2011 Skinny Vacations to the (BVI) British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean
SOLD OUT
This is a 7 day cruise on a private catamaran. We are on the boat from Saturday afternoon and we disembark the following Saturday morning.
Flight is not included! You will be flying into EIS changing planes in Puerto Rico. This is an amazing trip!!!
Read the complete description of the trip, the boat and the plan below and then email or call us 1.800.680.2803 if you want to G.O.Y.A. with us in the Caribbean. The dates are July 2nd -9th, 2011 Cabin includes all you can eat and drink (yes alcohol as well) for 2 people and the food is AWESOME! There are 5 … 4 …. 3 ….2 …. 1 . ….cabin available. If you are interest we will be filling up a second boat because everyone that went with us last year is going again…woo hoo! In the second boat we will have 4 more cabins available Total price per Cabin, which includes all you can eat and drink (yes alcohol as well) for 2 people, $4900.00 Does not include Airfare. 25% deposit required with the rest of the funds due in payments spread out over the next 6 months (full description provided if interested in going with us) There are no refunds of any kind for any reason period. The deposit of $1225 is due by this Friday Jan. 5th 2011 to secure your spot on the boat. 2 videos for you to watch below from our 2010 Skinny Vacation trip to the Caribbean and “No Shoes No Shirt No Problem”
Video of the 2010
Description of July 2nd-9th, 2011 Trip
This is a sample itinerary. Weather or other outside factors may mean that your skipper sets an alternative course.
Arrival Day
Embarkation is at 5p.m. You will be greeted by our base managers, who will take you through the embarkation procedure. If you arrive earlier, you can check in and drop off your luggage at our office and then relax by the pool . On the boat you will be introduced to your crew and fellow sailors. After a refreshing welcome cocktail on board, you will be shown to your cabin and helped to settle in.
Cruising Day 1
After a scrumptious breakfast, there will be a short briefing on the safety aspects on board. We then set sail for Cooper Island and your first amazing snorkeling, or SCUBA diving, experience. You are very welcome to try your hand at handling the yacht, and helping with the sails, but – if that’s not your style – just lie back and relax! The choices are yours! After a delicious lunch, we cruise around to Manchioneel Bay, where you can snorkel, kayak or spend some time ashore, on one of the BVI’s most beautiful beaches. The water is crystal clear and teeming with tropical fish and reef life, just waiting for you to explore. Later in the afternoon, we raise the sails again and head up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the paradise island of Virgin Gorda. We anchor in St Thomas Bay and enjoy dinner under the stars.
Cruising Day 2
After breakfast, we take a short trip by dinghy, to The Baths – the most renowned, natural feature in the BVI. The Baths are a collection of giant boulders which form spectacular pools and grottos. The huge boulders and rocks form a maze that leads to Devil’s Bay Beach. Here you can spend a memorable day, snorkeling in the clear blue water around the boulders and chilling out on the beach. Alternatively, you can clamber through a huge tunnel and inside, and under, the large caves, which have been created by erosion.
After lunch at the Bath, there’s time to enjoy more snorkeling in the warm, sheltered pools around the rocks, or to visit the beautiful marina at Spanish Town and shop in local stores and boutiques. Later, we sail to North Sound, the BVI’s favourite playground. The protected waters here lend themselves to every possible water sport – including windsurfing, Hobie Cats and kayaking. Perhaps, some of you sailors may feel like playing volleyball on the beach. After all this activity, well deserved sun downers are mixed, followed by another delicious dinner onboard. Lie back and relax under a beautiful star-filled sky, while listening to the sounds of the Caribbean steel drums from Saba Rock, or
Cruising Day 3
Following breakfast, pay a visit to the quaint, Bitter End Yacht Club or Leverick Bay, before we set sail for the Dog Islands. A stop at Great Dog enables a SCUBA dive of The Chimneys, or snorkeling above the arches and canyons, where you will be entranced by the soft coloured corals and the variety of fish. After lunch we have a leisurely, downwind sail to Marina Cay. With its brightly coloured villas and tropical flowers, it is, undoubtedly, the most spectacular Cay in this region. Snorkel on Diamond Reef and then enjoy an evening stroll around the island. During high season the “Pirate Show” is a must! After another enjoyable day of snorkeling and diving, dinner is taken ashore – at the world famous, Pusser’s Landing, where a pre-dinner Pusser’s “pain killer” should not be missed.
Cruising Day 4
Before Breakfast we set sail to Trellis Bay there you can after breakfast, enjoy a short visit to the arts and crafts studios in Trellis Bay. It’s then only a short trip over to Monkey Point, off Great Camanoe Island, for snorkeling and kayaking. Here, you can also watch the aerial shows provided by the vast numbers of pelicans, which live and nest along the cliff walls. After lunch, we set sail for the island of Jost Van Dyke and the picturesque Diamond Cay. Step ashore and check out the boutique at “Foxy’s Taboo”, before frolicking in the world famous, geological wonder, called the “Bubbly Pool.” This is like a natural Jacuzzi and can be quite invigorating when the tide is in!
Enjoy dinner on board this evening. Later, you may feel inclined to spend a few hours ashore, at “Foxy’s” – one of the Caribbean’s favorite hangouts. The light pollution from the islands is virtually non-existent at this anchorage, so you may want to finish off a truly fantastic day, with a night cap on deck – and some amazing stargazing, with your fellow guests and crew.
Cruising Day 5
While you are still asleep in your cabin, your Captain will set off for either Sandy Spit, or Sandy Cay, so that you can put the “first footsteps in the sand”. Use the time after breakfast to swim, snorkel, or take the kayak ashore for some more exploring. A beautiful sail through Thatch Island Cut leads us to the original Dutch settlement of Soper’s Hole. Once ashore, you can admire the amazing architecture of some of the best shops and boutiques on the island – and have the opportunity to purchase the infamous Pusser’s Rum! After lunch onboard just a stone’s throw from Norman Island, and beside Pelican Island, is a wonderful place named “The Indians”. From a distance, these four tall rock formations look somewhat like an Indian headdress – hence their name! There will be ample time to snorkel and Scuba dive here, in one of the BVI’s most popular spots. The Bight, at Norman Island, is a sheltered bay which provides an idyllic overnight anchorage. Now you can relax with your favorite cocktail and enjoy another great dinner on board. Your main course might just be the fish we caught earlier in the day! Some of you – with excess energy! – may wish to pay a visit later to the infamous “Willy T” (the William Thornton Floating Bar and Restaurant) where you’re guaranteed to have a raucous good time!
Cruising Day 6
An early move to the west side of Norman Island, offers an ideal opportunity to snorkel in three water-level caves, at the base of the cliffs. The caves push deeply into the cliffs, so that the darkness makes the experience like a night dive. There is a documented history of pirates’ treasure having been stowed in these caves – so keep your eyes peeled! A sail up the Sir Francis Drake Channel brings us to Salt Island, so named after its salt ponds, which were once an important resource in the BVI. Here, you can snorkel above, or SCUBA dive down to the wreck of The Rhone – the Royal Mail Steamer which sank in a hurricane, in October 1867. You may remember the Rhone from the movie “The Deep”, starring Nick Nolte. This spectacular wreck is recognized as the best wreck dive in the Caribbean and is the jewel in the diving crown of the BVI. If you prefer to snorkel, the aft of the ship lies in very shallow waters, offering a unique viewing experience of the varied fish species and corals. After lunch we set sail for our home base in Tortola – just in time for those powerful sun-downers! A quick change and we’re ready to go ashore to a nearby restaurant, for our last dinner on this trip.
Departure Day
After a last tasty breakfast onboard, it is time to gather your belongings, as well as your wonderful memories of a week in this most beautiful environment. Before exchanging fond farewells, your crew will arrange transport to the airport. Already you will be planning your next cruise with TradeWinds Cruise Club.
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Life aboard
All our yachts are catamarans (two hulls) and these are much more stable in the water than mono hulls (one hull). Catamarans have a shallower draft than similar length mono hulls; hence we can get you right up to the most remote of beaches.
Aboard, you will find huge spaces on deck and easy access in and out of the water making the catamarans easy and comfortable to navigate whether you want to relax on deck or take a quick dip.
Ever wanted to sail a catamaran over open waters? Now is your chance. Our Captains will happily introduce you to the art of sailing. Whether you want to raise the main sail, navigate from island to island or take the helm, our Captain will be on hand to guide you. Of course, if you prefer, just relax with a good book and a great cocktail. That’s fine too!!!
You’ll find ample space inside, even if you are 6 foot tall! Each yacht in the fleet has a
unique interior layout of tables, chairs, galley and navigation equipment.
Down a few stairs on either side of the main room is the sleeping quarters. Here you enter your own room with double bed, shower and head (toilet). Each room has ceiling hatches and a fan so you can fall asleep under a sea breeze and wake up to the morning sun bright and awake in time for breakfast.
Life aboard is fun and relaxing. Whether you want to lie on the trampolines or take the helm our crew we will assist you in making your vacation a dream vacation.
Our Royal Capes
When we need to motor fast, (although here in the Caribbean we never need to do anything fast) they are equipped with either two 60 hp Volvo or Yanmar engines, which aren’t quite enough for water skiing but they’re not far off. Royal Capes will hold 400 gallons of water.
Royal Capes sleep 12 comfortably, including two crew members and they are smooth to control.
We can promise you an unforgettable experience on your Royal Cape.
Our Marquises
Across from the large table is a two-seat couch designed for reading, comfort and relaxation. Just in front of the reading couch is a galley and wet bar with refrigerator, sinks, stove and storage areas. This allows easy access to cold drinks and snacks during the day and is used in cooking preparations for lunch and dinner.
From the Salon you descend a couple of steps to reach the private bedrooms with queen sized beds and en-suite bathrooms complete with hot and cold showers and heads (yacht speak for toilets). Beautiful wood joinery and highlights underline the beauty of these spacious cabins. The Marquise will sleep 8 with separate crew quarters.
No wonder we chose to extend our fleet of yachts with these beauties!
Our Privileges
Our guests have always caught big fish off the back of the Privilege. A 55 pound King Fish that the whole yacht wrestled with for nearly two hours is the current record holder. See what you think when you come and join us on a Privilege as it cruises around the Grenadines or Antigua one of these days. We look forward to seeing you.
Sea sickness
Our Caribbean waters are generally calm – so sea-sickness is extremely rare. If you are at all worried about this please bring some form of prevention – we have tablets onboard, but some people prefer to bring the patches which you stick behind your ears. After the first couple of days you should not even need these.
Cabin and yacht allocation
Generally we have two yachts sailing out of most TradeWinds bases most weeks in the year and cabin allocations are not done until just prior to sailing. For this reason it is not always possible to know in advance exactly which yacht you will be sailing on nor who your crew will be. If you have booked to sail on a specific yacht then we do our very best to ensure that you will cruise on that yacht. However, sailing yachts require extensive ongoing maintenance, and occasionally our schedules have to be altered to provide for this.
Onboard entertainment
All our yachts have car stereo-type sound systems. All have a good selection of books, playing cards and board games.
Electricity
We have electrical outlets onboard and are able to run hairdryers and electric shavers or charge batteries etc… for a limited period, using generator power. Some of our yachts have European voltage (220v) and some have USA voltage (110v). If you intend to bring any electrical appliances please make sure you have an adaptor / converter with you.
Our yachts can supply 12V DC electricity to your cabin (with prior notice). If you wish to bring aboard a machine such as a sleep apnea machine please ensure that you have your own battery pack (available from electrical stores such as Radioshack). These packs will run the machine for three nights before needing a charge. We can charge these for you from our 12V DC supply in the daytime.
Communications
Cell phones purchased outside the Caribbean are unlikely to work here unless they have “roaming” capacity. We do not have Internet access onboard the yachts, but there are many Internet cafes throughout the islands if you need to check email.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in the cabins or in the salon. Smoking is only allowed on the back steps to avoid disturbing the other guests.
Air conditioning
Some yachts have air con units installed, but as all cabins have hatches and fans we rarely need to use the air conditioning. We just let the cooling sea breezes keep everyone very comfortable.
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Imagine setting sail for the island of Anguilla where you’ll drop anchor at Prickly Pear Cays. You can get wet in the crystal clear turquoise waters, a paradise with many turtles and rays.
Imagine pulling up the anchor and setting sail for Crocus Bay, a part of the Anguilla Marine National Park. The fish and bird life is astounding. Take the kayak and explore the cliffs teeming with bird life and cactus plants or just laze on the tiny secluded beach till sunset.
