The Island Hopping Digital Guide To The Virgin Islands - Part III - The Spanish Virgin Islands: Including Culebra, Culebrita, and Vieques

By Stephen J Pavlidis

This edition is Part III of The Island Hopping Digital Guide to the Virgin Islands and covers the Spanish Virgin Islands, including Culebra, Culebrita, and Vieques.

The Island Hopping Digital Guides are the digital versions of the world-famous cruising guides written by Stephen J. Pavlidis. Over the past 20 years, Stephen J. Pavlidis has

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seaworthy Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781892399625

Stephen J Pavlidis

Stephen J. Pavlidis has been cruising and living aboard since 1989. First aboard his 40' cutter-rigged sloop, IV Play, and today he is cruising aboard his 31' Chris Craft, Swan Song. Starting in the Exuma Cays, over 20 years ago, Steve began his writing career with guides to the many fascinating destinations he visited. Many of his books stand alone to this day as the quintessential guides to the areas he covers. His books are different than most other cruising guides in some very significant ways. All of the charts in Steve's books were created using data personally collected while visiting each area using a computerized system that interfaces GPS and depth soundings.

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The Island Hopping Digital Guide To The Virgin Islands

Part III

The Spanish Virgin Islands

Copyright © 2016 Stephen J. Pavlidis

ISBN 978-1-892399-62-5

Published in the USA by:

Seaworthy Publications, Inc.

2023 N. Atlantic Ave., Unit #226

Cocoa Beach, Florida 32931

Phone [phone]

email [e-mail]

www.seaworthy.com - Your Bahamas and Caribbean Cruising Advisory

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or by any storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher.

CAUTION: Sketch charts are not to scale and are not to be used for navigational purposes. They are intended as supplements for NOAA, DMA, or British Admiralty charts and no warranties are either expressed or implied as to the usability of the information contained herein. The Author and Publisher take no responsibility for their misuse.

A publication like this is actually the result of a blending of many people’s talents, knowledge, and experiences. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following for their help in this effort: Gil, Skyler, Kaia, Anspacher and Sandra Romano of the S/V Kauhalekai; Captain Lee Bakewell of the S/V Escape Cay for his help with the programming; Carlyle Benavent of the S/V Halben II; Captain R. Bensen; Ben Botond; Monika Anna Darmstaedter; Todd Duff who contributed so very much, including many of the photos in this book, thank you Todd; Bob Grieser; Clyde Hancock, Michelle Rexach (who provided many photos of the SVI), and Jake of the S/V Monsita; Stuart and Natalya Kaydash of the Vieques Yacht Club; Capt. Pat Lerocque of the S/V Instant Karma; Andy Lowe and Star Droshine; Jorge and Isabel Molina of the S/V Pursuit; Chris and Maria Nielson of the S/V Altamar; Angel Perez Morales; Filo and Janet Rico; Juan Seda of the M/V Lumar; Captain Tom Shepherd; Surfer 1%er Chicago Outlaw, retired National President of the Outlaws M.C.; Bruce and Rosa Van Sant; Dr. Juan M. Van Vicens; and last but not least, Collette Marie Wilson. If there is anybody that I have neglected to mention here, rest assured that it is an oversight and I sincerely apologize.

Cover Design by Ken Quant, Broad Reach Marketing & Design, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Introduction

The Island Hopping Digital Guide to the Virgin Islands, a three part series, covers the waters of what are probably the finest cruising grounds in the world if not the most popular. Part I covers the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). Part II covers the British Virgin Islands (BVI), and Part III covers the Spanish Virgin Islands.

The Virgin Islands are steeped in history having been under the influence of many cultures during their history. The British, the French, the Dutch, the Danes, the Spanish, and even the Knights of Malta had a stake in these islands at one point or another, and you’ll find evidence of their occupation everywhere you look from the street names to the architecture and cuisine.

Whatever you’re looking for you’ll probably be able to find it in the Virgin Islands. Divers will find an undersea Mecca full of beautiful coral reefs alive with all manner of sea life and scores of amazing wrecks such as the famous HMS Rhone. For your convenience you’ll find mooring buoys at most dive sites. If you’re not interested in diving, perhaps you’ll like the shopping or the dining out. St. Thomas is a haven for those with money to spend on duty-free items and it’s easy to spend hours and hours strolling the shops along the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. On every island you’ll find wonderful places to dine out, from mom-and-pop eateries to fine resorts with upscale restaurants that rival the world’s best.

Sailing the islands is like voyaging through a Jimmy Buffet song, but if you get tired of the crowds at anchor, head over to Anegada or St. John to get away from it all. Anegada offers some of the finest beaches and reef diving in the islands, and St. John is known far and wide for its laid-back lifestyle. If you’re into getting off the beaten path deep into the rainforests and backwoods of these steep, mountainous islands you’ll find paths and trails to lead you far away from civilization.

Whether you come here for a two-week charter, a month, or a season, the islands will satisfy your cravings and leave you hungering for more. You, too, might be drawn back again and again, until you give in to the urge and stay here year round. Life can be so difficult, but not here.

Stephen J. Pavlidis

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Basics

Currency

Customs and Immigration

Diving In Puerto Rico

Holidays

Hurricane Holes

Language

Phoning Home

Tides and Currents

Weather

Using the Charts

Index of Charts

List of Charts

The Spanish Virgin Islands

Moorings in the SVI

Isla de Palominos

La Cordillera to Isla de Culebra

Isla de Culebra

Isla de Culebrita

Isla de Vieques

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas to Isabel Segunda

Bahia Icacos to Bahia Salina del Sur

Ensenada Honda to Isla Chiva

Puerto Ferro

Puerto Mosquito

Ensenada Sun Bay and Esperanza

A Little Basic Spanish

Dining in Puerto Rico

References

Appendices

Appendix A: Navigational Lights

Appendix B: Marinas

Appendix C: Service Facilities

Appendix D: Waypoints

Appendix E: Metric Conversion

About the Author

The Basics

Currency

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico uses the U.S. Dollar as its currency standard.

Customs and Immigration

Ports of Entry

Culebra (airport), Fajardo (pink building across from the ferry dock), Guanica, Humacao, Mayaguez (blue and white building at the head of the dock), Playa de Salinas (Marina de Salinas), Ponce (Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club), Puerto de Jobos, San Juan (any marina)

Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth and American citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. British and Canadian citizens also need a passport for entry. Citizens of all other countries will need a U.S. Visa before arrival. Customs and Immigration tell me that you can arrive without a Visa and apply upon arrival, but the fee is steep (up to $180) and the granting of the Visa is entirely up to the officer in charge that day. It’s best to acquire a Visa prior to