BVI: Norman Island
Published on Monday, 16 January 2017 04:32 | | 
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| Hits: 5460
| | Hits: 5460BVI: Norman Island
21st to 26th Dec 2016
BVI Map
“The largest British islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke and Anegada, the latter being slightly set apart, while the former are grouped together around the Sir Francis Drake channel.
There are 60 islands and cays to explore in the BVI Chain. Like a beautifully weathered sea glass necklace, each has its own hue. ”
Norman Island
“Norman Island is an island located at the southern tip of the British Virgin Islands. The history of this sprawling 610-acre island, is steeped in fantastic tales of pirates and buried treasure, as told by Robert Louis Stevenson in his famous children's classic, Treasure Island.”
On our way to Norman we stock up in Road Town. On the pier in the Harbor we saw a boat that seriously cater for visiting friends….. From Road Town Harbour we had a short 6nm sail to Norman Island. Norman is the southern perimeter of Sir Francis Drake Channel.
A Tidbit of History ... more treasure found in the Caves!
“Fast forward from 1750 and the story of Treasure Island, to 1910 ... Legend has it that Henry Crequ , a hard working fisherman from Anegada found more than a few doubloons in one of the caves when he was forced to seek refuge from a storm and took his little fishing boat into one of the caves. The little boat was repeatedly bashed up against the wall of the cave by the waves, dislodging several rocks from the cave wall. The rocks fell into his boat, along with several doubloons. The truth is mired in history as no official records of his find exist. If Mr. Creque's story is true, and it seems it probably is, the doubloons were very likely a part of the haul pilfered from the Spanish galleon, "Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe".
Early morning we Kayaked around the Northern tip from the bight to Privateer Bay and snorkeled the caves.
Entering one of the caves.
A school of local Glassy Sweepers. Sweepers are nocturnal and seek shelter under ledges or in caves.
Enjoying the interesting rock formations and colors
Exploring the caves! Perhaps some treasure……..
Deadman's Chest found in one of the caves, but the treasure was long gone. Left a small bottle of KWV brandy of South Africa in the chest.
Steep cliffs overhanging the entrance to the caves at Treasure Point.
An abundance of small colorful fish.
The Indians, a formation of protruding rocks surrounded by reefs..
A National Park mooring was picked up between two pinnacles. Even from the surface the underwater ferns could be seen.
Benures Bay is a secluded magical bay without any mooring buoys (no chartering boats). There's no beach in the bay just a rocky shoreline with the mountains a lush green vegetation.
The water was clear. On one of the snorkels from Vagabund we managed to see five turtles. On each snorkel we discovered something new, there was and abundance of sea life with lots of different fish in a coral garden.
Enjoying freshly caught fish for Brunch. Zack still licking his wounds after a couple of big tarpon destroyed his light tackle last night.
The boat next to us snorkeling with their dog.
There's a great hiking trail that starts at the southeast end of Benuares Bay that leads to a look out over Money Bay. Apparently the trail can be followed right down to the bay.
On the hike we were surrounded with lush green vegetation and lots of bright orange butterflies. The earthy humid smell and steady walk surface was enjoyed after being for some time on the water.
The Island is full of pirate history and mysteries. The local commercial businesses latched onto this opportunity. Old Christmas afternoon we enjoyed lunch at the Pirates Beach Bar and Restaurant at the head of the Bight. Peak season at peak time and the service and food was still good. We enjoyed escaping shortly afterwards to the more secluded Benures Bay were we rounded up all the yachties in the bay to come and spend Christmas Eve on Vagabund. Each boat’s crew brought some interesting snacks and drinks. Exchanging “from where and where too’s” resulting in sharing good anchor spots, recipes and contact details.
On Christmas each one was on his own boat. Christmas lunch was special and private on Vagabund.
BVI: Peter Island
Published on Thursday, 19 January 2017 02:16 | | | | Hits: 4746
| | Hits: 4746BVI: Peter Island
26th Dec to 29th Dec 2016
“Peter Island is a 720 hectare (1,779 acre) private island. The five star resort on the Island have twice been named by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the "Best Places to Stay in the World”
Little harbour is a well protected anchorage. We anchored stern to in 2,5m water depth. The one stern line was tied to a rock and the other to a tree.
Great harbor is also situated on the northern shoreline of the island with numerous mooring balls. The snorkeling along the rocky North Eastern shore towards the point was the most rewarding. We found the restaurant to be quite pricy.
Deadmans Bay has clear aquamarine water, powdery sand beaches with waving palms. Good holding was found in 5 m of water. We spend hours in the water and on the beautiful beach.
The bay is a popular anchorage spot. At one time we counted 24 boats on anchor in the bay.
We meet Doug and Valerie of SV Katlyn again. We have last seen them in Bequia in 2014. They were busy with a charter (Katlyn Charters Caribbean Sailing Holidays) and only Doug could spare an hour to visit us. He has given Zack some pointers of good anchorages in the BVI. Hopefully in February we will spend some time together after a break of charters.
On the east of Peter Island is the cay named Dead Chest. “Folklore has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard marooned fifteen men on the cay with nothing but a bottle of rum. Some apparently tried to swim the half mile to Peter Island’s eastern cove but didn’t make it, giving this beautiful palm lined bay the ominous name, “Deadman’s Bay”.”
“Fifteen Men on the Dead Man’s Chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done the rest.
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!”
BVI: Cooper and Salt Island
Published on Thursday, 19 January 2017 02:43 | | | | Hits: 5006
| | Hits: 5006BVI: Salt and Cooper Island.
30th Dec 16 to 1st Jan 2017
Map of Salt and Cooper Island
Salt Island:
“That makes Salt Island alluring is the wreck of the Royal Mail Ship Rhone. She sank in a terrifying hurricane in 1867. She was forced onto the rocks at Salt island where she heeled over, broke in two, sank instantly taking most of her company with her. She rests in 30 to 80 feet of water.”
Zack dived down the RMS Rhone wreck whilst snorkeling to the stern part that is in the shallower water.
Swimming back to the daytime mooring ball that Vagabund was tie up we saw the circling of a school fish.
Cooper Island
“Cooper Island is a small island of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. There are five privately owned properties on the island, plus a small beach club resort. Cooper Island Beach Club has 12 hotel rooms, a restaurant, rum bar, coffee shop, solar powered brewery, and gift shop. Facilities are open to guests, day visitors and yachts using the nearby moorings. Manchioneel Bay features 30 mooring balls that accommodate vessels up to 60 feet.”
We anchored north of the mooring field in Manchioneel Bay to Cistern point on Cooper Island.
Sunset over the mooring balls in Manchioneel Bay
The sun setting over Salt Island from Vagabund
Snorkeling the reef at Cistern Point
The sandy beach of Manchioneel Bay fringed with palm trees
The steps leading to the rum bar, coffee shop, solar powered brewery, and gift shop
The Beach Club Resort Restaurant that sits behind a quint sandy beach. The restaurant is certainly one of the best in the BVI. The word Perfection comes to mind. We had an awesome New Years Eve with gourmet food.
We kayak over to Haulover Bay.
Walk over to the windward side where the shoreline was covered with rubbish from past storms and hurricanes. We even saw a fridge that was washed up ashore.
31st Dec 16
Little Memories Last For Years! Thanks for being part of our memories. It's the Little Things in Life that Bring the Greatest Happiness! May 2017 be Filled with Joy, laugher and All the Little Things that Make You Smile! A prosperous 2017
Zack and Magda on Vagabund in BVI
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BVI: Marina Cay
Published on Thursday, 19 January 2017 03:39 | | | | Hits: 5218
| | Hits: 5218BVI: Marina Cay
1st to 3rd Jan 2017
Marina Cay early history is underwritten by a young couple love story in the 1930's depression era....
“The 8-acre (32,000 m2) island was uninhabited until 1937, when author Robb White and newly married wife Rosalie “Rodie” Mason settled on the island. The Whites spent three years on Marina, hacking a cistern out of the rough, rocky land and shipping in enough concrete to build a small, sturdy house. These adventurous years – during which the couple weathered a hurricane, fended off a randy Nazi skipper, aided Jewish refugees, and survived a surprise visit from White’s mother-in-law – are detailed in his memoirs In Privateer’s Bay (1939), Our Virgin Island (1953), and Two on the Isle (1985).
White was recalled to military duty when World War II broke out; he flew as a pilot, fought near his birthplace in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944), and served on battleships, submarines, and aircraft carriers; he earned eight medals and retired with the rank of lieutenant commander after five years of service.
At the same time as White’s recall, he and Rodie lost Marina Cay; the British government had never issued them a license to hold the land.
Today, Marina Cay is home to Pusser's Restaurant and Villa Rentals; the house Robb and Rodie built serves as a reading lounge for the modest tourist complex. It was the setting for the (true life) story romanticised in Two on the Isle (ISBN 0709025734) by Robb White.”
In the process of trying to get used to the 27C water we spend hours each day in the water.
With a pair of fins, a mask and a snorkel we transgress into this other world.
Exploring and discovering something new with each time we enter the water.
Getting some close ups of a Honeycomb Ray.
Zack’s idea of a drift dive.
A view from the top of Marina Cay showing Vagabund anchored between Marina Cay and Scrub Island.
Early one evening Zack had some fun with a Barracuda.
Sunrise over the mooring field of Marina Cay
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