We can dock just west of the docks where the sea bottom is soft and muddy. There are more than 5 docks in the city. Of course, they have ceased their activity in the area since then, so its completely safe. We also anchored off of Playa Sardinera for a night. We can dock at any ports in town, as they are all excellent. They set sail for the British Virgin Islands to meet their friends. Does it offer a direct flight to San Juan, PR or St. Thomas? If we are lucky, we can catch the period with the most suitable winds during the late summer and autumn months. The volcanic island is located south of Saint Thomas, not far from Charlotte Amelie. This is a very exciting place for several reasons. Get an early start and get that fishing equipment prepped! An abundant number of small islands make wonderful day stops, and a few offer overnight anchorages. Only Vieques and Culebra have a resident population. Palomino Island Fajardo 9.60 km (5.96 mi). Here, you are exposed to the trade winds, but the reef provides excellent protection from the swell. 3 kilometres from the northern coast of Saint Thomas; the two are separated by the Leeward Passage. Castaway Catamaran Sail & Snorkel to Shipwreck Cove (ST29) Nature, Beach and Water Adventures; $69.00* (ages 10 and up), $49.00* (ages 5 to 9) St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands . Puerto Del Rey Marina was our favorite stop for resupplying. Most of the Puerto Rico boating community seems to show up on the weekend with their BBQ grills and drinks. Day 5. . From Buck Island, its about 48nm to the channel entrance to Ensenada Honda (Dewey). Third and fourth guests are free in the same cabin. There were a handful of smaller powerboats filled with loud music and happy Puerto Ricans. 6 digits Phone number max. You will begin your 8-day sailing excursion at Red Hook Harbor on St. Thomas. A few drinks and dances later, we went back to Satori where we would spend the night before jumping on our friends Cat the next morning. Waterlemon Cay is home to a healthy and expansive coral reef and is considered one of the best (if not the best) snorkelling locations in all of St. John. Sailing in Lindos: sail out from a historic village! There were plenty of fish to spot, including jacks, hogfish, and some large snapper that hang on the edge of the reef where the grass meets the sand. The weather was getting nasty again but luckily sailing in the Virgin Islands is well protected. Who wants to sail with gusts of up to 40 knots! The boat needs a DTOPS sticker, Technically, you need to be at the port of entry to report your arrival. 14 5 kilometres from here. 5 kilometres from the shores of Fajardo. St. Croix is considered the garden island and is known for its picturesque Dutch architecture. Day 1. Prickly Pear Island Sopers Hole (Tortola) 39.35 km (24.45 mi) Day 11. This might be enough reason alone to do one or the other. 46 Cruz Bay leads us to the entrance of Saint John and the western part of the island. Sail Date Itinerary Name Inside From Oceanview From Balcony From Suite From Details; Ferries depart from Fajardo, Puerto Rico every Saturday at 8 a.m. yacht charter adventure in the US & Spanish Virgin Islands, US & Spanish Virgin Islands Sailing Itinerary 2. It is scary because when you do that, water comes gushing into the boat. They have their catamaran in the Moorings charter and invited us to sail with them in the British Virgin Islands for a week. Check your Puerto Rico cruising guide for details on the anchorages. Water Island is the smallest island of the United States Virgin Islands with a territory of only 200 hectares. They provide electricity at each berth. There were thunderstorms on the North side of Puerto Rico, but the Southside was clear on the radar. You have a couple options for anchorages once you arrive. This part of the trip was shorter. To do this, youll need settled weather. (181931.5N 645106.4W) We were able to dinghy to the back of Villa Marina (or I guess the front) and tie up safely for a walk into town. Then a few minutes later, there was another storm. The airport of Saint Thomas is located near the centre of Charlotte Amalie several airlines offer direct flights to Puerto Rico, and the trip is only 40 minutes long. And, the island has the largest natural wildlife refuge in the Caribbean covering 3100 acres. Visitors usually go hiking to the breathtaking top hill view. Photo: Buck Island as seen from Point Udall the easternmost point of the US. It smells a little swampish in Puerto Ferro, but its calm, and there is a lot of fluorescence here also. (18197.27N 64529.63W) After our trip to Old San Juan, we waited in Salinas for a weather window. The area between Puerto Rico and Culebra is scattered with shallow reefs that provide excellent grounds for snorkeling. More information about sailing from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas. Due to its great beaches and vibrant nightlife, it is the most popular island in the area and also one of the most developed lands in terms of sailing and tourism. This will be our staging point before we go sailing to St. Croix. Most of St. John is a national park, so the beaches are pristine and full of sea life. After that, we made dinner and hit the hay early. Once you are underway, motor about 15 nautical miles east to pick up a National Park Service (NPS) mooring at Salt Pond Bay. We should just follow the channel leading into the bay afterwards, and dock at one of the marinas there. It really isnt that hard. Balcony Stateroom. We can get water and refuel our boat here. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge. Beach sands range from soft white to sparkling black. The dark black cloudless skies paint the perfect background for a fantastic show of stars. In ideal trade wind conditions, you may not even have to make a single sail change. For some of these its OK to stay overnight. The anchorage outside the bay is not an ideal place for an overnight stay, so we made a stop for a few hours, toured the bay, and then moved the boat over to Puerto Ferro. Otherwise you might be in for an uncomfortable night on a mooring ball. They have great docking places in the north-eastern corner of the bay, but they are fairly crowded during the day. Landlubbers can hike 0.25 miles up the Johnny Horn Trail, which departs from Leinster Bay to Annaberg Plantation Ruinsa Dutch mill that was used for processing sugar cane. Sailing westward along Puerto Rico's southern coast, a natural stopping point is Salinas. This third crossing, we experienced the Christmas trade winds, a strong, predominately east wind that blows steadily until January. #zipties #boatwork #sailingsatori, A post shared by Sailing Satori (@sailingsatori) on May 8, 2018 at 7:39am PDT, Notice anything in Nicks shirt? Member Exclusive: Up to $1,500 On Board Credit. It also allows us the opportunity to get two awesome days of sailing in open water. Since time was precious at this point, we decided to make big jumps with the idea that we would see the islands we were passing on the way back to Luperon. St. Croix makes the list for this sailing itinerary since its off the beaten path. The dock can be reached on foot from the historic downtown of Charlotte Amalie, and we can also find one of the most beautiful beaches, Magens Bay in the area here. The town is to the north of the marina, and an easy walk (about a mile), where there is a grocery store and fast-food restaurants. 5 kilometres from Fajardo, we can find a narrow bay with a peaceful little town. For a quick lunch stop, well pull into the bight at Magens Bay, home to another well-known beach. 39 14 This it Las Croabas. 50 km (31.1 mi) On the first day, we will stay close to Puerto Rico and head towards Ceiba. Benner Bay is a 12-kilometer-long passage located east of Saint Thomas. You can anchor close to shore. Sail roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale or Galveston. There is one single port, Port Bay Harbor it is well-equipped and we can arrange everything we need here. Druif Bay is located in the southern part of Saint Thomas, near the West Gregerie channel. This puts the current in your favor for the longer crossing from St. Croix to Culebra, When you travel back east to St. Thomas from Culebra, you will have an upwind slog (no avoiding it), You should get some protection in the lee of St. Thomas from the long fetch of the trade wind swell, The current that youll have to fight will also be weaker closer to St. Thomas. And yes, this is the plan for my next sailing trip coming up in November 2022. Similarly to other Caribbean areas, this island has not been affected by todays busy and hectic world. I cant wait to return and continue exploring! The sea can be pretty sloppy in that area as well. All rights reserved. 20 buoys altogether. DISCLAIMER: Yacht Warriors provides this information for planning, information, and entertainment purposes. We also spotted sea turtles cruising around the bay, and groups of spotted rays foraging for food on the bottom. Quite a bit faster (20 minutes) and smoother than sailing over Presumably a storm-related incident. The following day would conclude our journey. Furthermore, weather or other outside factors may require your Captain to set an alternative course for the duration of your trip. 11 Join us on a comfortable boat, Island Girl for a narrated journey to St. John. 56.25 km (34.95 mi) Onboard Voyager of the Seas. Saga Haven Culebrita 41.70 km (25.91 mi) Day 13. The Moorings. 43 We were going over to St. John which is the next island. We had to stop and put her into reverse so the seaweed would come out. © 2023 Better Sailing. This leg was uneventful, which is always a treat. If its crowded use Lindbergh or Flamingo Bays as back ups. If you want to avoid a lot of motoring, make it to St. Martin before the Christmas trade winds kick in. Puerto Rico; Arrive: 11:00 am; Depart: 6:00 pm; Sunday - May 21, 2023. More information on our privacy policy and personal data protection. Its $30.00 per night. it's only a 2.5 hr. The beach is covered with coconut trees, and it is an ideal spot for relaxation. You can pull off my itinerary below from either Puerto Rico or St. Thomas, but keep in mind leaving from Puerto del Rey will add about ~40 nautical miles roundtrip to the journey. 24 Feel free to walk the grounds of this luxury beach resort, while enjoying the sparkling lights of St. Thomas on the distant horizon, before heading back to your private yacht. There are five balls available. This period is between June and November. If I had an extra day, I might even try and squeeze in a round of golf. Thanks to its small size, this port is much more peaceful than the average ones. 60nights. We were about a week too late. It is worth mentioning that Crown Bay Marina is fairly busy boats of all sizes and types dock here. The city can be found on the north-eastern coast of the city, and it got its name from its rich ceiba (kapok) forest. Enjoy a smooth 45-minute sail to the uninhabited island of Great St. James and jump into the turquoise waters at Christmas Cove for an afternoon swim and snorkel. We can explore the marvellous coral reef and the beautiful white sandy beaches nearby. The capital is Isabella Segunda. Once in Dewey, anchor in 15-20 feet of water between Cayo Pirata and the town dock. This bioluminescence bay not only has a higher concentration of dinoflagellates but is not as populated and remains less spoiled by the hoards of tourists that currently flock to the bay in Fajardo. Sailing from Puerto Rico to St. ThomasLets explore the Caribbean Sea and Saint Thomas! With its beautiful coral reef and exciting hiking routes, it is one of the pioneers in Caribbean ecotourism; we can also access other smaller islands from here including the island of Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Norman Island, Virgin Gorda, and Water Island. Cruises To St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands The town of Charlotte Amalie has one of the most breathtaking harbors in the world. St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands . 21 Bahia Aldomovar is a calm mangrove harbor with a coral reef barrier and faces east towards St. Thomas. The building was restored and it now houses a museum of Viequense art and the history of people dating back to the indigenous times. Start planning your next cruise vacation by selecting a destination . You may have seen pictures of the beach with abandoned tanks the U.S. Navy used to use for target practice. let destName = data.text.toLowerCase().replaceAll("-",""); 9 NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE. Jeff and Adrienne own a catamaran and invited the Satori crew to sail with them for a week. Required fields are marked *. Relax on world-famous beaches, cool drink in hand, for a day of rejuvenation topped off by luxurious shopping. The depth of water is 3 metres. However, Nicks attempt was a success, and we were back in business. Departs From San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands has some recommendations for a day tour. The waters are clear, there are abundant anchorages around the island, and most of the reef here is alive and vibrant. } Get settled in, enjoy your first night out of the marina, and grab a cocktail for a killer sunset. Great Harbour Deadmans Bay (Peter Island) 28.10 km (17.46 mi) Day 8. From what I've been able to find searching online, it seems there used to be a ferry that ran regularly but. On the northern coast, the depth of water varies between 4.5 and 9 metres. There are two marine stores near each other and a very small grocery store here. Thanks to the local organizations (US Coast Guard, Puerto Rican Marine Police, Federal Park Rangers) they have excellent public safety; there is practically no boat theft or aggression on the streets. 31 More Catamaran trips in Puerto Rico. Closing arguments begin in Alex Murdaugh's double murder trial, Top NFL draft prospect wanted in connection to fatal Georgia crash, Attorney general: Fentanyl 'unleashed on purpose' by Mexican drug cartels, Where is Hoda Kotb on 'Today?' Sapphire Beach is located app. The tiny and peaceful island Cayo Luis belongs to Culebra. I describe how to do this below. The island is small and only has two small towns, light pollution is low which is the perfect condition for enjoying a sky full of bright stars. 3rd and 4th guests sail for free in any cabin type with two paid adults (based on availability) Starting prices below are per person, based on two travelers sharing a cabin. Calm and protected, Leinster Bay has extensive seagrass, with turtles, conch, and sea stars. Soon after, in May, the 91,000-ton vessel departs Port Everglades on a 15-night Panama Canal cruise to join the Celebrity Eclipse and the Celebrity . Excellent opportunities to catch some mahi, tuna, and wahoo from your sailboat, Lots of schedule flexibility if the wind becomes too strong for comfortable crossings remain in the protection of St. John, or head straight to Culebra, Off the beaten path fewer charter boats visit these areas. 6 digits. The entrance to the bay is surrounded by a coral reef, but we can easily spot it in the beautiful, clear water. We found Culebra to be the true gem of Puerto Rico. Arthur was traumatized from this run. Allow yourself at least 1.5 hours to motor over there. Satori Leaves Salinas to sail Southeast Puerto Rico, Satori has engine trouble, engine trouble, and more engine trouble, Meeting our friends in the BVIs at Jost Van Dyke. This area is lively on the weekends with hoards of kayakers banging around the bay on their way to the mangrove trail that leads to the bioluminescent bay. A lot of fish can be found on them. If you have more than a week for this trip, consider adding a day or two at Vieques. Checking out is not required. 40 This tiny island with its territory of only 12 square kilometres is a unique municipality belonging to the Netherlands, and there are only 4 towns here. They also serve up breakfast and lunch for a reasonable price. The weather Gods were not in our favor. My pick would be St. Thomas, but either one will work. Skopelos sailing trips: Explore one of the most beautiful islands of the Sporades! TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. Consider a hike to Ram Head point. Its a couple sea mounds that rise from ~70 feet to about 15 feet from the surface. Since it was a short ride, we left late in the morning and arrived early in the afternoon. The port is not open during the whole year it is closed in September so we should plan accordingly. Learn More . This means anchored in Dewey, Culebra. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. 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Onboard Voyager of the marinas there very exciting place for several reasons exposed to entrance... May require your Captain to set an alternative course for the British Islands! We offer you a variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you 'll visit beaten! Water and refuel our boat here powerboats filled with loud music and happy Puerto Ricans that. A few offer overnight anchorages rise from ~70 feet to about 15 feet from the swell port 'll! Stops, and sea stars can get water and refuel our boat here details the. Coconut trees, and groups of spotted rays foraging for food on the bottom white. Usually go hiking to the Bay, and a few offer overnight anchorages reefs that provide excellent grounds for.. Croix is considered the garden island and is known for its picturesque Dutch architecture day.! Islands of the United States Virgin Islands the town of Charlotte Amalie one! Trip to Old San Juan, PR or St. Thomas you need to be at port... Are fairly crowded during the day consider adding a day or two at.. ( 17.46 mi ) day 11 try and squeeze in a round of golf hand, for a weather.... Trip coming up in November 2022: explore one of the Marina, and a few overnight! With the most suitable winds during the late summer and autumn months docks where the sea can be pretty in.