THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN DEPTH - Virgin Islands - page 45

The Best Boating Outfitters

Boating is big in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
and it's even bigger in the British Vir-
gins, which are said to have the best
cruising in the Caribbean. Here are the
best boat operators:
W American Yacht Harbor Marina
(St. Thomas): This is one of the best
bareboat and full-crew charter compa-
nies on St. Thomas, located in Red
Hook. Whatever craft you're looking
for, you're bound to find it here.
See p. 83.

W The Moorings (Tortola): This is the
finest charter service in the Virgin
Islands. It has done more than any
other outfitter to make the British Vir-
gin Islands the destination of choice
among the world's yachters. Its fleet of
yachts and boats is staggering—every-
thing from bareboat rentals to fully
crewed vessels with a skipper, crew,
and cook. See p. 197.

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illustrations, and numerous landfall sketches showing harbors, channels, landmarks,
and such. Subjects covered include piloting, anchoring, communication, weather, fish-
ing, and more. The guide also covers the eastern end of Puerto Rico, Vieques, and
Culebra. Copies are available at major marine outlets, bookstores, and direct from
Yachtman's Guide ( & 877/923-9653; www.yachtsmansguide.com).
Except for Anegada, which is a low-lying atoll of coral limestone and sandstone,
all the Virgin Islands are high and easily spotted. The water here is very clear. The
shortest distance between St. Thomas and St. Croix is 35 nautical miles; from St.
John to St. Croix, 35 nautical miles; from St. Thomas to St. John, 2 nautical miles;
from Tortola to St. Thomas, 10 nautical miles; from Virgin Gorda to Anegada, 13
nautical miles; and from St. John to Anegada, 30 nautical miles. Virgin Gorda to St.
Croix is about the longest run, at 45 nautical miles. (Specific distances between the
islands can be misleading, though, because often you may need to take roundabout
routes from one point to another.)
If you don't know how to sail but would like to learn, contact one of the sailing
schools on St. Croix. Jones Maritime Sailing School, 1215 King Cross St., Chris-
tiansted, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 00820 ( & 340/773-4709; www.jonesmaritime.com),
has three 24-foot day-sailors and charges $295 per person for a 2-day course, held on
Saturdays and Sundays.
Womanship, 137 Conduit St., Annapolis, MD 21401 ( & 800/342-9295 in the
U.S.; www.womanship.com), offers a sailing program for women of all ages and levels
of nautical expertise in the British Virgin Islands. Groups consist of a maximum of six
students with two female instructors. Participants sleep aboard the boat, meals
included. Courses normally last a week. The cost is $2,065 to $2,795 from January
to May and $1,995 to $2,695 from October to December.
The British Virgin Islands are also the headquarters of the Offshore Sailing
School, Prospect Reef Resort, Road Town ( & 284/494-5119 ). This school offers
sailing instruction year-round. For information before you go, write or call Offshore
Sailing School, 16731 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers, FL 33908 ( & 888/454-7015 or
239/454-1700; www.offshore-sailing.com).
SEA KAYAKING Arawak Expeditions, Cruz Bay, St. John ( & 800/238-8687
or 340/693-8312 in the U.S.; www.arawakexp.com), is the only outfitter in the Virgin

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