s/v Nine of Cups The Virgin Islands

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After the longer passages we've made, travelling in the Carribean is a treat.  Although a couple of the passages are longer (75+ miles), most are pleasant dayhops from one island to another.  The distance from St. John, AVI's to Jost Van Dyke, BVI's for instance, is only five miles.  In that short distance, we travel not only to another island, but to another country, another round of customs/immigration, new culture, different foods, different currency, sometimes a different language... but all part of the adventure

In contrast to the hustle and bustle of St. Thomas, St. John was quiet and laidback.  Two thirds of the island is National Park land, with nearly 6000 acres donated to the U.S. government by Laurence Rockefeller in 1956.  Pictured above is Cruz Bay.

From Puerto Rico we sailed to the Spanish Virgin Islands and then on to St. Thomas in the American Virgin Islands.  Pictured above is the harbor at Charlotte Amalie as a rain squall approaches.

The National Park in St. John maintains over 200 moorings which are free of charge.  Anchoring many times damages delicate coral reefs and sea grass beds.  Moorings help to protect the marine environment and were also quite a treat for us!

The British Virgin Islands consist of 4 main islands and a myriad of small islands.  It is one of the most spectacular cruising areas in the world.  Since we have spent a number of weeks cruising these islands in the past, we spent only a few days here this time, opting to spend more time in the Leewards and Windwards.  One of the islands, Jost Van Dyke, is the location of a famous cruisers' bar named Foxy's, pictured above.