British Virgin Islands

A Sailing Adventure

Enjoy these memories with me that were all made on a journey to the British Virgin Islands with the Gottschalk family!

Day 1#

We started this grand adventure by flying into St. Thomas, then taking a taxi to the ferry dock. Once there, we took a short lunch break at the restaurant above with a nice view of the harbor including a sea plane landing and takeoff.

  1. Mandatory airplane window shot
  2. Ruins across from the restaurant
  3. Seaplane takeoff

The ferry comes with service before it departs, and good views along the way.

  1. Our ferry
  2. The ferry beer line
  2. Gold underwater? We had a sun-shower right after

After our ferry arrived and we took another taxi to the marina, we had some time to shower, relax, and look around. There even happened to be a wedding next door.

  2. Wedding lights

Day 2#

After our first night on the boat, we all got acquainted with operating our home for the next few days and headed for Norman Island. Once we settled in, I got my inaugural snorkeling trip around the rocky coast. The waters were truly incredible, and filled with so many different colorful coral and fish.

  1. The boat, and learning about the main sail
  2. We're not the only people at Norman Island
  3. Ocean Girlz come in all ages
  1. Lots of people having fun on inflatable pizza
  2. And dragons
  3. One of The Indians where we snorkeled on the way out
  4. Sneaking in some side project time in our cozy cabin
  1. This little guy squirts water to look for food

Day 3#

With an early morning start to get a mooring around the Indians for another snorkel we made our way up to Jost Van Dyke.

  1. Full sails
  1. Soaking up some sun
  2. Pirates all around
  1. I want this
  2. Nice little perch on the tip of Tortola
  1. Flash tat

We arrived and anchored up by the Sandy Spit, then took our dingy to the main island for a little hike to the Bubbling Pool. It’s a nice little rock formation where the waves crash through but it’s a pretty small pool. Long lunch over with, we headed back to the boat then swam to the inviting Sandy Spit and had fun playing on the perfect beach.

  1. The Sandy Spit
  2. Tubing fun
  1. All you could hope for
  2. They must be looking for the buried gold now
  1. Photo Credit: Lindsey

Day 4#

This was by far the longest and hardest day of the trip. We were heading upwind going east all day and the seas out on the exposed northern side of Tortola were somewhere around 6-10 feet from top to bottom all day. After 7 hours of holding on we made it to Leverick Bay intact but exhausted. That night we managed to see a pirate show and Lindsey and I entered the conch shell blowing contest and both failed admirably.

  1. Finally safe and sound
  1. The Leverick Bay resort

Day 5#

After the family took a morning diving trip we all had a grand New Years celebration.

  2. Dogfish in search of invasive Lionfish
  1. Notice his friend
  2. When you really gotta go
  1. Gray Angelfish
  2. Mr. Ray
  1. Pre-Dinner Snacks on the boat
  2. The crew, minus the first mate
  3. ...And we got the timer working
  1. Sisters Reunited
  2. Plus Mom
  3. Plus Dad
  2. Flash tat's unite!

Day 6#

New years day was another great day filled with snorkeling and smooth sailing. We ended up at Cooper island and had fun swimming with the turtles.

  1. Snorkeling spot off Virgin Gorda
  2. Diving In
  1. Spot the Flounder
  2. Cooper Island harbor
  1. Sisterly Love
  1. The seahorse has turned into a rook
  1. ... neeed.. aaiirr...
  2. In pursuit
  1. There are other sea creatures here too...
  2. Off to find more snorkeling spots
  1. Beach Hangout

Day 7#

Another relaxing day, this time heading back to Norman Island for the night and more snorkeling.

  1. Sweet crib
  2. I'm an artist
  1. Always time for more reading

Day 8#

An early morning start got us back to Tortola for the ferry back to St. Thomas and the flight home.

  1. Simply Stunning Sunrise
  2. And that's the trip folks!

Hope you enjoyed the photos half as much as I enjoyed the trip! Special thanks to Lindsey for the underwater GoPro shots.

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