We can sail to Saint Thomas from Puerto Rico in just one day. The so-called Christmas Wind is the strongest wind its velocity may even reach 4555 km/h. From Ram Head, its about 32 nautical miles to the channel markers at the entrance to Christiansted. San Juan, Puerto Rico . It also allows us the opportunity to get two awesome days of sailing in open water. Some people have been known to request the check-in when several miles out, Once you report your arrival, the CBP officer may get in contact, but they may also just clear you for entry. The mildest air movement is present in September and October. 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. Join us on a comfortable boat, Island Girl for a narrated journey to St. John. There are several flights a day back and forth between Christiansted and Charlotte Amalie. We can get everything we may need here from fuel to food and drinks. 50 km (31.1 mi) 1 Frederiksted on the west end of the island is another option with excellent protection from the easterly trades. }).done(function(msg) { In ideal trade wind conditions, you may not even have to make a single sail change. I first visited the Spanish Virgin Islands in 2020 and was blown away. 29 Its time for some snorkeling and scuba diving. (18 19 59 N / 064 57 05 W) Enjoy inspired cocktails and tasty cuisine onboard. Its a popular bar/restaurant that always brings in the party crowd. 34 Get an early start and get that fishing equipment prepped! 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. Cruz Bay leads us to the entrance of Saint John and the western part of the island. As we returned to Salinas, we felt sad and stuck. Even though the trip was exhausting, we went to the beach for a swim and to let Arthur stretch his puppy legs. Druif Bay is located in the southern part of Saint Thomas, near the West Gregerie channel. Sailing roundtrip from San Juan too, the cruise features visits to St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Johns, Barbados and St. Lucia. 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. When it comes to a round trip, we should calculate with greater distances. , Previous Episode Old San Juan: Why you need to visit this beautiful historic city English Harbour - Nonsuch Bay 18, 24 km (11, 33 mi), Day 2. The small uninhabited island of Culebrita is a nature reserve. There is one single port, Port Bay Harbor it is well-equipped and we can arrange everything we need here. The tiny and peaceful island Cayo Luis belongs to Culebra. (a small island off the East coast of Puerto Rico) We left around midnight and arrived in Los Palominos around 3:00 pm the next day. The engine kept getting fuel starved and would die. Crown Bay Marina can be found in the western part of Charlotte Amalie, on the southern coast of the island. 16 Provisioning isnt a factor that would sway me either way. I love checking out new places that might be out of reach to others. Two days of open, deepwater crossings, including sailing to St. Croix and back. Ferries depart from Fajardo, Puerto Rico every Saturday at 8 a.m. They set sail for the British Virgin Islands to meet their friends. The beach setting is stunning and I will be content to relax with some cold ones and my toes in the sand. Its not recommended to use the anchorage marked behind Protestant Cay much of this area is taken up by a large mooring field for full-time cruisers, In the lee of Green Cay, if you dont plan to go ashore. 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. 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. We were able to anchor inside the protected area of the marinas barrier rocks. Many people believe Christiansted is one of the prettiest Caribbean towns. Level Contributor 514 posts 42 reviews 175 helpful votes 7. After disassembling the fuel lines and inspecting the fuel pump, everything just worked once put back together and we were good to go for our next leg of the trip. Locals call Culebra an island of nothingno nightclubs, no casinos. On this quiet and unspoiled island, the beach is your best bet for entertainment and Culebra beaches are amongst the finest in the world. Clearing customs is easy into the SVI with the CBP ROAM app, and not required for entering USVI from SVI (and there is no check out required). It was a short dinghy ride into the marina where they had a safe place to dock up the dinghy. The beaches around the southern coast of Vieques are beautiful. OK this is the last day Ill get you up early. function matchCustom (params, data) { Green Beach, Sun Bay, and Ensenada Honda are all worth a stop. Its almost impossible to find while underway. There are fairly small distances in the area between the islands and the cities. $50 onboard credit, per cabin. After lunch well head to Water Island for our final overnight anchorage. 22 With 10-15 knot winds that should make for a 4-hour trip. The bay is amazing and worth a stop. . You can anchor close to shore. 26 Consider a hike to Ram Head point. If youre feeling adventurous and the conditions are settled, take the dinghy to explore Cayos Geniqui about a mile to the north. There are some shallow reefs around the island that, among other sea creatures, have a few lobsters if you look hard enough. The locals are very nice and hospitable. 35 Interestingly, there is a DIY dockyard here we have the opportunity to fix up our boat on the small courtyard. The weather Gods were not in our favor. Once we arrived, it was time to take Arthur for his evening exercise. Buck Island Reef National Monument youll need to apply for a NPS permit to anchor here. The radar must have been wiped out during Hurricane Maria. There are plenty of options within walking distance from the dock. This port is located in the eastern corner of Saint Thomas. We didnt stay long enough to find out if this was truly the case. Make sure to stay overnight at Culebrita in settled conditions only. The reason is that Flamenco Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world, can be found here. If that's okay with you, just keep browsing. Saga Haven Culebrita 41.70 km (25.91 mi) Day 13. Furthermore, weather or other outside factors may require your Captain to set an alternative course for the duration of your trip. 23 Is it Dangerous to Sail from California to Hawaii? There are more than 5 docks in the city. If you are looking for an unspoiled natural experience in a quieter environment, you should sail to Saint John. They provide electricity at each berth. Fajardo Puerto Mosquito (Vieques) 44.90 km (27.90 mi) Day 2. Since we hadnt seen them for almost a year, we were excited to spend time with them and experience sailing on a cat! This temporary fix was working so we left it. Sailing in Serifos: Discover the western part of the Cyclades! If we go for the latter, we can explore the marvellous Spanish Virgin Islands between Saint Thomas and Puerto Rico. 37.20 km (23.12 mi) The only limit of the port is the depth of water unfortunately, it is very shallow, but we still have other opportunities outside the dock to secure our boat. We had a date with our friends Jeff and Adrienne. From Morehead and Beaufort, the trip should take about the same time. If youre lucky, youll have some fresh mahi fillets to whip up into fish tacos. 9 NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE. The engine did not give us trouble, and the weather conditions were decent. We can relax and have a cocktail while enjoying the turquoise water surrounding us. On the northern coast, the depth of water varies between 4.5 and 9 metres. Watch this video to see: 27 Third and fourth guests are free in the same cabin. Of course, you can also try some zip-lining, skydiving, and horseback riding on land. 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. The second engine issue came up shortly after the first issue was solved. After lunch, shopping in Christiansted, and some history at Fort Christiansvaern, I would move our yacht to the Buck Island Reef and spend the night there in solitude. The area between Puerto Rico and Culebra is scattered with shallow reefs that provide excellent grounds for snorkeling. Most of St. John is a national park, so the beaches are pristine and full of sea life. The Moorings. Well save those for another trip. This white sandy beach stretches along the entire bay, you will feel the Caribbean sun everywhere and wonder why you had waited this long! We checked out a few of the bays and had Mexican food for dinner. Local beaches are protected, peaceful and if we are lucky, we can even admire the famous rainbow-like starfish in Vieques, too! 41 There are 123 docks established here with a maximum allowable length of 36 metres and a depth of 3 metres for boats. This is where one of the countrys oldest lighthouse is located it provides a fantastic view in good weather. You can return to Culebrita the next morning. 54 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Sailing to St. Croix: A Fresh USVI and SVI Sailing Itinerary. We found room in the bay to anchor one night. Sailing westward along Puerto Rico's southern coast, a natural stopping point is Salinas. St. Thomas, USVI. The great thing about turning around meant we would be going downwind. Day 1. 6 Our true favorite was Cayo De Luis Pena, a little island off of Culebra. I take you clockwise to take advantage of prevailing marine conditions, allowing for more comfortable cruising conditions with your crew, The long fetch of the trades will produce wind swell that you want to avoid sailing/motoring directly into, Your crossing almost due south should be on a beams reach, Heading back north from St. Croix to Culebra will be a nice, broad reach with the swell on your quarter, In stronger winds (15+ knots), even with a favorable wind direction, the larger swell could make things too uncomfortable for a crossing, Check my BVI weather and marine forecasting post for additional resources. Most folks motor or motor sail. 31 Your Spanish Virgin Islands sailing itinerary begins in St Thomas, then youll sail to St Johns, Culebra, Culebrita Little Culebra, Vieques, and finish in Puerto Rico. Most of the Puerto Rico boating community seems to show up on the weekend with their BBQ grills and drinks. 48 There are several food stalls that sell cheap beer and snacks on the eastern end of the beach. "The best solution for your real time boat rental from experts you can trust!". The bay is protected from all directions, and the boats can be secured easily the sea bottom is mostly sandy and will hold the vessels firmly. We decided to anchor for the five days we would leave Satori because mooring balls are pricey in the BVIs. 9 Work With Us Advertise on Better Sailing, Best Boating Destinations in the Florida Keys, Best Places for Sailing in the US in 2023, 14 Essential Boat Parts and Equipment for Sailing, Common Sailboat Problems and How to Fix Them, Common Outboard Marine Engine Issues and How to Fix Them, Living on a Boat in London: What you Need to Know (Best Liveaboard Marinas, Costs, etc), 10 Reasons Why You Should Live on a Sailboat. 24 If you have some time and want to do additional exploring, consider Coral Harbor around the corner for a day stop. Great Dog Island- Prickly Pear Island 10.15 km (6.31 mi) Day 10. Thanks for reading my post about sailing to St. Croix and making it all the way to the end! Well, thats Flamenco. Even though it was only for two hours, it was pure heaven. We can get water and refuel our boat here. Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are among those places on Earth that all sailing enthusiasts must visit. There are two large fuel docks both for boats using gasoline and diesel fuel. Caribbean catamaran vacations: sailing from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas. With both east crossings, we were lucky to find a nice west wind to our backs, an unusual occurrence here. For a quick lunch stop, well pull into the bight at Magens Bay, home to another well-known beach. With 20 knots winds and current to our bow, there wasnt much to do but fire up the motor and push through it. The sea can be pretty sloppy in that area as well. Our Yanmar engine was giving us trouble. That meant there was a clog in the fuel line somewhere. The three of us were so happy to get a break from the engine nonsense and be able to ride with just the sound of the water. 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. Today is a beach day, and we are going to chill at world renowned Flamenco Beach. This is the commercial centre of the area which is very popular among tourists. Thinking about visiting the BVIs again for your next bareboat charter sailing trip? Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgin Islands offer unspoiled cruising grounds and anchorages unlike other Caribbean charter destinations. Flamenco is a day anchorage only because you dont want to be caught here if conditions turn unfavorable. Each beach is unique with its own flavour and personality. sorter: data => data.sort((a, b) => a.text.localeCompare(b.text)) Sailing westward from St. Thomas or St. John, stops in Culebra are possible. Its not recommended to wander off the beaches, as there is still a possibility of unexploded ordinance from when the island was used as a Navy bombing range. 21 If you have time, dinghy to the beach to check out the local action. From what I've been able to find searching online, it seems there used to be a ferry that ran regularly but. Nick had to (while we were underway) open the seacock and unclog it. Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. Drugmaker Eli Lilly says it will cut its insulin prices up to 70% and capout-of-pocket costs for privately insured consumers at $35 a month. That's the Eastern Caribbean cruise experience. We should definitely head to the capital, Charlotte Amelie first. Bonus: $100 On Board Credit. 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. © 2023 Better Sailing. Culebrita is the little brother of Culebra. Vodice sailing: Discover the beautiful nearby islands! 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 . Sailing from Athens to Santorini: discover the Southern Cyclades! There are more than 5 docks in the city. Here you will overnight in this quiet and protective cove. Sailing cruise in the Caribbean: 7days Antigua sailing. The jacuzzi action comes when the surf refreshes the water supply. 10 We may be compensated if visitors choose to click on some of the links located throughout the content on this site. You spend the night anchored at Dakity Reef. Cruises To St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands The town of Charlotte Amalie has one of the most breathtaking harbors in the world. 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. 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