Tag: buddy boats

We Are Sailing to Bonaire

After a lot of deliberation, we changed our minds and our plan. For hurricane season we are sailing to Bonaire.

Cancelling on Grenada

A few weeks ago we signed up to go to Grenada, along with our group of buddy boats. As the date approached, our doubts grew as to whether that was the right choice for us. We don’t want to do-over last summer, no matter how much we loved Grenada.

While we planned for Grenada, we were also researching the other options for hurricane season. We also talked to a few friends and authorities, and changed our minds. Bonaire is calling!

Why Bonaire

Bonaire was always our goal, Covid-19 just messed things up, just like it probably did for your 2020 plans. Bonaire is a marine park with excellent diving, and we love to dive. Plus, the island serves as a jumping off point for Colombia, Panama and the Panama Canal, which we would like to visit and cross, respectively, once we can.

Like most countries, Bonaire was closed for a period, but they are slowly and carefully opening their borders. After contacting the marina and the authorities, we have an almost-confirmed arrival of July 1st in Bonaire.

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Planning for Hurricane Season During a Pandemic

Brian and I keep telling each other we are glad the pandemic didn’t happen in our first season living on the boat. This is because we are more comfortable and knowledgeable, Sava is in better shape, and we are used to the fluidity of cruiser life. Especially the last because this season it is very interesting planning for hurricane season in a pandemic.

Planning for Hurricane Season from Antigua

As you know, we waited out the worst of the lockdown in Antigua and it worked well. We had a solid group in isolation and were sheltered in a beautiful bay. All of the necessities were available or sourced easily by someone in our group.

Planning for Hurricane Season during a pandemic
Sava and some of her buddy boats at Great Bird Island, Antigua

But we can’t stay here forever, and as hurricane season approaches, borders are slowly opening, with restrictions.

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Where We Are: Anchored in Great Bird Island, Antigua

Brian, Domino and I have been anchored in Great Bird Island, Antigua for a month. We moved here as the island was going into lockdown, quarantine et al due to Coronavirus.

A month is a long time for us! In fact, this is the longest we have stayed in one anchorage since we moved on board Sava. Since this is Sava’s new home, here’s a rundown of the anchorage, with lots of photos.

Where is Great Bird Island?

Located in the northeast of Antigua, Great Bird Island is a tiny uninhabited islet with other even smaller islets surrounding it. While uninhabited, during tourist season it can be busy in the daytime when power boats bring locals and tour groups to the beaches and for snorkeling.

Map of Antigua. Great Bird Island in red
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Lockdown Entertainment in Antigua

Cruisers are a social bunch, so this “stay on your boat” business is wearing thin. I am sure everyone can relate no matter where you are social distancing. Fortunately, we cruisers are pretty ingenious too, and we’ve created our own fun. Learn what we’re doing for lockdown entertainment in Antigua.

Antigua Status Update

First, an update on what is going on in our part of the world. Antigua is ramping up efforts to test their citizens, and to protect them from the virus.

As of midnight on April 1st, the country locked down for everything except essential businesses which are open for limited hours. Supermarkets and pharmacies are considered essential, and are open daily from 7a-12n, which means very long lines to provision. Not that we would know: our last trip to the store was 2 weeks ago yesterday and we’ve been sequestered in a remote anchorage for over a week filling the time with useful projects.

On Tuesday, Antigua announced its first death from Covid-19, followed quickly by a second. The island wide lockdown is extended another week, and Easter weekend means full closures this Friday, Sunday and Monday.

Lockdown on Sava

Brian, Domino and I are anchored in a big beautiful protected bay alongside about 20 other boats. Our anchorage is outside of the public eye, away from towns, marinas and even the main island, but we have our boat buddies. We moved to this anchorage with 5 other boats we knew, and have since met the occupants of a few others, either via VHF, electronically, or from our dinghies. Social distancing rules apply on the water too.

Great Bird Island anchorage
Moonrise in the anchorage in Antigua
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Cruising The Spanish Virgin Islands

The Spanish Virgin Islands are located off the east coast of Puerto Rico, on the way to the Virgin Islands. We spent a few days cruising the Spanish Virgin Islands, and wish we’d had more time! This stopover en route to the US Virgin Islands got us back in the “island time” groove of slow relaxed living.

Spanish Virign Islands map
Spanish VIrgin Islands – east of Puerto Rico, Vieques to the South, Culebra North and Culebrita east of Culebra

Vieques

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