Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
shore and offshore trips catching everything from tarpon to
marlin.
Sapphire
Beach
Marina.
(340)
777-7317,
www.doubleheadersportfishing.net.
Peanut Gallery Sportfishing
The Peanut
, a 28-foot prowler with state-of-the-art electron-
ics, is powered by twin engines. Light tackle fishing 45 min-
utes to the north or 25 minutes to the South Drop, or a
10-minute trip to in-shore fishing spots. Offer trips from two
to eight hours. Crown Bay Marina.
(340) 775-5274,
www.fishingstthomas.com.
Charter Yachts
Charter yachting, once strictly for the very
rich, is a popular option here. Whether
prompted by a classic film (
The Four Seasons
)
or a strong desire to put “civilization” behind
them for a while, many people now enjoy cruising vacations.
St. Thomas and Tortola (BVI) are headquarters for yacht
rental agencies, marinas, anchorages and provision shops.
Minimum rentals are usually a week, but shorter rentals
can be arranged off-season. There are two types of charters
available - bareboat and crewed.
Bareboat or Crewed?
A bareboat charter involves a fully equipped boat with no
crew or captain. You operate as the captain and the mem-
bers of your party are the crew. Before you are permitted to
charter a bareboat, you must furnish proof of your compe-
tence and cruising experience. You will be asked to complete
a resumé detailing your boating background and testing
your knowledge of anchoring and coastal navigation. If you
can supply references from a sailing club, that will help. For
your own safety, don't try to inflate your skills. If you are un-
certain, arrange for a skilled captain to sail with you for a
few days. Rates vary with the size of the boat and the season.
Rates are lowest in August, September and October.
