British Virgin Islands Dive Itinerary, Captain Will Knoetze of s/c Laysan

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
DIVE ITINERARY
by Captain Will Knoetze of Catamaran Laysan

The British Virgin Islands not only has a tremendous history of pirates, lost treasures and myths, but is one of the world’s best sailing and scuba diving destinations. Its beautiful islands, beaches and safe
anchorages are legendary.

Divers of all levels enjoy the limitless dive sites scattered around the islands and it is nearly impossible to dive all of them, but we have compiled a list of some of the most popular and remote sites available to divers wanting to explore magical underwater reefs and historic wrecks bursting with ocean life.

Experience some of the best scuba diving sites in the BVI from your very own private luxury yacht:

Wreck Alley
Just off Cooper Island, this site certainly lives up to its name. All four wrecks can be explored.

Flintstones
Beautiful boulders and ledges, full of fish life and plenty of lobsters.

Alice in Wonderland
Coral of all colors paint a wonderland picture - truly amazing.

RMS Rhone
This famous wreck is a lovely dive, full of fish activity and great for pictures.

Twin Towers
On the north side of Little Jost Van Dyke, two underwater towers and caves full of life waiting to be discovered.

Coral Gardens
Next to Peter Island is a beautiful wall full of coral, with garden eels at the bottom to say goodbye until your next dive.

Chikuzen
Known for its wreck and diving with sharks, incredible dive site located between Tortola and Anegada.

So many sites to choose from and daily planning will give divers multiple options to explore. The
immense deck space on Laysan makes it ideal for diving. Your private chef awaits you after every dive with mouthwatering dishes.

Non-divers have multiple options to snorkel, discover sandy beaches, enjoy water sports, go on hiking trails or just relax and soak up the sun.

Charter Catamaran Laysan

Catamaran Laysan- Yacht Charters / Sailing Vacations in the Virgin Islands

The charter yacht Laysan is a 72-foot Serenity catamaran with a crew of 3. This catamaran is fully air conditioned and accommodates up to TEN guests in 5 guest cabins -- 4 Queens and 1 Twin bunks, each with ensuite bathrooms that have electric-flush toilets and shower stalls.

Amenities include: a 17-foot dinghy with 70HP 4-stroke motor, waterskis for kids and adults, tube, kneeboard, wakeboard, 2 standup paddleboards (SUPs), snorkel gear, TV (50" UHD Samsung flat screen TV & Blu-ray player), iPod dock, onboard WiFi, board games, etc.

Captain Will is a dive instructor and 3 dives/week are included for up to 6 certified divers. Extra dives are $50/diver/dive. Diving gear can be rented locally or bring your own.

BROCHURE: Click here to view brochure
DIVING INFO: Click here

 For more information, pop us a quick email.
Contact Paradise Connections : CLICK HERE

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book LAYSAN
View Laysan's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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RECIPE: Ahi Poke Tuna Stack - Catamaran Feel The Magic

We would like to share this award-winning recipe from the Catamaran Feel The Magic, winner of the Fall 2012 St Thomas Charter Yacht Show Culinary Contest.


Ahi Poke Tuna Stack

Crab Salad:

• 4 oz crab meat, “special” 
• 1 tbsp lemon-old bay aioli
• 1 tsp scallion, chopped fine
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

For the crab salad, mix together all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.

Mango-Pineapple Salsa

• 1 tbsp mango, diced
• 1 tbsp fresh pineapple, diced
• 1 tsp scallion, chopped
• 1 tsp red bell pepper, small dice
• 1 tsp yellow bell pepper, small dice
• 1 tsp cilantro, chopped
• ½ jalepano, seeds removed and diced
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

For salsa, combine all ingredients, toss well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Avocado Mash

• ½ ripe avocado, diced
• 1 tbsp red onion diced very fine
• Juice from half of a lime
• ½ jalapeno, seeds removed and diced fine
• Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Place diced avocado in bowl, add all remaining ingredients.  Mash with a fork until the consistency of guacamole.

Ahi Poke

• 2 oz sushi grade ahi, cut into cubes
• ½ clove of garlic, minced
• ½ tsp ginger, minced
• ¼ tsp Siracha sauce
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp sesame seeds, toasted

Mix all items and marinate tuna for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

To assemble the stack:

• Using a ring mold of approximately 3” in diameter by 5” high, spray the inside with cooking
• spray.
• Spoon the Avocado mash into the bottom of the mold, top with Ahi Poke, Crab Salad, then Mango-Pineapple salsa.
• Refrigerate for 2 hours, serve on a chilled plate.  
• Garnish with sliced cucumber, thin carrot curls, sweet chili sauce, sprinkles of caviar and fried won ton chips.

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Hank & Micheale - - - - - Catamaran Feel The Magic

Caribbean Yacht Charters - Virgin Islands Sailing Vacations

Charter yacht Feel The Magic is a 50-foot Voyage catamaran with a crew of two, Hank and Micheale.  Feel the Magic is air conditioned and accommodates up to eight guests in four equivalent cabins with queen-sized berths and ensuite heads/showers.  Feel the Magic has a 15-foot dinghy with 70HP motor, waterskis, kneeboard, wakeboard, tube, a Hobie Mirage kayak that you can paddle or pedal, 2 standup paddle boards (SUPs), 2 surfboards, SeaDoo water scooter, snorkel equipment, fishing gear, floating mats, TV/DVD, onboard wifi where available, guitar, banjo, and other musical instruments, and more (see online brochure).

Feel the Magic plans to charter in the Virgin Islands through July 31, 2013 then returning in the fall for the 2013-14 season. Contact Paradise Connections for current availability and let's start planning your sailing vacation aboard Feel the Magic!

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book FEEL THE MAGIC
View Feel The Magic's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: US & BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS USVI & BVI

There are many variations to this sample itinerary for the US & British Virgin Islands (USVI & BVI). Your charter will be customized to fulfill the dreams of your charter party. That's the beauty of a Virgin Islands crewed charter yacht vacation.

DAY ONE

Board your yacht in St. Thomas and after a light lunch, enjoy a leisurely sail (or motor sail) to Frances Bay on St. John. Swim, walk on the beach and enjoy a Caribbean sunset. Savor a delicious dinner either in the cockpit under the stars or below in the coziness of the main salon.

DAY TWO

After breakfast, depart for Leinster Bay, also on St. John, for snorkeling, exploring and a hike to a sugar mill. Return for lunch, and then proceed to Jost Van Dyke to clear BVI customs. Explore Jost, visit Foxy's and other well-known beach bars. This is a good spot for a West Indian meal ashore at moderate prices -- an island pig roast perhaps -- and some evening revelry in the form of a "jump up."

DAY THREE

Depart Jost Van Dyke and motor a short way to Sandy Spit for beach and snorkel time. Sail to West End for lunch and a trip ashore to Pusser's Landing for a "painkiller" and shopping. Sail on to the Bight at Norman Island and visit the "Willie T" (a floating bar and restaurant) for sunset cocktails or after-dinner wildness.

DAY FOUR

Snorkel at the water level caves made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Sail on to Cooper Island for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon sail to Trellis Bay on Beef Island. After dinner, go to the Last Resort for Tony Snell's musical revue on chartering and the Caribbean in general.

DAY FIVE

Sail to Virgin Gorda and visit the Baths, those wonderous house-sized boulders that form fascinating pools and grottoes to explore. After lunch, sail on to North Sound. Visit the Bitter End Yacht Club for snorkeling, boardsailing, water-skiing or hiking. Every activity can be done here. Click here for a slide show of The Baths.

DAY SIX

Depart North Sound after morning activities and lunch for a sail to Peter Island where there's a great beach on Deadman's Bay and good snorkeling in Great Harbor. Visit Peter Island Yacht Club -- a very upscale place for a diner ashore (jackets required in season) if that's your preference.

DAY SEVEN

More water sports in the morning (possibly a rendezvous dive on the coral-encrusted 1867 wreck of the British mail steamer Rhone). Following lunch, sail to Cruz Bay on St. John to clear U.S. customs. Check out the local shops here or sail on to Christmas Cove on Great St. James for snorkeling and water sports. Enjoy your last evening aboard with another glorious Caribbean sunset and a special dinner prepared by your chef.

DAY EIGHT

After breakfast (with a farewell Bloody Mary or mimosa, perhaps?) and a final swim, return to St. Thomas for some last-minute duty-free shopping before you catch your flight home.

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Remember, there are many variations to this sample itinerary. Your charter will be customized to fulfill the dreams of your charter party. That's the beauty of a Virgin Islands crewed charter yacht sailing vacation.

If you want to scuba dive, there are boats that specialize in this activity. They will be well-equipped and have a divemaster or dive instructor aboard and will make sure you dive on some spectacular spots. Another possibility is to do a "rendezvous" dive. This is where a yacht will coordinate with shore-based dive operators to take you on a dive.

Or maybe you want to spend more time sailing than at anchor and improve your sailing skills at the same time. Your experienced captain will be happy to oblige your wishes.

Whether you want an active nightlife visiting local hot spots or just enjoy the pleasure of quiet, secluded anchorages, a charter yacht in the Virgin Islands can accommodate your desires.

And, of course, if your idea of the ideal vacation is no itinerary at all, then a crewed yacht charter vacation is the perfect choice. You can decide each morning over coffee in the cockpit what you want to do that day (even if it's nothing at all), and it's OK to change your mind, too!

OUR PROFESSIONAL CREWS WILL MAKE SURE EACH CHARTER GUEST EXPERIENCES THE PERFECT PERSONALIZED ITINERARY FOR THEIR VIRGIN ISLANDS VACATION.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book your sailing vacation

Visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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RECIPE: 2-minute Caribbean Pie, by Charter Yacht HONIARA

TWO-MINUTE CARIBBEAN PIE

By Adele, s/v Honiara

Ingredients:

• 1 package (5.1-ounce) instant vanilla pudding and pie filling
• 1 can (20-ounce) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, undrained
• 1 container (8 ounce) sour cream
• 1 graham pie crust (9 inch) 

Method:

• Mix all of the above
• Put in pie crust
• Top with coconut flakes or fruit
• Refrigerate for a few hours
• Enjoy!

Crewed Caribbean Charter Yacht Honiara - Virgin Islands Sailing Vacations

St Martin & Grenadines Yacht Charters, too!

The charter yacht Honiara is a 45-foot Beneteau sloop, owned & operated by the Canadian couple Pierre Boudreau and Adele. Honiara accommodates 4 guests in two cabins, each with ensuite head/shower. A great boat for honeymoons, couples, and families.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book HONIARA
View Honiara's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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ITINERARY: BVIs - Catamaran Good Medicine

SAMPLE ITINERARY - BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Catamaran Good Medicine -

Nothing is written in stone; these are all ideas for you to gather for your adventure. It is you who makes your own custom itinerary.

Once you are on board Good Medicine you need to discuss where you wish to go. Your captain can also provide ideas, and his first question to you would be, “where do you wish to go?”  You can change your itinerary at anytime so this vacation is your oyster, come down and enjoy. There are no set times for anything, so let’s have fun.

Your Good Medicine crew are one of the top professional crew in our industry so grasp each moment with both hands and savor these special times.

DAY 1

BVI yacht charters start with your arrival by air at Beef Island, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. You can walk 100 yards to your boat or take a taxi, but it is very close, so walking is fine for most people. Within 10 minutes you can be on board GOOD MEDICINE enjoying tropical drinks prepared by a master lady cocktail queen. All charters begin at 12 noon, normally you arrive at 1pm, so a light lunch is prepared for your group while you settle into your new luxury vessel. Once you are settled, your Captain motors slowly round to one of the world’s most magnificent islands, Marina Cay (Republic of Jose Cuervo), for the evening, one of the smallest of the Virgin Islands. Marina Cay has a lovely beach restaurant under the coconut palms where you can relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings, or you can jump in the warm crystal clear tropical waters and snorkel round the small reef. Children as well as adults can water ski, kneeboard or snorkel here, but going ashore to explore this island is a big “must.”

Hors d’oeuvres are served round 5 pm, the chef will bring out snacks and your favorite happy hour cocktail for all to enjoy. Take in your first gorgeous sunset while relaxing on the trampoline. After sunset, dinner is served in the main cockpit area under the stars for everyone to enjoy their first tropical calm evening in Paradise. Pinch yourself, you are in paradise where mermaids and dolphins play.

DAY 2

After a good morning breakfast (9.30 am), a morning cruise can take you to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. This takes roughly 2 hours to sail and is most picturesque. Now you anchor at this spectacular rock formation at about 11.30am; it is here you can discover the beautiful world underwater and on land.

We anchor just short of the beach and prepare lunch while your captain takes you through the walk from the Baths into “DEVILS BAY”; take flip-flops and a swimsuit. This special walk takes about 20 minutes and is worth each step through the dense undergrowth. There is plenty time for snorkeling in this magnificent area, so a relaxing day can be spent exploring the Baths on land and Underwater. At 3pm take a short cruise up to Spanish Town and anchor out for the evening. This is where guest can go ashore and explore small local shops, then return to Good Medicine for dinner and a good night sleep.

DAY 3

Wake up in Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda and meet in the cockpit where morning coffee is waiting for you, while breakfast is served. After breakfast, raise the anchor and proceed to Long Bay, Virgin Gorda. Relax here for the remainder of the day and evening. Spend the morning enjoying the crystal clear water and the 1 mile long, foot-print free beach.  Collecting sea shells on the beach or snorkeling is divine. The view at sunset from Long Bay, Virgin Gorda simply cannot be beaten. It is a view 25 miles down to St Thomas where the sun sets, surrounding you (or the horizon at this point) are a multitude of tropical islands in the sun. Every night at sunset is dead calm, so enjoy Happy Hour with treats & cocktails and let your mind escape into paradise. It is here on a full moon that you can see each grain of sand on the seabed 15 feet below. Supper is served in the cockpit, then amble off to sleep, those long sleeps of content.

DAY 4

Set sail to Deep Bay, Virgin Gorda and here you have selected one of the most out of the way anchorages around. This sail will take about 1 and a half hours where you drop anchor within range of the famous barrier reef. Have lunch, then get your captain to take you snorkeling above the four 16th century cannons in 10 feet of water, or snorkel with your captain on the outside of the barrier reef. When snorkeling on the outside of the barrier reef you will see why it is called a barrier reef, the reef stands up from 5 feet to 40 feet and the live coral polyps face the deep blue sea where all their food comes from. This is where your see those rainbow colored fish, all the colored sponges and corals. Very few guests get to do this so make sure you are one of those few. Today has been a water sport day so squeeze in the kayaking and fishing as well. Relax at happy hour then look forward to the best cuisine on and off the island before wondering off to sleep.

DAY 5

From Deep Bay, Virgin Gorda enjoy a swim before breakfast, then enjoy another breakfast in the Good Medicine's cockpit. Up anchor at 9.30 am and do a spinnaker sail all the way down to Norman Island which is famous for the Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Treasure Island.” Today you hope to snorkel into the famous 3 pirate caves. It is the pleasant spinnaker sail which takes up most of the morning and you find yourself arriving at Treasure Island around noon. Pick-up a buoy at the famous three caves then everyone snorkel into the caves (make sure you do all three) and return to Good Medicine for a hearty lunch. After  lunch, work around to the Bight for the night and anchor in a secluded spot to relax and explore the island for the rest of the day. Happy hour is at 5 pm again and you may wish to visit the famous Willy T which is a Brigantine pirate ship at anchor which acts as a restaurant and bar. This can be quite a lively place at night, so if it is nightlife you feel you need after these out of the way Blue Lagoons, then the Willy T is where you need to head for this evening. Dinner is enjoyed on board under the gorgeous stars above. Relax on board before you head off to bed.

DAY 6

After breakfast (9.30 am), a leisurely cruise to Jost Van Dyke offers ample opportunity for fishing on the way. Sandy Spit and Green Cay are all places of exceptional beauty. Just take your pick. Sandy Cay is a “must do” exploring adventure by foot. It is a short walk which commences on the beach and runs through thick coconut palms followed by thick undergrowth. This leads up to the top a a volcanic rock which is roughly 50 feet above the beach and then the path wanders back through the undergrowth to the palms and on to the beach. Take shoes, flip-flops, a camera and bug spray. This is one walk you will never forget.

For the overnight stop, White Bay is secluded and quiet with only the Soggy Dollar Bar ashore; or Great Harbor is ideal for those who would like to visit the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. Foxy is the name given to a local gentleman who is famous for his singing. Sample his “Sly Fox” or the “Dreaded Fox”, both made from Foxy’s firewater rum and listen to his calypso songs. Beware, you will possibly be in one of his Caribbean songs! The words Sly Fox and the Dreaded Fox are names of special drinks he has mixed over the years. These three perfect anchorages are close together so select one of them and enjoy your happy hour, followed by dinner and sleep.

DAY 7

After a good breakfast (9.30 am), cruise to Monkey Point on Guana Island. This is a long sail but a magnificent one, possibly taking 2-3 hours to do. Pick up a buoy or drop anchor and relax for the rest of the day as well as the entire night. Snorkeling is the major task at hand here or relax on your catamaran with your favorite book.

Monkey Point is a wonderful anchorage with lovely protected Caribbean hills around you. You can see the head of the Guana projecting out 27 feet from the side of the hill and it looks exactly like a Guana’s head. Enjoy a relaxed happy hour followed by a great supper, with liquors to complete your meal.

DAY 8

After breakfast, cruise round to Trellis Bay for your trip home at 12 noon. I am sure you will remember that sailing is Gooood Medicine.

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Contact Paradise Connections Yacht Charters to book GOOD MEDICINE
View Good Medicine's online brochure
For more yachts, visit our website: www.ParadiseConnections.com

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