourism

[maytrix]

How many days are you there for? If you are there for 7-8 days, I'd probably skip this. While it sounds like a nice idea, it's probably just more of a hassle.

If however you are there for a longer time 10 days or more, then a visit to St. john where you could meet them probably wouldn't be so bad. You could then spend a couple of days in St. John.