How do we get there? There are two ways I’d suggest. First and usually cheapest (unless there is a sale on flights to San Juan, SJU), is to fly in to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, catch a cab to the Tortola ferry, then a cab to the base. Ferry and taxi’s will run about $75 r.t./pp. I can set up a cab and ferry tickets on St. Thomas for you if you’d like. Second way is to fly in to Beef Island Airport (EIS) on Tortola, and catch a cab to the base. Cab is about $22 r.t./pp and the Departure Tax is $20/pp. I’ve done both, easiest being flying in to Beef Island, but cost is usually higher. You may look at flying to San Juan (SJU) and catching a Cape Air (www.flycapair.com) flight to Beef Island (EIS). Cape Air sells a book of 10 flight vouchers for $999 that are good for 1 year, so a round trip will cost you $200. Doing this, you avoid the ferry, taxi and departure fees on St. Thomas (roughly $80/pp), but pay about $44/pp on Tortola.
How many people can we bring? The boat has 4 double bed cabins, with the sleeping arrangements left up to you. I suggest no more than a total of 8 passangers.
What’s it going to cost me? Cost will depend on total number of people and days, with a good ballpark figure of $3000/wk for boat (4 cabins for your use) and crew. When you decide these, contact us at shower@maysvilleky.net for a final price. Beyond the cost of the boat, you can figure on roughly $175 couple/week for food and drink depending on your desires, and your transfer fees. Cost sounds crazy? Go to the Sunsail site and price your desired trip on the 444 catamaran. In low season the base price is roughly$900 day, and then about $190/day for a captain, and the captain gets a cabin, leaving you 3. At that you are looking at $1090/day without figuring in any mooring fees ($25-30/night), taxes, local fees, or other boat needs you may encounter during your trip.
Why are you so cheap? Bottom line is I get to sail for free, and you save easily 50% at the same time. This is an experience we love sharing with and showing to folks.
I want to SCUBA dive while sailing. I suggest using Sail Caribbean Divers as they seem to have better rental and refill rates, and they will deliver to our boat for free. There is Dive BVI as well, but more expensive. Either place will take your group on a ‘first timers’ dive of 40′ AFTER teaching you a basics skills class.
Food and drink, how do we do that? I always bring a cooler with meats, seafoods and cheeses etc… when I go, these tend to be the most expensive items on the islands, and I suggest the same. There are several local shopping choices on the island. I use Bobby’s Marketplace and Riteway Food Market, and have used The Ample Hamper as well. All deliver to the boat, prices are about the same. You can order online or catch a free ride from the base to Bobby’s or Riteway and do your own shopping. Along the way there are shops and opportunities to resupply if needed.
What should we bring with us? Any prescription medications for sure, your choice of pain reliever, suntan lotion, personal items. There is a First Aid kit on board with basics.
Communication. We have constant cellphone communication in the BVI. I have ATT and have no trouble with service. And depending on where we are, it’s even non roaming. I always add the ‘international plan’ to my phone before leaving just in case, as calls are $3.99/min without it. So be sure to check with your provider regarding coverage in the BVI, not the USVI. There are phones everywhere we go too, so you can’t hide easily. And yes, several places have wi-fi if you feel the need to communicate that way. Check here for a list.
Money and access to it. The currency of the BVI is the US dollar. Credit cards are accepted most everywhere, but ask your company if they charge a ‘foreign service/exchange fee’ of any sort. While there is no ‘exchange’ of ANY sort, it’s a way the card companies now use to generate fee income. ATMs are available in many locations, and travellers checks accepted as well. I’ve not tried personal checks ever.
When can we go? Due to commitments stateside, we’re currently limited to sailing mainly late May til early August. On occasion I can slip away at other times, so please check with me at shower@maysvilleky.net with your dates.
Weather The weather is about the same year ’round. Check with the Weather Channel and keep in mind that off shore is easily 7-10 degrees cooler than shore due to wind and the fact that the islands are rock, and radiate the sun’s heat.