StanKase

tejana; It may be a bit late if we breakfast at 7AM we might want lunch at 12 and I would think we would not be at Willie's until 2, right?

tejana

good point... I would think you would probably make the Willie T your last stop. Festive beverages before the sail home, as it were.

Tuxedocat

StanKase: I can't wait to find some time to relish your report on the Asia forum. We are snorkel fanatics too and had such a wonderful time in Brown Bay just last month, I am still daydreaming about it. I remember having the most magical snorkels on both Peter Island and Norman Island about 6-7 years ago. I think it's called Great Bay on Peter Island where I saw and swam with an enormous eagle ray which returned to me twice. Norman Island had the clearest water and of course, that monstrous barracuda (which I heard a horrible story that someone killed that great beast). Jost is not a good snorkel destination but fun anyway. I'm so looking forward to your report, especially about the Indians which I have yet to visit. Good luck and happy sightings!

SailBellaVita

StanKase; My wife and I run a catamaran charter in the BVI. When are you going? If we are available, I'd be happy to take you for less that the quoted $750 and can get you to Norman very quickly. Also, do you mind telling me how you found the monohull that quoted you? Were they recommended by Peter Island?

blamona

Stankase, I want your life! 8-)

StanKase

SailBelleVita; Though this Forum discourages vendors since your on do you have a website.?Are you currently doing day charters in the B.V I.'s??
If not what type, size, age and jib equip.is your sailboat? Are you currently licensed by the B.V.I. Dept. Of Tourism. Are you bonded and hold causulty insurance that we could see once on-board. On the cat is the pilot station large enough for both of us to sit comfortable for extended periods out of the sun. if we so desired could we cancel at 6AM if weather is very problematic?
we would want as the TURTLEtagger,jejana and ejcrowe suggested a pick-up at PETER Island at 8;15 . snorkel at NORMAN ISLAND FOR 1-1.5 hrs. SNORKEL FOR 1 HOUR AROUND THE Indians and 1 other location that is especially good for 30-40 minutes, but nothing as poor as Jost Van Dyke or Tortola. You only need to supply bottled water and a 6 pack max of diet coke.Let me know. though I must admit my fellow travels may not like it.
If you do not folks i will not use the service, really and I will go with peter Island's vendor.

SailBellaVita

StanKase; so sorry... I did not know about the "vendor discouraging" I was just trying to be helpful. Our 46 foot cat is one year old. We are a new charter biz, fully licensed. We usually do multi-day charters and could only help you out if we were not previously booked (we are not free again until mid-may). Given the forums policy, I'd suggest you go forward with the peter island recommendation. Have a great trip. Try to get your captain to take you to Benures Bay for your 3rd swim stop. We think it is perhaps Normans best, and very quiet.

StanKase

SailBelleVita; I always want to help new businesses get going, personally and am not so keen on using vendors that have an on-going relationship because they may get to comfortable and guests have no basis of comparison.
We will be at Peter Island June 3-9 and probably the best day would be June 5, weather permitting. Further, Peter Island as the other resorts like Biras Creek permit guests to use any provider they want based on my prior experience. In fact my wife and I would have wanted to go out twice but at that price 2 snorkel trips were not in the cards. If you wish to do business I need your email address and we can communicate further.

SailBellaVita

StanKase; you can always reach me at [email protected] or, 919 730 4569

ishkribbl

stancase-
we returned two days ago from Anegada and Virgin Gorda. We took a full day snorkel trip with Double D charters (they have a website) from VG on a 40' power boat with only one other couple. We did four snorkels- Ginger, the Caves, the Indians and the wreck of the Rhone with lunch midway at Willie T's. The Indians was by far the best stop with lots of live coral- saw turtles at Ginger which was fun. The trip was only $110 a person with a minimum of 4 so even if you paid for the boat it would be a price you seem willing to pay. I bet they would pick you up. Just a thought- have a wonderful trip.

StanKase

ishkibbl; I will check them out. Thanks.

ejcrowe

Yes, Double D was the company we booked with, too! Prices have gone up by $10 pp, but the same policy is in effect--we had three people in our party and were prepared to pay $400 to have the private daytrip. As it turned out, there was one other family of 3, so we had a nice, intimate group of 6 plus the captain.

ishkribbl, i hope you'll be posting a TR soon!

ishkribbl

ejcrowe- still not completely familiar with posting on this forum- like to read and respond sometimes while lurking for information but do you post reviews in the same place and in the same way? On some other forums it is a completely different procedure. Sorry to be uninformed but is there something I should read for directions to make it a trip report or do you just post as a new topic? Also, is there a link that tells how to post photos? Thanks for the lesson- Ish (PS Great trip!)

StanKase

Double D wanted $950 to take my wife and I out even if though I offerred to pay $450 and they did not have to offer lunc since Peter Island prepares an elaborate box lunch. It would be defrerred of course if they did get other snorkelers that wanted to go tonorman Island and the Indians. But he would only make a commitment by my calling the night before. So, I assume $450 in a slower season (early June) is not worth Double D's while despite the fact that they likely would probably get at least 2 others and could be up to $670 with only 4 snorkelers. Maybe I do not understand this firms business model. I have been told by 2 charter companies that only do 3+ day charters that gas is not a major issue even from VG to Peter Island. So, I may end up using the resorts vendor which is $850 or not going at all. The other firms I contacted all wanted multiple day charters.

patiricia

StanKase, contact Dive Bvi (divebvi.com) and see what they can do. We always scuba with them, but they do snorkeling as well, have really fast boats and are good and fun people. Just a thought.

StanKase

We returned from Peter Island Resort on June 10. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the coral life had bounced back so quickly compared to 2006. Norman Island was the best of the spots we spent time at. The Caves were interesting but for pure sightings of interestinf sea anenomes and different fish species it was better outside the Caves. The visibility on our 2 visits was about 40 ft. we saw hogfish, angels, scorpionfish (1), puffers, 2 rays, a large tarpen, 2 turtles, many blue tangs some very large parott fish(likely 3-4 lbs.) and assorted other fish. The snorkeling over the Rohne was not very good. We had been told that fish were quite active at 25ft. but though the visibility was good (30+ft) that day it was time to move on to the Coral Gardens. They were quite good in terms of fish and coral diversity. The trip to the Indians was highly anicipated but I must admit we thought overall Norman' coral health was in better condition and therefore the variety of fish were less numerous. Two sting rays of medium size and 4 turtles were the highlight there. At Peter Island the off-the-beach- snorkeling at White Bay was far better than I expected. Though it was not Norman or the Indians on the right side facing out along the right side outcropping it certainly was a pleasant 30 minute snorkel.In the end we did not charter because peter Island took uis out each day (4) times at $60/person giving us about 75-90 minutes in the water each time. This wasy it was more relaxing not having to get everything into 1 day. I would have wanted to go out at 8-9 AM but they take the divers then sio our outings were from 2:30-4;40/4:45, not the iseal times to snorkel but far more tham I expected.