Jost Van Dyke
The Sea Cloud II spent the entire day among the Virgin Islands, an archipelago consisting of about 90 islands and islets. Today, some of the islands belong to the United Kingdom and some belong to the United States. The way in which this ownership came about is an interesting story… In 1666, the British took control of the eastern islands in the group and today the British Virgin Islands remain part of the British West Indies as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The British islands include Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and about 30 islets, and they have a total population of about 17,000 people. That same year, 1666, Denmark occupied Saint Thomas and 18 years later occupied Saint John. The Danes later acquired Saint Croix from the French in 1733. In 1917, because of the islands' strategic position in relation to the Panama Canal, the United States bought Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas from Denmark. These three American islands, along with about 50 islets have a total population of slightly more than 100,000 people.
Our adventure started early this morning, when we entered into the eastern end of the famous Sir Francis Drake Passage, a natural waterway that divides the Virgin Islands into two distinct groups. We enjoyed wonderful sailing conditions, with the brisk Northeast Trades at our back. All the while, we enjoyed the wonderful scenic views of islands, towns, and other sail boats (many of which swung close by to take photos of our 19th century-styled square-rigged bark under sail).
We sailed out of the western end of the Sir Francis Drake Passage in the late morning and then furled the sails in order to motor northwards a short distance to the island of Jost Van Dyke. This island is named after a 17th Century Dutch freebooter who used the island as an occasional base of operations. Nevertheless, the island has had a rather quiet and undistinguished history. It is an arid, brush-covered island with three distinct hills, the highest being 1,070 feet (325 m) elevation. It was obvious that the island undergoes long dry spells during the year, because we could observe lots of cacti, agaves, succulent plants, and a low scrubby forest.
By lunchtime, we were anchored in a protected beautiful natural harbor on the southern side known as White Bay. Being a holiday week, it was not surprising to find other yachts anchored in the bay, and the half dozen bars at the western end of the long white sand beach were doing excellent business. We have a long-standing relationship with Gertrude’s Bar here and organized piña coladas, rum punches, and ‘painkillers’ for everyone. In addition, we organized a long hike, a nature walk, and some very interesting snorkeling. The snorkeling was a highlight for most, because we encountered vast schools of silversides. These small fish are delicacies to sea birds, and we had great fun watching brown pelicans dive on them (see photos).
The Sea Cloud II spent the entire day among the Virgin Islands, an archipelago consisting of about 90 islands and islets. Today, some of the islands belong to the United Kingdom and some belong to the United States. The way in which this ownership came about is an interesting story… In 1666, the British took control of the eastern islands in the group and today the British Virgin Islands remain part of the British West Indies as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The British islands include Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and about 30 islets, and they have a total population of about 17,000 people. That same year, 1666, Denmark occupied Saint Thomas and 18 years later occupied Saint John. The Danes later acquired Saint Croix from the French in 1733. In 1917, because of the islands' strategic position in relation to the Panama Canal, the United States bought Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas from Denmark. These three American islands, along with about 50 islets have a total population of slightly more than 100,000 people.
Our adventure started early this morning, when we entered into the eastern end of the famous Sir Francis Drake Passage, a natural waterway that divides the Virgin Islands into two distinct groups. We enjoyed wonderful sailing conditions, with the brisk Northeast Trades at our back. All the while, we enjoyed the wonderful scenic views of islands, towns, and other sail boats (many of which swung close by to take photos of our 19th century-styled square-rigged bark under sail).
We sailed out of the western end of the Sir Francis Drake Passage in the late morning and then furled the sails in order to motor northwards a short distance to the island of Jost Van Dyke. This island is named after a 17th Century Dutch freebooter who used the island as an occasional base of operations. Nevertheless, the island has had a rather quiet and undistinguished history. It is an arid, brush-covered island with three distinct hills, the highest being 1,070 feet (325 m) elevation. It was obvious that the island undergoes long dry spells during the year, because we could observe lots of cacti, agaves, succulent plants, and a low scrubby forest.
By lunchtime, we were anchored in a protected beautiful natural harbor on the southern side known as White Bay. Being a holiday week, it was not surprising to find other yachts anchored in the bay, and the half dozen bars at the western end of the long white sand beach were doing excellent business. We have a long-standing relationship with Gertrude’s Bar here and organized piña coladas, rum punches, and ‘painkillers’ for everyone. In addition, we organized a long hike, a nature walk, and some very interesting snorkeling. The snorkeling was a highlight for most, because we encountered vast schools of silversides. These small fish are delicacies to sea birds, and we had great fun watching brown pelicans dive on them (see photos).
