Virgin Islands
BVIs Caribbean Sunshine Cruise Programme
Read about January 2010
Book now for 2011 - Dec 31 to Jan 8 Videos: Coming up the beach at Soggy Dollar and (The Soggy Dollar Bar)
The SailCork cruise around the British Virgin Islands (BVIs) departs London Gatwick Airport Dec 31st 2011 (Irish crew depart Ireland 30 Dec and overnight Gatwick) - with 7 leisurely fun filled days until arriving back to Gatwick on Jan8th. Our base at Tortola offers the opportunity to cruise some of the islands, rocks, cays, reefs and islets that make up the Virgin Islands. The island chain spans about 50 miles east to west in length and offers a superb cruising area. Sail aboard our top class boat and visit up to 3 different destinations each day
Visit Virgin Gorda, Joost Van Dyke, Peter's Island, Norman Island and other smaller islands. Swim ashore for a beer at the Soggy Dollar and swim with the fish at Norman Island. These islands are full of local bird life, flora and fauna and the crystal clear waters offer views of an amazing variety of fish. Enjoy snorkelling with Parrotfish, Spotted Drums, Cleaner Ship, Angels, Sergeant Majors, slow gliding Rays and many, many others. The islands are famous for their watering holes - the "Willie T" is an old sailing ship on Norman Island, "Foxy's" and the "Soggy Dollar" on Jost Van Dyke, and "Pussers" in Roadtown in Tortola.
Sail in the waters where the skull and crossbones flew! Dozens or wonderful islands to explore! Sail in the wake of the Pirates of yesteryear to enjoy warm waters, sunshine and excellent sailing with lots of exciting destinations! With place names like Treasure Point and Devils's Bay you can hear the echoes from the islet of Dead Man's Chest... "Yo ho ho and a bottle of Rum!" This romantic group of islands provides the setting for a memorable sailing holiday. Yachtmaster Instructor Eddie English will make you feel at home in these waters and work on your sailing and navigational skills aboard your luxury 52' latter day pirate ship! Jo English brings on board her professional culinary skills as hostess - and will even show you how to cater at sea!
British Virgin Islands 2011 - Provisional Programme:
Thursday 30 Overnight Gatwick (Irish crew and UK crew not residing near Gatwick) – Sofitel hotel at airport
Crew briefing on BVIs voyage with skipper Eddie English
Saturday 1 Briefing + planning, provisioning, boat prep, shake down sail to Norman Island (8 miles) – Drinks on the Willie T. and dinner ashore .
Sunday 2 Morning sail to “the Baths” Virgin Gorda via Peter Island, Salt Island, Cooper Island and Ginger Island (15M) –
Monday 3 Sail North Sound and the Bitter End on Virgin Gorda with island visit(10M)
Tuesday 4 Sail West (Early Start!) Island stop for breakfast!
Wednesday 5 . Sail around the chill out island – Joost Van Dyke – swim ashore and relax at the Soggy Dollar in White Bay (15M)
Thursday 6 Return sail to Roadtown in Tortola via Sopers Hole (14M) after island odessy – last night in Caribbean!
Friday 7 Depart boat – farewell brunch at Charlies- 1200 Check in Beef Island Airport 1910- Dep Antigua for transatlantic flight.
Saturday 8 0715 -arrive Gatwick- Reality sets in!!!!!
SailCork Caribbean Sailing January 2011
Notes: You will need a valid passport. Luggage 20kg No hard cases! One item of hand luggage – max 5 kg On arrival– fill out landing card. No peishables (fresh food) will get through customs. There is a bit of a wait to say the least!! Caribbean time!!
Food: We hope to eat ashore 4 of 7 evenings. Lunch aboard most days. Breakfast aboard. Ashore - 3 Course meal including ½ bottle of wine approx US$60 Bottle of beer $3-4. Basic shopping done in advance.
Currency US $ -usual currency Cash machines Roadtown Tortola
How much to bring?: Kitty for boat includes berthing, mooring, fuel and gas – combined with Food (+drink!) kitty - $200-250 per hd (includes breakfasts, lunches and meals aboard). + Drink? + other spend?
Temperature 25-30 degrees – that’s warm!! Light clothes – Shorts + tee shirts, collared summer shirt for dinner (some places) togs/towel, rain jacket, sun hat. sunscreen, anti-mosquito spray. Travel light – you will not need warm clothes. Wind average Jan NNE 15-20 knots Sunrise 0630 Sunset 1745. Early mornings to get the best of the day!
Must do: Look at BVIs on Google Earth! Google BVI’s and have a good look for yourself! See some great reviews here. If you have a chart have a look at the destinations, distances and obstacles!! Have a look at a video about the beach bars!
Jo at SailCork on +353 21 4811237 – or mobile +353 86 6272260
SailCork Sunshine Cruises 2010:
Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco (May 9-15)
Eddie English Blog
Cork Week - Europe’s best fun regatta
The build up has begun............ not long to go now to one of the best Regattas in the world - Cork Week! This bi-annual feast of sailing and fun runs from 12-16 July at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven Co. Cork Ireland. This gathering of the "good, the bad and the ugly" of sailing has a place in everybody's heart - it is simply the best - great racing afloat for 5 days and a festival of fun ashore for over a week. I wouldn't miss it for love nor money. You too can get afloat with SailCork. Follow the link below and find out more about this fantastic regatta..........
