July 2014 | Rum Therapy

July 29, 2014June 6, 2019

Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter, Part 4

We awoke to yet another spectacular morning view through our porthole.

copyright Rum Therapy — Morning view of the water around Anegada

We were reluctant to leave this island with the electric blue water, but were anxious for the adventures ahead.

The sail out of Anegada was nearly as beautiful as the sail in – except for one thing.
We were leaving!

Before getting back to Virgin Gorda, our captain planned to make a snorkeling stop at The Dogs, a small group of uninhabited islands just off the coast of Virgin Gorda. The four Dogs Islands, called George, Great, West and Seal, have a number of coral ridges that are great for snorkeling and diving.

We stopped at George Dog, anchored, spent some time checking out the coral and fish in the clear blue water, and then found a place to lounge and relax in the sunshine.

From there we had a short motor over to check out the spectacular Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda.

Next stop – The Baths!

Even though we’ve been lucky enough to visit The Baths several times, we were nonetheless excited to explore them again AND show our boatmates this amazing area. The Baths National Park is found on the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda and is comprised of massive granite boulders, white sand beaches and sparkling shallow blue pools which can be explored via a trail that winds through the rocks, sand and pools.

Find out what it’s like to take the path through the boulders of The Baths here: Exploring The Baths, Virgin Gorda

See more pictures of The Baths here: The Baths, Virgin Gorda

After a great afternoon of exploring, we swam back to our boat, where we were greeted with the drink of the day and a delicious dinner! At this point in the trip, we’d gotten used to such pampering and were trying to figure out how to take our crew home with us…

But alas, our sailing trip was nearing the end. That night we anchored in Spanish Town and dinghied in for a drink and the view at CocoMaya.

In the morning, we began the last day of our vacation….. :(

We spent the early hours enjoying Cooper Island and Cooper Island Beach Club.

A short hop over to to Salt Island for a snorkel of the Wreck of the Rhone – and then our final stop of the trip – Peter Island.

Read more about Little Deadman’s Beach, Peter Island

After dinner ashore at Deadman’s Beach Bar & Grill (part of the Peter Island Resort) we reflected on the great week we had just experienced. In 7 days we were able to to see so much of the BVI, including visits to the following islands:
Tortola
Norman Island
Sandy Island
Little Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke
Anegada
Virgin Gorda
Cooper Island
Peter Island

We were also treated to some excellent sailing through the beautiful islands, pampered with great food and drinks, and we got to experience all of this with a wonderful group of friends.

Sun-tanned, relaxed and refreshed, we were completely ready to go again!

Thanks to our wonderful crew and the folks at Festiva for another really great sailing vacation!

In case you missed them:
Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 1
Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 2
Sailing in the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 3

Looks like it’s time to check out another sailing itinerary! Perhaps the Grenadines again, or St. Maarten/Anguilla/St. Barths? Or maybe Greece?…..

To find out more about a Crewed Charter Sailing Vacation with Festiva including the itineraries they offer, contact them through their website:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

And follow them on Facebook:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

Copyright©Rum Therapy 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 22, 2014September 25, 2019

Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter, Part 3

Wow – we were already 4 days in to our sailing vacation. How time flies when you’re having so much fun – well, and a little rum!

We woke this morning to this view of Great Harbour from our porthole…

After a delicious breakfast of eggs, fresh pastries and fresh fruit prepared by our lovely cook, we dinghied to Great Harbour to explore just a little more. We then set sail for our next destination, Guana Island, and passed stunning Sandy Cay along the way.

After Sandy Cay, we enjoyed a very nice sail around Tortola, passing by some of the harder to reach beaches on Tortola’s North side such as Trunk Bay, Josiah’s Bay and Lambert Bay.

Passing beautiful White Bay on Guana Island, we pulled into Monkey Point, where we spent a few hours snorkeling at one of the best spots on the trip. Here we saw very large tarpon (at least 3 ft!) and schools and schools of small brightly colored minnows.

Next stop – North Sound, Virgin Gorda.

We docked that night at colorful Leverick Bay (see more about Leverick Bay here), which allowed us to easily get off the boat and explore the area.

We’d been to Leverick several times in the past, but were never there to enjoy the “singing pirate”, Michael Bean at Jumbies…that is until this time!

It was a fun show – lots of singing, pirate shenanigans and rum punch and we enjoyed Jumbies until the sun went down.

We were welcomed back on the boat with a delicious Happy Arrr of our own. Every evening our crew would prepare a delicious round of lite hors d’oeuvres and a “drink of the day”. Tonight’s drink? A strawberry daiquiri with fresh mint…yum…

Day 5 we awoke with anticipation of a sail to “the drowned island” – Anegada.

Lying approximately 15 miles north of Virgin Gorda, this island just doesn’t look like the others in the BVI chain. Only 28 ft at it’s highest point, it’s flat topography is far different from the other islands. Anegada is surrounded by coral reefs and hundreds of shipwrecks and it takes an experienced captain to safely navigate the sail in – and we were very happy to leave this task in our capable captains hands (another benefit of a crewed charter!)

At about 2 hours, the sail to Anegada was the longest of the trip. It was a gorgeous sunny day with enough wind for a decent sail, but smooth enough that we could do this….

And a little more of this…

Until we started to get close to Anegada and the water looked like this.

Once safely anchored in Setting Point, we dinghied to shore, rented an open cab truck for the day and set off exploring.

If you’ve yet to visit Anegada, let me tell you, it should be called “Ahhh”negada! The beaches, although devoid of a lot of foliage or palm trees, are simply spectacular. It’s almost hard to describe the water color – electric maybe? First stop – the beach north of Pomato Point.

And not another soul around….

We drove on a short way to Cow Wreck Beach and Beach Bar. We could have easily spent a few days here. Great beach – fun beach bar! Find out more about our visit to Cow Wreck here. After an hour or two we pressed on – intent on seeing as much as possible and landed on Loblolly Bay.

Here we enjoyed some good snorkeling and a beverage at the Big Bamboo Beach Bar.
Read more about our visit to Loblolly here.

Totally sun and salt water drenched, we made our way back to Setting Point and then our boat to enjoy our “drink of the day”, while watching yet another amazing sunset.

And to top this excellent day off, we cleaned up and went ashore for a Lobster dinner at Potter’s by the Sea. Man, I could get really used to this!

Stay tuned for Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 4, the last couple of days, where we visit The Baths, snorkel The Rhone and spend time on Peter Island.

In case you missed them:
Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 1
Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 2

To find out more about a Crewed Charter Sailing Vacation with Festiva, contact them through their website:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

And follow them on Facebook:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

July 18, 2014June 24, 2021

Hemingway Daiquiri

National Daiquiri Day is celebrated on July 19 and to honor it, we thought we’d try a new recipe from Papa’s Pilar appropriately named the Hemingway Daiquiri.

After all, Papa’s Pilar Rum is inspired by Ernest Hemingway, who certainly enjoyed his tipple, especially in the company of good friends. To find out more about the history of the daiquiri, be sure to read the info below supplied by the good folks at Papa’s Pilar® Rum.

*We love bringing you amazing rum recipes! Our recipes may contain affiliate links to products that we use. If you click the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support in helping us to continue providing rumlicious, tropical recipes!

Print Recipe

Hemingway Daiquiri

Papa’s Pilar Rum is inspired by Ernest Hemingway, who certainly enjoyed his tipple.

Course: Drinks

Servings:

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. Papa Pilar Blonde Rum
1/2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
3/4 oz. Lime Juice
1 tsp. Maraschino Liqueur
1 tsp. Sugar

Instructions

Hand shake all ingredients with ice. Serve in a chilled glass. Garnish boldly with grapefruit.

History of the Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is named after a small Cuban town of the same name on the southern coast near Santiago. It was invented at the turn of the 20th century reportedly by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox. It’s hard, as with any research into cocktail history to make any definitive claims. After all, the British Royal Navy was mixing Grog (rum, water, lime and sugar) together since Admiral Vernon ordered it in August of 1740. In 1909 Admiral Lucius W. Johnson, who was visiting Cuba enjoyed the drink so much he brought the recipe back to the Army Navy Club in Washington, D.C. Thereafter, the cocktail began wider enjoyment and consumption. The Daiquiri is still served at the club today.

Enter Ernest Hemingway
There are many variations of the Classic Daiquiri. Many began in Havana at the La Floridita Bar. Under the guidance of head bartender Constante, many of the most famous variants emerged. Unfortunately, today many people either do not know, or do not care what the accurate (or as closely as can be researched and deduced) ingredients in these recipes really are. At the center of this daiquiri dilemma is the Hemingway Daiquiri.

A basic Classic Daiquiri is 2 oz white rum, .75 oz fresh lime juice, 1 tsp sugar. Constante, working his own genius, offered the Daiquiri #3 in his 1935 recipe book by adding 1 tsp maraschino and 1 tsp grapefruit: his house daiquiri at the La Floridita. Many people have over time referred to this #3 as the Hemingway Daiquiri or the La Floridita Daiquiri. Constante however never did so. Simply calling it the #3. In 1939, Constante did offer a Floridita Daiquiri. This he called the #4 which left the grapefruit out. He also offered the E. Henmiway [sic] Special. This was the #3 served blended. Ernest loved his Daiquiri frozen. None of these confusing and subtle twists should be confused with the Papa Doble. Often people mention the Papa Doble and the Hemingway Daiquiri interchangeably. Hemingway was diabetic and avoided sugar. In this recipe he asked Constante, working from the Classic Daiquiri with only three ingredients, to double the rum (‘Doble’) and forgo the sugar. Thus 4 oz white rum and .75 oz fresh lime juice. Bold, just like Papa.

In the end, what is most important is to enjoy the rum and this special cocktail. We suspect Ernest would be less caught up with exact balances and more concerned with being surrounded by friends and revelry in a grand bar in Key West or Havana.

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 17, 2014June 24, 2021

Habitation Clément, Martinique

Habitation Clément, Martinique – a guest post by author Laura Albritton

If you like rum – no, make that love rum – and lush, green Caribbean islands with soft sand beaches, it’s worth sailing or flying into the French Antillean paradise of Martinique. Connoisseurs know that Martinican rum ranks among the best; one of my favorites, the award-winning Rhum Clément, will make your taste buds sing.

Habitation Clement - Martinique — Clément Rhum Agricole

Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove

My husband, daughter, and I recently made the pilgrimage to the historic Habitation Clément estate, in Le François on the eastern side of this gorgeous tropical island. Fortunately, they offer a self-guided audio tour in English.

This isn’t just a little rum factory: you’ve got a veritable Garden of Eden with scarlet, purple, and hot pink flowers and beautiful trees to wander through. (The audio tells you what you’re seeing.)

Photo Credits: Zickie Allgrove

Then there’s the “maison de maître” or the master’s house, where the land-owning family once dwelled. Although full of West Indian antiques, hand-crafted in the islands, the house itself is endearingly homey rather than grand.

Habitation Clément, Martinique — The maison de maître or master’s house

Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove

Photo Credit: Laura Albritton

My mechanically-minded husband really dug the vintage factory with its steam powered equipment, while I oohed and ahhed in their two art galleries, including Fondation Clément, with world-class paintings and sculpture.

Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove

But the real Rum Therapy reward was saved ‘til last – the tasting room. Here the staff wasn’t stingy with samples – even of the expensive stuff. We had to try the 10 year-old Rhum Agricole, a beautifully golden sipping rum.

Unlike most rum, which is produced from molasses, rhum agricole is made using freshly-pressed sugarcane juice. The result: sublimely delicious. During our tour I discovered that Homère Clément, the Martinican gentleman who bought the property in 1887, is credited with developing this unusually fine type of tipple.

Photo Credit: Zickie Allgrove

In the tasting room, there’s also fiery white rum to a make ‘Ti Punch (the traditional cocktail with squeezed lime and sugar). And finally, flavored punches that you can drink without mixing: Punch Coco with coconut, Punch Passion with passion fruit, and even Punch Café with a hint of coffee.

After tasting these delicious elixirs, of course I bought a few bottles. Although we weren’t lounging on the beach with the Caribbean lapping at our toes, Habitation Clément was definitely one of our favorite stops on enchanting Martinique.

A special thanks to Laura Albritton for sharing some of her wonderful Martinique travel experiences with us. Laura writes about travel, books, and art for publications like The Miami Herald, Sculpture magazine, Harvard Review, and The Florida Keys Weekly. Check out her new guidebook Miami for Families on her website and her new blog, Island Runaways.

July 15, 2014June 6, 2019

Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter, Part 2

One of the best things about a crewed charter is that you can just sit back , relax and enjoy the experience. No cooking, no cleaning – just sailing, enjoying the view and soaking in the sunshine…

We awoke the first morning in the Bight of Norman Island to the smell of fresh coffee prepared by our wonderful crew. I threw on a swimsuit and cover-up (pretty much the attire for the week!), grabbed a book and made my way to the deck. It was 8:00am and the day was already gorgeous – the water sparkled in the sunshine and there was just a slight warm breeze. I grabbed a cup of coffee and settled in to a comfy seat in the sun on the front of the boat, attempting to get into the story in front of me – but my eyes kept wandering to the beautiful view around me.

Map of our crewed charter sailing route Day 1-3

The black line indicates our approximate sailing route and the white lines point out just a few of the places we stopped along the way.

Day 2
After a light breakfast, we motored around to The Caves of Norman Island where we spent some time snorkeling (check out that crystal clear water!) kayaking and attempting good form (or just to stand up) on the stand up paddle board. The Festiva catamarans come equipped with a SUP board, a kayak and snorkeling equipment – so you can try it all!

copyright Tum Therapy — Snorkeling at The Caves, Norman Island

A delicious lunch on board the boat…

…and then we made our way to The Indians for another great snorkel.

We’d had a full morning of playing in the water and were sun and salt-water drenched, and really enjoyed relaxing on the beautiful sail around Tortola to Cane Garden Bay where we anchored for the night.

The rest of Day 2 was spent exploring beautiful Cane Garden Bay (See What to See and Do in Cane Garden Bay) until sunset,

…then back on board we spent the evening sipping on some really tasty rum punch while listening to the sound of music from Quito’s waft over the calm bay.

Day 3
Day 3 started our with a visit to one of my favorite little islands, Sandy Spit, where we snorkeled, swam and walked the entire island (it takes approximately 10 minutes if you walk slow!)
(Find out more about Sandy Spit)

Then, just around the corner, we made a stop at the new B-Line Beach Bar on Little Jost to check it out, play a little cornhole in the sand and try one of their specialties – the Passion Confusion.

From there we sailed over to the fabulous White, Bay, Jost Van Dyke where our captain anchored for the afternoon.

After a graceful entry into the waters of White Bay, we swam to shore with our soggy dollars to check out as many of the beach bars on White Bay as possible, including One Love, Soggy Dollar and Ivan’s.

(See Barhopping on Jost Van Dyke)

Later that evening we motored over to Great Harbour for the night, enjoyed a sunset dinner on board, then dinghied to shore for some music and dancing at Foxy’s.

Once again exhausted from a great day of exploring Jost Van Dyke, we retired to the nets to chat with our boatmates and relive the experiences of the day.

In case you missed it: Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 1

Stay tuned for Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 3, where we’ll cover our stops at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, a sail to Anegada and much more!

To find out more about a Crewed Charter Sailing Vacation with Festiva, contact them through their website:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

And follow them on Facebook:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

Copyright©Rum Therapy 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 13, 2014January 15, 2020

What to See and Do in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola

I hear it gets better, that’s what they say
As soon as we sail on to Cane Garden Bay ~ Jimmy Buffett

_____________________________________________________________________________

Many of the structures featured below were damaged or destroyed during the hurricanes of 2017. Although the businesses on the beach have been rebuilt, the information is not current. We hope to update the post with new information and photos soon. Callwood Rum Distillery is now open again.

———————————————————————————————————

Cane Garden Bay is a gorgeous sheltered bay on the north side of Tortola fringed by a long and beautiful light sand beach. It’s a popular anchorage for boaters and if you’re lucky enough to visit, either by boat or while staying on-island, there are plenty of things to see and do.

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Cane Garden Bay on multiple occasions and just can’t get enough. Cane Garden Bay is Tortola at it’s best – friendly people, great live music, delicious food, a beautiful beach and a totally laid back vibe. Here’s just a few things you should be sure to enjoy while visiting Cane Garden Bay – besides just walking the beautiful beach, floating in the calm water and enjoying a stellar BVI sunset! If you’re looking for fancy resorts and high dollar accommodations and restaurants, don’t bother visiting Cane Garden Bay. What you will find here is a place to chill, relax and enjoy real island time.

We visited Cane Garden Bay most recently on our BVI Sail and had a day to explore. We’ll start from where we entered – the dinghy dock next to Ole Works Inn and Quito’s.

We dinghied into Cane Garden Bay from our boat anchored a short way into the bay. Once we got to the end of the dock we took a right and walked past Quito’s Gazebo.

Quito Rymer is one of the British Virgin Islands most famous internationally known musicians, who plays solo several nights a week and with his group “The Edge” on Friday nights.

Next stop after Quito’s – Paradise Bar & Grill, or Big Banana. When we talked to friends who are frequent visitors to Cane Garden Bay, they talked of enjoying breakfasts at Big Banana. Speaking from experience, the Big Banana house drink is delicious – rum, Bailey’s, coconut cream and banana – a Big Banana BBC?

Right past the Paradise Club, is Rhymer’s – Beach hotel and beach bar. When we visited Cane Garden Bay in 2006, we enjoyed lunch at Rhymers – even with the chickens and their young un’s walking right under our feet! Rhymer’s also offers several modest rooms to rent just steps from the beautiful beach.

After Rhymer’s, you’ll come across Elm Beach Bar & Suites, offering rooms, a restaurant, beach bar and a shop offering colorful island apparel.

Moving down the beach you’ll stumble on Tony’s Welcome Bar. All info we could find said this was “Stanley’s” Welcome Bar, but the sign says Tony’s(??). Regardless – this was the busiest bar on the beach while we were there and looked like a great place to chill and enjoy a beverage or two.

Last stop for us on the beach was Myett’s. Myett’s offers accommodations and spa, a fun beach bar, and a scenic restaurant.

We walked behind Myett’s to get to Green VI, a glass studio manufacturing handmade treasures from recycled glass.

Definitely worth a stop to check out the beautiful recycled glass ornaments, glasses and treasures that you can purchase and bring home.

We took a right at Green VI Glass Studio and headed down the street to the Callwood Rum Distillery.

If you have a chance to visit Callwood’s Rum Distillery, you should. Callwood’s has been producing quality rum since at least the 1800’s. Spend the money to take the distillery tour (only $2 per person). It’s not a very long or extensive tour but it gives you some insight into the operations, island history, and an opportunity to ask questions and take pictures without paying a picture fee. Take home a bottle of the panty remover…

All rummed up, we headed back to the beach to catch the spectacular sunset.

One of the best we’ve enjoyed in the BVI.

What do you like to do when visiting Cane Garden Bay?

To see more posts on Tortola and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 10, 2014July 10, 2014

National Mojito Day

Wow – what a rumtastic week! Yesterday was National Piña Colada Day and today is National Mojito Day! Don’t know who picks these special days, but we intend to mix up a cold, minty Mojito tonight to celebrate!

Cuban in origin, the classic Mojito consists of white rum, sugar, lime, club soda and mint, however, there are a multitude of tasty, fruity variations to experiment with.

Here are links to the classic Mojito Recipe (The Perfect Mojito) followed by some not so ordinary Mojito versions. So pick yourself up some fresh mint and give one a try! Enjoy!

The Perfect Mojito Recipe

Melon Mojito Recipe

Strawberry Mojito Recipe

Zesty Orange Mojito Recipe

Pear Mojito Recipe

Apple Mojito Recipe

Mango Mojito Recipe

Mojito Jello Shot Recipe

For more delicious rum recipes, visit our Rum Recipe Picture Directory
or Rum Recipes by Category

For suggestions on what rum to use in your mojito, check out our
Rum Therapy Reader’s Choice Rum Picks

copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

July 10, 2014July 10, 2015

National Piña Colada Day

Happy National Piña Colada Day! July 10 is a day set aside to celebrate one of the best known tropical rum cocktails – a cocktail sure to bring back memories of time on a beautiful Caribbean beach.

The Piña Colada originated in Puerto Rico. The name means strained pineapple and a traditional recipe calls for pineapple juice, white rum and coconut cream. We’ve posted a traditional Piña Colada recipe below, as well as a recipe for Piña Colada cupcakes! Yet another way to enjoy this favorable concoction. Have a great Piña Colada Day! Cheers!

Piña Colada
(makes 2)

4 oz. pineapple juice
4 oz. Coco Lopez cream of coconut
3 oz. light rum
2 c. crushed ice
fresh nutmeg
Pour pineapple juice, cream of coconut and rum into a blender with the crushed ice and blend until smooth. Add more ice if needed to thicken. Pour into a glass, sprinkle with nutmeg and garnish with a slice of orange or pineapple.

Piña Colada Cupcakes
(makes 24 cupcakes)

1/4 c. coconut rum (we used Cruzan Coconut)
1/2 c. cream of coconut
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple

Preheat the oven to 350`F. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the rum, coconut cream, pineapple with its juice, and vanilla.

In another small mix together the flour, baking powder and salt.

In a medium mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then add the eggs one at a time, beating as you go.

While you’re mixing slowly add the rum mixture to the butter and sugar mixture.

Then add the flour mixture slowly until all the ingredients are well incorporated.

Fill cupcake wrappers 3/4 full and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until tops are starting to turn lightly golden brown.

Let the cupcakes cool then ice them with the Coconut Cream Frosting below.

Coconut Cream Frosting

16 oz cream cheese
1/2 c. butter
4 c. powdered sugar
4 tbs cream of coconut
(optional) shredded coconut for garnish, pineapple chunks, cherries

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and coconut cream with a mixer.

Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until it is completely incorporated.

Ice cooled cupcakes and garnish with shredded coconut, pineapple chunks and cherries, if desired.

Find more rum recipes here:

Rum Recipe Picture Directory

Rum Recipes by Category

July 8, 2014June 6, 2019

Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter

Ever wondered what it’s like to take a crewed sailing vacation through the beautiful British Virgin Islands? Follow along in this series as we describe our boat, the experience and the places we visited along the way!

Imagine…

Skimming over the Caribbean waters watching the colors change from deep blue to turquoise then back in your own private catamaran charter. Water so clear you feel like could just reach down to the bottom of the sea and touch the sand. Spending a week exploring some of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean while being pampered by your very own captain and cook…

We began our love affair with sailing in the Caribbean in 2006 when we embarked on our first sail with our friend Guy, who had his own sailboat and spent months at a time sailing through the islands. Prior to this trip we’d only navigated the waters of the Caribbean on a cruise liner, and had not yet been to the BVI. As you can imagine, by the end of the first day on that first sail trip, we were hooked.

We got home from that trip already longing to do it again. Unfortunately, being landlocked most of our lives, we have not learned to sail our own vessel – yet. So, we began looking at crewed charter options. After much research, we found a company that offered a fully crewed charter (captain and a cook) and pricing that included almost everything, including food and beverage. We talked some good friends into coming with us and booked our sail. The company we booked with was Festiva Sailing Vacations.

Fast forward a few years and we recently completed our 4th sail with Festiva – the latest one in the British Virgin Islands. Each one has been very different depending on itinerary, crew and the guests on the boat, yet each one has been wonderful in its own way.

For this sail, we elected to book one of Festiva’s new Lagoon 450 catamarans. Our prior Festiva sails were on the just slightly smaller 440 catamaran which offered plenty of room for 3 couples, but we had 4 couples this time and opted for the 450 because it has one additional guest cabin. There are a few other differences as well, such as slightly bigger bathrooms in each cabin – complete with small shower stalls.

The front lounge area by the nets is a little more spacious; there is a lounge area (cushions – kind of like a day bed) just in front of the steering wheel and a few changes including more room in the outdoor dining area. See boat configuration here:

We were to board our Festiva catamaran at 5:00p.m. Saturday in Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola (see our Tortola Map for location). Hodges Creek is not far from Beef Island Airport (EIS), and although we have flown in to Beef Island in the past, this time we got a much lower fare flying into St. Thomas (STT) and took the ferry to Road Town, Tortola. Note: when determining the best price for your flight into the BVI, be sure to take into account the taxi and ferry fees from St. Thomas to Tortola, which can add up and, and whether or not you will have to book a hotel room the night before you sail.

After a day of playing on Water Island, we caught a 3:30p.m. ferry over to Road Town where a Festiva van was waiting to shuttle us and others to our boats in Hodges Creek. Upon arrival at Hodges, Festiva dock crew helped us move our luggage to our beautiful sailing home for the week.

Once boarded, we were introduced to our lovely crew, ushered to our respective cabins, given a quick introduction on where everything was and how to use it (especially the bathroom!) and then we all met up top for a welcome drink prepared by our wonderful cook.

We were given the choice of spending that first night in the marina, relaxing, enjoying drinks and conversation as we had done on past sails, or to get the party started and head to Norman Island before it got dark.

The vote was a unanimous “Sail to Norman”!

We had a lovely sunset sail, anchored that first night in The Bight at Norman Island, enjoyed a delicious dinner on board and spent the remainder of our first evening at Willy T’s for a shot-ski or two and a little rambunctiousness.

We returned to our boat, laid in the nets up front for a while admiring the million stars twinkling in the skies overhead, then made our way to our cabins. Totally spent, we slept like babies that night, gently rocked to the rhythm of the ocean…

Stay tuned for Sailing the British Virgin Islands on a Crewed Charter Part 2, where we’ll cover our stops at Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke and much more!

To find out more about a sailing vacation with Festiva, contact them through their website:
Festiva Sailing Vacations

And follow them on Facebook:
Festiva Sailing Vacations