Sail of a Lifetime! (complete with stories to tell for the rest of your life)

This spring we’re returning to the British Virgin Islands and we want YOU to join us! We’ll start our week with an overnight stay on the boat on Saturday, April 26, 2014. The next day we’ll begin a seven day tour of the British Virgin Islands, and we’ll get off the the boat on Sunday, May 4, 2014. Approximate cost per person will be $1600.* This includes all park permits, eight nights and seven days aboard a 46’ spacious catamaran, a rigid inflatable dinghy with motor, taxes, fuel, insurance, and a mandatory donation to the Virgin Islands Search & Rescue.

You don’t need to know how to sail. There will be at least two or three experienced sailors aboard. All you have to do is have fun in this highly desirable, world class sailing destination! We’re never out of sight of land, the sailing is great, and the water is 80 degrees. (perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming!) Just a few highlights of the trip will include:

Cane Garden Bay-Here you can visit many beachside bars and restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can walk from one to another, and live music is almost always available at one or another. There is also Callwood rum distillery where you can explore the grounds and purchase some locally produced rum!

Cane Garden Bay

Cane Garden Bay

Anegada– The lowest island (only 28 feet above sea level at its highest point) of the BVIs, is home to pink Caribbean flamingos, beautiful wild orchids, and pristine white beaches. Here you’ll be able to enjoy locally caught lobster and snorkel or scuba dive in the crystal clear waters of Loblolly Bay.

The Bight– Just a short sail from our starting point of Road Town, the Bight on Norman Island is home of the popular Willie T floating restaurant. There are four flooded caves where snorkeling is unforgettable.

Sunset at Willy T floating restaurant, The Bight (Norman Island)

Sunset at Willy T floating restaurant, The Bight (Norman Island)

North Sound– This is where we saw the beautiful 287’ Maltese Falcon sailing vessel last year! North Sound, on Virgin Gorda offers enough for several days of fun. There are many luxury resorts, gourmet restaurants and quiet anchorages in this beautiful, protected area tucked behind Mosquito and Prickly Pear Islands.

Saba Rock, North Sound (Virgin Gorda Island)

Saba Rock, North Sound (Virgin Gorda Island)

Contact Jon at 602.330.2921 or email jon@sailsoutherncal.com with questions or to sign up to sail with us! A deposit of $500 per person will secure your spot.

*price may vary slightly-this is just an estimate

Escape (to the BVIs)

Here we are, winging our way to the Caribbean. Above, clouds; below, sea.

Welcome to the Moorings!

Life aboard, with clothes on the line.

We’ve escaped to one of the top ten sailing destinations in the world…

Don’t Forget the Extras!

all the extras...

all the extras…

I’m often asked how I pack for a Caribbean cruise. The clothes and personal items (soap, shampoo, prescriptions, etcetera) are easy. I bring a few shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits, a cover-up, deck shoes and not much else. It’s all the little “extras” that one tends to forget, but if remembered, they make life on a charter that much more fun!

The items in this photo are things I’m taking along with me tomorrow. As you can see, they include the following:
• Beach towel
• Mask & Snorkel
• Hat
• Book
• Video camera
• Marine band radio
• A/C adaptor
• Clothes pins
• Sunglasses
• Ipod & Speaker
• AC/DC Inverter
• Games, cards
• Netbook
• Daypack
• Watertight and assorted ziplock bags
• Guidebook
• Charter papers
• Cell phone
• Chargers
• Spare batteries

I could pack more, and I’m sure I could survive with less, but I’ve sailed on enough week or longer vacations to know that this collection of items will suit me just fine! Things like the hand-held marine band radio make communications with the shore crew possible. When you have forgotten to tell them to pick up that extra 6-pack, and your phone doesn’t work in foreign countries, you can just call them on the radio!

The inverter makes it possible to charge cell phones and cameras without having to run a generator…and of course the notebook computer is to take notes and write blog posts along the way! Provided I have a good internet connection, I’ll be posting something daily. You’re invited to follow along!