Tag Archive: diving vacation

Diving Charters – Sailing Vacations

May 2, 2012

A passion for diving is not always shared by the spouse or significant other.  Why not charter a sail boat in the Caribbean and enjoy the best of all worlds.

Sailing & Diving Vacation

Sailing & Diving Vacation

Crowds, fixed agendas, dinner with strangers…   no thanks! Ever since I was a young lad in Florida I have had a passion for exploring the deep blue.  This year for my birthday my dear spouse, Elizabeth gave me the gift of a lifetime;  Diving instructions and certification.

To save time, I was enrolled in a diving  session at the local college and attended classes three nights a week. I learned the principles of diving, how to read dive tables and all of the safety issues associated with this great sport. The next step involved actual immersion in the Olympic size pool  where we were taught how to properly attach all of our diving equipment as well as exercises in clearing masks, checking gauges, checking weighs,  staggered ascents and of course lessons in case of malfunction of breathing apparatus. Diving is a very safe sport providing that one respects the water and follows the rules.  Understanding the principles of pressure, respecting the habitat of the marine life and of course always diving with a buddy are essential rules.

Upon completion of my classes, my next step would be to go for open water certification. Elizabeth had contacted SailWithTerry LLC and Captain Terry,  who besides being a  very knowable  charter boat broker, also has spent years sailing and diving in the Caribbean. Captain Terry provided  us with the name of a reputable dive company and his favorite instructor.

Captain Terry found a 40’ luxury crewed catamaran with a wonderful captain and  gourmet chef.

Seven days of living on a spacious sail boat with all the comforts of home, a dive boat picking me up to dive and explore a different site each day. Delicious gourmet meals served on the spacious deck, a new island to explore each day, spas and shops for Elizabeth, great snorkeling  sights, fun beach parties, secluded private anchorages.   Yes this was a gift of a lifetime; I think this will be an annual event for us.  No crowds, No agenda, no obnoxious strangers. Sunny blue skies, warm turquoise water, amazing tropical fish and coral all at our finger tips from our floating hotel.

Plan you perfect sailing trip.  Contact Captain Terry at 941-266-0296 or sailwithterry@gmail.com . He will handle all of the details, find the right boat for you and your budget and give you the location for secret coves and great restaurants.

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Sailing Vacation – Fantasy Sailing Vacation, Chapter 6

Feb 21 2012

Each day is a new adventure sailing on our crewed 44’ Catamaran in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. So many islands to explore, so little time.

Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

Another day in paradise. The skies are blue, sun is brilliant and the azure water is clear and warm. Today we are rendezvousing with a dive boat, Hugo will go on an adventure scuba dive and I will be going with my guide for a beginner resort dive. Our dive boat from UBS Divers pulls up to our floating hotel and we are whisked away. After instructions of basic diving procedures and precautions my guide, Katie slowly takes me below the surface. It is both scary and exciting. To swim right alongside with hundreds of tropical of fish. I saw sting rays, several huge groupers and schools of tropical fish.The feeling of weightlessness and the freedom of movement is awesome. I can’t wait to get home and become fully certified for next year. Hugo has gone on another boat with several other certified divers to dive the R.S. Rhone. This is a famous wreck dive and a must dive for anyone visiting the BVI.

Later we meet on the deck of Mardi Gras and Heidi has prepared a fabulous lunch and are we hungry after our dive. We enjoyed teriyaki shrimp salad on a bed of lettuce, crab cakes with the best tarragon sauce and of course the daily fare of French baguettes, cheeses and dairy fresh butter plus a chilled bottle of pinot grigio

A nice breeze and we sail to our evening destination. We have decided to anchor at Diamond Cay, a quiet secluded cove and enjoy a moonlit gourmet dinner. We are the only boat in this large cove, the water is so clear we can see the sandy bottom and the fish and turtles swim by as we sit on the deck. Anchorage is tricky because the coral heads are not far below and we do not want to anchor on top of them. Jeffry, with the help of his new fist mate, Hugo, sets the anchor perfectly and we are good for the night.

A short dingy ride to the beach to watch the sunset and then an evening of relaxation. Sounds of jazz float out to us as we return. Heidi is setting the table with candles and flowers. A dinner of roasted rack of lamb awaits us.

Another day in paradise. Diving, swimming, sunsets, fabulous dinner and now we lay on the trampoline netting and try to count the zillions of stars and name the consultations. I feel so removed from my real world. All is quiet and peaceful, just the gentle sounds of the waves and Hugo beside me. What a perfect fantasy sailing vacation.

Planning is the key to a successful Fantasy Caribbean vacation. The right boat, the right crew is essential. Sail with Terry Charters has years of on hands experience in these beautiful Caribbean waters. Firsthand knowledge of boats and crews insures the perfect Caribbean Sailing Vacation.

 

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Sailing Vacations – Virgin Gorda

August 6, 2011

The diving/sailing vacation for the Bayou boys continues as they plan for  a great sail to Virgin Gorda – fun, food, exploring. 

Our floating hotel has indeed become home to us.  The aroma of coffee gently nudges us awake.  That first cup sitting on the deck, looking at the blue ocean meeting the blue sky .  Gentle waves bounce off the hull, the  soft music of the wind, all is quiet  with the exception of a  splash as the sea gulls fish for their breakfast.  I feel so removed from the hectic world of school, finals, job interviews, phones, computers.  We are not connected but yet are connected to nature.   This sailing/diving vacation has intensified the bond that Jimmy, Andre and I have shared throughout our youth.  These memories will last forever.

Today we sail to Virgin Gorda.   Captain Terry is getting the boat ready for our journey.   Checking all of the lines, the engine and the instruments.   I take the helm while Jason releases the mooring ball.  Andre is pulling up the mainsail and then we release the ginny.  Winds are in our favor and we are moving out at 8 plus knots!!!  No engine, just the full sails as we cut through the 3-4 foot waves..  Some rollers from  a storm in the North Atlantic have moved in and  a spray of ocean water wakes us up.   Yipee!!!  We are pirates of old fighting the master ocean.

Our destination is Leverick Bay,  a full service resort  and home of the famous  beach big roast and the Mucko Jumbies.   As we enter the anchorage, Andre hooks the mooring ball and we are set.  A short dingy ride to the beach,  a cool beverage at the tiki bar and then a picturesque cab ride to the world famous Baths.   The Baths  consist of huge boulders that are stacked like building blocks creating a cave .  Sunlight shines through the openings and we wade through large pools of water.  The Baths are phenomenal and we have our camera in action.   The legend is that these gigantic boulders are the result of a meteor shower, probably when the dinosaurs were hanging out.

This evening we are going to party,  first we pull up to the tiki bar at Leverick Bay and  meet some of the local salts as well as boaters from all over the world.  Some are live aboards that just sail the islands,  having sold all of their worldly possessions and just enjoying the vagabond life.    We introduce ourselves to a group of ladies that are on a “girls trip” and now the party is getting geared up.

The music starts up and Michael The Pirate is starting his entertainment.  Michael Beams lives on a wicked looking sail boat and sings rowdy pirate songs.   He sings and tells tales of the pirates that sailed Drake Channel long ago.

Dusk is approaching, the smell of barbeque is wafting down.  Huge table are set up loaded with a huge array of food  including a roasted pig.   Great food, the band is playing, drinks are flowing and everyone is ready to dance and to party.

Expectation is in the air and as I look up I see a very tall person in bright colors coming around the pool.  A drum roll, It is the Mucko Jumbies.    Natives dresses in colorful costumes on huge stilts come down and dance with the guests.  A conga line is formed   and we dance between the stilts.  Jimmy looks over at me and asks:  Is it Mardi Gras?   We dance until the wee hours with our new best friends from the “girls trip” and then reluctantly bid good night and dingy back to our boat.

Captain Terry has schedule a rendezvous dive to the Dogs for tomorrow.   I can hardly go to sleep thinking of the all of the things that we will see tomorrow.

Check out:www sailwithterry.com for [pictures of the Mucko Jumbies and the Baths.  Captain Terry will help you plan your perfect vacation.   Diving, Sailing, Girls Trip, Honeymoon, Family reunions.   Email: sailwithterry@gmail.com   or  941 266 0296

 

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Sailing Vacations – Diving, Sailing Vacation

July 31, 2011

Sailing Vacations – Diving, Sailing Vacation 

The Cajun boys, Jason, Jimmy and Andre continue their diving vacation on a 46’ live aboard enjoying the top diving sites in the British Virgin Islands. 

 

Morning sun breaks over the distant mountain range and sprays its brilliant rays on the peaceful turquoise water of the Caribbean.   Pelicans are diving for their breakfast as we see the swirls of baitfish.  The aroma of coffee beckons and I am enjoying watching the morning unfold.  Soon André sleepily comes up on deck, sees the baitfish and the next moment he has put on fins and mask and is checking out all of the underwater activity.    Soon Andre resurfaces with a big smile,  he has just seen a group of sting ray, a large turtle, a school of blue tang.

After breakfast a dive boat from UBS divers approaches and Katie, our dive master greets us with a smile and helps us on the boat.  Captain Terry is going to join us so I know we will have an extra show.

Destination:  Painted Walls is a series of Technicolor box canyons located at the end tip of Dead Chest Island.  Swimming out to the sea, the visibility is over 100’.  Angel fish, queen triggerfish and chub all surround us.  Katie guides us to the first canon and then on to the main canon, soon we enter the sponge encrusted tunnel where the name is derived.  The walls are encrusted with brilliant colored sponges:  purple, orange, red, pinks, fluorescent yellow and oranges.  The beauty is breathtaking and photos cannot do it justice.  This is an image to be relived in our memory bank for years to come.

Soon our guide leads us to the mooring that is holding the dive boat and Captain Tony welcomes everyone aboard.  We share the excitement of all of the beautiful fish and coral that we have seen.  Captain Terry takes out his Tropical Fish Book and we excitingly identify the fish that we have seen. What a wonderful experience to share with my friends.

A nice leisure lunch and rest and we proceed to our next  dive spot.  Blonde Rock.  Blonde Rock is a natural magnet attracting all kinds of marine life: turtles, schools  of Jack, Cobia, barracuda and even an occasional shark. Twin fire coral encrusted peaks (the name blonde) rise from a plateau at 35-40 feet. There are several ledges sporting numerous schools of fish and  we proceed to the  amphitheater. Here we find glasseye snapper, graysby and large carbas. Captain Terry shines his light and we see a brilliant array of sponge , algae and coral.

We return to our sailboat, good byes to Katie, our pretty dive guide.  We sit on the deck of the boat,  enjoying an ice-cold local beer and  relive the amazing dive sites that we have visited in one day.   I am overwhelmed by the clarity of the water and the abundance of the marine life and brilliant colors.

We dingy ashore for a great dinner, good wine and meeting more fellow sailors.  Tomorrow we will sail to Cooper Island and explore another dive site.

As Jimmy, André and I sit under the endless starlight sky, we agree that this sailing vacation is a dream come true and will be a memory that we will hold dearly for the rest of our lives.  The camaraderie, the beautiful scenery and balmy weather, the  amazing dive sites and of course the security that Captain Terry  is showing us the best islands in the BVI and making sure that we do not get into trouble.  Life is good.

Captain Terry offers custom sailing trips.  Visit  sailwithterry.com and check out the great pictures and video. Contact Captain Terry at sailwithterry@gmail  or phone 941 266 0296 and plan your dream vacation.

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Sailing Vacation – Diving in the Caribbean

July 19, 2011

A combination sailing vacation and diving vacation is the ultimate vacation for enjoying two adventurous water vacations.  Follow Jason and his friends as they explore the chain of dive sites in BVI. 

A chartered sailboat and the expertise of Captain Terry promise a fun filled and exciting vacation for me and two buddies, Jimmy and Andre.  We recently graduated from LSU  and this is our reward before we hit the real world of jobs and responsibilities.

As Cajuns we have a love and respect for the water, and as Cajuns we are always looking for the next adventure.  I think Captain Terry will have fun with the Bayou Boys.

Our floating hotel is a 50’ monohull with four berths, a spacious galley and salon.  On our first day out Captain Terry teaches us the fundamentals of sailing,  putting down an anchor and hooking a mooring ball.  The winds are blowing, we hoist the sails and “Oh Baby”, the  rail is in the water!  Of course we are assured that we will not tip over because our keel weighs 6,000 lbs.   The mainsail and ginny are both full and it feel as if we are flying.  No engine sound, just the wind in our face and the sound of the water against the hull as we cut through the waves.  Mon Chere, this is nice!

Today we are going to a have a dive boat pick us up from our anchorage at Peter Island and dive Truck Reef  and  Shark Point. In the 1950’s,  in anticipation of a visit from Queen Elizabeth, there was “Clean for the Queen” campaign.  The locals rounded up all of the old abandoned cars, loaded them on a barge and dumped them at the mouth of Great Harbour.  This is a deep dive and intriguing  for the steep drop off harboring massive black coral trees and several huge anchors.  Large Tub sponges line the top of the wall.

Our next stop is Shark Point.  The visibility is amazing due to the sites location in the open ocean.  Follow the ridge and use this as a vantage point to view the schools of black durgon, horse-eyed jacks, and an occasional barracuda.  We continue along a tunnel  and come to a canyon  and there are  queen angelfish, whitespotted tile fish, groupers and butterfly fish.  Swimming deeper along the ridge  we run into a large jew fish and some nurse sharks. There is a maze of alleyways and caves  that makes for exciting exploring.

Our  dive boat returns us to our sailboat and we are all talking at once sharing the sights that we have discovered.  Beautiful coral, so many fish we can’t count them and of course we all laugh at Andre as he met his first shark.   We did not know the boy could swim that fast!

A ice cold beer, a shower off the back of the boat and we are ready to check out happy hour on Peter Island.

Tomorrow we will explore Painted Wall and Blonde Rock.

Captain Terry will customize your sailing charter according to your interests and wishes.

Check out the underwater pictures at sailwithwithterry.com and  contact him for schedules and pricing at sailwithterry@gmail.com or 941 266 0296

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Sailing Vacations – Caribbean Diving Vacations

July 14, 2011

Who says that you cannot have it all?    If your passion is the beautiful aqua waters of the British Virgin Islands, then a week chartering a sailboat and going diving is the ultimate vacation.

The British Virgin Islands are considered one of the hottest dive sites in the world.  There are over 70 established dive sites and numerous secret sites known only to the local divers and charter captains. Lush coral gardens, sloping reefs, sheer walls, wrecks, tunnels, ledges, and of course a gigantic array of sea life.

Charter a sail boat in Tortola and easily access your first nights anchorage, Norman Island.    A great dive spot on the way to Norman Island is Pelican Island.   This is a good starting point to get acclimated to the warm Caribbean water.  Pelican Island is an uninhabited island and is the site of Rainbow Canyon (25-60) feet deep. You will find large coral heads that are home to schools of parrot fish.  Dive down into one of the canyons and see spotted drums, sharpnose puffers, crinods and flame scallops.  Continuing along the reefs edge you will spot schools of creole wrasse and Spanish hogfish.   Often the waters are teeming with  thousands of bait fish which provide dinner for larger tarpons.

Another notable stop on your way to Norman Island is the Indians, one of the most popular dive sites in the BVI. Four jagged rocks protrude 50 feet above the ocean.    The top of the jagged rocks look somewhat like an Indian headdress, hence the name.  This dive takes about 50  minutes and as you swim along the  base of the cliffs you will see creole wrasses and bar jacks.  Rounding the southern point you will encounter a lot of fish including schoolmaster snapper, parrotfish and trunkfish.  Continuing along you will swim over brain and elk  coral and  enter the “fish bowl”.  A shallow area filled with  baitfish  that attract  many fish including jacks, snappers and also pelicans ding  bombing from above for their lunch.

Next you will come to an area where the bottom of the ocean rises and you will be amazed at all of the colorful damselfish and blue tang.  This is a great time to pull out the underwater camera and take pictures that will look as if you are swimming in an aquarium.   There is also a small cave for you to enter that is home to a school of glassy sweepers.

A swim back to your sailboat, a short ride to Norman Island anchorage and you are set for the night on your floating hotel.  No crowds, not long lines, just a nice evening on the deck of your charted sail boat.  Tomorrow we will visit more exciting dive locations.

Captain Terry offers sailing vacations with a private dive master or rendezvous dive boats at various locations.  Captain Terry is an experienced captain and diver and knows all of the famous dive locations and also some very secrets spots.

Check out sailiwthterry.com for great pictures of the Pelicans and Indians.

Email sailwithterry@gmail or phone 941 266 0296 for your customized sailing – diving vacation in the Caribbean.

 

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