Day 5: White Squall II
In the continuing search for fun and adventure I booked us on a wood hull, multi-mast Gloucester schooner-like vessel called the White Squall II for a day sail around the BVI. The boat looked really great on the website and we're not disappointed when we stroll up to the dock and see that it's every bit as impressive in person. The crew is friendly and Chris, the Captain and the rest of the crew welcome us aboard. We spend some time stowing our day bags and checking out the deck as the rest of the day sailers arrive. About 22 people plus the crew are going out on this day. A good sized group for the large, 80 ft. vessel. The crew introduces itself to the group and we set sail right around 9AM. In actuality, we spend most of the time motoring from place to place, but the sails are raised for a couple of hours during the trip.
Almost immediately after departure the crew begins to offer softdrinks, wine, water and rum punch to the guests. It's early but I start with a rum punch to stay in the relaxed island spirit. The crew is very attentive to folks beverage needs throughout the day, continuously checking to see if everyone is taken care of. Juliet and I relax on the bow, meeting different people as we head out to our first destination, the Baths at Virgin Gorda. The Baths is probably the most popular and well known spot in the BVI due to its spectacular rock formations which form caves and amazing pools of water. The ride across Sir Frances Drake Channel is a nice one with good weather and pretty calm seas. We arrive at a mooring location near The Baths around 11AM and the crew begins to launch people in to the beach. We gather up our sunblock and snorkeling gear. The crew provides snorkle gear to anyone who needs it. A few minutes later we're on a small, nice (and quite crowded) beach surrounded by rocks. Getting to the Baths involves a short and quite adventurous walk through a sandy wet trail. There's a bit of climbing involved and the whole group takes it slow. After a few minutes of walking we begin to pass through amazing caves, filled with pools of water and rays of light. In one of the caves a couple are laboring over their attempt to get the "perfect" photo. The woman of the couple grumbles something about someone taking a picture and screwing it up. Time is limited so we continue on the the far side of the caves to a gorgeous beach from which we can snorkel and explore the rocks from underwater.
We have to get back to our landing spot by 1PM for lunch so we head in to snorkel among the rocks. The place is a little bit crowded with snorkelers but we find some nice spots among the rocks to enjoy the amazing underwater action that's very close to shore. We spend about ninety minutes snorkeling and then head back to the beach to get picked up by the crew. On return to the boat we're served a hearty buffet lunch that includes chicken, hot dogs, salad and of course, rum punch. In the meantime the crew hoists the sails for the five miles trip to Cooper Island. A few people get a little queasy but we're holding up well, maybe it's the rum punch. After about an hour of sailing we arrive at a calm bay off of Cooper Island. No launch this time as we snorkel right off the side of the boat. Within a minute of hitting the water we see two rays, one is a large spotted eagle ray gracefully gliding through the water.
After almost an hour of great snorkeling we return to the boat to see a large barracuda munching on chicken bones the crew are tossing overboard. I'm thankful that the barracuda didn't notice me as I swam by. It's about 2:30PM and we start heading back across the channel. The rum punch is still flowing and the weather is great. Chris, the captain takes some pictures with me and Juliet at the wheel of the boat. We return to the dock after 3PM and everyone looks happy, tired and a little drunk. Chris beckons for everyone to sail with them again and I'm pretty sure that everyone will if they have the chance.
