Sea Turtles and Other Changes in the BVI's

We made it back to the BVI's from St. Martin on February 4, 2020.  This is the first time we've been to the BVI's in over ten years.  It was interesting to see the changes since then and we were especially anxious to see the recovery from Hurricane Irma in September, 2017.  We were very sad to see that there is very little progress at the Bitter End Yacht Club.  Although we had heard a restaurant was open, nothing is open and the day we went to that end of Gorda Sound, there was very little construction activity; however, they were going strong on the reconstruction at Saba Rock.  The Sand  Box, the beach bar on Prickly Pear, was rebuilt and all the beach tables and chairs were out, but it was not open.  We couldn't figure out why they weren't open since it sure appeared that everything was ready.  Leverick Bay seems pretty much back to normal, but it was strange how quiet it was.  In Trellis Bay, the grocery store, Aragorn Studio, and a couple restaurant/bars are open and construction on De Loose Mongoose was under way.  Bellamy Cay remains in ruins.  We also visited Cooper Island Beach Club, Norman Island, Cane Garden Bay and Jost Van Dyke.  All locations are pretty well recovered from the hurricane.
Other changes we noted were the percentage of catamarans has increased and they are VERY LARGE!  There are also many more motor-cats than there used to be and most of the anchorages are completely filled with mooring balls with very little room remaining for anchoring.  In some places, there are BoatyBalls that you can reserve for one night starting at 7 am on the day you want to pick up the ball.  We found that you have to be logged onto BoatyBall.com and ready to "claim your ball" right at 7 because they go fast!  One a positive note, we saw lots of sea turtles in every anchorage and some of the turtles are very large.  All of the nature things that we love about the BVI's - the beautiful water, the beaches, the green hills and snorkeling, are just as we remember!

Look closely and you will see the beach and boats at Anegada!

Bellamy Cay in Trellis Bay