Last Updated: 03/28/20 | March 28th, 2020
The British Virgin Islands typically foster images of intrepid sailors and adventurers living their own version of a Jimmy Buffett song: sailing the seas, relentlessly drinking rum, stopping at hidden beaches, and exploring deserted islands.
Standing behind the wheel with the wind whipping at your hair as the sails of your boat take you from island to island sounds fantastic to numerous of us.
But, after imagining that scenario, we think, “It would be great, but it’s unrealistic and I couldn’t afford it. It sounds too expensive!”
I used to believe that. After all, the British Virgin Islands are home to megayachts, mega-resorts, mansions, yachting races, celebrities who own islands, and big corporations hiding from the taxman. These islands are no place for those without enormous bank accounts.
But I came here with a dream: to sail around the British Virgin Islands on a budget. That’s no easy task when charter boat rentals cost thousands of dollars per week.
Sure, you can take a ferry between the main islands (Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada) or take day sailing tours, but that won’t get you to the outer islands and certainly isn’t the freedom sailing conjures up , er det?
Luckily, I found a way to live the dream.
Within two days of landing on Jost Van Dyke, my pal and I were throwing our stuff onto a boat to sail around the BVIs. We had met bill and Geoff in a bar one evening. They were describing their sailing trip down from North Carolina. We told them about our plans to try to sail the islands on a budget.
They seemed normal enough and our plans lined up, so we asked if we could label along.
And that’s how we got our ride. Some conversation, rum, laughs, and asking for a lift.
The BVIs see numerous people who rent charter boats, hire captains, or sail their own boats around for as long as the wind can carry them. Each night, these folks moor in a harbor, take a dinghy to the nearest bar, down strong rum drinks, and socialize. boats are isolating, and these bars offer welcome social interaction after a day of confinement.
And this is where you’ll find your chance to live out your Captain Ron dreams.
You could say that we just got lucky. That we found the best two men and this couldn’t happen again. However, my pal and I had numerous provides to take us to the next island or around for the day. At every port, when we discussed our plans, people would typically say, “Well, if you need a lift, we’re pleased to have you. just bring some beer.”
I expected terrific difficulty in finding rides. I mean how numerous people want strangers on their boats?
Apparently, a lot.
Because it was really easy to find a life. many of the people have extra space on their boats, and everyone is very welcoming, hospitable, and helpful. I think between the small island population and the camaraderie that comes with boating, people here are very prepared to help strangers.
How to Sail the BVIs on a Budget
So how can you do it too? how do you replicate what we did? here are my top five suggestions for sailing around the British Virgin Islands for free:
1. avoid Asking on the main Islands
Don’t ask for rides on Tortola or Virgin Gorda. This is where people pick up their boats so they are just starting or ending their trip (never a good time to ask), and there are few good bars to meet others at. stick to the smaller islands available by ferry.
2. profile People
You can increase your odds of success by knowing who is many likely to say yes. lots of couples? They may give you a ride to the next island but not much more.
Groups who chartered a boat? samme ting. They’re full.
Young people? They’ll be very likely to help you out, especially in return for beer.
Two men drinking alone? Yup, they probably have extra space, especially if they have their own boat.
3. Strike up a Conversation
Sit at the bar and you’ll find this is easy to do. everyone pretty much says hi to each other, and no matter where I was, others boaters typically made the first move. After a day on a boat, people want to talk.
4. casually mention Your Plans
Work your plans into the conversation naturally and see how people react. Do they think it’s a amazing idea? Gauge their reaction before you ask for a ride. I found that boaters in the area are the adventurous type and if they feel you are on a good adventure, they will want to help.
5. start Small
Ask for a ride to the next island. giving someone a ride for a few hours is easy. Committing to carting extra people around for a week, however, is a bigger barrier and much more likely to get you a no. but that one island lift may turn into two or three so start small and see how it goes.
Note: Sorry, families, this guidance won’t work for you! If you’re traveling with much more than two people, it’s going to be hard for boats to accommodate you and they’re going toSlå deg ned!
Gi deg selv god tid til å finne noen å seile med. Hvis du raskt har en stram timeplan og må komme rundt øyene, kommer dette ikke til å fungere, da det kan ta en dag eller to å finne en forberedt båt eller å stille opp med noens plan. Du er da prisgitt båtseierens tempo til du kommer til en annen stor øy hvor du kan gå av og komme tilbake til ferjesystemet som forbinder hovedøyene i BVIS.
Ikke glem å tilby noe til gjengjeld. Hvis du har seilopplevelse, desto bedre, men mange mennesker vil ta øl og mat til gjengjeld for heis, så forutsatt at det kan gå langt.
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De britiske jomfruøyene er dyre, og-hvis du planlegger å sjekke ut et budsjett-er det kritisk å finne et rimelig seil rundt øyene.
Du kan ta dagsturer for rundt $ 100 USD per person og ferger går mellom de viktigste okkuperte øyene, men den eneste måten å virkelig se øykjedene riktig er å seile dem.
Og den eneste måten å gjøre det på er å finne et løft.
Jeg hadde alltid drømt om å seile rundt de britiske jomfruøyene. Jeg hadde hørt om muligheter til å jobbe med båter, men fordi jeg ikke vet hvordan jeg skal seile, var det ikke et alternativ, og charterbåter er ute av budsjettet mitt (mange sparer hele året for å ha råd til leien). Jeg trengte en tredje vei – og fant den.
Det var sjokkerende lett å finne turer på båter, og dette gjør den oh-så dyre BVIS mye mye mer budsjettvennlig for de som ønsker å seile rundt disse fantastiske øyene på et budsjett.
Men mye mer enn å spare penger, denne metoden gjør nye venner underveis – og den opplevelsen er uvurderlig.
Bestill turen til Jomfruøyene: Logistiske forslag og triks
Bestill flyet ditt
Bruk Skyscanner eller Momondo for å finne en rimelig flytur. De er mine to favoritt søkemotorer fordi de søker på nettsteder og flyselskaper over hele kloden, slik at du alltid vet at ingen stein er igjen. Begynn med Skyscanner først, men fordi de har den viktigste rekkevidden!
Bestill innkvarteringen din
Du kan bestille vandrerhjemmet ditt med Hostelworld, ettersom de har den viktigste varelageret og de beste tilbudene. Hvis du vil bo et annet sted enn et herberge, kan du bruke booking.com, da de konsekvent returnerer de rimeligste prisene for gjestehus og rimelige hoteller.
Ikke glem reiseforsikring
Reiseforsikring vil ivareta deg mot sykdom, skade, tyveri og kanselleringer. Det er omfattende beskyttelse i tilfelle noe går galt. Jeg drar aldri på tur uten det, da jeg har måttet bruke den flere ganger i fortiden. Mine favorittbedrifter som tilbyr den beste servicen og verdien er:
Sikkerhetsving (for alle under 70)
Forsikre turen min (for de over 70)
MedJet (for ekstra hjemsendelsesdekning)
Leter du etter de beste selskapene å spare penger med?
Sjekk ut ressurssiden min for de beste selskapene å bruke når du reiser. Jeg lister opp alle de jeg bruker for å spare penger når jeg er på vei. De vil spare deg for penger når du også reiser.