Preliminary Itinerary - BVIs 2011

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Here is the itinerary for the BVIs last year.  The itinerary for this year will be set in the fall.

Friday, January 28

The regatta begins on Saturday.  But you can arrive early.  For those lucky people able to fly down early, you can start your vacation on Friday.  You will need a hotel room on Friday night in Tortola.  Moorings offers rooms on their base or you can try another hotel nearby.  Benefits of being on the Moorings base are only having to move your luggage once and their great pool and outdoor bar.  An advantage of flying down on Friday is that if your flight is delayed (or canceled in a snow storm!) you will still make the first day of the regatta!  The disadvantage is additional cost for the hotel room.

Photo:  The large Moorings fleet of beautiful charter boats is docked stern-to in Road Town on the island of Tortola.  It is an impressive sight.  Arriving sailors are full of anticipation and excitement because they are about to experience seven days in paradise.

Day 1 - Saturday, January 29

Most of the sailors fly to Tortola.  Leave New York City early in the morning to arrive by afternoon.  It's much better than arriving at night.  Take a taxi from the Tortola airport to the Moorings base in Road Town, change into a bathing suit and jump right into the pool to wash away your winter chill.  Then saddle up to the bar for a strawberry, mango or banana daiquiri.  Welcome to the BVIs!  Sailors usually gather around the pool and this is a great place to meet your crew and say hello to other club members.  Skippers and their first mates are required to attend a Skippers' Briefing in the afternoon.  Check with Moorings when you get there for the available times.

Photo:  The traditional "Chart Briefing" for skippers and first mates is required.  You will hear lots of good advice about where to sail as well as any changes to the anchorages since you last cruised here.

The first day is considered an "Evening Start."  This means we get the boats around 6 p.m. and you will sleep onboard at the dock.  In case this is your first time to the Caribbean, 6 p.m. is just a suggested time.  Depending on the number of boats being prepared by Moorings, you might experience "Caribbean Time."  The best way to adjust to Caribbean Time is with a cold Red Stripe at the bar.  Once your boat is ready, all the crew can go aboard, select their cabins and stow their gear.  Then you will receive a food delivery which you should also stow below decks.

After finishing, some sailors head off to town for dinner and drinks.  Novices sometimes end up at Pusser's Bar and have too many "Painkillers."  Be sure this is not you because you will pay a steep price the next day.  Moderation before the first day of sailing is recommended.

Day 2 - Sunday, January 30

Skippers Meeting on the Flagship at 8 a.m. to make sure all boats and crew are OK.  This is followed by the "Blessing of the Fleet."  The Commodore and King Neptune will travel from boat to boat.  At each boat, a virgin bottle of Mt Gay Rum will be opened, the boat will be blessed and the stern splashed with rum.  Your team will then receive the once-virgin bottle as a gift from King Neptune.  Then you may push off and begin your sailing vacation!

Photo: The Blessing of the Fleet tradition began in 2004 when former Vice Commodore Peter Cavrell rigged up a club burgee and went from boat to boat to encourage everyone "Fair winds and following seas."  Who will be King Neptune in 2010?

Skippers are encouraged to push off from dock early on Sunday if your boat and crew are ready.  This will give you enough time to do one or two stops before evening.  If the weather is calm, you can stop at Cooper Island or the Baths for lunch.  Cooper Island has a great snorkeling spot.  The Baths have incredible rock formations.  If you have never been to the Baths, it is worth the trip.  Be sure to walk through the rock path to Devil's Bay.  If time permits, you should also walk up the hill to the "Top of the Baths" bar.  You will be rewarded with an incredible view out over Sir Francis Drake Channel and a cold drink.

Photo: If you have never been to the Baths, walking along the path through the boulders to Devil Bay is an incredible experience!

At 3:30 p.m., the first team competition will be held.  This will be the "Loose Mongoose Race."  The Flagship will be motoring off the Baths.  After 3:30 GPS local time, leave the stern of the Flagship to port and race downwind to Trellis Bay.  You can take a mooring or anchor in Trellis Bay or off Marina Cay.  Then your whole team should hop in the dingy and motor to the Loose Mongoose bar on the beach of Trellis Bay.  The first team (entire crew needed) at the bar with cold drinks in hand wins!

At sunset, a great place to be is at the top of Marina Cay where they have a croquet course.  The views are stunning!

Photo: If the weather is nice, a sunset game of croquet at the top of Marina Cay is a memorable experience.  You can look out to Scrub Island and Virgin Gorda.

Since this is the first evening afloat, it is recommended that you cook on your boat and have a Team Dinner to begin building camaraderie.  After dinner, the regatta gathering will be held at either the Loose Mongoose or the Last Resort.  Check with the Flagship for the location.

Photo: The Loose Mongoose features Melon Coladas and has had entertainment in the past.  It's always a great way to begin the regatta.

Day 3 - Monday, January 31

The first Skipper's Meeting of the regatta will be held on the Flagship at 8 a.m.  All Skippers are required to attend and there will be "punishment" meted out to any skippers who are late (GPS time!).  The prize for the Loose Mongoose Race will be awarded to the winning skipper.  After the meeting, skippers will return to their boats and brief their crews on any regatta changes.

Photo: On certain days, we hold a Skipper's Meeting in order to gather all the skippers, talk about the regatta, the wind and the teams.  If we need to make any changes to the schedule, these are discussed and then agreed upon at these skipper meeting.  After each meeting, skippers go back and brief their crews.

Next is the "Dog Race."  This is when we separate the experienced sailors from the novices because it will be upwind!  The start will be just east of Marina Cay.  At 9:30 a.m., the Flagship will reach across the bay just east of the Marina Cay reef.  Then all yachts should pass the Flagship's stern to port.  The race is on!  The first yacht passing between the Dogs (small islands) wins.

You can stop to snorkel at the Dogs or continue upwind to North Sound.  We will take moorings in front of the Bitter End Yacht Club.  This is the longest upwind leg of the regatta so enjoy!  If you get to North Sound in time, you can join the Laser or Hobie Double-Handed Races at 4 p.m.  If it is really windy, we will race Hobies.  If it is just moderately windy, we will race Lasers.  Stop by the dinghy dock to reserve your boat.  This is a Double-Handed Regatta so you must be at least two people on board.  Several races are usually held and the results will be tallied and the winner announced.

Photo: Racing the Lasers off Bitter End Yacht Club is a long standing tradition during De Caribbean Regatta.  If you wish to participate, make sure your skipper knows and gets your yacht to North Sound in time!

North Sound is where we also begin another regatta tradition - surprise "Boat Drinks."  These are 1 hour cocktail parties on one of the boats just after sunset.  All crews are encouraged to dinghy over to the designated boat at the exact time.  You must bring your own drinks.  Then we climb aboard, socialize and have fun for one hour.  At the end of the hour, everyone departs.  These cocktail parties are great ways to begin meeting some of the other crew and comparing regatta experiences.  At some point during the afternoon, the Flagship will tell you which yacht will host the party and at what time.  Please keep it secret, because the boat hosting the party will not know until everyone dinghies over to their boat!

Photo: At the end of a long day especially after the upwind sail to North Sound, getting together with other crews for "Boat Drinks" is a great tradition.  These events only last for one hour so be sure to arrive and depart exactly on time.

For your evening at North Sound, you can cook on the boat or make a reservation at the Bitter End (fancy) or one of the other restaurants around North Sound.  There is sometimes late night socializing at the Bitter End bar or at Saba Rock.

Photo: Included as part of your entry fee are all breakfasts and lunches and three dinners.  You can decide which evenings to eat on the boat.  Cooking dinner onboard early in the regatta is a good way to build team spirit.

Day 4 - Tuesday, February 1

Our fleet will cruise over to the beautiful coral island of Anegada.  This is where we will have our "Day of Rest" as well as the "Skipper Appreciation Dinner."

Before departing in the morning, you should stop by the fuel dock to fill your water tanks as well as your dinghy fuel tank.  Then sail out of North Sound and off to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful islands with a laid-back and relaxed charm and endless beaches.

When sailing to Anegada, be sure to stay away from the coral heads.  Keep west of the other yachts coming from or going to Anegada.  At first, you will not be able to see the island.  It has been said that the first person to spot the island will have their dreams come true on Anegada.  Approach the island at the western end before turning into the channel. 

The approach to Anegada is stunning.  The water is an incredible turquoise blue.  Get your camera ready.  You will see why this is our favorite island!

Photo: The turquoise waters of Anegada will stay in your mind and call you to return year after year.  This is a visual paradise!

After arriving on Anegada, you can go snorkeling at Cow Wreck Bay or Loblolly Bay.  Motor ashore and ask for a taxi.  The same taxi will come pick you up at the agreed time and you pay after you return.  Anegada is a small island but there are some great t-shirt shops.

This evening, the team events will continue with the "Appetizer Competition."  We want to see which team has the best food.  Each team is invited to field an entry.  You must make the appetizers from things on your boat.  All appetizers should be brought to the bar at Neptune's Treasure at 7 p.m.  The judges will then sample each entry and a winner will be determined.

Photo: Some of the entries in the Appetizer Competition.  Judges consider many aspect including taste, presentation and originality.

Photo: The entries for this competition are usually incredible and this might be the hardest competition to win during the regatta.

Dinner this evening can be on the your boat or ashore.  After dinner, some teams usually gather for a late night party at which ever beach bar has the best music.

Day 5 - Wednesday, February 2

Skippers Meeting on the Flagship at 9 a.m.  This is the well-loved "Day of Rest."  Today, we will stay at anchor and do not move.  There is nothing official on our schedule until evening.  Spend your day however you like.

Photo: Cow Wreck Bay on the western side of Anegada is usually out of the wind.  The beautiful white sand beaches are frequently deserted.  The beach gets its name from a ship carrying cows which wrecked here in the past.  There is a beach bar and you can spend hours reading a book, swimming and relaxing.

At the end of this peaceful day, there will be another Boat Drinks party.  Then it is finally time for the "Skipper Appreciation Dinner."  This is the one big event where all teams come together at dinner.  And it will be Anegada's famous lobster dinner!  In the past, the dinner has been held at Neptune's Treasure and we take over the entire restaurant.  The cost for dinner varies between $45 and 60 per person depending on the price of lobster.  All skippers get to attend the dinner free.

This is each teams opportunity to express their appreciation to their skipper.  After dinner, each skipper will be introduced and encouraged to say a few words about their team.  Then sailors often continue the celebration until late a night at one of the nearby beach bars.

Photo: Lobster on Anegada is a special tradition.  These are Caribbean lobsters.  Dinner will be buffet style with fish and chicken as well.  At the end of dinner, each skipper will be introduced.  The crews are invited to cheer for their favorite skipper!

Day 6 - Thursday, February 3

It is now time to move to the next beautiful location.  On Thursday, our flotilla weighs anchor in the early morning and heads out the Anegada channel.  At 9:30 a.m., it is time to start The Great Race.   All yachts raise their sails and the Flagship will sail on port tack from North to South.  Pass the stern of the Flagship to port and race to Jost Van Dyke.  Along the way, keep your eyes open for migrating whales.  Some sailors have seen them.  And one year, three whales dove right under one of our boats!

The finish line is the Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay.  The first crew who swims ashore and has a drink in hand (paid for with a soggy dollar), wins!

Photo: Lounging on beach chairs in front of the Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke.  Does it get any better than this?

After lunch, boats will head to Great Harbor where the legendary Foxy has his establishment.  If you arrive in the afternoon, Foxy might be playing the guitar.  Dinner can be ashore or onboard and after dinner, all sailors usually head to Foxys.  This is frequently an early night because of the great party the day before as well as the final event the following evening.

Day 7 - Friday, February 4

Skippers Meeting at 9 a.m. on the Flagship.  The regatta picture is taken this morning so please put on your favorite Caribbean shirt and show up at the beach in the center of Great Harbor by 9:45 a.m.  After we snap the group picture, each crew can take their own team pictures.

Photo: The regatta picture will be great for your scrapbook!

From Jost, we sail over to our final stop, Norman Island and the famous Willie Ts floating bar.  Along the way, you may wish to stop at Sopers Hole.  You can get ice and water if your tanks are low.  There is a Pusser's Pub which serves great hamburgers.  And there are some shops as well as provisions.

If you arrive at Norman Island early enough, you can go snorkeling over at the caves or out at the Indians. 

At 6 p.m., all boats are invited to compete in the Dinghy Race.   Dinghy with your team over to the Flagship which is also the starting line.  This year, the rule is that each dinghy must race with at least 4 people.  Engines are not allowed.  You can use up to 2 paddles but no more (last time there was unlimited paddles which resulted in paddles migrating between boats without permission).  A suitably short course will be selected and the race will be on!

Photo: There are many competitions throughout the regatta and the Dinghy Race is the last chance for teams to win a prize.  The enthusiasm is always high!

As the sun begins to set, there will be a Boat Drinks party on one of the yachts.  Then dinner can be on board, on the Willie Ts or on shore if the restaurant is serving.  As the evening progresses, most sailors go to the Willie Ts for the final night of celebration and dancing.

Photo: Willie Ts is a celebration of life and happiness.  You can let the cares of the world rise up off your shoulders and fly away.  The Caribbean mood will intoxicate you and the Caribbean spirit will make you wave your hands in the air!

Along the way, there is a curious custom which is also quite secret.  It's something called the Royal Order of De Caribbean Regatta.  No one really knows how you get the medals but over the years, many sailors have been bestowed with these impressive and sought after decorations.

Photo: Presentation of the Royal Order of De Caribbean medals to a group of sailors.  It's a secret so don't ask how or why.

Day 8 - Saturday, February 5

As much as we would like to continue, all good things must come to an end.  And so on Saturday morning, the first boat slips off her mooring and heads back to Road Town.  The sail across the channel is close hauled and a great final ride to celebrate an exceptional week of sailing.  Joy and happiness are mixed with sadness as De Caribbean Regatta comes to an end. 

Back at the Moorings base, boats pull in to their assigned slips.  Anyone who scheduled their flight too early has to run off an catch a cab.  Those who are luckier can depart their boats at a leisurely pace and pull up a chair besides the pool.  Before departing your boat, be sure to gather all your extra rum, wine and other provisions for the "Final Night Party." 

When you get to the Moorings pool, start by jumping in to wash off any salt water.  Then saddle up to the bar for a strawberry, mango or banana daiquiri, exactly how you began the regatta so many lifetimes ago.

Over the course of the day, more and more sailors will depart to the airport.  Soon, there will only be the lucky sailors who have one more night before flying home on Sunday.  Once the sun has set, the Final Night Party will get underway.  One last chance to enjoy the warm Caribbean breezes before heading back to New York City.  Only a few more weeks of winter left and your suntan will keep a smile on your face.

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