Winter charter - BVI? Antigua? Or ??

[ChattingLil]

Where do you recommend and why for a 2 week flotilla or bareboat charter at the end of this year? And any recommendations for a charter company?

I read a thread from this time last year which had a lot of pros and cons for BVI and Antigua, but has anyone something fresh to add? or a recommendation for somewhere else? I would like to go between October and February to compensate for winters in London.

(it's my first time chartering as skipper and it'll be just me and HWMO. HWMO has PB2 and is probably between comp crew and DS level for sailing and boat handling and generally hates sailing the UK, but is keen when it's dry and sunny and not very windy).

Also - we not big party people and prefer a quieter life although it would be nice to meet up with people in the evening for socialising over dinner and dancing. Not into clubbing or loud boozy bars.

 

[TQA]

Look at chartering out of either St Vincent or Canouan and sailing the Grenadines.

Wallilabou down to Carriacou will keep you entertained for two weeks.

 

[RichardS]

Look at chartering out of either St Vincent or Canouan and sailing the Grenadines.

Wallilabou down to Carriacou will keep you entertained for two weeks.

We chartered out of Marigot Bay, St Lucia, and, apart from a night at the Pitons, sailed straight past St Vincent to Bequia and the Grenadines. This was cheaper that taking the additional inter-island flight and we got to see St Lucia as well!

We spent a night at the south end of St Vincent on the way back north but the rest seemed to be rather "off-limits" to charterers a few years ago - a crime problem I think.

Richard

 

[KellysEye]

As far as I know the only flotilllas are in the BVI's, a sea area surrounded by islands and thus girlie sailing.

If you want it fairly quiet then I agree with TQA, the Grenadines. Pick up a boat in St Vincent and sail down to Carriacou and back. Make sure you have time to stay in Tobago Cays for a couple of days and climb the highest island (it's easy) for a spectacular view. It's always very windy between St Vincent and Bequia, the first island south. If the marina is windy it will be worse on the crossing so I'd suggest reefing before you leave if possible. Have fun!

For the best price (they guarantee not to be beaten on price) go to www.latesail.com.

 

[neil1967]

If there are only 2 of you your choice will be limited, as many companies only offer bigger yachts - 40ft plus, and the cost that entails. We have been to the bvis twice and heartily recommend them.

Neil

 

[ChattingLil]

If there are only 2 of you your choice will be limited, as many companies only offer bigger yachts - 40ft plus, and the cost that entails. We have been to the bvis twice and heartily recommend them.

Neil

thanks for the suggestions so far.

I appreciate that we are paying for a boat bigger than we need, but so be it. I am hoping to find something under 40' though!

Any recommended companies? or all they much of a muchness?

 

[scottie]

Under 40ft then Antigua not on
Bvi ideal if first time go late November for price break and great to set up for winter.
Big range of boats and companies to choose from
There are some that will offer budget old tired boats
Sunsail offer boat & flights
Late sail and horizon I think are one unit
Also worth checking American based companies but watch for cancellation policies and exchange rates
Some companies own there own boats others are agents who mave have better resources if boat is not available .
You can either treat inter island flights as part of the experience or a pain in the neck up to you.

 

[paulrae]

We celebrated our silver wedding anniversary by chartering with Sunsail out of St Vincent in late November/early December 2011. Our "flotilla" consisted of two customer yachts and the lead boat. This is a fantastic sailing area with great weather. Lots of islands, each with its own character and the flotlla lead crew provide some great pointers on each stop. We chartered a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. For two of us it wasn't cheap, but it was about the smallest flotilla boat that we could find.

I reckon that he Sunsail prices are not among the lowest, but they seem to be doing some good deals this year, judging by the emails with which they're bombarding us. Treat yourselves - you'll really enjoy it.

 

[snowleopard]

Under 40ft then Antigua not on

I'd be interested to hear the reasons for that.

I haven't been to the BVIs but from what I have heard they are more touristy and gentler sailing with lots of places to stop and easy sails between them.

Antigua offers quite a few anchorages, mostly pretty quiet, plus the two main harbours: Jolly Harbour (marina) and English harbour (anchorage). There are some great snorkelling stops along the sheltered North coast, Great Bird Island being my favourite.

For an overnight stop there is Barbuda (deserted beaches, Frigate bird colony) to the N and Montserrat to the S (Volcano) You can also go West and visit Rumpirate and Statia. Inter-island passges are fairly boisterous, especially around the Xmas period.

Barbuda

English Harbour

Montserrat

 

[TQA]

Barefoot Charters out of St Vincent have a 'value' Bene 325 on offer if it is just the two of you.

http://www.barefootyachts.com/html/yachts.htm

The sail down from St Lucia to St Vincent or Bequia is a long one and it is often tough sledding going back esp. when you can't pick a good day. That was why I was advising starting from either St Vincent or Canouan. But yes you are almost certainly going to have to take a puddle jumper to either St Vincent or Canouan.

The BVI is slightly easier sailing but does not offer the variety of Grenadines. The exception in the BVI being Anegada which has seen the demise of more than a few charter boats. Your company may or may not let you go there.

Incidentally if you plan to visit Cumberland Bay or Wallilabou on St Vincent the aggressive boat boys have been retrained into polite 'Beach Front Service Providers' [ I am not kidding!] and on my last visits including two in the last 6 months were polite and friendly.

 

[Tradewinds]

Incidentally if you plan to visit Cumberland Bay or Wallilabou on St Vincent the aggressive boat boys have been retrained into polite 'Beach Front Service Providers' [ I am not kidding!] and on my last visits including two in the last 6 months were polite and friendly.

Blimey, what did they use on them to achieve that - electric shock treatment?

 

[ChattingLil]

Thanks for the replies - we've got plenty of time to think about it, but it is a kind of once in a lifetime holiday for us as we don't normally have this kind of money to spend on such things.

Our "flotilla" consisted of two customer yachts and the lead boat. This is a fantastic sailing area with great weather. Lots of islands, each with its own character and the flotlla lead crew provide some great pointers on each stop. We chartered a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i. For two of us it wasn't cheap, but it was about the smallest flotilla boat that we could find.

sounds perfect!

Ireat yourselves - you'll really enjoy it.

we intend to!

I haven't been to the BVIs but from what I have heard they are more touristy and gentler sailing with lots of places to stop and easy sails between them.

that suits me!

however this...

Antigua offers quite a few anchorages, mostly pretty quiet, plus the two main harbours: Jolly Harbour (marina) and English harbour (anchorage). There are some great snorkelling stops along the sheltered North coast, Great Bird Island being my favourite.

For an overnight stop there is Barbuda (deserted beaches, Frigate bird colony) to the N and Montserrat to the S (Volcano) You can also go West and visit Rumpirate and Statia. Inter-island passges are fairly boisterous, especially around the Xmas period.

sounds and LOOKS great. Thanks for the pics.

Barefoot Charters out of St Vincent have a 'value' Bene 325 on offer if it is just the two of you.
http://www.barefootyachts.com/html/yachts.htm

thanks for the link, will check them out.

excited now!

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

18 months ago we went bareboat to Thailand, sailing out of Phuket, using Nautilus to charter. The weather was wonderful, apart from a couple of short rainstorms. It's not as busy as the BVI where we've been a couple of times as well, thoroughly enjoying it.
There certainly weren't any flotillas, just quiet anchorages, one marina plus 3 nights anchored off Phi Phi which is slightly more lively but absolutely lovely.

 

[photodog]

Just a couple of pointers...

Your going in winter. Conditions can be robust.

The bvi's provides sheltered sailing... So lots of wind.. Not much big waves.

When you are doing inter island passages you are exposed to the atlantic...

The bvi has plenty of smaller boats... But they are pretty rare In antigua and the windwards...

Really if this is your first carib trip... I would go for the bvi...

There are plenty of places to go, and its not roudy everywere.

Ps horizon re the best in our experience in the bvi.

 

[tico]

BVI's
Easy sailing and loads of places to go.

Flotilla if you are unsure..... say Hi to Philmore (Sunsail flot skipper) who will take very good care of you without you knowing.

 

[scottie]

There no boats under 40ft for charter in Antigua that I see for offer.

 

[Richard Shead]

You do of course have Falmouth in Antigua as well, both marina and anchorage and in my opinion the best beach on the island, Pigeon beach....so good in fact I went to it earlier today...

 

[tudorsailor]

I have bareboated in Grenadines and chartered with Sunsail in BVIs. I would recommend BVI for you. Great sailing and no aggressive boat boys!

When you fly out, stay a night in Antigua to then get an early morning flight to Tortola. Don't get the connection the same day as you'll spend many hours in Antigua airport and then arrive in Tortola in the evening. This makes a very long day and not a good start to your holiday.

If you only do one week flotilla, why not chill out at Bitter End Yacht Club for a few days before coming home

 

[ChattingLil]

I have bareboated in Grenadines and chartered with Sunsail in BVIs. I would recommend BVI for you. Great sailing and no aggressive boat boys!

When you fly out, stay a night in Antigua to then get an early morning flight to Tortola. Don't get the connection the same day as you'll spend many hours in Antigua airport and then arrive in Tortola in the evening. This makes a very long day and not a good start to your holiday.

If you only do one week flotilla, why not chill out at Bitter End Yacht Club for a few days before coming home

Thanks - how did you find Sunsail? I've heard mixed reviews.
We will go for at least two weeks, maybe one week flotilla to get my confidence (jn a boat bigger than I am used to - and a wheel, not tiller) followed by a week bareboat. However, i also dug out an old mag (can't remember which) that had the review of a few days bareboat in BVI followed by a few days the Bitter End and it did sound nice. Thing is, I reckon its cheaper to take the boat for another week!

I suspect Sundail are a bit prescriptive and fixed in the schedules - whereas I think someone like Nautilus will be able to carve the holiday around our requirements. I will call them in the next week or so to discuss.

I think we are coming down on the BVI as the preferred option.

thanks for the input everyone.

 

[scottie]

Sunsail will do a flight inclusive option usually a Friday-Friday but will be flexible with regards to boat time I think they use there own plane as they are part of a group
If you want to add shore time the sail bvi and perhaps Antigua for extra.
If you do Antigua then Shirley hights night is a must do .