Caribbean Tall Ship Sailing around the British Virgin Islands

YOUR SAILING AREA

Tortola, BVI

The colourful capital of Road Town is the hub of island city life on Tortola and a great place to join tall ship Florette. She’ll likely be the oldest boat anchored in the horse-shoe shaped harbour so will make an easy spot from the shore!

All voyages for Florette

Florette

Guest berths: 28 Rig: Brigantine

Florette is the last active, originally built brigantine in the Mediterranean and one of the last wooden windjammers that are still actively sailing. After nearly 50 years operating as a cargo ship and a world war, she was discovered by the Haynes family at the end of the 70s, lovingly restored to a charter vessel and returned to her original condition. She still remains in the same family, sailing and exploring the Mediterranean to this day.

Over the past 45 years, Family Haynes has been faithfully restoring and maintaining her charm with her traditional rigging and still set all her sails by hand.  As she was built to carry over 200t of marble deep sea, her construction is twice as strong as compared to a normal ship of her size. She is constructed with double oaked frames and up to 13 meters long, 14 cm thick ironwood planks (azobe). Her topsides are built in the finest mahogany. She was originally launched in winter of 1921 in Italy as a pure wooden sailing ship with no engine to serve as a cargo ship. She still runs cargo trips across the Atlantic today.

She has been equipped with the latest safety standards in accordance with EU guidelines for historic charter and sailing school ships and approved for deep-sea navigation.

Florette maintains a full ocean classification for historical sail training and charter vessel. She actively sails 6-7 months in the Mediterranean and spent last winter crossing the Atlantic and sailing in the Caribbean.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

• HALF BOARD – All breakfast (includes tea and coffee), six meals (combination of lunch or dinner)
• Use of all facilities on board including snorkelling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, board games
• All bedding (pillow, duvet, bedding)
• All tender trips during the voyage, to and fro the boat
• Full crew, plus tuition

What’s not included

BOARD CASH (in EUROS OR USD) 

• (€20 per person, per trip for water maker (unlimited water)
• €14 per person, per day for waste charge)
  
• 6-7 meals ashore (at guests expense)
• Tea/Coffee/Alcohol (cash honesty bar)
• Wash or swim towels
• Use of sleeping bags for sleeping on deck (only if you want!)
• Any local taxes including departure and landing tax – estimated to be between €100-200 per person . If there are places guests want to go that have a landing tax, the cost will be split between those that want to go and added to your honesty tab.
• Domestic flights
• Insurance
• Crew and tour leader tips

EXTRAS?

Florette and her crew can organise extra activities for guests including things like wine tasting, BBQ evenings and pizza making nights. None of these are mandatory and will depend on the feeling of the group but once agreed, will be planned, costed and split between the guests. Florette runs a very fair ship and is transparent with any extra costs. All guests are responsible for recording their own usage/extras in their honesty tab which is payable in EUROS/USD at the end of the trip. 

Please note

We do require 12 guests to run this voyage, which we know is achievable for this boat given the leas time and good following she has. However, the boat reserve the right to cancel the trip up to 60 days before departure if this minimum number is not reached. For the payment, we ask for a 25% deposit now and no full balance payment until the 60 day date once the voyage has been confirmed. If the trip does not go ahead, your deposit will be refunded in, but we can not be liable for the cost of your flights. 

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12miles offshore.

FAQ

• Are all meals included?

  Not all meals are included. Breakfast is provided everyday and 6 meals are included in the price, which will be lunch or dinner depending on the itinerary. Lunch can be eaten ashore or extra meals may be offered but there will be an extra charge.

• Are there any added extra's?

  Soft drinks & alcohol may be purchased onboard.

• Are drinks included?

  Tea/Coffee is included at breakfast. All other drinks/alcohol can be purchased onboard with an honesty bar.

• Can you cater for dietary needs?

  Yes, please ask at the time of booking.

• Are there any water toys?

  Yes, Florette carries Kayaks and SUP's for guests use - a buoyancy jacket must be worn.

• What language is spoken onboard?

  German/English

• What are the sleeping arrangements?

  5x family cabins (double+single), 2x double cabins, 4x twin bunk cabins, 4x hammock bunks

• How many toilet/showers does she have?

  4 toilets with 3 showers & 1 deck shower

• Is there WIFI?

  No, but you should easily be able to reach 3G/4G from the shore.

• Can I charge my phone/Camera?

  Yes, please bring european adaptors

• Are there life jackets provided?

  Yes

• Are Waterproofs provided?

  No

• Do I need sailing experience?

  No, absolutely not! Just a lust for adventure.

• Will I be sea sick?

  Everyone reacts differently but we recommend if you are at all worried to take some medication 24 hours before departure.

• Is bedding included?

  All bedding is but towels are not. If you would like to sleep under the stars on deck, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Travel Planning

From: Road Town, Tortola

To: Road Town, Tortola

To see where the ports are, along with your likely sailing area, please view the sail area & highlights.

Getting There

By Air

Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) takes just a 2 minute taxi ride to Trellis Bay, and a 15 minute taxi ride to Road Town, the latter costing about £40 (2022 price).

Flights go to Terrance B. Lettsome Airport from London Gatwick. OR fly to Amsterdam or Paris via St Martin.