"The Guide to Diving & Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands"
2nd edition ~ released Jan. 2010
written by: Jeff Williams
artwork by: Ria O'Hagen
ISBN 978-976-8204-44-B

This diving and snorkeling volume is the master guide to the underwater world of the BVI ! Jeff Williams has "lived" this world for decades, and has produced the ultimate reference.
EVERY BVI scuba diver should possess this book, which gives a thorough account, including maps, diagrams,and detailed directions, to safely & enjoyably explore 77 sites throughout the BVI. Because information like depth, currents, and other site features are clearly described in each briefing, scuba divers and snorkelers are clear about which areas of a given site are best for them. This is the real thing!

This book is easy reading, almost conversational in tone, at times -- yet, it's a very serious reference book. It's not riddled with pretty fish photos to fill space. It is jammed packed with important information, along with detailed site maps, at the turn of every page. (I sell useful fish & coral ID products below, for those who want them.)

Finally, I must commend the author for the construction of this book. It is sturdily, spiral bound for laying flat or folding on the cockpit table. The pages are heavily coated, thick paper stock for standing up to the rigors of travel.

Since snorkeling & diving are integral parts of cruising the BVI, this guide deserves its rightful place next to your cruising guides, maps, and charts.

 

Our special Introductory low price - $22.95 !!
(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)

Note: There is no usable, online version. This must be purchased, and viewed in hand, but for $6.95, it's an obvious bargain.

Franko's BVI Map
This is my best selling item !

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 $9.00)

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

** You can read a very detailed description on the publisher's website.

Cruising Guides for the BVI & USVI
These are the essential cruising guides to the BVI & USVI. Virtually no one cruises without these books and map. 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.

Completely revised and updated for 2011-2012 edition with full color sketch charts, these guides have been indispensable companions for sailors and visitors to these islands since 1982. Includes a FREE color 17" x 27" planning nautical chart, covering the British & US Virgin Islands from St. Thomas to Anegada. The enclosed chart, as well as the charts and photos have a new cleaner look. It's 70 pages bigger than last edition.

Our special low price is $22.95
(new suggested retail raised to $31.95)

"Virgin Anchorages"
by Nancy & Simon Scott
Cruising Guide Publications, Inc.
ISBN 0-944428-50-9

(still the current edition)

This is a wonderful companion to the cruising guide to the left, with its terrific aerial photographs of many of the anchorages you're likely to frequent in the British & US Virgin Islands. 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)

Add this map to the 2 guides to the left, and you have the perfect cruising bundle!

Franko's BVI Map
~ described in detail, above ~

click to enlarge
26" x 18" foldable , waterproof

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.

Our Special price $6.95
(suggested retail $9.00)

 

"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 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)

I don't do too much heavy recommending, but if you are going to spend more than a day on St. John, this book is an absolute must! Nearly 300 pages packed with information about: hiking trails, snorkeling sites, historical & topographical info, the people & culture, flora & fauna --- virtually everything. There are so many tourist books where 3/4 of the information is either obvious or not particularly useful. This resource is what every visitor's guide should be - Period ! No one is ever disappointed with this book.

Our Special price $15.95
(suggested retail $19.95)

 

 

This is a virtual guide book printed in map form, making it a truly remarkable reference. Included are: roads, extensive dive & snorkeling sites, anchorages, historical sites, hiking trails, natural formations, a fish guide, detailed town insets for Cruz Bay, Coral Bay, Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, and Frederiksted. The combination of this guide map and the book, "St. John - Off The Beaten Track" (shown to the left), provides a comprehensive resource for a stay on St. John, one of the true gems of the British & US Virgin Islands.

Special price - $6.95
(suggested retail $9.00)

"Corals & Fishes Pocket Guide"
for the Bahamas & the Caribbean
by Idaz & Jerry Greenberg
ISBN 091300829X

This is the fully waterproof edition. It measures 4.5 x 6" 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, this book will ship for $1.00.

~~ not to scale ~~
9 1/2" X 6 1/4"

"Laminated Fishcard"
from Seahawk Press
Special price $5.95

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"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Franko's 4" x 6" Small, 2 sided
Laminated Fish card
Truly pocket size - $3.95

click to enlarge

If ordered alone, large cards will ship for $1.00. With a book order, there's no extra shipping.
Pocket card shipping is FREE.

click to enlarge

"Franko's Virgin Islands Fishcard & Divers Guide"
Special price $5.95

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.

St. Martin version of 9 x 6 card
($5.95)

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

The Waterway Guide’s 2012 Bahamas edition is the indispensable cruising companion for boaters exploring the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Guide features nearly 500 pages of mile-by-mile navigation information, aerial photography with marked routes, marina listings and locater charts, anchorage information and Yellow Pages sections on what to do ashore. Helpful cruising data like GPS waypoints, detailed planning maps and distance tables helps get you there safely. Flexible spiral binding and heavy laminated covers with bookmarker flaps ensure durability and easy use in the cockpit and at the helm.

The 2012 Dodge Guide to Abaco, containing many updates, is 208 pages packed with 78 navigational charts, aerial photographs of all principal harbours, GPS waypoints, and virtually all necessary information for cruisers. The de facto standard for Abaco cruising.

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

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.

 

$5.95

"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 right.

............
$5.95 each

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

This is a chart to prominent stars and southern constellations (winter and summer skies) optimally viewed from between latitudes of 15 and 25 degrees south, but folks like to get this for the Caribbean since some southern constellations are visible, from the islands. This glows in the dark, so finding the Southern Cross "for the first time," shouldn't be too hard.

"The Night Sky"
(A Pocket Traveller Guide)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These two guides and the ones to the left measure 8 1/2" high, and unfold to 22", and conveniently back to 4" wide, for easy pocket storage. They are heavily laminated for durability and protection against the elements.

The 2012 BVI Calendar

~ limited quanties ~

by Dougal Thornton
Our price: $14.95
(suggested retail $15.95)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• 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"

This is a beautiful map of the Caribbean Sea region that displays the island chains and surrounding countries in such a way that is rarely seen on one map. Although this is folded, it flattens nicely to hang on the wall, or lay on a table top for viewing. For those of us who love the Caribbean, this is a great map for getting a perspective on the entire region. The back side is the same map, but with caption boxes of historical text for most countries and island chains. Although it is more of a novelty/gift item (not cruising map), it is made of a durable, waterproof, synthetic paper.

Special price - $5.95
(suggested retail $8.00)

BVI OVAL - auto sticker
(4" x 6" peel back)

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

Note: This "Euro" auto sticker is a high quality, thermal resin imprint decal on waterproof vinyl, which is scratch resistant - UV stable. .

"Chesapeake Bay Ports of Call & 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)
Limited quantity available

 

Payment Terms & Shipping Costs
personal check ** money order ** certified check ** PayPal ** (sorry no credit cards)

To order: It's simple. You can just email me your order (or questions) to monk@madriver.com, and I will reply with a confirmation, so that you are sure of the shipping date and total costs. Most orders will ship out immediately from Vermont. You can also just mail your order with a check to the address below. If you do, please include your email address, so I can let you know that I received your check, and that your order is shipping out. It's really best to email first - and I'll get your order right out!

You can pay via PayPal, but it must be a transfer from your checking account or existing PayPal funds - NOT credit card. Email me, if you'd like to use PayPal. It's easy - all that you need to give PayPal is my email address. Please let me know if you'd like to use PayPal, and I will include instructions, so as to avoid transaction fees.

This is a small and personal enterprise, so please feel comfortable about shooting me an email to set up an order. Most folks do, and are pleased with the quick response.

Frank Burkle
3193 Morgan Horse Farm Rd.
Weybridge, VT 05753
802-238-1616

Shipping Costs

All orders shipped US Mail (not UPS or Fedex). Please be sure to give me an address that takes Mail delivery.

Books (Media) shipping costs: $4.00 for one book by itself (only $3.45, if that book is the Drinking Man's Guide, or Claudia Colli's BVI book). $5.00 for 2 books. $7.00 for 3. $8.00 for 4 books, $9.95 for 5-6 books. There is no extra shipping charge for the Laminated Fishcard or a map, when it's purchased with a book order.

I keep the shipping as reasonable as possible, so just email me your desired order (and any questions), and I'll confirm your total cost, with shipping. Costs are a best estimate because some books are considerably heavier than others. Often, it's worth an extra buck or so to expedite with a Priority Flat rate, a more efficient & reliable postal service. I will always advise you of the best way to ship when I confirm your order. The costs quoted above are approximate, as some books are much heavier than others.

Sometimes, the shipping cost will actually be less than the above, if I can maximize what I squeeze into a flat rate Priority Mail package. Just email me, and I'll give you the scoop.

Oval BVI decal shipping: No charge.

Maps, Pocket Traveller Guides, laminated fishcards: $1.00 mailed alone - usually no shipping when mailed with a book order.

Flag-related-products: $2.00 any quantity, $.50 with any book order. If it's just one or two small items like a patch or lapel pin, that I can fit into an chubby envelope, just add $1.00.

Note: Since this is not a big money-making proposition, please make sure your check is good, your mailing address is clear, and I have your email address to confirm shipment. Feel free to confirm a mailed order/check with an email to me.

Confused? Just email me your order, and I'll let you know what the shipping cost will be. It's that simple.