|
Day 1: Board in the charming Caribbean village of Red Hook - just 30 minutes from St. Thomas Airport. Once aboard, we weigh anchor for a short hop across Pillsbury Sound, dropping anchor in the turquoise waters of Caneel Bay. After a “welcome aboard” reception, we go ashore to dine at one of Cruz Bay’s premier restaurants, The Equator at Sugar Mill.
Day 2: We sail to Esperanza, a town in Vieques, most of which has been off limits to the public for the past century. With the curtailment of government activity in May 2003, most of Vieques remains unspoiled tropical forest. An area called Sun Bay has wild horses roaming the beaches! We have an early dinner aboard then venture into Bio Bay. These bays are full of minute plankton species which glow in the dark when disturbed. Whether you just observe from the local boats or submerge yourself in the vividly sparkling waters, you will depart with amazing memories of this special place.
Day 3: The early sunrise lights the verdant peaks of distant islands as we weigh anchor. A sumptuous buffet breakfast awaits the early risers, who can see our day’s destination, Culebra, looming in the distance as the crew sets the sails. After a swift morning passage under full sail, we slip into the calm waters of Isla de Culebrita for snorkeling and a BBQ lunch. We’ll spend the afternoon visiting pristine beaches (most of the island is a nature preserve), snorkeling the vibrant coral reefs, or keeping a lookout for the leatherback turtles which return to Culebra each year to nest. The crew will launch our fleet of sea kayaks so you may explore amongst the mangroves along the shore. Then finish off the day with your shipmates at a beachside dinner with fresh local seafood.
Day 4: We sail to St. Thomas and drop anchor off of Water Island, then have a lunch aboard and a full day of swimming, snorkeling and beaching it at Honeymoon Beach. From there it is a late afternoon sail to Christmas Cove for dinner aboard with your shipmates and the crew!
Day 5: Back to the US of A…a brief morning sail brings us back into the pleasant waters of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. After clearing customs in Cruz Bay, we’ll spend some time exploring the National Marine Sanctuary which protects the pristine beauty of this most special of the US Virgins. First protected by a large donation from the Rockefeller Family, this island plays host to a huge array of wildlife, and features coral reefs that are a snorkeler’s heaven. If you’d rather explore shoreside, you can rent a jeep in Cruz Bay to explore the far side of the island, or chill out poolside at the Rockefeller Resort of Caneel Bay. This evening you can go ashore early to check out the great little shops which line the streets of the village in Cruz Bay – then join your shipmates for dinner at one of the fine open-air restaurants which grace the streets of this quaint Caribbean town.
Day 6: Today is our chance to really do some sailing! Jost Van Dyke is the closest of the British Virgin Islands, roughly 40 nautical miles to the East Northeast. As we leave Vieques in the distance, dolphins gather to play in our foaming bow wave. Join the captain and crew for a fun informative introduction to the art and science of sailing, or for more experienced hands, take a turn at the wheel as we charge through the sparkling blue water of the Caribbean. By mid-afternoon we arrive at Jost Van Dyke, the westernmost of the British Virgin Islands, leaving plenty of time after clearing customs to go ashore for a hike, bask on the beach at White Bay or lounge in the shade at the Soggy Dollar Bar. We’ll finish off the day with dinner at world-famous Foxy’s, the quintessential island watering hole.
Day 7: So long, farewell…goodbye…it’s such a short trip back to St. Thomas but there is plenty of time to exchange addresses with all your new friends and shipmates. After a farewell brunch, we drop the hook in picturesque Red Hook, at the eastern end of St. Thomas where you can enjoy the last sweet moments of your memorable Virgin Islands’ adventure.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. All stops are subject to the captain’s discretion and may vary due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
The largest and most developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas lives up to license plates proclaiming “American Paradise.” Steep hills carpeted in green give way to dramatic views of the yacht-lined bay, St. John, and the British Virgin Isles. Charlotte Amalie, the bustling waterfront seat of government, exudes Danish charm. And Magens Bay Beach on the north end is considered by many travel writers to be among the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world. One of the biggest pluses is the shopping here: unset gems (emeralds, diamonds, and sapphires, for example), liquor, and perfume are duty-free.
Vieques Island, P.R.
Most of Vieques remains unspoiled tropical forest, and deserted white sand beaches. Bioluminescent bays are full of minute plankton species which glow in the dark when disturbed.
Isla de Culebra
An island with a nature preserve off the east end of Puerto Rico, with pristine beaches and coral reefs. Leatherback sea turtles return here to nest each year. Culebra with its 23 offshore islands forms a miniature archipelago. Coral reefs in this area are considered some of the most spectacular of the entire Caribbean region.
Called Isla Chiquita (small island), also known as Ultima Virgen (last virgin) it's original names were Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Idelfonso in honor of Bishop San Ildefonso de la Culebra. Located 17 miles east of Puerto Rico and 12 miles west of Saint Thomas, it's 7 miles long and 3.5 miles wide.
President Theodore Roosevelt established a naval center in June 26, 1903, and a bird refuge in February 27, 1909, making it one of the oldest refuges in the system. Since then much of the island and the surrounding islets have been protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a nature preserve, making the islands one of only two nesting sites for giant sea turtles in the U.S. The Culebra National Wildlife Refuge protects large colonies of sea birds (85 species), particularly terns, red-billed tropic birds and boobies, and nesting sea turtles.
In 1901 the Culebra Naval Reservation was established. With the outbreak of WWII in 1939, the Culebra Archipelago became the primary gunnery and bombing practice site for the U.S. Navy and continued to be used for these purposes until 1975. Culebrita is the largest cay near Culebra. Culebrita's beach is the finest of white sand and the water visibility is almost unlimited. It is accessible only by boat, and boasts the oldest operating lighthouse in the Caribbean, built in 1886. In 1981, the lighthouse was registered on the National Register of Historical Monuments. Luis Peña is the second largest cay near to Culebra. Many sandy beaches can be found on this cay, as well as a wonderful coral reef located on the southwest side, perfect for snorkeling. Marejada Beach is known as Turtle Watch beach.
Millenniums ago, two-ton leather back turtles were lumbering onto its beaches. In the 18th century, pirates used its cays as secluded, protected hideaways. Today, snorkelers wonder through its coral kingdoms, nodding good-day to an astounding variety of sea creatures.
Culebra's rugged countryside, outrageous beaches and small-scale tourist industry make the 25-square-mile island a Caribbean treasure for travelers.
Honeymoon Beach, St. John, USVI
Honeymoon Beach is a secluded white sand beach with overhanging palm trees and calm, crystal blue water. It is quiet, and rarely has many visitors, and is a great place for snorkeling.
Christmas Cove, Great St. James Is, USVI
This beautiful, sheltered cove is located on Great St. James Island, just off of St. Thomas. The cove was the scene of a huge potluck Christmas dinner among cruising families visiting the Virgin Islands. The dinner became an annual event, leading to the name Christmas Cove. Snorkeling is excellent, right from Arabella's anchorage.
Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI
Cruz Bay offers more than just beautiful beaches and grand views. There are museums exhibiting the history of St. Johns, including the Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum in a restored eighteenth century plantation mansion, and the Ivan Jaden Museum, a monument to its namesake artist who escaped Stalinism in the 1940's. Cruz bay has a vibrant music scene, with calypso and native dance. All the music and art the area offers adds to the outdoor experience of the National Park and the beach.
Jost Van Dyke, BVI
This island, westernmost of the British Virgins, is home of White Bay beach, the Soggy Dollar Bar, and Foxy's, the quintessential island watering hole. Named after a Dutch pirate, Jost Van Dyke has a sleepy Caribbean air and is less developed than other islands in the British Virgins. It is a favorite of party-happy yachting folks who stop for music, dancing & tropical drinks.
St. Thomas, USVI (return)
Return to St. Thomas for disembarkation.
|
