Browsing: British Virgin Islands

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BoatUS and The Moorings Forming BVI Flotilla

BoatUS and The Moorings just announced that they’re forming a new cruising flotilla in the British Virgin Islands next May. In normal (non-pandemic) years, The Moorings hosts a week-long BoatUS Flotilla in the BVI, where BoatUS members can charter power and sail boats to cruise as a group through some of the best cruising grounds in the world. The next flotilla will be from May 20-27, and will include stops at some of the BVI’s most popular destinations. A flotilla offers a feeling of security for people who may not have a lot of charter experience. There’s safety in numbers,…

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Cooper Island: A Bit of Paradise in the BVI

Cooper Island, a small island in the British Virgin Islands, seems to have it all: Location, a boutique-like resort along a sloping white beach, a mooring field for visitors, snorkeling right off your boat, and a western view for fantastic sunsets. Cooper Island is close to Tortola, home of the larger charter fleets, and to Virgin Gorda, where The Baths are on almost everyone’s charter itinerary. If you don’t have a boat, you can get there on a water taxi from Tortola. The Cooper Island Beach Club is now fully restored from the hurricanes of 2017. It’s a family-owned, eco-resort…

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Aquila Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Aquila power catamarans are marking a major milestone by celebrating their tenth anniversary this summer. The boats, ranging from 28 to 70 feet, are made by Sino Eagle in China and are sold around the world to private owners. They also are put into the charter trade, primarily by MarineMax Vacations, where they have enjoyed a remarkable success and growth. MarineMax Vacations, of course, is part of MarineMax, the retail giant with headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, and 90 locations in 22 countries around the world; it’s the exclusive global distributor for Aquila. In the past ten years, Aquila says it…

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Moorings Adding New 464 PC to BVI Fleet

The Moorings just announced that it’s adding the new 464 Powercat to its charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands. The 464 is The Moorings’ second in its new generation of Leopard power catamarans from Robertson & Caine, after the 53. The 464 is designed to be a home-away-from home for people who are chartering in the BVI; it’s also available for a charter ownership, with significant advantages, for anyone interested in buying it. The new cat has more interior space than in previous version, plus redesigned cabins and furnishings, zoned air conditioning and separate engine rooms for its twin…

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New Covid Protocols Start May 15 in the BVI

The government of the British Virgin Islands has announced an update to its Covid-19 protocols that go into effect on Saturday, May 19. The BVI, of course, are some of the most coveted charter and cruising destinations in the world, and are the home of major charter operations including The Moorings and MarineMax Vacations. Here’s a recap of the new protocols are reported by The Moorings: Fully vaccinated travelers will be immediately released from quarantine upon receiving negative results from their Covid-19 test on arrival. The results take 24 to 36 hours to process. For unvaccinated adults, the previous four-day…

Cruising Life
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Foxy’s Iconic Bar in BVI Adds a Music School

If you’re heading for Foxy’s Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, you may  not find Foxy himself. That’s because Foxy (Foxy Callwood ) is spending a lot of his time at his music school down the road behind the restaurant, helping kids from the islands. Foxy’s has become an institution of almost folklore proportions ever since it opened on the beach in Great Harbour in 1968, a destination for cruisers and charter-boat customers from all around the world. (If you don’t have your own boat, you can take the ferry from West End, Tortola, across…

Cruising Life
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BVI Set Covid-19 Protocols for Dec. 1 Reopening

The British Virgin Islands, one of the best and most inviting cruising and charter destinations in the world, just announced new Covid-19 protocols for its reopening to visitors on Dec. 1. Andrew A. Fahie, the premier and minister of finance, spelled out the protocols. He said they were “tailored to allow visitors to experience a safe, luxurious vacation by deploying technology, implementing strict testing and comprehensive protocols for tourism industry operators and accommodations units.” Starting Dec. 1, you can fly into Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island. A new welcome center can handle 90 passengers at a time. The…

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Moorings To Reopen Tortola Charter Base on Dec. 1

Here’s some very good news. The Moorings just announced that its Tortola marina is scheduled to reopen on Dec. 1. Click here to read the State Department’s information about covid-related restrictions there. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BritishVirginIslands.html In normal times, The British Virgin Islands are one of the best, and most popular, cruising and charter destinations in the world. Here’s what The Moorings has to say about it: Stretching throughout the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands are a kaleidoscope of aquamarine waters, sun-soaked harbors, and white-sand beaches. Distinct ports of call can be found among the more than 25 pristine islands that make up…

Destinations
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NY Times: 52 Places To Go in 2020

The New York Times just published its annual “52 Places To Go” in the coming year story, and it contains some old favorites, as well as some entirely new ones. Here are some in both categories: The Times’ Number 2: The British Virgin Islands. Still recovering from the hurricanes of 2017, the BVI are coming back. Rosewood Little Dix Bay, for example, reopened this month. Richard Branson’s private Necker Island (its Red Dock is pictured above) is on schedule to reopen by April. The Bitter End Yacht Club will open its new marina this summer, with accommodations to follow in…

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BVI Update: Many Favorite Spots Now Open

It’s been more than two years since the hurricanes devastated much of the British Virgin Islands, and the recovery has been difficult. Many marinas, charter fleets and resorts were hard hit. But now some of our favorites are open again or getting back to normal. “Normal,” of course, is a high bar to reach, since the BVI are one of the best, easiest and most attractive cruising grounds in the world. Here’s an update from The Moorings, the worldwide charter powerhouse, on what’s open now. Pusser’s Marina Cay, probably high on the list of everyone’s favorite destinations in the BVI,…

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