The last time my wife and I went with friends to the BVI we spent less time sailing and more time visiting. This time we spent more time sailing and it was glorious.
As always, we started out in Roadtown on Tortola. We partially provisioned so we would not have to lug gallons of water back from the store. Since that would leave less carrying capacity for our beer. Not really, it was great to have some items already on the boat. The water is heavy 🙂 We also found after a few years chartering, that its more of an adventure to find out what they have in the local markets.
Our first day out we briefly saw a family, that we follow on their blog: Windtraveler. They were grabbing an anchor and we were trying to grab some wind; so we just kept moving after exchanging a brief shout out and wave. Plus, the other two couples we were with have no idea who they are (we only do, since we have a young child and want to take him sailing; like they have their family).
Our first day out had us sailing to the Indians; a group of rocks jutting up out ocean near Peter Island. The snorkeling is fantastic there. The fish were plentiful and we got the chance to see a reef shark, as well as a turtle. The ride over, may have been a bit rough for one of our passengers, they chummed the water after the dinghy ride over. The fish didn’t mind…
That night we stayed in the bight not far from the Willy T. I have to say, I have only every treated this place as a bar and a spectacle. Watching tourists
jump off the boat is good fun. This time we also tried the food. It was delicious. I recommend trying it, especially the grilled yellow tail.
The next day, we jumped up and attempted to sail off the mooring. The mainsheet lacked a stopper knot and we managed to pull one side through the rope clutch, while we sailed through the mooring field. The real issue is that the sheet runs under the deck on the Jenneau we were on. With some quick thinking we tied a messenger line to the jib sheet that passed the same way and pulled it forward, tied it back to the mainsheet. With a quick pull we were back in business.
Once we rounded the Indians, we sailed to Leverick bay. One tack the entire time. Past Tortola. Past Beef Island. All the way to the top of Virgin Gorda. It was a glorious sail. In fact we only tacked to get into the harbor and then sailed all the way to the mooring. Certainly we made made people nervous with our lack of engine use 😉
We have stayed in Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda in the past. The marina is ok. But its hot. Leverick bay has a constant cool breeze blowing from the Bitter End side of the bay. While you could get a slip, just pick up the mooring. Doing so allows for 100 gallons of 
water and the ability to toss your garbage. The resort has many things to offer, including a swimming pool, a great restaurant and shops. A short walk, though steep, is a small grocery store to provision.
In the next post I will let you know about the fun we had on Virgin Gorda…