Frequently Asked Questions
Please text me at 619-549-0098 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
There are 2 airports to choose from for getting to the the Virgin Islands.
#1. EIS, the airport code for Beef Island, is located on Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands (BVI's), which is where the catamaran is located.
You can take a nonstop from Miami to Tortola, or fly to Puerto Rico and then to Tortola from your original departure airport. This option may cost more, but is easier on the west coast traveler as you won't have an overnight on an airplane, but you most likely will need to stay in Miami or Puerto Rico for a night (which can add to the fun of your trip).
A short taxi ride from EIS will take you to the yacht which is located in Road Town. Boarding begins at 5PM. If you arrive earlier than 5, you can go directly to the yacht basin, store your bags, go shopping, hang out at the French Deli nearby or check out the Watering Hole.
#2. STT, or the Cyril E. King St Thomas International Airport is the other choice and may save some $ depending on your flights, ferries and hotel options. You'll need to arrange a 50 minute ferry ride to Road Town, Tortola from the ferry port of Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas.
It's a beautiful way to see the islands before you begin your sailing adventure!
If you arrive early, there's a restaurant upstairs from the ferry building to grab a bite or enjoy your first tropical drink.
The 3 ferry choices are :Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son Inc., and Smith Ferry.
You should check schedules and book online, and the cost is approximately $150 round trip.
Reserve Charlotte Amalie to Road Town,Tortola for your destination to the yacht, and vice versa for your return to St Thomas.
It is important to coordinate your flights with the ferry schedule and give yourself plenty of time between arrivals and depatures. For example, if you are arriving at 4PM in STT you won't have time to catch the 5 PM ferry.
In this case it is better to spend the night in St Thomas and take the morning or midday ferry the following day.
But many flights arrive in time to catch a same day ferry. I do it all the time traveling from San Diego after doing a red eye to Miami.
If you are flying back home from St Thomas you should schedule your ferry to ARRIVE in St Thomas at least 3 hours ahead of your flight departure. The ferries can have up to an hour delay, it is approximately an hour ferry ride, you have to wait for your bags and catch a 10 minute taxi ride to the airport, and you have to go through customs at the ferry terminal. Be at the airport NO LESS than 2 hours before take off. There can be long lines at immigration and customs (yes indeed, more customs) and you don't need the stress after a great week of no worries. Some guests choose to spend a night here before and after their retreat.
We must exit the boat by 12 noon and can arrive as early as needed to the dock to unload and catch ferries.
All said, it will depend on where you are flying into, and which airline you choose that determines what works best for you.
Remember if you want to skip the overnight flights, fly into Miami or Puerto Rico and spend the night in a hotel.
American, Delta and United all fly to STT from Miami, a good connection airport, and American and United fly to Puerto Rico where you will connect to EIS on a smaller plane like Cape Air or Silver Airways.
Use Google Flights to start your search and then go to the airline of your choice.
If you have any trouble finding a schedule for the ferry companies, don't hesitate to give them a call as they are very good at responding this way.
Bathing suits, sandals, shorts and shirts, sun protective shirt, rash guard, light sundresses, and keep in mind less is best. You will be wearing bathing suits and cover ups a lot. You'll have plenty of shopping opportunites as most of the islands have a cute little store with island wear either right on the beach or in the tiny resort. No high rises anywhere! So pack light and carry home some fun new outfits.
Sunglasses with leash, hat with a leash or strap, sunscreen, lip balm, bathroom necessities, prescription medicines, vitamins, ear plugs in case your roomate makes sweet little noises at night, water bottle for refilling, windbreaker/rainjacket, snacks for hoarding or sharing. I also recommend you bring one of those colored cups that holds cold and hot liquids. That way you know exactly whose cup it is.
Bringing your own mask and snorkel is highly recommended. The charter company provides equipment but it's always better to have your own because quite often the one they give you doesn't fit well and leaks. Face shapes are unique and it's important to feel comfortable and not waste time trying to figure out the problem. Fins are also a personal item; I always bring mine and label them. If they don't fit in your bag, you can grab a pair at the dock. Bring water socks if you go this route to help with fitting tight and no blisters. They can also double as hiking water shoes for some islands.
We will be swimming every day in different locations.
Pack everything in a roller bag that is soft on one side so we can stack them up easily after we are onboard.
Last but not least, bring your current PASSPORT!!! It must not be up for renewal within 6 months of departure.
A detailed packing list will be emailed after the final deposit is made, and closer to the dates.
Sea sickness is highly unusual on a catamaran. If however you are worried about it, bring something your doctor recommends or purchase bonine. My recommendation is to give yourself a chance to get over it naturally. Within a day or two you should be fine without any drugs, patches, wristbands, etc. You will acclimate to the very gentle movement onboard. If you are prone to seasickness, a catamaran is awesome because it's so stable. But do yourself a big favor and drink tons of water on the flights, don't drink alcohol on the flight or before you board, and get plenty of rest before you arrive. Your body will adapt naturally. If you find yourself a bit quesy on day one at sea while underway, it's normal because your body is adjusting. Stay outside and look at the horizon, keep your face in the wind, and breathe. The beauty and friendships will keep your spirts high and once the anchor is down, go for a swim. The water will calm your soul as well as help your equilibrium. Anyone who normally has a problem with seasickness has been pleasantly surprised that within 2 days they felt nothing at all.
Much of this is a state of mind. We will take care of that right away!
Both island chains take US dollars and almost all shops and restaurants take major credit cards although some may not accept American Express.
Bring enough cash for immigration fees ($20), one time mandatory fee for helping the national parks ($10), taxi fees from airport to ferry and to the yacht (anywhere from $7 - $20 depending on number of bags and how many people,), tips for baggage handlers at the ferry, money for the boat kitty (Approx $60-$70) that will cover daily incidentals like ice, trash pick ups, and mooring balls, and a 15% tip for your captain if you loved your trip.
YES!
Almost every island has a small boutique with loads of cool island clothes, and some have locally made jewelry and artwork so pack light enough to fill your bag with new things acquired overseas.
While 2022 was a tough one for traveling, we did it, taking tests before and during our trip, and it was worth it!
Now that restrictions are gone, it doesn't mean we should let our guards down.
Before your trip, start thinking about not getting sick whatever that looks like in your life.
Avoiding parties, bars, and people with symptoms at least 2 weeks prior to departure is good protocol.
I've made a Wind Goddess Recipe Book with menus and everyone will have an opportunity to volunteer to cook and/or clean. The yacht will be provisioned with loads of delicious healthy food. No worries on eating well. I'm not a chef, but I love good food and will bring extras like spices and other ingredients that are not easy to get down there. I invite everyone to bring things they like to snack on that may not be available in the islands like nuts and dried fruits which can also be added to a charcuterie board. I'll have the French cheeses and baguettes! And please always, always bring chocolate! It's really fun to throw the chocolate out on the table after a yummy meal and bringing your own favorites makes it more interesting.
We will eat onshore for 1-2 dinners and possibly a lunch or two. Only one meal is planned onshore at the beautiful remodeled SABA ROCK. The rest are optional. But it's part of the experience to taste local flavors and meet other cruisers so never feel guilty to say let's eat onshore! I'll have the insight on where and when for you. Every island is small, unique and most have crafty beach restaurants and bars that sing with the local vibe.
Sometimes there is a single cabin but it sells fast. Otherwise there are 2 choices. You can rent the double cabin for yourself and pay the double occupancy rate, or you can sleep in the crew cabin in the bow if your boat an extra one. I'll be in one bow cabin and you can take the other. There's no head (bathroom) and no place to store your stuff, but it has great ventilation and is cozy. You should however be strong enough to climb in and out from an overhead hatch. It's not for everyone but those who've done it have loved it. It is an option that is discounted so please request that info if you are interested, and I'll lyk if one is available.
Last but not least, sometimes there is someone else that can't find a buddy to come with them. If you're willing to make a new friend with someone who clearly likes adventure, then I can introduce you by email and you can go from there and decide if it's a good fit.
50% deposit to hold a cabin or berth.
Act fast. Once the dates are published they can fill up quickly.
The balance of 50% is due 90 days prior to the charter.
Refunds can be made up to 90 days in advance of the trip minus a $500 fee.
After 90 days, no refunds, unless we can fill your spot with someone else. If you have someone who can replace you that's best.
You should absolutely buy travel insurance. It's worth it. Every now and then someone can't come at the last minute and if you do your research, get good insurance, and have a valid reason for not being able to participate, you will get a full refund by them.
Commit to the fun, and if something happens you are covered. Here is a link to look and compare: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/best-travel-insurance/
The average temperature for the air and water is in the 70' - 80's. Cooler at night.
Wear a sweater for the airplane ride that can be used on cool nights.
During the day it's warm but never hot except onshore.
The average wind is moderate.
Rain happens now and then, so pack a light waterproof windbreaker for dancing in the rain.
Mostly you will be wearing a bathing suit and a cover up.
We tend to wear the same things over and over so pack light and buy some fun items on the islands.
The water can feel a bit chilly when you first jump in during the winter months, but within minutes it feels perfect.
I recommend purchasing a full body lycra suit for skin diving, protection from the sun, and the random jelly fish that we sometimes don't see. Please do not bring spray on sunscreen as it blows onto the boat. Mineral sunscreen is the best protection and reef safe sunscreens are important too since we will be visiting them almost daily.
Wifi can be purchased for approximately $200/week. If you must check in with work and a cell phone hotspot won't be sufficient, then I can order WiFi for you and hopefully it can be a business expense. However, the BVI's has done a great job of adding many cell towers so we almost always have reception. Check your phone service to see what kind of plan you have before you go. My plan includes unlimited texting and free data so if you don't have a good plan you can tether off of me. But it's best if you can connect on your own as we will use What'sApp to communicate as a group down there. Normally texting is an easy option to add for international traveling.
SUP's and other water toys are available for rent and the SUP's are always fun to play on, drink on, and use for getting around without waiting for the dinghy. SUP rentals are currently $25/day and most groups decide to chip in and share the cost of one or two.
I'll have several floaties and noodles for swimming and hanging off the back of the boat, as well as a couple of personal floatation devices for swimmers who want an assist.
SCUBA in the BVI's is highly desirable for those who have been diving recently. The dives can be arranged so that you can be picked up and dropped off on an island that we are visiting. You may miss some fun shenanigans while you are diving, but if diving is important to you there are some great diving opportunities off of Cooper Island Beach Resort and the Bitter End Yacht Club.
We will be given 2 bags of ice before departure and after that we will need to purchase it daily when it's available.
There is a large cooler in the cockpit (back porch) that holds a lot of beverages that can be easily accessed.
Boats will come by and ask if we need ice and the answer is always "Yes!"
Sandals and some tupe of tennis or hiking shoes are recommended. Water shoes can be worn at the baths but sandals will suffice. The hiking shoes are only for those who want to do the hike up to the top of Norman Island. But you can also use sandals in a pinch.
Sunscreens that are PBA free and reef friendly are recommended. No aerosols.
The yacht will have a bluetooth system so anyone can hook up and play their favorites.
It is recommended to make a playlist for our week together, so that when you return home and play it, you will be back in the islands remembering how that felt.
Sailing in the BVI's was a bucket list item. There's no way I can express how wonderful it was!
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