BVI Trip and Hurricane Recovery Update (lots of pics)

We sailed the BVI in a monohull from June 21st to the 30th and finished the trip with a couple of nights on Jost Van Dyke.

I'd never sailed before and definitely not in a monhull with no generator so it was quite the experience for me. I'm also not a camper but the best description I can give of the sailing portion is that it's like camping on the ocean given what we were in. If I do the BVI all via water again it will be in a cat or power cat with a captain. I prefer some luxury when I travel.

That said, I want to document the trip for the board so people that want to travel or sail in the BVI will see the current state of the Irma recovery efforts and will understand what they are in for. My hope is that the photos will show the bad, the sad and the beauty that is the BVI.

We sailed out of The Moorings Harbor on the 21st and made for Jost Van Dyke to begin the trip. We got rained in for an extra day on Jost.

First sunrise on Jost



Some of the damage still apparent on Jost. There is still a lot of damage. Jost only has about 150 full time inhabitants so it will be quite some time before it recovers fully. Additionally, Ivan of Ivan's Stress Free bar is in poor health and Ivan's is a shell of its former self.

Kenny Chesney has done a ton for Ivan and the people of Jost. This was a recurring theme on every island I visited. Like or hate his music but the man put his money and his efforts into helping the people of St. John and the BVI.







Abe's By the Sea in Little Harbor on Jost



We ate dinner on this dock last year.



What Abe's was like last year.





We then sailed over to Tortola and spent the night in Brewer's Bay. The next day, after snorkeling at Monkey Point (which is a fantastic snorkeling spot) we headed over to Virgin Gorda and stayed in Leverick Bay.



As most of you know the Bitter End Yacht Club was completely destroyed. They're working on it but I'd think they're probably two years away still.

Of course, The Baths are still there.



Next, we headed over to Anegada for two nights. The reports we'd heard were that Anegada hadn't been hit hard by Irma but those reports proved to be false. However, they've done a great job of rebuilding and recovering. Places like Cow Wreck Beach Bar aren't what they were but they are fully functional.

Cow Wreck Beach Bar and beach









Buckeyes marking their territory at Cow Wreck



Of course, they have Anegada lobster everywhere you go.



Neptune's Treasure on Anegada. Best island breakfast ever.



Sunset on Anegada. Yes, those are two cows on the beach under and just to the right on the moon.



After Anegada we headed out and stayed at The Bight on Norman Island. There we saw the resting place of the Willie T.



We also saw sights like this far too often during our sailing.





The next day we snorkeled The Indians. If you sail the BVI and have to pick one spot to snorkel or dive this one should be on your short list.





Our last night sailing was spent in Great Harbor, Peter Island. It's the home of the new and larger Willie T.



What's the Willie T without at least one board shot. Me with my best friends that I just met that day.



We headed back to Jost for two nights and had a decent view of White Bay from our villa.





Dinner at Corsairs





Vinny owns Corsairs. Good guy and becoming a good friend.



And, of course.



A lot is now open in the BVI. Very few places are as they were before. For instance, Soggy Dollar isn't serving dinner yet. The Sandcastle Hotel rebuild has not been touched and until it opens they won't expand their food offerings. They are serving lunch and appetizers.

That's how it is at most places. The Bight on Norman Island is closed for rebuilding but the Pirate's Bight restaurant right next to it is open. Everywhere you go something is open and the people are welcoming and appreciative.

I'd say great trip and I'll go again but I go at least once a year so my return is guaranteed.