Cane Garden Bay, BVI

Cane Garden Bay, BVI (June 12-14, 2013)

After being challenged by another boat coming into the Bay, we soon understood their aggression to being first through the channel markers.  It was 4:00 p.m. and arriving to Cane Garden Bay anytime after 3:00 p.m. is too late to be choosy about picking a mooring ball.  As the islands are all in very close proximity to each other, by 5:00 p.m. there are no vacant mooring balls in Cane Garden Bay.  

On our first night, we were stuck on the back row, which was quite rolly.  The charts mark a couple of good anchorages in the bay; however, between the addition of new mooring balls in the preferred anchorage area and a very large reef, anchoring is quite limited.

We witnessed many cruisers head to and make sudden sharp turns away from the large reef.  Then, we cringed as we watched a Sunsail rental go aground, not once, not twice, but three times before deciding to leave the bay.  Not only did he damage the rental boat, but on his 3rd time to run aground, he gave her all she had and did extensive damage to the reef.

White sandy beaches

We were up early next morning, lying in wait for a particular spot where we could anchor and forgo the $30/night mooring fee.  Our efforts were successful and soon we were anchored front row on glass smooth water. Front and center is what we call "the Jimmy Shrove way" as he is notorious for having favor, the best of the best.

A Rolly Bay

We were on front row, right on the shoreline and then this little guy showed up for a lengthy visit. Thankfully, he didn't drop a stinkpickle while enjoying the view.  He was just busy being very cute!

With the large reef, snorkeling was also on our agenda and we were not disappointed.

  

Cane Garden Bay was a nice place to regroup and catch up on laundry while enjoying great ocean views and drinking Painkillers at the Big Banana or Myett's Garden Grill. We found Myett's Garden Grill to be an exceptional experience as the bar is in the middle of an exotic jungle. Great times!!!