While I’m still deep in the midst of Hazel’s summer re-fit and also dealing with a potential Coronavirus exposure, I thought you’d enjoy this blast from the past…
I spent March 18-24, 2020 anchored off the British Virgin Islands (BVI) island of Anegada. The map below shows just how far Anegada is separated from the other Virgin Islands (note how St. Croix, USVI is even further though). It’s interesting also that while the other Virgin Islands, both BVI and USVI are quite mountainous, Anegada is relatively flat and low-lying. The island gets it’s name from the Spanish term for flooded land, “tierra anegada”.
If you’re contemplating a crewed or bareboat cruise of the islands, you’ll find Anegada is a popular spot, and is often one of the last overnight stays on a circuit of the BVI. It’s famous for spiny lobster cooked on the grill and served on the beach.
When I arrived on March 18th, I was anticipating staying for a few nights but the combination of rapidly-unfolding pandemic and some unsettled weather kept me anchored there for a week. As I write-up this post from my desk at home in Pompano Beach, Florida and look out my window, I think wistfully to that week exploring the island.
Given it’s low-lying topography, it has wonderful, sparsely-inhabited beaches. I took the better part of a day to do a seven-mile beach hike documented below.
These next two photos are interesting because, if you look carefully, you’ll see the effect of the pandemic on the island’s economy. Both photos are of the primary anchorage at Anegada. I took the first soon after I arrived and there were 50-60 yachts in the anchorage. I took the next photo several days later after all the charter boats had cleared out with the advancing pandemic and weren’t replaced by other charter yachts coming in.
Note that these are spiny lobsters which differ from the classic Maine lobster (with the big claws)
