Bareboat sailing day 4: British Virgin Islands, BVI, The Bight, Norman Island

During the night our breeze booster fell into the water. No big deal, it's only 13 feet down to the bottom, I got this, right? uh wrong… I tried four times to swim to the bottom with my snorkel and fins on and couldn't get close. Julian wakes up and jumps in with goggles swims over to the breeze booster, down to the bottom, grabs it and swims straight back! Did I mention that he is 68 years old and getting a hip replacement later this year? I really need to work out more! Julian saved the day, and this is his last day with us.

Pirate's Bight 2014

We set out on a quick sail across the channel to Nanny Cay Marina to drop him off then on to my favorite stop, The Bight! We are on our own! Since our last trip to the BVIs, Pirates Bight the restaurant and bar, burnt down after a spontaneous combustion from the materials they used to refinish the floors. Nobody lives on Norman Island, they only go there for work. The restaurant was a total loss and was completely rebuilt. The old one had a college bar feel to it with an old swing in the back and a jumbo sized jenga. The new one is very elegant and much more of a country club feel than the beach club vibe it once had. Don't get me wrong, it was absolutely beautiful and I will go back, it just isn't the laid back, relaxing island hang out that I prefer.

Pirate's Bight 2012

We finally broke out our class 6 PFDs*, our sit n floats! That's probably my favorite thing to do. Just chill in the water and take in the amazing views.
*when our instructor saw these he said you brought your own personal floatation devices? Without missing a beat Maria called them our Class 6 PFDs! Haha I think they are just recommended by the ASA, but they should be required.

No visit to The Bight is complete without a stop at Willy T's, a floating restaurant. It can get a little crazy on this boat, but it's all good fun. They have the best fish n' chips in the BVI!

Willy T's 2012

Bareboat sailing day 3: British Virgin Islands, BVI Deadman's Bay, Peter Island

Early in the morning, we looked for the hiking trail that goes between BEYC and Biras Creek Resort. We didn't find it, but we were able to see some amazing views from the staircases that go up to some of the villas. We later found out that they are past the pool to the left with a sign pointing you in the right direction. We'll try again on our next trip.

Maria sailed us all the way to the Baths. The Baths are a beautiful formation of gigantic granite rock boulders. We anchored, ate some wraps for lunch, and rode the dinghy to the rope tie off point about 75 yards from beach. We then had to swim ashore (not an easy task) to be able to explore the trails among the granite rocks and then ascend to the top of the island where the view is amazing! After the long swim, the hiking was a breeze!

Beautiful granite rock formations

You aren't allowed to overnight at the Baths because it is a National Park. So, after we finished our exploring and sight seeing we sailed over to Deadman's Bay on Peter Island. There are no moorings here, so it is anchor only. It was on a very pretty beach with a five-star resort on the island. A small marina was in the next bay. We took the dinghy over to resupply our ice. We had to buy more everyday, it even melted in the refrigerator on the boat. We had a very up close encounter with a sea turtle! He was checking out the vegetation in the marina. Dinner was grilled chicken, baked beans, and corn on the boat. We shined a light into the water and saw a few tarpon fish with their orange, glowing eyes!

view from the top of the baths

We spent some time getting to know more about our very interesting sailing instructor Julian Putley, Author. In addition to spending two years sailing around the world he has also written several caribbean fiction and non-fiction books. His most popular book is The Drinking & Eating Guide to the B.V.I. He told us to buy it on our first day because it is full of drinking and eating deals at many of the bars and restaurants. It was easy to find because it is sold at every gift shop in the islands or you can purchase it here. Then he told us to look at the author page! He autographed our copies for us. I must warn you that using this book can lead to a face plant front flip into the dinghy, or at least that's what I hear.

Deadman's Bay is named so because "folklore has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard marooned fifteen men on the cay with nothing but a bottle of rum. Some apparently tried to swim the half mile to Peter Island's eastern cove but didn't make it." Julian Putley, "The Virgins' Treasure Isle," the story of the daring piracy and subsequent burying of it on Norman Island in the BVI.