A Brief History

The first settlers on St. John were most likely the Amerindians, who migrated north by canoe from South America, making the island their new home. An archeological dig at Cinnamon Bay has unearthed artifacts dating to 710 B.C. During his second voyage in 1493, the Virgin Islands were named by Columbus to honor the beauty of St. Ursula and her army of 11,000 martyred virgins. Passing through a succession of owners, including Spain, England, France and Holland, the Danes eventually took control of St. Thomas in 1666 and then expanded to St. John in 1718 and St. Croix in 1733. No permanent European settlement was founded on St. John until the 1720’s, when the Danes were lured by the prosperity that came from sugar cane cultivation. A thriving economy evolved, based on sugar (molasses and rum), slave labor and commerce. A bloody slave revolt on St. John in 1733 followed by a bloodless rebellion on St. Croix in 1848 brought about the abolition of slavery in the islands, thus ending the era of the sugar plantation and the wealth that was based on slave labor. St. John’s population soon dropped to less than 1,000 people. The Danish continued to rule the 3 islands until World War I, when the U.S. purchased the islands in 1917 for $25,000,000 (approximately $300 per acre) as protection for the Panama Canal.

During the early 1950’s, Laurence S. Rockefeller bought up most of the island of St. John. In 1956, he and his family, owners of the luxurious Caneel Bay Plantation Resort, donated what amounts to two-thirds of the island (9,500 acres) to the American people. Congress established the Virgin Islands National Park to preserve the natural and cultural resources on St. John. In 1962, 5,650 additional acres of surrounding water was included within the park boundaries. In 2001, a presidential proclamation created the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, which added an additional 12,708 acres of submerged land to the National Park Service.

Park Service Regulations

Since most of St. John is protected by the park system, there are some regulations that most be followed to preserve this beautiful biosphere. First, any beach in the USVI can be used by anyone. You cannot, however, gain access to a beach by crossing private property or go beyond a beach into private land. Therefore, some beaches on St. John are only accessible by sea. Second, in order to prevent anchor damage to see grass beds and coral reefs, the park has established anchor zones as well as installed moorings on both the north and south shore of St. John. Be sure to consult your cruising guides for specific information if you are on a catamaran charter.

Cruz Bay

The main town of Cruz Bay is more like a busy little village. It became a port in the mid 1800’s when Danish soldiers used it as an outpost from St. Thomas. It is a great place to pass the time limin’, eating, drinking and enjoying duty-free shopping especially at the Mongoose Junction (a charming outdoor arcade) or the Wharfside Village with everything from t-shirts to fine jewelry as well as a working spice factory. Because people tend to come to St. John to hideaway, the island boasts an active artistic community that includes writers, painters, and musicians. “St. John Saturday” is held the last Saturday of each month and is a wonderful opportunity to experience island crafts, music, culture and food.

St. John has many restaurants that offer a variety of cuisine that reflects its history and blend of cultures. You will find Mexican food, BBQ, Chinese, Italian, Continental cuisine, fresh seafood, and of course, local fare such as Pate’ – a sweet bread filled with a variety of fillings including fish, lobster, chicken and conch. Two local favorite dining spots in Cruz bay are Uncle Joe’s BBQ and the Fish Trap. Uncle Joe’s BBQ is located not far from the ferry landing, and consists of an outdoor grill and picnic tables. You must come early, because it is the best BBQ on the island and the food does run out. A short distance from the ferry dock in Raintree Court, you will find another favorite, The Fish Trap. Offering casual dining either outside on a covered porch or inside in the air-conditioned bar, there are always at least 6 types of fresh fish on the menu daily. Save room for their coconut cake with rum caramel sauce! Next door is the Fish Trap Seafood Market where those on a catamaran charter can provision with the freshest fish available, as well as wine and condiments to go.

Be sure to stop at the National Park Service Visitor’s Center next to the Caneel Bay Shipyard across from the customs office. Here you will find maps of the park, free literature, exhibits, and a monthly schedule of ranger-led activities including adventure hikes, snorkeling trips and history programs, as well as information for self-guided walks and tours.

Hiking in the Virgin Islands National Park

Crisscrossing the park are approximately 22 well-marked hiking trails, many of which start from the North Shore Road. For the nature lover, St. John’s wilderness is a delight. There are 800 varieties of plants (many of which have medicinal uses), 160 species of birds (including hummingbirds), iguanas, wild cats and burros (they bite-so be careful). The three most popular hikes are the Reef Bay Trail, the “Wade and Walk” Tour, and the Annaberg Sugar Mill Tour. The ranger-guided 3 mile Reef Bay Trail is an adventurous hike through the rainforest, where you will see a sugar mill ruin and ancient petroglyphs (prehistoric stone pictures) before taking a boat ride back to Cruz Bay. The guided “Wade and Walk” Seashore Tour inspects creatures which inhabit tidal zones. From Leinster Bay, you can take a 30 minute self-guided walking tour of the sprawling Annaberg Plantation – an 18th century sugar mill. You will find the remains of old slave quarters and villages. The mortar between the stones is made of flour, molasses and sea shells. Throughout St. John, you will come across several lookout points that provide stunning views and gorgeous scenery. You do not have to hike to see these views. You can enjoy the scenic drives by hiring a taxi and taking an island tour, or rent a car and take a self-guided driving tour.

The North Shore Road

Outside of Cruz Bay, the North Shore Road follows the lush coastline leading past some of St. John’s most beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise blue bays with tranquil waters. Other than Trunk Bay, which charges admission, all the other beaches are free. Some offer dressing facilities, restrooms, beach bars and other amenities, while others are quite secluded and remote. If using these bays as an anchorage during your catamaran charter, remember to be aware of the specific park service regulations for each area. You can find them by consulting your cruising guide.

• Caneel Bay: The rich and famous enjoy this beach that is part of the luxury “ecoresort” created by Rockefeller in 1956. Although mooring is permitted, the resort requests that those on a catamaran charter keep the noise level down and that no laundry is hanging on the lifelines.
  
  
• Hawksnest Bay: This beach is popular with the locals because tourists usually do not come here. It is peaceful and relaxing, and a great place for picnics or a swim. It is also a choice spot for snorkeling because the nearby reef is teeming with marine life.

• Trunk Bay: This is one of the most spectacular beaches in the Virgin Islands, but it is often the most crowded. There is an admission charge to use this beach. Snorkelers can explore the Underwater Trail marked by red, white and blue buoys. Underwater plaques help identify the coral and fish you see. Some would consider the trail somewhat touristy and frankly, there are better places to snorkel and relax.
  
  
• Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay: A popular campground is run by the National Park Service at Cinnamon Bay. Canvas tents on the beach let campers get back to basics. You can rent beach chairs, snorkel equipment, kayaks and bicycles, and even take a windsurfing lesson. In the winter, this is the best place for surfers to catch a northern swell. Maho Bay offers “deluxe camping” with all the modern conveniences. They welcome those on a catamaran charter with showers, a well-stocked store and a restaurant that offers breakfast and dinner.
  
  
• Francis Bay: The water in this bay is crystal clear. The view of the nearby BVI is magnificent. Ashore, you will find garbage facilities maintained by the National Park Service for your use. If you feel like a walk, follow the trail to an abandoned plantation house, or follow the road to the Leinster Bay Trail to see the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins.

• Leinster Bay: This beautiful and well-protected bay lies directly south of the western tip of Little Thatch Island, BVI. It is a great place to snorkel. One time, we saw at least 50 migrating deep orange star fish. At other times, it is possible to see turtles, rays, eels and a variety of colorful reef fish. Simply secure your dinghy up on the sandy beach and then, following the shore line, snorkel out to Watermelon Cay and back. In the southwest corner of the Bay, there is the well-marked trail that leads to the restored ruins of the Annaberg Sugar Mill.

The Rest of the Island

Coral Bay, located on the eastern end of the island, is St. John’s second town. There is no customs service here. It is not a tourist destination, and thus caters more to locals and long-term cruisers. It is the site of the first Danish colony and is home to the 1733 Emmaus Moravian Church – the oldest church on St. John. You can also see ruins of an old fort, sugar mill and a number of buildings from slavery days. Today, it has become the place to eat on St. John with a number of interesting restaurants and bars. Check out Skinny Legs. The parking lot is full of island dogs scratching their fleas and rusted-out old clunkers. The shack-like bar is decorated with broken windsurfing boards, old flip flops and mobiles made of well-worn beach sandals. Serving sandwiches and burgers, it is a popular drinking spot.

On the south coast of St. John, there are several other bays less visited by cruising yachtsmen, as well as locals, because the beaches tend to be out-of-the-way. If you are on a catamaran charter, no anchoring is permitted by the National Park Service; however, you can pick up moorings maintained by the park service. Salt Pond Bay has a rocky beach that is not good for lounging, but is great for exploring, especially the tide pools. Snorkeling around the anchorage is excellent. Another bay that also offers superb snorkeling is Little Lameshur Bay.

 
Other Activities
 

• Major General Rogers: A 120 foot Coast Guard vessel that was intentionally sunk off of St. Thomas in 1972. It rests at 40-60 feet.
  
  
• Eagle Shoals: Off Coral Bay, this seldom-visited site due to its remote location offers curious caves and exciting swim-throughs.
  
  
• Carval Rock: Due to currents, this is an advanced dive site. See dramatic rock formations loaded with corals and sponges from 20-80 feet.
  
  

If you are a night owl and still have some energy left to burn, there are no theaters, casinos or dance clubs on St. John, but there are plenty of great bars to party until the wee hours of the morning. Make sure to visit Duffy’s Love Shack in Cruz Bay. At this fun nightspot, you will drink potent drinks with names like Jaws or Baracuda Bomber while you dance under a thatched roof.

With its lush mountains, white sandy beaches, turquoise clear waters and a National Park that encompasses almost two-thirds of the island plus the surrounding sea bed, St. John, the smallest yet greenest of the USVI truly is America’s paradise. Contact www.visailing.com to arrange your catamaran charter to this mostly undeveloped, easygoing and laid-back island. For eco-tourists and those who love the outdoors, you will fall in love naturally with St. John.

Welcome to our first issue of Charter Chatter for 2010.

Happy New Year and many wishes for a fantastic 2010!!!!!

In November, I had an opportunity to inspect several yachts at the largest Yacht Charter Broker show of the year in Tortola. I am very happy to say that all the yachts and crews are in tip top condition and ready for a busy season. I had the chance to meet new crews, see new yachts and inspect the yachts that have already established themselves in the industry. I was very impressed with all the upgrades that I saw. Many of the yachts are keeping up with modern technology and most of them are all IPOD compatible, have WIFI, are going green with filtered water, etc.

I am going to focus on the yachts that made the biggest impression on me this year.

The first one is AYACANORA, a 72ft. extraordinary luxury yacht who is at the top of her class and just keeps getting better! Her four month refit won her BEST MONO HULL at the 2009 BVI BOAT SHOW! Her newly installed nonskid decks and freshly painted hull made her stand out on the dock and her interior is absolutely stunning! The richly varnished mahogany and granite counters throughout the interior give her a feel of being on a mega yacht. Her two equal cabins have a Victorian style. Each have a queen bed, couch, dresser, closet, shower and head, with hand painted sinks and oil rubbed bronze fixtures. She is classical with a modern flare!

AYACANORA’S crew, Mike & Roberta Haver, have been chartering for the past twelve years. They have completed twenty five to thirty five charters each year, and with fifty percent returns, they have proven their commitment to their guests. Between Mike’s Navy and Merchant Marine experience and Roberta’s Culinary degree they make the perfect team to make your vacation one to remember.

Click to learn more about Ayacanora Yacht Charters.

The second yacht that I am featuring is Viking Dream. She is a 47 foot catamaran that can accommodate up to 6 guests and took home the prize of Best Catamaran under 50 feet.

Whether seasoned sailors or complete novices, you will love living and sailing aboard Viking Dream. Either take the wheel, or just sit back and take in the azure blue waters and lush green islands, while Mark and Sally sail the yacht to your next idyllic anchorage for you.

Another rum punch?”…..........”No Problem!”

Click to learn more about Viking Dream Catamaran Charters.

The last yacht that I would like to introduce to you is Viaggio which is a 74' Motor Yacht. Not only did she take home the prize of Best Motor Yacht but also took home 1st Prize in the appetizer category in the Culinary competition. I am also very excited to be able to announce that the Chef for this season on Viaggio is Miss Lisa Mead. Lisa is arguably the finest Chef currently in the Caribbean and her food is a sensational treat. We are lucky indeed to have Lisa, her skills, and her sparkling personality onboard. Viaggio is a new yacht that was launched in 2008. She offers 2 queen and one double cabin. She is a very nicely appointed yacht with warm wood throughout and even warmer crew! You are sure to go home with many wonderful memories.

Click to learn more about Viaggio Yacht Charters.

There were many more yachts that really stood out this year and I am very excited to share them with you. It is not too early to start planning for next year's Christmas or New Years sailing adventure. I also still have yachts available for spring break and now is the time to start planning that summer vacation.

The excitement of a new year is upon us – hello 2010! A time for reflection and resolutions – what are your goals for this year? The customary items among our lists are career goals, family goals and one of the highest priorities…health goals. Is a yacht charter included on your list? If so, congratulations – you’ve made the commitment to a better you in 2010! If not, you’re over-looking one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to improve your health!

It’s been proven that clients on a yacht charter return from their vacation mentally sharpened, physically stronger and happier than when they left! Relaxing on the beach or on board a yacht may seem like a brainless pastime, but giving your mind time off from work pressures and the stress of hectic schedules leaves you feeling less tense, less stressed and recharged when it’s time to head home. Since the scenery during your yacht charter is so stunning, you just can’t resist slowing downing and absorbing it! Swimming and snorkeling are low-impact cardiovascular exercises that are excellent for burning calories and toning muscles. Given that the seamlessly never-ending tropical water is so inviting, you simply can’t resist jumping in and enjoying exercising! Relaxation and sunshine unsurprisingly make people happier, but there is also a chemical explanation: both endorphins and vitamin D levels increase during a sunny yacht charter which naturally elevates moods.

I can personally attest to all these facts, but in case you need more proof of fun in the sun benefits … Researchers from the State University of New York at Oswego conducted a survey of more than 12,000 men 35 to 57 years old to discover the effects of vacationing. The results suggest that people who take vacation every year reduce their overall risk of death by about 20% and their risk of death from heart disease by as much as 30%! I think that says it all, but Brooks Gump, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Oswego and one of the study’s co-authors said, “We concluded that skipping vacations could actually be dangerous to your health.” So treat yourself and your family to a yacht charter this year – it’s an investment in your career, your family and your health!

Two of the most popular destinations for bareboat chartering are the Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. In this edition of the Charter Chatter we are focusing on St. John in the US Virgin Islands and the Abacos Islands of the Bahamas. St. John is a great addition to any Virgin Islands charter, but is especially attainable during charters departing from St. Thomas, USVI (less than 5 miles away.) Click for a sample St. Thomas itinerary. One of the most reputable and reliable companies we work with in St. Thomas is currently offering their best charter yachts with discounts for any date you choose to charter! Check out this fabulous 2005 model owner version Cumberland 44 power cat – 25% discount any date! A brand new Beneteau 49 3-cabin layout with AC – 15% discount any date! A set of Bahia 46 sailing catamarans with accommodations for up to 12 people each (my family loved our charter on the 2004 model) – 10% discount for any date! These prices are more than competitive and the quality of maintenance on these yachts far surpasses many others!

Bareboat chartering in the Bahamas has many similarities to the Virgin Islands: short distances between anchorages, protected water, on-shore activities and dining, and incredible diving and snorkeling. The few differences are that the Bahamas tends to be shallower and the seasons are slightly different. Click to view two sample Abacos itineraries. The reputable charter companies in the Abacos are The Moorings, Moorings Power, Sunsail and Florida Yacht Charters. We work closely with each of these companies to ensure you are offered the lowest possible charter rates. The sailboats in the Abacos include catamarans and monohulls in various lengths for any size group. One of the catamarans exclusive to the Bahamas fleet is the owner version of the Moorings Leopard 4000. This is a great performing cat with a short draft and tons of space, including two large heads with separate shower stalls. The new Moorings Beneteau 41.3 monohull is offered in the Bahamas with added bells & whistles including a TV, DVD and specialty-built shallow draft. Sunsail’s award-winning Leopard 384 hi-lighted in the last edition of Charter Chatter is also a featured catamaran in the Bahamas. Inclusive of full electronics and shore-power air conditioning, these sailing yachts are great assets in the Bahamas bareboat fleet. Bareboat motor yacht charters are also typical in the Abacos; the Moorings Power offers 37’ – 47’ power catamarans including the industry-leader Leopard 474. With 4 queen size cabins and private heads, 2 single berths, 3 levels, tons of electronics, TV, DVD, air conditioning and a generator – this is the ideal power yacht for large families or multiple couples.

At Virgin Island Sailing we coordinate charters worldwide. We’ve been known to make the most impossible of trips come together and all the while making the process incredibly simple for our clients. Call us with your charter plans and we’ll assist you in working out the details. When you’re basking in the sun, increasing your endorphins and vitamin D levels – you’ll be thanking us for helping improve your year!

Largest Bareboat Catamaran Ever Offered in the BVI! The Voyage 580 catamaran with 5 cabins and 5 heads is now being offered as a bareboat in the BVI. This beautifully massive catamaran was formerly a crewed yacht only, but for qualified bareboaters can now make a dream vacation become reality! Because of the uniqueness of this cat, she is very desirable and therefore availability will be limited. Call us for more details.

Missing the Internet While on Vacation? For those of you that must be online – all of TMM’s yachts are now equipped with free WiFi! So, if you didn’t think a bareboat charter is possible because you need to stay in touch with your office (hopefully not too much,) think again! Or, if you want to let all your Facebook friends know what a fabulous vacation you’re having – go ahead and post it!

Music is Essential on Your Charter! Great news, BVI Yacht Charters has made all their yachts “iPod ready.” This means each yacht’s radio either has an iPod input or is equipped with a FM transmitter. Either way, all you need to pack to listen to your favorite tunes is your iPod or MP3!

Melody is Relocating to Tortola!!! That’s right, my family and I are planning to relocate to Tortola for a year! By the next newsletter I should be working from lovely Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. I’m excited to test sail more yachts, try out more restaurants, investigate more anchorages and examine more sunsets – all sacrifices I’m willing to make for my clients! Actually, I am most looking forward to finally meeting all of you! See you at Myett’s for a happy hour rum punch!

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Please email any comments or suggestions to webmaster@visailing.com

We look forward to assisting you coordinate the best value for your vacation!