BVI’s

Nov. 9-18, 2022 Stacey & I visit the BVI's for the first time on Wild Rumpus.

The many island chain that makes up the BVI's is the vacation rental boat capital of the world ( but I haven't been to Greece in the summer yet 😜). At the moment - It seems to be all catamaran renters, butI'm guessing the cruisers haven't come up from down south yet.

Check out all the butterflies on the trail!

There doesn't seem to be much anchoring in the islands here or in the USVI, but there are thousands of mooring balls. I will thank the National Park Trust (& NP Service) for protecting the sea floor & reefs. Without them I'm sure it'd be a mess down below.

My anchoring skills (even after living on a boat for 4 months), are mediocre at best, I don't want to begin to think about the "only-a-week" boat renters...😳

The "Check - in / out" process for the BVI is something only the most patient person on the boat should attempt ! We went to the West End customs @ Sopers Hole. It says in the Doyle Cruisers guide to grab any mooring ball for your check in, and head to the dinghy dock. That's exactly what we did. When you get to the ferry building, there is no sign over the double doors to the customs offices, nor a sign on how to proceed thru the maze of windows:

I will enlighten you now... skip ahead if if you want👌.

• Start at the Immigration window and get your forms & hand over your passport, then over to customs (Sailclear app supposedly makes it easier). Make sure you have all your boat docs & ask for a National Parks Trust pass for the time you are there ( you'll need it to visit all the main spots like The Baths). Head to treasury and pay for it all, go outside to departure tax & pay more $. Back to immigration & get it all stamped, then your free to explore 🤞.

The BVIs we've found are all about heading to shore for some fun drink, food, or music. Everyone has heard of the Soggy Dollar, or the Bitter End - there are litterly dozen of places like them, and more popping up monthly.

There was a great snorkel at Marina Cay, across from the Marriott 🐙. I'm sure there are other amazing snorkels as well... we just didn't find them yet.

And more

Sunsets:

Cheers everyone

Thanks for watching us tame this different lifestyle