Fire Ball Full Moon Party, Trellis Bay, BVI

[Bullshooter]

I searched for info on this but came up empty.

Has anyone here been to this event? It sounds like a lot of fun and we will be in the BVI for the June one in a 39' monohull. I have been reading about mooring/anchoring in Trellis Bay, and apparently it gets very crowded for the Festival. Mooring balls go up that evening from $30 to $60.

I am looking for advice on whether to A) anchor in Trellis Bay, where it might get crowded. If I get a good spot early, I would have to hope that the other boats don't anchor too close. B) Quit being so cheap and bite the bullet for a $60 mooring, or C) anchor at Marina Cay and either take our dinghy across or take the free ferry from the marina at Marina Cay.

There could be some (moderate) drinking involved. I have not been there to see but it could be a choppy dinghy ride across. Makes me lean toward the ferry if option C is chosen. Any one with experience in this area please chime in.

[Journeys End]

Have been there numerous times. Get there early for a mooring, the price does NOT go up, still $30.00 Better not to dinghy over to/from Marina Cay at night, especially after the festivities. There is also room to anchor north of the mooring field. Have a blast!!

[Hobiehobie]

There a a number of mooring balls that were reserved last month. I think these can be had via the bar at The Last Resort. We arrived at 9:30 a day of party and had probably the last ball that was not reserved, Party is ok but no Burning Man, but even BM is not BM any more. Mainly cruisers, tourists and kids. But fun.

[JstaRebel]

Journeys end has given you great information . Just wanted to chime in as another that just loves the full moon parties at Trellis Bay. If your feeling a bit frisky, try the Tea!

[SV Bacchus]

Check out YouTube channel Sailing Doodles:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5m4r_GyDZA

[RickG]

It's a cruiser friendly early starting good time. You can take the Scrub Island ferry from Marina Cay or Scrub Island Marina. We anchor our in our 40' monohull with a 6'5" keel. There is usually room just outside the ferry channel. Set a stern anchor if you're concerned; we do in order to keep our bow point towards the channel.

Marina Cay has a good anchorage with room between the reef and mooring balls to anchor. There is a lot more air moving at Marina Cay. Call ahead to Marina Cay for the ferry times.

Scrub Island Marina runs a TTOL discount off-season. Check out traveltalkonline.com - Traveltalkonline Sponsors Sponsors

Cheers, RickG

[sailon46]

I Was there for the April 11 full moon party what a show with the burning man band etc. It was on a Tuesday night so we sailed there from Bitter End Virgin Gorda on Monday around 11 am. By 3 pm Monday all cans where almost full. They wont let you tie up to the red cans Moorings-Sunsail rents them for the full moon night for their charterers. Only the white cans with the blue stripe you can tie to for $30.
Have a ball
Ernie on the Mary Jane

[Mithril Bham]

Great fun. Aragorn used to be my partner in the BVI. Get one of his T shirts. Used to be no problem anchoring but may have changed now. Much more civilized than other Full Moon parties.

[bjymd]

Very family friendly, I was there in April: a great time had by all!

[design360]

I used to go to the full moon parties at Bomba Shack a long time ago. Mushroom tea and all that.

Is this the same one?

[travellerw]

We spent a couple of weeks in Trellis.. Unless you are very comfortable with anchoring in tight spaces, I recommend you either take a ball or anchor outside the bay. Precision anchoring is required inside the bay (we were right in front of Da Loose Mongoose).

Its also true that balls do NOT go up. If they try that, tell them no way, and pay $30. I have heard some of the "mooring ball tenders" have been trying this trick on charter boats. They double the price and pocket the extra $30 for themselves.

[Mithril Bham]

Originally Posted by design360

I used to go to the full moon parties at Bomba Shack a long time ago. Mushroom tea and all that.

Is this the same one?

Not at all. Much more civilized.

[Bullshooter]

Great stuff people. Thanks for the intel. Even my book Cruising Guide to the VI says the moorings go up to $60, but good to know they don't.

I am thinking I will just get there early that day and pick up a mooring ball. It sounds like there are plenty of things to do That afternoon -like check out Aragorn's . If I have trouble getting a mooring then I'll head to the Scrub I./Marina Cay area and use the ferry for the Party.

[wcapital]

Originally Posted by magellanyachts

Not at all. Much more civilized.

Yes - more family oriented. Bomba Shack maybe not so much

[Bullshooter]

It is sad to see the damage that witch Irma did to those beautiful islands.
We did have a great 20 days down there in June, and here are a few pics of what we saw. Please consider sending a care package or a charitable donation down there if possible.