So, my last blog was about sailing around St. John with my friends and family. Today, is about sailing over to the British Virgin Islands.
My first trip there was with friends, Sean and Crystal on their boat, Soulshine. They have a speedboat, and since Seasick Molly is with us, that’s a plus😅. To be honest, I couldn’t see what the big deal was going to the British Virgin Islands. I mean, St. John is a tropical paradise with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And the B.V.I. can be seen right across the water! It’s 19.2 km or 11.93 mi or 10.36 nautical miles, for those who care, from St. John. But remember the rule: ALWAYS accept a boat trip when offered so here we go…..
A little background on Sean and Crystal. Daughter, Michelle, had met Sean when they would do private chef parties with Chef Mathayom, for people like the Rockefellers and Kenny Chesney on St. John. Michelle and Sean are an awesome duo since both are extremely outgoing, fun loving people who also have a great work ethic. Michelle and Sean have full-time jobs, Michelle co-managing a high-end restaurant and Sean, a 5th grade teacher at a private school so these events were just extra income which is what most people on island must do to be able to afford living on St John. Sean would remark that his teaching paycheck went to pay for his two children attending the private school!
Sean’s wife, Crystal, has a mermaid tail business. Yep, you read that right. A mermaid tail business.
She has mermaid tails of all colors, designs and sizes for those who want to experience swimming as a mermaid, for parties and/or for photo shoots.
We have fun friends, don’t we?
So now we are off to the B.V.I. !! Now there is this thing called the invisible border in the ocean separating the USVI and the BVI. As a boat captain, you have to know your coordinates quite well to know when you are entering water governed by the British. There are British patrol boats monitoring the waters so all vessels must check in with BVI Customs and Immigration immediately upon arrival.
Whoops! I forgot to mention you better have a passport with you or you’re not entering 😳
After registration, we motor over to Jost Van Dyke for a little swim and lunch at the infamous Foxy’s Taboo Beach Bar.
Foxy Callwood , is a bit of a living legend. Previously a fisherman, he opened his bar in the 1960’s and has been singing and entertaining ever since. You will see pictures of many tourists and locals wearing Foxy’s T-shirts. Fresh seafood dishes and Foxy’s specialty rum drinks keep people coming back time after time.
After lunch, we boat over to Sandy Spit.
Sandy Spit is a tropical uninhabited island and the source of many photo shoots like this one. Its a coral reef atoll called a “Spit” because of the small sand dune surrounding the barrier reef. Snorkeling is a must here! Caribbean water is so clear you can see all the colorful coral and tropical fish.
Next up is a short motor over to the Bubbly Pool back on Jost. Not an actual pool but a spot wear the waves come crashing through between some large boulders and you get the ‘wave ride experience’🌊😆
Glad Molly captured that photo! (I have video but not sure it would come across WordPress). It was SO much fun but it can be dangerous if you are foolish enough to be on the other side of the boulders trying to ride in between.
It’s crazy how the force of that water wears you out! After being pummeled a few times by the waves, a few alcoholic beverages and the hot sun, we decided to call it a day and head back to St. John. Thanks, Sean and Crystal for a memorable day!🥰
My next BVI trip was the trip to Tortola which I covered in a previous blog (“Tortola, British Virgin Island”) that you can look up and read if you haven’t already.
My third trip was a bit of a booze cruise/dance on the boat/ snorkel /swim day on another speedboat , RocknRolla, with Captain Iggy at the helm. Daughters, Michelle and Cortney, were on this trip along with friends, Courtney and Chris. Chris doesn’t live on island so when he’s here to visit girlfriend, Courtney, a boat trip to the BVI was in order.
We have a nice boat trip over to Jost Van Dyke again but this time we visit Corsairs (definition:pirate) Bar.
An interesting bar/ restaurant known for its pizza and friendly atmosphere. If you closely at the walls, almost everyone who’s been there has written their name on the wall! Mine is there somewhere 😊
After our multiple drinks🥴, the party continues on the boat.
When you are out on the water, you never know what you will see:
Very James Bondish!
All in all, I’ve changed my mind about the British Virgin Islands. It IS a close set of islands, each with it’s own unique charm worth visiting. There will be more blogs about future trips to the BVI!
Traveling Rose in St. John 