Cruising Guides
These are the essential cruising guides to the BVI & USVI. Virtually no one cruises without these books. They'll prove immensely useful, in fact, necessary, in charting your courses and planning your anchorages. The main guide includes a decent 27" x 18" nautical chart (2-sided). Because there is lots of good ashore info too, many land vacationers love having this guide.

"Virgin Anchorages"
by Nancy & Simon Scott
ISBN 0-944428-50-9

This is a wonderful companion to the 2009-11 cruising guide to the left, with its terrific aerial photographs of many of the anchorages you're likely to frequent. Chart your courses with confidence. Both books are inexpensive and great volumes to have as "keepsakes", after the trip, as well.

Our Special price $17.95
(suggested retail $24.95)

0944428509

Soon come, mon...

In late 2010, there were suposed to be new versions of the Windward Anchorages and Leeward Anchorages, modeled after the Virgin Anchorages to the left (which will also hopefully update).
The eta has been changed several times, so I wouldn't hold your breath, but these will be absolutely fantastic companions to their respective (updated) Cruising Guides shown below. We will be one of the first resellers to have them, and most likely the only one to be selling at a deep discount. The Virgin Anchorages to the left is still the current edition that is shipping - a great partner to the Cruising Guide.
My best guess is spring of 2011. Stay tuned.

"Windward Anchorages"
Our Special price $19.95
(suggested retail $29.95)

"Leeward Anchorages"
Our Special price $19.95
(suggested retail $29.95)

 

"The British Virgin Islands" is a stunning photographic portrait by the accomplished photographer, Steve Simonsen, published by 34 Main Street Publishers.

New in 2009, this is the quintessential photographic essay on the BVI. The anchorages, the sailboats, the beaches, the towns, the people, with all of their natural beauty, are artistically presented in this beautiful, 128 page "coffee table" book. This is a truly beautiful keepsake, as well as great gift for your BVI-loving friends.

This volume is the only one of its kind, in print. I know of no other photo books dedicated to the BVI. Although a couple retailers in the US sell this book, 99% of the copies are sold in stores in the BVI (for a the full $39.95 list price).

"The British Virgin Islands"
Photography by: Steve Simonsen
(Hardcover)

Our special low price - $29.95
(suggested retail $39.95)

The book will ship alone for $4.95 via US Priority Mail, but can be combined with other items.

2009-10 Sailor's Guide to the Windward Islands
ISBN 978-0-944428-85-6
Our special low price is $21.95
(suggested retail $29.95)

9780944428856

** This includes St. Vincent and the Grenadines

"The Drinking (and eating) Man’s Guide To The BVI"
3rd edition
by: Julian Putley

Well... how do I describe it? It's all about having a great time with food and drink throughout the BVI. It's full of recipes, limericks, cartoons, and humorous anecdotes, as well as being a great guide to wonderful restaurants and watering holes. This third edition has $200+ worth of freebees that will pay for the cost many times over, so you absolutely can't lose. 2-4 "refreshment stops" will cover the cost of the book. I know charter groups where every one of the crew all get a copy, just to use the coupons. This book is incredibly popular, even to moderate drinkers. Written by Julian Putley, a local BVI author, and a great guy.

Special price - $13.95 (suggested retail $14.95)

Franko's Maps has produced this one-of-a-kind map showing every notable scuba and snorkeling site in the BVI. This is not just for the diver - it's a must for any BVI visitor, especially for the price. It includes main boating routes, land features, dive shops, 100+ fish and coral ID pictures, anchorages, and much more.

The BVI Dive Association, and numerous other experts and locals, helped edit Franko’s Map to make it the most accurate and useful resource of its kind.

This 26" x 18" map is foldable, and printed on waterproof, rip-proof, plasticized paper, for durable use on your BVI adventure.

Special price - $6.95
(suggested retail $10.00)

If ordered alone, the map will ship for $1.00. With a book order, there's no extra shipping.

2010 BVI Calendars
~~~ Sold Out for 2010 ~~~

BVI OVAL auto sticker

This "Euro" auto sticker is a high quality, thermal resin imprint decal on waterproof vinyl, which is scratch resistant - UV stable. (4 x 6" peel back).

$4.00 ea.($3.50 ea. for 3 or more)

"Corals & Fishes Pocket Guide"
by Idaz & Jerry Greenberg
ISBN 091300829X

This is the fully waterproof edition. It measures 4.5 x 6 inches, and contains 64 pages packed with great pictures and information. I personally think that this book is an essential companion to any BVI snorkeler. It's big enough to read very easily, but small enough to stick in your pocket and take with you. Its waterproof paper makes it safe to leave it lying around the boat, or taking to the beach. Take it ashore and look at it with your kids and friends to talk over lunch about what you just saw on your last dive.

Special price $8.95

If ordered alone, the cards will ship for $1.00.

~~ not to scale ~~

"Laminated Fishcard "
from Seahawk Press

This is NOT a book. It's a waterproof, laminated fish ID card. This is popular two-sided guide shows 75 species of the most beautiful and commonly seen fishes of the Tropical Atlantic, arranged by family. This is totally waterproof. In fact, you can take it into the water, and carry it ashore. 9 1/2" X 6 1/4"

Special price $5.95

(pocket size: "4 1//2 x 6 1/4" - $3.95)

If ordered alone, the cards will ship for $1.00. With a book order, there's no extra shipping.

click to enlarge

"Franko's Fishcard & Divers Guide"

This is an alternative laminated fish ID card. This two-sided, waterproof card is 9" X 6". The map surely doesn't take the place of Franko's diving map at the top of this page, but it's a handy, rugged item and tool, and a great keepsake that makes a gift to crew members.

Special price $5.95

If ordered alone, the cards will ship for $1.00. With a book order, there's no extra shipping.

FishFlips

This one of the handiest fish ID products around. The 2” by 3” books have 40 pages (80 photos) which are bound with cable ties (easy to replace if one ever broke) to a colorful coil strap which fits anyone’s wrist. The books are printed on a great new plastic paper so they can be worn right into the water where the fish are.

A fantastic gift idea for family and crew...

Special price $12.50
(suggested retail $14.00)

Click to see guide unfolded (one side)
$5.95

"Caribbean Birds" (A Pocket Traveller Guide) This reference guide is a wonderful resource for beginners and experts alike. It illustrates and describes nearly 150 birds for clear identification, including water birds, near shore birds, parrots, perching birds, birds of prey, and more.

This 8 1/2" high guide unfolds to 22", and conveniently back to 4" wide, for easy pocket storage. It is heavily laminated for durability and protection against the elements.

At $5.95, it should be part of every island visitor's collection.

Click to enlarge
$9.95
($11.95 list price)

The "St. John Virgin Islands National Park Trail Map" is the most comprehensive recreational and topographical map for Virgin Islands National Park. It shows all of the hiking trails and coral reefs on St. John, complete with full descriptions and directions.

One of the primary reasons BVI sailors go to St. John is to walk the absolutely beautiful trails on this beautiful island.

4 1/4" x 9 1/4" folded ---- 25 1/2" x 37 3/4" fully opened
-- heavily coated to be waterproof & tear resistant --

$5.95

"The Southern Night Sky"
(A Pocket Traveller Guide)

This chart to prominent stars and southern constellations bewteen lattitudes of 15 and 25 degrees, for both the winter and summer skies. This glows in the dark, so finding the Southern Cross "for the first time," shouldn't be to hard.

This 8 1/2" high guide unfolds to 22", and conveniently back to 4" wide, for easy pocket storage. It is heavily laminated for durability and protection against the elements.

"Weather" (A Pocket Traveller Guide
A beginners primer to weather - clouds, storms, weather patterns, and more. Same durable construction as bird and star guides to the left.

This 8 1/2" high guide unfolds to 22", and conveniently back to 4" wide, for easy pocket storage. It is heavily laminated for durability and protection against the elements.

 

 

 

• US & British Virgin Islands
• Bahamas

Bahamas
Borch Map


Click to see guide unfolded (one side)
$8.95
($10.95 list price)
opens up to 39" x 19.5"

"British Virgin Islands - Sheltered Isles of Sea and Sun"
by: Claudia Colli
ISBN 1405028629

This book, printed in a coated, water resistant paper, covers a little bit on everything. It's a lively and informative guide, replete with many color photographs, which takes a look at the islands' history, culture, geography, flora and fauna, and its people. It explains how visitors can enjoy many leisure activities such as sailing, diving and hiking - from national parks to beaches, from wildlife to arts and crafts, the visitor will find all the information needed to make the most of a trip to the BVI. Claudia Colli is a well-known British Virgin Islands writer, and editor of the BVI Welcome Tourist Guide.

Our price is $13.95 (suggested retail $16.95)

"The Chesapeake Bay Ports of Call and Anchorages"
by: Thomas A. Henschel

More than 40 ports of call and anchorages are depicted in full page, crystal clear, color aerial photos in this essential companion to your preferred Chesapeake cruising guide. This resource graphically depicts recommended anchorages, navigational information, landmarks, entrance and exit routes, restaurants, attractions, and marinas. It is so beautiful, that it truly makes a great coffee table keepsake of one of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the country.

Why do I have a Chesapeake cruising resource here? Because it's an area every sailor should experience!

Special price - $24.95 (suggested retail $29.95)

Flag-related products

stick flags * patches * lapel pins

stickers * large flags * Yacht ensigns * Jolly Roger pirate flags

I am usually not a huge Fodor's fan, but I do recommend this reference as a good general resource for under $12.00, especially for BVI first-timers. It includes the USVI, so if you're planning to be on St. John or St. Thomas, this might be a good choice. In 240 pages, it provides all the basics, as well as some helpful maps.

(Not for sale on my site. Click here to find it on Amazon.)