Sea Kayaking the Caribbean
British Virgin Islands
January 24 - 31, 2009 (Saturday-Saturday)

"Had a blast Kayaking in Caribbean.  Now some of my Chattanooga friends are hooked!  I told them "I have been telling you guys about AGC" but words don’t do your great trips justice." PC, Caribbean '08

Highlights:

The Virgin Islands are the ideal warm winter vacation and sea kayaking is the perfect way to explore them. We spend one day hiking and relaxing on St. John, the most pristine of the US Virgin Islands. The next day we start five full days in the British Virgin Islands: camping on secluded beaches at night, sea kayaking to different islands, snorkeling in warm water among vibrant colored fish, relaxing on the beach, and savoring fresh seafood. If you're looking for a warm weather vacation but want something a little more active than lying on the beach, then this is the trip for you.

This trip is for: women who are new to sea kayaking and want to give it a try in a warm winter environment; and experienced sea kayakers who want to explore one of the most beautiful winter sea kayaking locations in this hemisphere.

January 24: Our trip officially starts at 5 p.m. at our lodging on St. John, USVI. We'll do introductions, have a trip orientation, and share a welcome dinner. Detailed instructions on how to get there will be included in the General Information sheet but most people fly into St. Thomas, and then take a taxi to the ferry that crosses to Cruz Bay. D

January 25: Today we will spend time exploring St. John. The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, and undoubtedly the most pristine, St. John is blessed because most of it is protected from development. The Virgin Islands National Park comprises more than 60% of the island and much of the surrounding waters. For the outdoor enthusiast, there is plenty to do here. Hiking trails crisscross the rugged terrain, beautiful sandy beaches dot the waters edge, while colorful reefs teeming with life lie just offshore. You can join us for a hike in the National park, or if you want you can choose to go SCUBA diving, sailing, mountain biking, or just relax and enjoy the beaches. B, L, D Night on St. John

January 26: We'll meet our kayaking guide early this morning and travel by power boat with our kayaks and equipment to the starting point. We'll clear customs in Tortola and then get dropped off at Peter Island. We'll set up camp, have lunch, and then spend the afternoon learning or reviewing the fundamentals of kayaking and going for a paddle in calm waters. Night at Peter Island B, L, D

January 27: After a leisurely breakfast with plenty of coffee, we'll set out for Pelican Island. Here we experience some of the most spectacular snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. From Pelican Island we paddle to Norman Island, the island upon which Robert Louis Stevenson allegedly based his novel "Treasure Island." We'll stop here for lunch and a cold drink before returning to our campsite on Peter Island. B, L, D

January 28: Today we will pack up camp and head across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the West end of Tortola. The Channel was once famous for the pirates and buccaneers that plied its waters, so it's a great place to consider our choices of occupation. We will stop here for lunch and sightseeing and then continue on to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, where we stay at an established campground (this means there will be other tents, but it is quiet nonetheless). If you have ever pictured a white sand Caribbean beach, this is it! This is also our layover beach so there is plenty of time to snorkel, hike the island, and get that great tan you know you really shouldn't try for. B, D

January 29: Another layover day, meaning we don't have to pack up all our belongings again. We will kayak East to Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit. These are the idyllic uninhabited sandy islands one thinks of when one pictures a "virgin island." We will spend the day here snorkeling and playing in the surf before returning to camp on Jost Van Dyke. That night we'll join a very fun community barbecue. B, L, D

January 30: From Jost Van Dyke we will cross from British Waters to U.S. Waters. Before returning to Cruz Bay, St. John, we'll stop for lunch at Lovango Cay, Henley Cay, or one of St. John's beautiful north shore beaches. Once back in Cruz Bay, (usually between 2-4pm), we clear customs, unpack the kayaks, and head to our hotel for a shower before our final farewell dinner. B, L, D

January 31: You can leave anytime this morning. It takes a couple of hours to get back to St Thomas and the first ferry leaves at 7 am, so you probably shouldn't plan to fly out before 10 am and 11 am would be even safer. Of course you may want to stay around and continue your Caribbean adventure. Charlotte Amalie, the main town on St. Thomas, is a duty-free port and shopping opportunities abound.

E-mail: Travlgrrl@aol.com or Call 1-800-842-4753.

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