The Moorings News

The Moorings Announces a New Yacht Charter Destination in Annapolis, Maryland

Wed, 9 May 2012 12:00:00

Sailing and Power Yacht Charters start May 2012

April 27, 2012 - (Clearwater, FL) –The Moorings is to open a new charter base in Annapolis, Maryland, on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. A fleet of Beneteau monohulls,and Moorings sailing and powered catamarans will be available for bareboat sailing, power and skippered charters on the Bay, beginning May 2012.

Cruise the Chesapeake Bay with The Moorings Annapolis

Boating on the Chesapeake Bay is the perfect way to discover the scenic shores of Maryland. A world-renowned sailing and powerboating destination, Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, spanning 200 miles from the Susquehanna River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south.

Cruising conditions are fantastic, with prevailing 5-20 knot southwesterly winds, perfect for exploring the many sheltered harbors and waterways of the Maryland shore. Ashore, the area is rich in history and its maritime heritage is showcased in the west coast’s quaint, old-fashioned fishing and crabbing towns. The region is renowned for fine dining and fresh seafood, and after a stroll through the historic colonial streets of downtown Annapolis there’s nothing like tucking into a platter of steamed crabs.

Cheryl Powell, Chief Operating Officer of The Moorings, says, “We are very excited to offer such a terrific new cruising ground in North America. The Moorings Annapolis is our first base on the East coast. Whether you want a leisurely weekend getaway or a longer charter, you will experience the same world-class customer service and meticulously maintained yachts that are the hallmark of a Moorings vacation.”

The Fleet – Sail & Power Yachts

The Moorings offers an exciting fleet mix of monohulls and sailing or powered catamarans for charter. Monohulls include the Moorings 40.3 (3 cabin/2 head) and Moorings 42CC (4 cabin/2 head), which features a center cockpit with offset helm position that opens up the cockpit space. The luxurious new Moorings 3900 sailing catamaran and Moorings 393 Powercat will also join the Annapolis fleet. Both boast 3 cabin/2 heads layouts, with a spacious master suite in the starboard hull, and generator and air-conditioning to ensure onboard comfort.

The Moorings New Location

Charters on the Chesapeake Bay will begin May 15, 2012 from The Moorings base at the Annapolis Landing Marina. This award-winning marina is just a short drive away from Downtown Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay waterway, and only 45 minutes from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI).

Powell says, “The Annapolis Landing Marina was our first choice because it’s so close to many area attractions and because it’s a great venue for The Moorings customers, with a wonderful host of yacht club-style amenities, including a pool, restaurant and picnic area.”

Commenting on the new partnership, Ed Hartman, Annapolis Landing Marina’s president and owner, said, “We’ve worked diligently to provide an atmosphere and amenities that make Annapolis Landing Marina a warm, welcoming place for all guests, We are pleased to be working with a high-quality operation like The Moorings, and look forward to welcoming their customers to Annapolis Landing.”

For more information about The Moorings Annapolis destination, or charter vacations, visit www.moorings.com or call 1-800-535-7289.

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The Moorings, world's premier yacht charter company, has delivered unmatched quality, service and attention to detail since 1969. Sail-it-yourself bareboat yachts, crewed yachts with captain and chef, and power yacht charters are available. The Moorings is a proud member of TUI Travel Group^®. Your vacation is in safe hands.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Josie Tucci, Marketing Director North America

727 451 7755
Jtucci@tuimarine.com

For Images:

Carol Hansen, The Moorings Brand Manager

727 530 5424

Chansen@mooringsnet.com

Feature: A British Virgin Islands Escape!

Mon, 7 May 2012 12:00:00

See our feature article titled “Sailing in the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean” in the PBS travel series Passport to Adventure!

Read the article!

British Virgin Islands: a Mecca for Sailors

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:00

You can just feel it……when you arrive in the British Virgin Islands (BVI’s) you know you will have a good time. People are happy. They smile and say hello, striking up random conversations.

Actually, the BVI’s are darn near perfect. Mecca for sailers. Gorgeous water. Protected waterway. Secluded and private coves with mooring balls, where one can latch a sailboat and sway in the wind. Strong consistent winds, but less chop and roll than found in the ocean because of its unique geographical position of two almost parallel sets of islands.

Not all those who charter boats know what they are doing. I recently spent a week sailing in the BVI’s and I talked to a man from Canada who confessed with a sheepish grin that he spent the entire flight coming down from Canada to Tortola reading “Sailing for Dummies.” Good thing it was a long flight.

That and a four hour crash course with a captain before heading out, he and his buddy said, “We learned a lot.”

Fortunately the captains of our floating home-away-from- home knew what they were doing. The sailing was great, no, make that fabulous and the visual experience of being in the Caribbean couldn’t be better.

First, the color of the water. The pictures you see on travel posters or photo books may be “enhanced” with Photoshop, but when you get there you see that they are the real deal. Depending upon the depth of the water and the direction of the sun, the water glistened and shimmered the most amazing greens and blues.

I’ll always remember the time we sailed out of a short gray misty rain squall to the most brilliant marine blue water highlighted with white waves and gleaming boats. When I didn’t think it could get any better, we turned to go into the cove where we planned to spend the night, it turned mind -boggling green. One of my sailing mates shouted, “Color change” as she grabbed her camera. It is stunning.

The beaches are better than what you see on the postcards. The sand is soft and silky, the water blue and the hammocks the ultimate in lazy life.

But sometimes I ohhhed and awed over the palette of silvers and grays. When a squall came our way or the sun disappeared behind a cloud, the surreal mounds of flat islands and silvery water, made me feel like I was in an Ansel Adams photograph. After the short rain squalls we encountered occasionally we were rewarded with rainbows worthy of illustrating children’s books. Like, how can Mother nature create such a perfect image in front of us?

I loved sunsets and sunrises. Watching the brilliant colors take over the sky and the reflection on the water around us amazed me every day. I got some pretty good images to share, but the memories of watching the sun come and go will remain with me forever.

Also visually delightful were the tiny gathering areas (too small to call towns) where we stopped for fresh lobster, great fish sandwiches, a tiny bit of shopping and lazy consumption of drinks with names like Pain Killer. The happy mix of pastels and sunny brights are just too much fun. In fact, it is part of what communicates that this is a place to have a good time. No one is taken back by the goofy stuff like this tree growing out of pink roof .

The boats were great to oggle. We saw lots of of huge party boat catamarans and boats like the 37 foot Beneteau we chartered. But we also saw yachts, old sailboats designed to look like pirate ships, a mammoth cruise ship and a plethora of other nautical vessels in all shapes and sizes.

Most of the coves where we were anchored were too small for the yachts. When we did stay in one with large sleek neighbors, they looked so out of proportion and somehow silly with all the salty sailboats and folks who are happy to wear the same pair of shorts and minimal changes of t-shirts for a week. I wondered if our yachting neighbors were lost and trying to find Monaco or some ritzier harbor.

Returning to the Moorings home base on Tortola I found myself taking lots of pictures of the sailboats all in a row…..actually multiple rows. Their red and blue sails wrapped around the jibs, creating beautiful art in the water.

March 19, 2012 - by Susan J. Smith

The Moorings and MedSail Announce 10th Anniversary Event

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:00

Following 9 successful years of medical training on the water, The Moorings and MedSail are proud to announce the upcoming 10th Annual Medicine for Mariners and Safety at Sea conference in the British Virgin Islands, taking place February 2-9, 2013.

The Wilderness Medical Society, the world’s leading organization devoted to wilderness medical education and research, supports and accredits this seminar that is designed for physicians, health professionals, and sailors who have a special interest in medical care in the marine environment. Participants live aboard their chartered yacht for the entire event, which includes seminars at a different island location each day. The event speakers are highly experienced educators and widely recognized experts in their fields, with a goal of providing participants with a first class learning and recreational experience in a stunning tropical paradise.

The sailing is designed to be easy and relaxed, appealing to inexperienced and seasoned boaters alike. The flotilla of yachts is organized by The Moorings Sailing Vacations and includes choice of sail-it-yourself yachts, or crewed catamarans with captain and chef for those who wish to leave the details of sailing and meal preparation to a professional crew.

Each morning starts with a 21/2 -hour seminar ashore at a different island beach bar or restaurant—some participant favorites include Foxy’s, Cooper Island Resort, Pirates Beach Bar, and The Bitter End Resort. After morning conferences, the group sets sail to a new island, leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, organized scuba diving, beach combing, or just relaxing.

15 hours of (category 1) Continuing Medical Education credits are provided for this course. For more information and program schedule, visit www.medicineformariners.com or contact Barbara Daetwyler at The Moorings at 1-888-703-3173.

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The Moorings, world's premier yacht charter company, has delivered unmatched quality, service and attention to detail since 1969. Sail-it-yourself bareboat yachts, crewed yachts with captain and chef, and power yacht charters are available. The Moorings is owned by TUI Travel, PLC, one of the largest and most successful travel and tourism companies in the world. Trust in TUI: Your vacation is in safe hands.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Carol Hansen, Marketing Manager

727-437-5112

chansen@mooringsnet.com

Making scuba-diving a family sport

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:00:00

Never mind the moray eel. I'm focused on rubbing the "lucky" porthole of a ship that sunk here in a hurricane nearly 150 years ago.

Did I mention that I'm 60 feet underwater, diving mask on my face, breathing oxygen from a tank strapped to my back? That sunken ship — the RMS Rhone — is the top dive site here in the British Virgin Islands (www.bvitourism.com) and the morning we're here, there are plenty of other divers in the water as we explore the wreck with Sail Caribbean Divers (www.sailcaribbeandivers.com).

While the Wreck of the Rhone, just off Salt Island, is a must-dive site, Mike Rowe, who oversees Sail Caribbean Divers, tells us that there are many wonderful dive sites here — canyons, tunnels, caverns grottos teeming with underwater life like Blond Rock, The Chimney, The Wreck of the Chikuzen and The Indians. The BVI boasts more than 50 islands and islets, after all.

I'm just thankful to share this spectacular adventure in paradise with my husband and kids. It's terrific — and rare — when you can find something you all enjoy, especially as the kids grow older (kids as young as 10 can become certified divers) on vacation. Learning to dive is easier and less expensive — typically $300 — than you might think, thanks to the option of completing online coursework first (www.padi.com). PADI reports that a million people become certified divers every year.

My husband, Andy, and son, Matt, had gotten certified some 15 years ago in the BVI — a father-tween bonding exercise; I did some years later on a trip to Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas. My daughter Mel learned to dive last year on a mom-daughter trip to Grand Turk Island and then was able to use her certification in Bali when she was studying in Asia. (Read what I wrote about our Grand Turk trip http://www.takingthekids.com/weekly-column/learning-to-scuba-dive-at-a-tiny-caribbean-resort.)

Now it is time for my daughter Regina Yemma and her boyfriend Dan Foldes to join our club. When we planned a sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands with The Moorings (www.Moorings.com) we knew we wanted there to be a diving component. Sail Caribbean Divers, a PADI 5-Star Instructional Development Dive Resort, the only one in the BVI with these highest ratings and with four locations, made it easy: Reg and Dan came to the BVI ahead of us to complete the first of their required three days of water instruction with Victoria "Vicky" Zgardzinski. First, they had learning sessions at the beach on Cooper Island, going over the fundamentals of the gear. (Certainly a lot more pleasant than when I did it in a chilly YMCA pool.) By the time we arrived, they were ready for their required open-water dives and we were able to rendezvous with our boat at Norman Island.

Reg and Dan reported they were stunned by the sea life — fluorescent-colored fish, countless coral and sponge species, spotted eels, and prickly urchins — on dives that were exhilarating and a little scary, as they learned to breath underwater and manage all the necessary equipment.

Their final dive before "graduation" — through the canyons of an underwater reef — "was over before we wanted it to be," they reported. "Soon we were on the surface trading high-fives and fist bumps, reveling in our accomplishment," Foldes added.

(In case any of you have water-loving teens, the same crew from Sail Caribbean Divers has been running summer learn-to-dive and sail programs here in the British Virgin Islands for more than 30 years, www.sailcaribbean.com.)

Our dive on The Rhone was memorable not only because it was our first together as certified divers but because the site is a constant source of fascination for divers and snorkelers — part of the ship can be snorkeled. We were actually able to swim through part of the wreck — it took us less than two minutes. (There is still a spoon with the captain's initials on it.) The massive size of the ship's superstructure is amazing — as is the sea life that now calls it home — Queen Angel fish, fire coral, sponges that cover the wheel. Wow!

It was simply fate that The Rhone was here at all that fall day, Oct. 29, 1867 to be precise, explained our dive master Melisande Rowe. The state-of-the-art ship was actually supposed to go to the much busier port of St. Thomas, but because of an outbreak of Yellow Fever there, the passengers and cargo came to Tortola to take on coal and provisions.

When the hurricane blew in, Captain Robert Wooley was the first casualty — washed overboard as he tried to assess the weather. The crew tried frantically to get the 300-pound anchor up and get the ship out to sea, but the anchor and chains were stuck. It was all over in a matter of seconds. The ship exploded. To this day, no one knows exactly why; the red-hot boiler furnaces blew the ship in half.

Some 200 perished on The Rhone and 75 other vessels were either lost or seriously damaged in the hurricane. Amazingly, there were some survivors — one washing up on the island of St. John 17 miles away. Because the people on Salt Island (so named because they harvested salt) worked so hard to save the survivors and bury the dead, Queen Victoria gave them the island — a wonderful gift for the poor islanders.

We saw the gear box house and rudder, crow's nest and mast, the hatch — all covered with coral and sponges. The Rhone is now a national park but, according to Rowe, that hasn't stopped people from trying to steal the lucky porthole.

I'm glad they weren't successful. I rubbed the porthole — number 26 — three times as instructed and we had great luck the rest of the trip. Everyone was happy (for the most part). Meltdowns were few. Memories were made.

I need a lucky porthole every time I take the kids.

By Eileen Ogintz - Tribune Media Services
February 23, 2012

(For more on Eileen's adventure in the BVI, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow @TakingtheKids, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)

BVI host 2012 Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival in March

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:00:00

The Caribbean Artisan Network is proud to announce that His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester will be officially opening the 8th annual Caribbean Arts and Crafts Festival at a 2 o’clock ceremony in the Trellis bay village on the 9th of March.

We are also excited to relay the news that The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board has become the platinum sponsor for the up coming festival.

The Moorings, LIAT, BVI Airways, Sol, JOMA, YCCS, Oil Nut Bay, Little Dix, The Bitter End, Guana Island and Aragorn’s Studio as major sponsors, in collaboration with the British Virgin Islands Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association and the BVI Government Department of Culture will be hosting the Caribbean’s premier Artisan Festival.

The Caribbean Artisan Network is announcing a major call to all artisans in the region who have not yet registered for this unique and popular cultural festival. There is still time and space to take advantage of the festivals many attractive features: Discounted airfares and baggage, by LIAT and BVI Airways, Free accommodation in the BVI provided by The Moorings, Duty free entry of artisan products by BVI HM Customs.

The Caribbean Artisan Network is an eight-year-old BVI registered Non Profit Organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Caribbean Arts and Crafts (more info on www.caribbeanartisan.net). By creating links between artisans, the network functions to strengthen the production of traditional and innovative Caribbean Crafts through educational workshops, marketing initiatives and skill preservation efforts. The Caribbean Artisan Network is dedicated to increasing the commercial viability of Craft as an income generator and as a crucial aspect of maintaining Caribbean cultural identity.

The Caribbean Artisan Network’s slogan for this year’s festival: “Use our natural resources in the preservation of our cultural heritage and our imagination to revitalize our economy and cultural identity!” is seen as a rallying cry for artisans and consumers to strive towards sustainable economic development and cultural identity formulation through the imaginative and intelligent use of our natural resources.

This year the Caribbean Artisan Network is honoring the BVI’s East End/Long Look straw workers, who have admirably demonstrated the positive values and economic viability of a life dedicated to craft.

The Schedule and special features are as follows:

March 9th: 2pm Opening ceremony and speeches: His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester will officially open the festival. Wine tasting by Caribbean Cellars.

March 10th: Trellis Bay Village, Artisan displays open at 9.00. A free Farmers Market is being presented with in the festival grounds. Craft demonstrations and live entertainment through out the day and into the evening.

March 11th: Trellis Bay Village, Artisan displays open at 9.00.Free entry live painting session. Craft demonstrations and live entertainment through out the day and into the evening. There will be an awards ceremony at 2.00 pm. Awards will be given for: The Most Creative Display, Best Preservation of Traditional Craft, Most Innovative New Craft Item and The Best Youth Artisan.

March 12th: Trellis Bay Village, Artisan displays open at 9.00. Virgin Island Culture Day, Fungi Music, Moko Jumbies , Cassava Baking and Craft demonstrations as well as live entertainment through out the day and into the evening.

March 13th: Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor: Artisan displays open at 9.00. Craft demonstrations and live entertainment until 4.00 pm.

March 14th: Road Town , Noel Lloyd Positive Action Park. Artisan displays open at 9.00. Craft demonstrations and live entertainment through out the day until 4.00 pm.

March 15th : Afternoon artisan vending opportunities at both the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the Bitter End yacht Club in the North Sound.

This year booth fees will be waived for all local schools and elderly handcraft groups that want to participate.

For more information, or to participate as an exhibitor or sponsor, please contact the festival organizers on:

Face Book/The Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival

Or contact Aragorn Dick-Read on 1 284 5420586 or

dreadeye@surfbvi.com

The Moorings Mainsheet - Winter 2012!

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00

Browse our newest issue online! Features include Annual Events in the Caribbean, “Must-Do” recommendations for 2012 provided by Moorings guests, and some personal accounts of charter destinations including Belize, St. Martin and Croatia! There is much more inside, so check it out!

Download Mainsheet - Winter 2011 (PDF Document - 1729K)

The Moorings Opens a New Yacht Charter Destination in Corfu, Greece

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:00:00

Clearwater, FL – February 6, 2012 – The Moorings, the world’s leading yacht charter company, announced today it will open a new base in Corfu, located just off Greece’s northwest coast. Corfu is the perfect starting point for a luxurious Moorings bareboat sailing or skippered charter through the region’s famous northern and southern Ionian Islands.

Cruise The Ionian Sea with The Moorings Corfu

The flexible itineraries of Corfu yacht charter offer a range of experiences to suit all tastes. Cheryl Powell, Chief Operating Officer of The Moorings, notes, “This destination is highly regarded by sailors for consistently superb weather, as well as its combination of open sea sailing through longer passages to the South lonian, shorter island hops in between and even stops in scenic ports of call along the mainland.”

Before or after a charter, there is much to explore on the island of Corfu, which has earned international acclaim and been nicknamed “Jewel of the Ionian” for its historical ports, warm hospitality, stunning beaches and well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Guests will have the opportunity to explore fascinating sights along their itinerary, such as Drogarati, a magnificent cavern 196 feet below ground on Kefalonia, as well as the uniquely different ports of Frikes, Kioni and Vathy that are located on the easygoing isle of Ithaca, the fabled home of Odysseus. The renowned town of Lefkas on Lefkas Island is also well within reach and offers boutiques, several museums and some of the area’s best seafood tavernas. Afloat, Greece’s clean, crystal clear waters offer excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.

According to Powell, Corfu is also an excellent destination for vacationers because of the many flight options it affords travelers around the world; it is easily reached by short connecting flights from Athens and most European cities. The Moorings base is a short 10-minute drive from Corfu International Airport.

The Moorings Corfu base will be open during Greece’s primary sailing season from April through November, when guests can expect northwest winds from 10 to 20 knots with calms in the morning. Temperatures are comfortable, ranging between 76^oF and 82^oF (24^oC to 28^oC), and water temperatures average 78^oF (26^oC).

Custom Monohulls and Catamarans – 39 to 50 ft.

The Moorings will offer a series of custom Beneteau-built monohulls, including the Moorings 41.3 (3-cabin/2-head), Moorings 43.3 (3-cabin/3-head) and the Moorings 50.5 (5-cabin/5-head). In addition, fleet’s newest catamaran, Moorings 3900 (3-cabin/2-head), will be offered. This charter model was based upon the award-winning hull design, interior accommodation plan and helm station of the private model Leopard 38, named Cruising World’s Boat of the Year 2010 and Best Boat 2010 by SAIL. Virtual tours for each yacht model are available and can be viewed on their individual overviews.

For information about The Moorings charter vacations, visit www.moorings.com or call 1-800-535-7289.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Josie Tucci, Marketing Director North America

727 451 7755
Jtucci@tuimarine.com

The Moorings featured in a Chicago Tribune Article

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00

Taking the Kids -- on an un-cruise cruise

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Media Services
Taking the Kids
January 26, 2012

For once, we're masters of our own destiny -- in paradise, no less.

Really.

Now if we can just survive the week of togetherness!

My far-flung gang has come to the British Virgin Islands -- the undisputed Sailing Capital of the World -- for a week aboard a chartered Moorings sailboat (www.moorings.com). It is the first time my husband and I and our three kids (plus my daughter Reggie's boyfriend) have been in the same place at the same time in more than a year. My youngest daughter has just returned from a semester abroad; Reggie and Dan live and work in San Francisco; my son works and attends graduate school in New York. My husband and I live in Connecticut.

I was desperate to figure out a way to get us all together away from home in a place we'd all enjoy. A sailing trip was their top pick -- we'd happily done it before. The British Virgin Islands (www.britishvirginislands.com) have long been popular with sailors because of the constant winds and the fact that you are rarely out of sight of land. It's no wonder then that more than 700 sailboats and yachts, the largest fleet in the Caribbean, are moored in Tortola. The Moorings has been in business for more than 40 years here and this trip we're aboard a 46-foot Catamaran with four cabins -- the largest boat we've ever sailed ourselves.

Everywhere we look here there is turquoise blue sea, bobbing sailboats, cruise ships and mega yachts, not to mention the small islands off in the distance. (This is an archipelago of some 60 islands, after all.)

The best part: There is no one telling us what time we have to eat dinner or even where we are going next. Welcome to the alternative to mega cruise ships and fancy resorts.

My three kids, Matt, Reggie and Melanie, all experienced sailors, nixed the idea of a captain, much less a cook, though that certainly is an option on charters. (Captains cost $185 a day.) Being the master of your own vacation destiny can be cheaper than you might think, though, certainly cheaper than a big resort where you're paying $5 for a soft drink, double that when the kids are old enough for alcoholic concoctions. Sailboats with two cabins start at around $330 a day. Look for the latest deals on www.moorings.com.

This is our third sailing trip in the Virgin Islands, though our first in six years. I joke that I don't think we'll be searching out women to braid the girls' hair this trip, or that Melanie will fall asleep at dinner. "You just have to chill, mom," says Mel, who, like her older sister, has taught sailing. "You don't have to take care of everything anymore!"

Certainly, I don't expect everything to go as planned. It never does when kids, no matter how old they are, are part of the equation. But it's still hard to let go of those expectations when the kids bicker (sibling issues don't disappear in paradise), it rains (and I forgot my rain jacket), food freezes in the small fridge (it happens no matter what we do) and I discover I've forgotten the meat for our planned fajitas dinner.

"We'll eat veggie fajitas," my daughter Reggie says with a shrug. "This is an adventure, not a resort where everything is done for you!"

She's right. And that means the most memorable aspects of the trip will likely be what I didn't plan or anticipate -- from the kids beating me at Scrabble (I used to be the family champion) to my husband diving 40 feet -- literally -- to retrieve the top to our dinghy's motor, which fell into the water when he tried to repair it. (Thanks Sail Caribbean for lending us the needed gear after our dive), to Melanie's regaling us with her expertise on reefs after a semester studying environmental issues in Thailand.

We wake up with the sun in a place where pirates once ruled. The British Virgin Islands is not nearly as developed as the U.S. Virgin Islands so the ambiance is far more relaxed, especially offshore. We jump from the boat to snorkel and swim. We eat gargantuan lobsters on the island of Anegada, home to just 300 people and famous for its lobsters. The kids try windsurfing and paddle-boarding at The Bitter End Yacht Club (www.beyc.com) on Virgin Gorda, which boasts an unparalleled array of watercraft for sailors and guests.

The biggest issue of the day -- besides where to go -- is whether we have enough ice. A trip like this requires that you be willing to let go of some of your creature comforts. We may have a blender and microwave on board, but we're the only dishwashers and we've got to pump the water after a shower that isn't always hot.

"Who cares!" my kids say. When the watermelon freezes, they use it in drinks.

Along the way, Reg and her boyfriend, Dan Foldes, will become certified divers, thanks to PADI's online course (www.padi.com) and Sail Caribbean, which also has run summer teen programs here for more than three decades (www.sailcaribbean.com). We'll dive together as a family (more about that in another upcoming column), snorkel, kayak and most importantly, catch up on our lives.

It takes a lot of pulling together on a trip like this -- from deciding our course to what to make for breakfast, putting up and taking down the sails, deciding where to moor the boat and getting the dinghy going when it stalls. We can't just get away from one another either -- short of jumping off the boat.

We disagree -- sometimes loudly -- over sailing technique, what to cook for dinner, whether we need more beer, as well as some more important issues of the day. A floating mat we've rented from Last Stop Sports (www.laststopsports.com) blows overboard.

At The Bight, an anchorage and long-ago hideout for pirates, located on Norman Island, just a quick sail from Tortola where we started, there is no one else around but other sailboats. When I offered the kids the chance to go eat at the waterfront restaurant, they said they preferred a just-us dinner onboard our boat.

I smiled. That was the point, after all.

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)

Sailing the British Virgin Islands by Julie Wilson ~ Islands Magazine

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00

The BVI has over 60 islands, crystal clear waters and gentle tropical winds, making it one of the top sailing destinations in the world. These were a few of my favorite island stops on a charter from the Moorings.

Diamond Cay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands:

This has one of the best unknown snorkeling spots in the BVI if you are willing to wade through the flats and follow the shoreline to the tip of the island. The cove is a great place to moor for the night and is home to hawksbill sea turtles, stingrays and lots of tropical fish. Don’t feel like cooking? Head over to Foxy’s Tabu for an amazing local island meal.

The Baths, British Virgin Islands:

The Baths are probably the most popular and unique beaches in the BVI. Boulders the size of houses are perfectly stacked, creating grottos and caves to climb through and snorkel around. Moorings are available along the coastline for overnight anchoring and easy access to the beaches.

Peter Island, British Virgin Islands:

Peter Island is considered one of the most romantic islands in the BVI. The Peter Island Resort & Spa welcomes day guests to enjoy their private restaurants, beaches and shops. Ask Captain to make one of his popular cocktails.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands:

The capital of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola has numerous anchorages and secluded beaches to roam. Cane Garden Bay is loaded with beachfront restaurants, live music and plenty of bars pouring delicious rum concoctions.

Cooper Island, British Virgin Islands:

Cooper Island is one of the smaller, more laid-back islands. The shoreline has colorful bungalows, a dive operation and one of the best gift shops in the BVI.

The Indians, British Virgin Islands:

The Indians are located near Norman Island and stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of the Drake Channel. Considered one of the best snorkeling spots in the BVI, they are home to a rare triggerfish, and have an underwater tunnel. Make sure to anchor early as it gets busy with tour boats.

Sandy Spit, British Virgin Islands:

Located between Jost Van Dyke and Tortola, Sandy Spit has powder white sand, calm and clear waters and can be circumnavigated in about 3 minutes. Great for a lazy day on the beach.

Monkey Point, Guana Island, British Virgin Islands:

This island is only accessible by boat and well worth the stop. With an abundance of marine life, this rocky shoreline is home to big tarpon, schools of minnows and assorted tropical fish.

Norman Island, British Virgin Islands:

This uninhabited island is famous for its stories of pirates and treasure caves. It also has secluded coves for snorkeling, an amazing hiking trail that leads to breathtaking views, and the Willy T, a permanent floating bar known to draw an enthusiastic crowd.