Marine Max Vacations to BVI and the Bahamas

We have done this amazing trip a couple of times and with The Moorings. If anyone is interested in the future i have a "guy" for a private boat from St Thomas to Tortola - he takes care of all customs, wink wink and has beer ready when we get off the private van from the airport!!
 
We have done this amazing trip a couple of times and with The Moorings. If anyone is interested in the future i have a "guy" for a private boat from St Thomas to Tortola - he takes care of all customs, wink wink and has beer ready when we get off the private van from the airport!!
I will be sending you a PM once I get it booked!
 
The trip is booked! We also got lucky and had a little preview of a 44’ Aquila today in Cherry Cove. Beautiful boat!
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We chartered two of the power cats with 8 couples from Marine Max in January of 2020 right before COVID hit. I highly recommend it and plan on doing it again either there or in the Bahamas.
If you plan on going pay the extra fee for a newer boat. Ours was a couple years old and had a number of issues which were easily fixed by us with knowledge gained through years of maintaining our own yachts.


Any insight on how much that was?
 
Any insight on how much that was?
Our trip with 3 couples on the 44' is $10,556 with these extra fees:
1. Convenience and Connectivity Bundle $297
2. Party of 6, "Cruising Tax" $252
3. Damage Waiver ($3,500 deductible above WL/$15,000 below) $630
4. 6 Taxi Transfers from the Airport/Ferry $240
Total: $11,975
 
Just a small update. I want to first thank Chris and Josh for their help and guidance. Their advice was invaluable! We have come up with an itinerary based on all of the information we have gathered and watching a few videos available online. We are going to stay the night on the boat in Nanny Cay the day before we officially start the trip to get some final provisions and familiarize ourselves with everything. Here is the schedule:
1. Virgin Gorda/Leverick Bay (Baths by taxi)
2. Anegada Island
3. Scrub Island
4. Jost Van Dyke
5. Soper's Hole on Tortola Island
6. Norman Island
7. Cooper Island
Return to Nanny Cay ("S/F" on the map)
BVImap1.png
 
Our trip with 3 couples on the 44' is $10,556 with these extra fees:
1. Convenience and Connectivity Bundle $297
2. Party of 6, "Cruising Tax" $252
3. Damage Waiver ($3,500 deductible above WL/$15,000 below) $630
4. 6 Taxi Transfers from the Airport/Ferry $240
Total: $11,975
Fuel was included? If so, that was dirt cheap! I chartered a 57 Lagoon in 2016 (crewed, though) for 8 and it was 25 grand.
 
Fuel was included? If so, that was dirt cheap! I chartered a 57 Lagoon in 2016 (crewed, though) for 8 and it was 25 grand.
Its just like renting a car. The boat will be full of fuel at the start. We have to bring it back full or have MM fill it at whatever their rate is when we return it. There are some additional expenses on top of this that shouldn't be too bad. Maybe $300 in mooring fees for 6 of the nights. We are going to slip the boat at a resort on night 3 at scrub island. We rented a couple of paddleboards. For three couples, it will be very reasonable. I have no idea what the upcharge would have been with a crew.
 
What's the attraction ? It seems like a big fuel burn...
My normal trip here on the west coast is back and forth to Catalina Island, around 48 miles round trip. We just looked at Anegada as a normal run for us. Apparently you scooter around the island and go to "Cow Wreck Beach" where they have an excellent bar and restaurant. At the end of the day we head back to a couple of different options that serve lobster for dinner, but you have to get your order in by 4pm for them to catch it for you. It was recommended by several people as a "must" stop on the vacation.
 
My normal trip here on the west coast is back and forth to Catalina Island, around 48 miles round trip. We just looked at Anegada as a normal run for us. Apparently you scooter around the island and go to "Cow Wreck Beach" where they have an excellent bar and restaurant. At the end of the day we head back to a couple of different options that serve lobster for dinner, but you have to get your order in by 4pm for them to catch it for you. It was recommended by several people as a "must" stop on the vacation.
I didn't make it there because we were sail, there was hardly any wind that week, and so limited (did get to Bitter End before Irma though).
My friends who have been EVERYWHERE went to Anegada for a couple of days, and stayed for 2 weeks. It was the peak experience for them. When I get back (probably doing the MM thing too), that is first stop. Then we will work our way back. I see the itinerary left out Cane Garden Bay. We did have a great time there. Maybe a lunch stop before Soggy.
Make sure you don't show up at the Baths on Cruise Ship day. They wrecked the whole experience, with 200 people of all sizes, shapes, and nationalities trying to navigate that area. I won't be back unless I'm living around there, and can pick my day.
 
Just a small update. I want to first thank Chris and Josh for their help and guidance. Their advice was invaluable! We have come up with an itinerary based on all of the information we have gathered and watching a few videos available online. We are going to stay the night on the boat in Nanny Cay the day before we officially start the trip to get some final provisions and familiarize ourselves with everything. Here is the schedule:
1. Virgin Gorda/Leverick Bay (Baths by taxi)
2. Anegada Island
3. Scrub Island
4. Jost Van Dyke
5. Soper's Hole on Tortola Island
6. Norman Island
7. Cooper Island
Return to Nanny Cay ("S/F" on the map)
View attachment 114475


We have done the trip several times. Always a blast! We did not care for Sopers Hole. Quite a bit of ferry traffic with the associated wake and noise. Anegada is a must. Best Lobster dinner I have ever had. Also as mentioned Cane Garden Bay was one of our favorite spots for a night. Other places to consider would be the Bitter End (have not been there since the hurricane) and Peter Island. You'll have a great time! Our first trip was 7 days, all later trips were 10.
 
to get you in the mood. This is my screensaver......
suddenly I can't post youtube links anymore......
whatever, search for Soggy Dollar Bar webcam
 
to get you in the mood. This is my screensaver......
suddenly I can't post youtube links anymore......
whatever, search for Soggy Dollar Bar webcam

Ah.... the Soggy Dollar. Anchored in Great Harbor then took the dingy over. Beautiful beach and Rum! Did I mention Rum? Great spot!!
 
Thank you for your suggestions. We picked Soper's Hole because of a restaurant near the West End Yacht Club. The restaurant is Omar's. Plus we have to take another Covid test on Tortola for our return flight. Just for an idea on our total mileage for the trip, I had some fun with Google maps. It looks like we will be around 103 statutory miles which is approximately 90 nautical miles. That is a one way trip from our home marina to San Diego, not bad.
BVImapdistance.jpg
 
Thank you for your suggestions. We picked Soper's Hole because of a restaurant near the West End Yacht Club. The restaurant is Omar's. Plus we have to take another Covid test on Tortola for our return flight. Just for an idea on our total mileage for the trip, I had some fun with Google maps. It looks like we will be around 103 statutory miles which is approximately 90 nautical miles. That is a one way trip from our home marina to San Diego, not bad.
View attachment 114530
Hey make sure you do the hike at the top of NORMAN!! It is amazing - follow behind the beach club and up the hill.. Have you read through the books - whatcha think??
cant wait to hear about your trip and send DEON our hellos and take him some bourbon!!
 
I’ll add the Norman hike into the itinerary!! And the books have been phenomenal! Lots of sticky notes added. The bourbon delivery to Deon is a certainty. He has had to put up with all of the calls from my wife so I should probably bring two bottles! Thank you again for all of your help!!!!!!
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