Advice on next charter destination? SVI / St John / Antigua

[BoomerTC]

Originally Posted by captainjay

Here are some options for you as far as USVI based trips.

Buck Island, St Thomas as a day stop. Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove. (Day Use Moorings)

Christmas Cove, Great St James A great place to spend the night, snorkel the cay in the middle of the harbor, and share a Pizza from Pizza Pi with your crew. (Some public moorings and room to anchor)

Cruz Bay, St John Moor your boat at Lind Point or off of Caneel Bay on a national park mooring. Dinghy into town to see the attractions. Dinning and Limin for every budget. Shopping from trinkets to T-shirts, Jewelry, and provisions. Everything in one funky little town. (National Park Moorings)

St John National Park The interactive Marine Resources guide. (Google this map) This has it all the mooring fields, snorkeling spots, pretty much anything you want to know about the Park.
Link to the National Park Marine Resources Interactive Map

Hawksnest Beach, St John Named for the Hawksnest Turtles that call this home. A white sandy slice of heaven. We could tell you about Mermaid’s Seat but it is a secret. (National Park Moorings)

Trunk Bay, St John One of the most photographed beaches on the planet. It really is that pretty. Check out the snorkel trail around Trunk Bay Cay. (National Park Moorings)

Trunk Bay with the Underwater Trail is a great place for beginners and anyone who wants to learn about marine life by reading the plaques along the trail. The trail follows the west side of Trunk Bay Cay for about 300 feet before making a U-turn back to the beach. The coral and fish are well represented here. The reef continues beyond to the cay's northern tip, however, do not venture past where you are in view of the lifeguards. The farther out you go, the rougher the water is. (National Park Moorings)

Cinnamon Bay, St John Hang out with the rich and famous as well as the turtles and Conch. Spectacular water views, snorkeling, and views of some of the most incredible Vacation Villas in the Caribbean. (National Park Moorings)

Francis Bay Beach and Maho Bay Beach This is a two for one deal. Two great beaches in one great anchorage. This spot pretty much comes with a turtle viewing guarantee. (National Park Moorings)

Maho Crossroads In their own words. “A minimum footprint pop-up village at Maho Beach in St. John, USVI. Enjoy the Paddle-In Tiki Bar, Love Maho Beach Boutique, and Terrapin Beach Club.” (National Park Moorings)

Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay Did we mention snorkeling? This spot can keep your whole crew in the water for hours. You can snorkel around Waterlemon Cay, Snorkle the reef along the shore or dinghy into the shallows in the mangrove area and look for juvenile fish. There are more starfish here than any other place we have ever been to. (National Park Moorings)

Coral Bay, St John The little village time forgot. Don’t come here looking for commercialized attractions it is not that kind of town. You can find art, food, and drinks. A dive shop and a floating Taco Bar. It is that kind of town. (Anchoring in the public anchorage)

Lime Out, Coral Bay Speaking of floating Taco Bars, because who doesn’t want to go to a swim-up Taco Bar with Rum Drinks? This one speaks for itself. (Anchoring)

Hurricane Hole, Coral Bay St John Made up of several day mooring areas in the National Park, this is a great place to spend the afternoon. Swim and snorkel along the mangroves on shore to see countless juvenile fish and sea life. (Day Use National Park Moorings)

Salt Pond, St John This one is a secret so do not tell anyone. There are a limited number of moorings surrounded by unlimited beauty. (National Park Moorings)

Rams Head Trail, Salt Pond, St John This hiking trail runs from the beach at Salt Pond to the top of Rams Head. Pack some water and comfortable shoes. The views are spectacular. (National Park Moorings)

Great and Little Lameshur Bays Quiet coves, snorkeling oh, and did we mention stargazing? With almost no light noise from shore due to the remote location in the park this is like taking a walk around the milky way. Make sure to put a stargazing app on your phone or tablet. It is good for hours of fun. (National Park Moorings)

Reef Bay, St John Limited to two moorings this is an advanced hike.
“By Ken Wild
Within the deep interior of the Reef Bay valley rests one of St. John’s most important clues to a lost culture from the island’s past, the petroglyphs. This captivating place is located at the base of the valley’s highest waterfall, surrounded by the island’s lush tropical vegetation. Here, mysterious faces are found carved into the fall’s blue basalt rock. A spring-fed pool beneath reflects a 20-foot wide panorama of carvings year-round with other petroglyphs visible nearby. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term petroglyph, the term petroglyph refers to rock art carvings whereas pictographs are rock art paintings. (National Park Moorings)

Red Hook, St Thomas Does your crew want to spend a little time in town? In Red Hook you can either anchor out or get a slip in the Marina for the night. Either way there are a dozen or so Bars and Restaurants. Some diverse shopping opportunities and even a Grocery Store. (Marina or Anchorage)

Magens Bay, St Thomas Take a nice downwind sail around the north shore of St Thomas. You will get to view lots of small cays like Hans Lolick on the north side on your way to Magen’s. This is a truly magical spot with a large crescent beach located between two peninsulas. Anchor in the middle or closer to shore. The pelicans are sure to put on a show. (Anchorage)

Way Out West, St Thomas As you leave Magens you can continue on your downwind sail around the west end of St Thomas. Once you have cleared the west end it is back up towards the anchorages west of Charlotte Amalia.

Brewers Bay, St Thomas The first of the western anchorages. This anchorage is tucked in by the University of the Virgin Islands. It features a large sand beach and a very protected area for swimming. (Anchorage)

Linbergh Bay, St Thomas Next up is another large sand beach. The hotel located onshore has a small beach bar and restaurant. This bay is home to lots of turtles and conchs. (Anchorage)

Druif Bay, Water Island Home of Honeymoon Beach, a great spot to waste a day snorkeling and swimming with the turtles and rays. Lime away the afternoon at a beach bar. Then have sundowners watching, wait for it the spectacular sunset to the west. (Anchorage)

I second this! We spent three weeks there last year on a DYC charter sailing the BVIs and USVIs and fell in love with St John. So much so we'll be married there next year! The beaches up north really are spectacular, plenty of hiking trails... And with everything open up AND it being an easy jump staying in the US we're looking to book a last minute week here in June. Maybe start in PR and do the circuit to St. John and St. Croix

[SillyCs]

Great info everyone.

The flights into St Thomas on our dates (childcare limitation) just weren't working in our favor. I will absolutely make note of this when we get back to the USVI.

We are full speed ahead to Antigua. They open today. First AA flight in is on June 4th. We have opted to get a rapid Covid test the day before we arrive so we are not forced quarantine. DYC is ready for us! Super excited about how this is all working out.

I got the Antigua Cruising Guide and evaluated all itineraries, including those recommendations here on CF (thank you for all feedback!), and we have a nice adventure mapped out.

The plan of action!

June 6 - we arrive late so this will be a shuttle to boat and try to sleep with excitement

June 7 - provision and launch out of Jolly - heading to an anchorage on Northwest Antigua Coast - with potential stops at Hermitage Bay, Maiden Island, Deep Bay, Fort Barrington hike, perhaps post up for the night in Dickenson Bay - positioned for the launch to Barbuda next day if weather is as we hope

June 8 - head out early to Barbuda (I know a gent above noted Barbudan waters but pretty certain they opened today with the rest of A and B) - 17 mile beach (suggestions here for best anchorage?)

June 9 - Head down coast of Barbuda and potentially stop at Spanish point or any other POI on Barbuda - then sail back to Antigua North side - stop at Prickly Pear Island for Lunch - see the kiteboarders as we pass Jabberwock Beach - recommendation on Long Island as a POI? - anchor in North Sound? recommendation here?

June 10 - over to Great Bird Island and find an anchorage to check out Devils Bridge - do we brave Spithead Channel??? - pick up mooring or anchor north of Green Island

June 11 - Green Island area exploration - work our way around south - is there an anchorage that will allow us to walk to or dinghy to Half Moon Bay? - Mamora Bay or Indian Creek for late lunch? - see the Pillars of Hercules as we pass westward - Nelsons dockyard if we have time (seems like this may be a stretch to fit in - thoughts?) - continuing westward around Cades Reef and anchor for the night north of Johnson's Point - seems several restaurants and beach bars (Rum Bus looks cute and fun for a sundowner) for our last night aboard

June 12 - eat all left over provisioning as we make our way back to Jolly to pack up and debrief by 10am - flight out around 1pm

After typing this, it looks as tho it is rushed, which it is in a way, due to our short time aboard. We will adjust as necessary for our "flow", and if any surprises with weather may opt out of the Barbuda run.

Anyhow, thank you for all your feedback on this. If you have any informed suggestions as to our plan of action or stops we should consider I would be greatly appreciative.

- Coy C

[Cheechako]

St John would be pretty limiting for an entire charter. But I like it.
Antigua has some good spots, south coast.
Yeah, Tonga is superb, but it's a long long trip there and back.
Bahamas are the best of the E. Caribe if you ask me, especially if you like isolation.
The Pacific Northwest is very cool for a change. Not a beach swimming place though if that's what you seek.
Out of La Paz Mexico/Sea of Cortez is fun, but too hot in June.