2009/2011 Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands

Publisher: Cruising Guide Publications, available from Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, 14th ed.; £23.00
Publication Date: 2009

And so the editions roll off. They will continue so long as they maintain the consistently good quality of advice and description in their publications. Costs are kept to a sensible level by the extensive use of advertising. Unlike many other publications where the resulting copy often brings nothing to the context, the Cruising Guides advertising usually enhances our knowledge and gives us more options to help us on our way. Restaurants, points of interest and many relevant services are brought to our attention in the specific areas where their influence is most useful.

The Virgin Islands are a beautiful and largely protected cruising area that can attract novice and experienced sailor alike. Although the area is popular for flotilla sailing, they do not intrude in the way they can in parts of the Med. Care is taken to warn that the guide should be read carefully in conjunction with up to date charts and that this should not be used for navigation. The detail of the sketches and the aerial photos in this relatively unchanging area do, however, as another reviewer commented a year or so ago, render most chart reference unnecessary.

Some quarter of the text is devoted to a well thought-through description of the flora, fauna, weather, customs and regulations covering the whole area. The rest concentrates on the anchorages and harbours throughout the cruising area. Pictures and charts abound. A useful planning chart covers both British and American VI at a scale of 1.25nm to 1 inch.

A minor and personal quibble: I think some attention might be given to warnings of mosquito. Protection is advisable. Arriving late into Sopers Hole on my last trip I moored precisely by the fuel pumps. The garbage is just behind and I had grumbling crew all the way home to the UK after a night of torment. Updates are available on www.cruisingguides.com. Most sailors you meet would not be without a copy of this excellent guide. – Michael Davey