After the Storm: Life (and Yachts) Return to the VI’s

“Irmageddon,” it simply read. The play on words was certainly not lost on the local graffiti artist who’d scrawled such a message on a Road Town wall in the wake of Hurricane Irma, the fiercest storm to ever hit the Virgin Islands.  

Talk to anyone who witnessed her wrath, and he/she is sure to tell you of the destruction, that it seemed like the end of the world had come, bringing with it 200 mph winds that left a trail of chaos across the ravaged VI landscape.

But just several months on, life is returning to normal yet again, with resorts and beach clubs reopening, yachts returning, and more importantly, the community rebounding. Still, as soon as the howling wind died down and Irma continued plowing toward Key West, the stunning turquoise waters and white-sand beaches were adding a bit of insult to the injury of it all. The devastation was everywhere.

But that’s not what remains here. Rather, it’s the pristine beauty, that essence of the VI’s that cannot be destroyed, making it oddly prepared for yachting’s return to the islands. The lush green that epitomizes this place is getting its color back, clambering over hurricane-bare hills with its tropical enthusiasm. In fact, in several popular spots around, you’d be hard-pressed to tell that a storm with such an impact hit less than a year ago.

Over on White Bay, Soggy Dollar Bar opened back up quickly, meaning Foxy is still singing his favorite songs. Scrub Island has been welcoming yachts for a spell and Anegada Beach Club is serving up lobster once again at its nifty shoreline shacks. The BVI Spring Regatta even had a celebratory return at the end of March while a rising tide of resorts and restaurants have been reopening week after week.

The VI’s are indeed back in business, meaning now is the time to charter a yacht to the area. In that sense, perhaps even hurricane clouds have a silver lining, meaning chartering a yacht in the VI’s post-hurricane is your chance to experience the islands as they were a quarter of a century ago – before the crowds. Visitors have said that the Virgin Gorda Baths are without their queues, the anchorages are more secluded, and that the diving at the Indians is more peaceful than it’s been in decades.

That’s offering the VI’s a peculiar kind of magic at present: a sense that it’s yours to discover. It’s always been an ideal place for a yacht charter, but after the hurricanes, there’s a new dimension to cruising here, as locals and tourists band together to be part of the recovery. The positivity of the people is outstanding, as well as life-affirming. And by chartering a yacht in the VIs, you’re part of it. With every meal or drink you order, every massage you indulge in, every lobster you buy from a passing fisherman — your presence here on holiday says to the locals, “We’re coming back. The tourists are coming back. The yachts are coming back. Life begins again, and we support you!”

And all the while, you’ll probably be enjoying one heck of an adventure. This is not about hardship, or engaging in some sort of “disaster tourism.” No, a VI yacht charter has been and still is yachting bliss that currently offers additional benefits in the way of helping the islands recover from tragedy.

Now it might not be exactly like your last trip to the VI’s. But perhaps it will be more memorable, more meaningful, and not despite all the changes, but because of them!