Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands
Review Date:
22/12/2002 Publisher: Cruising Guide Publications Inc., 11 th Ed., 2002 c. £ 18
Nancy and Simon Scott’s book resembles in style and content, the well- known Doyle guides covering the rest of the Caribbean. Perhaps there is a greater focus on short term vacation sailing but excellent chapters on the background history of the islands and on cruise planning make this more than a pilot for bare-boaters.
We have found the chartlets of anchorages, essentially the same as in previous editions, especially useful along with the descriptive notes. As an example, the recommendations on snorkelling are obviously based on first hand experience. We discovered Monkey Point on Guana Island via a brief reference in the Guide and found it a superb spot. A perfect lunchtime anchorage, Monkey Point offers abundant reef fish complemented by large pelagics with pelicans also in attendance on the dense shoals of juvenile fish.
One of the more tricky entrances in the islands is to the anchorage just East of Pomato point on Anegada. Approached from Virgin Gorda, this low-lying island first appears on the horizon as a shimmering collection of palm-tree tops. Even when the land is visible the entrance is by no means obvious and the Scott’s description on how to enter is extremely helpful.
Overall the wealth of detail, excellent presentation, clear advice and accompanying reprinted Admiralty chart, make this the definitive guide to the British, United States and Spanish Virgin Islands. If you plan a cruise in these waters buy it well in advance and start to enjoy your holiday before you even leave home! - SRD
Page created 29 July 2003
