Changing Latitudes
We spent 8 days aboard a 52’ Lagoon Catamaran sailing the US Virgin Islands.
Here’s our takeaway:
Hawksnest Bay. St John, USVI
Every so often, fate & coincidence fall in place and opportunities come to life in the strangest of ways. Almost as if the universe has been waiting for certain moments to align and take you places you never thought would happen. Amidst the pandemic and the obstacles it has brought forth, I was reunited with Captain Harry Gilmore. An award winning sailor, seasoned chef, part-time musician, and all-around stand up guy, Captain Harry & Dream Yacht Charters bought us along for what proved to be a bucket list trip.
I’ll start by saying that this 52’ Lagoon catamaran, Felix, was everything a dream boat could host. I had never been on board a catamaran, other than the occasional listing shoot. Dream Yacht Charters offers a wide variety of available catamarans all around the world, and this destination & yacht should certainly be on your list of places to charter. Not even 2 years old, the specs on board were new and fantastic. Hosting up to 8 guests in 5 rooms, Felix has the capability to comfortably accommodate guests of all kinds; from the R&R vacationers to the snorkeling and destination seekers. The mobility and functions of Felix were noteworthy from the get-go. We jumped aboard and sailed a short hour east to Christmas Cove.
Christmas Cove, Saint Thomas, USVI
Quietly located on the eastern side of Saint Thomas, Christmas Cove was our first home of the trip. Sharing the cove with 2 dozen other sailboats, we wasted no time and started our underwater adventures. Beautiful reefs, colorful fish, and crystal clear waters far surpassed our expectations. We jumped in the tender and took a quick ride to an exclusive spot Captain Harry had found during his time in the islands. He was even able to catch our dinner that night, fresh lobster tails for the grateful guests. We ended the night with cocktails and stunning sunset over St. Thomas, something seen only in travel magazines and the deepest of daydreams.
Hawksnest Bay, St. John, USVI
Our next stop was further east to St. John. As we approached Hawksnest Bay, I was in awe by the colors, tranquility, and terrain. With hints of French Polynesia, mountains meet the ocean as certain parts of land peaked at 2500 feet. Alone in the bay, we moored up and took a trip to the beach to shake off our sea legs. Two small stretches of beach, Hawksnest Beach and Gibney Beach, were lightly populated and gave us an unexplored territory to embrace. Hawksnest Bay was a special place, certainly a destination to visit if that vibe floats your boat.
Little Lameshur Bay, St. John, USVI
Tucked away on the south side of St. John, we cruised into Little Lameshur Bay without any neighbors in sight. We quickly moored up, dropped the dinghy, and searched the bay for our dinner that night. We were greeted by more lobsters and Mutton Snappers to ease our appetites. The bay was another quiet location for us to call home for the day and night. No other sailboats were nearby and a few beachgoers on shore were the only people we saw. With these crystal clear waters, we kept ourselves busy exploring the reefs and chasing fish. Different depths appealed for all types of swimmers; from a deeper 20+ feet to a shallow 7 feet, there was an abundance of sea life to see.
Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
Sea turtles and sting rays greeted us as we called Caneel Bay our last home of the trip. Sun-showers made sporadic appearances and left us with rainbows and cotton candy skies. We grilled the remainder of our lobsters and shared our favorite memories of the trip. 8 days really flies by when you’re always on the go. Every moment was full of excitement as we explored places we had never seen before. Going into this trip, there really was no knowing what to expect. Photos never quite serve justice to places like this and we knew we were in for something special. We sailed back to Saint Thomas Harbor, said our goodbyes, and left with memories that will last lifetimes.
On-board experience with Dream Yacht Charters
Chartering with Dream Yacht Charters was an experience second to none. Planning and enjoying this trip was made simple and easy thanks to the team at Dream Yacht Charters. Adding a yacht like Felix to their fleet shows how much they care about the customer experience and are on the top of our list of charter companies. While aboard Felix, it was apparent she is well-suited to accommodate any type of guest. A new build boasting beautiful rooms brings out the luxury of the yacht; while the outdoor amenities perfect the daytime activities. A covered flybridge with spacious seating gives a cooling breeze while enjoying the 360 degree views. A lounging area on the bow as well as a netted area gives a hammock feel as you relax over the water. Having Captain Harry on their team is another example of how much Dream Yacht Charters cares about offering the best experience possible. His knowledge and experience is extensive as a captain & charter host, making this charter experience above and beyond. Captain Harry offers a wonderful display of gourmet meals & cocktails, all-inclusive in the trip. Knowing the ins and outs of the islands, Captain Harry is just the host you are looking to lead your adventure. Seldom does young and experienced go hand-in-hand, but Captain Harry is the exception. So crack open a cold one and enjoy these views that could be yours to relish.
