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The British Virgin Islands is a sailor's paradise!
Whether you're a beginner sailor or a long-time
seasoned sailor, the British Virgin Islands is the
ideal destination for a bareboat charter. The
consistent year-round conditions create a perfect
Caribbean yacht charter: trade-winds, warm weather and
warm water! The short distances between the
islands make for relaxing, line-of-sight
sailing. There are plenty of excellent
snorkeling and diving sites, local restaurants and fun
beach bars, and provisions and supplies stores
ashore. The BVI is a sailor's paradise!
Day 1/Night 1: The fun begins! Depart Roadtown, Tortola
for
The Bight, Norman Island – 8 nautical miles
You can stop at the entrance of Normal Island to
snorkel the Caves. The sea life isn’t very vibrant,
but it is exciting to snorkeling into some of the
caves, which are quite shallow. Pick up a mooring
buoy in The Bight. The William Thornton, locally
known as Willie T is the floating pirate
ship/restaurant you can’t miss. The atmosphere is
fun and the food is fast. Ashore is the Pirates Pub
bar & grill where you'll usually hear fun, live
music. Beware of the barreled pirate rum!
Day 2/Night 2:
Depart The Bight, Norman Island for the Indians –
less than 1 nautical mile
Pick up a mooring buoy. The Indians is primarily a
snorkel and dive spot. The rocks are dark colored
as they protrude above the waterline, but under the
waterline is a completely different view! The reef
is like a wall of colorful coral, sea fans and
tropical fish. Most of the water is 30-40 feet, but
the sea life extends all the way to the surface.
Depart the Indians for Cooper Island – 7 nautical
miles
Pick up a mooring buoy for your overnight stay.
Cooper Island has a white, palm fringed beach for
exploring and a restaurant ashore for dining. The
scenery is quite unique from the other islands as it
is more open, yet very well protected. At night you
can see across the Sir Francis Drake Channel and
sometimes can catch a glimpse of a 200’+ schooner
with lighted sails passing by. This is a great area
for the kids to a little fun on the dinghy. And,
one of the best features it the sunset! It is
absolutely marvelous…colors like you have never
seen!
Day 3/Night 3: Depart Cooper Island for Salt Island –
less than 2 nautical miles
Pick up a mooring buoy. Salt Island is the
well-known location of the Wreck of the RMS Rhone.
This is a great location for the divers in your
group to take their first dive. You can rent dive
equipment to take onboard or you can set up a
rendezvous in advance. Contact Sail Caribbean
Divers:
www.sailcaribbeandivers.com. The snorkelers in
your group can snorkel over and even touch the very
beginning of the wreck. Salt Island is also
great for exploring. Ashore are three salt ponds
which belong to the British Crown, but are operated
by the local people. You can purchase harvested
salt, explore the shore to find several shells, sea
glass and various types of rocks.
Depart Salt Island for Trellis Bay – 7 to 8 nautical
miles
Pick up a mooring buoy for your overnight stay.
Trellis Bay is famous for full moon parties, which
bring a great party with live music, mocho jumbee
stilt dancers, fire jugglers, a delicious BBQ and
amazing fireballs! Apart from the monthly full moon
parties, Trellis Bay is also a very vibrant bay
decorated with tons of local art created by Aragorn
who owns the art studio in Trellis Bay. The fresh
baked bread loaves are delicious!
Day
4/Night
4: Depart Trellis Bay for
The Baths – 6 nautical miles
Leave early so you can secure a prime mooring buoy
at the Baths! The Baths are incredible with huge
boulders (house sized) literally piled on top of
each other. There are several paths through the
boulders that lead from one great beach to the
next. There is a restaurant at the top at the Baths
for an enjoyable lunch with an awesome view, and a
pool. The hi-light of the baths is definitely the
rock climbing/exploring (there are ladders,
platforms and ropes to assist), but the snorkeling
is also awesome. You can easily spend all day here!
Depart The Baths for Gorda Sound – 8 to 9 nautical
miles
You should depart from the Baths by early afternoon
to pick up an overnight mooring ball in Gorda
Sound. There are several places to go ashore and
explore. Eating at Saba Rock is not recommended,
but you should definitely visit Saba Rock where you
can walk around the back side of the island in the
Saba Rock Gardens - the landscaping is beautiful and
surrounded completely with conch shells. There are
hammocks to relax in, a gift shop, a game room and
you’re sure to see huge tarpon at the dock after
sunset. The Bitter End is also great for night-time
fun.
Day 5/Night 5:
Depart Gorda Sound for the Dogs – 6 nautical miles
Pick up a mooring buoy on the SE side of George
Dog. This is primarily a snorkel and dive stop.
The reef is huge, extremely colorful and lively.
This would be a great location for a dive.
Depart the Dogs for
Great Harbor – 13 nautical miles
Pick up a mooring buoy. Great Harbor is home of the
notorious Foxy’s. Very lively parties can be found
several times a year. When the big party isn’t
happening, Foxy often plays his guitar live
adlibbing songs as he goes – usually funny songs
about anyone in his presence. It’s a good time.
The BBQ dinner is very good. There is usually a
friendly, crab-chasing golden Labrador on the
beach. You can cool down with a delicious ice cream
at the shop just a short walk down the beach.
Day 6/Night 6: Depart Great Harbor for Sandy
Cay or Green Turtle Cay – less than 1 nautical mile
You’ll drop anchor at Sandy Cay or pick up a mooring
buoy at Green Turtle Cay. Both offer white sandy,
deserted islands with snorkeling, swimming and
exploring. This would be a great time for a picnic
lunch ashore!
Depart Sandy Cay or Green Cay for
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola – 6 nautical miles
Cane Garden Bay is completely beach ashore with
restaurants and water sports. Quito, a well-known
local singer is great for night-time fun (at times
isn’t too good for kids), but the best food is found
at Myett's Garden Inn and Grille (highly
recommended.) Callwoods rum distillery is also
located at Cane Garden if you would like to do some
exploring. There is some snorkeling, but Cane
Garden Bay is best for relaxing on the beach. If
you don’t rent any water toys for your yacht, this
is a great place to rent a kayak or a water bike.
You will recognize the infamous tire-swing ashore
whose picture is used in several Caribbean
magazines.
Day 7/Night 7: Depart Cane Garden Bay for Norman Island - 13 to
15 nautical miles
Reminisce the last week with your group and enjoy
one more night of total relaxation...on island time!
Visit Pirate's Pub again or give Willy T's a go!
Great night to use the last of your provisions on a
pot luck night!
Day 8:
to return your yacht to Roadtown
– 6 to 7 nautical miles
One last short adventure to return your yacht. Soak in the Caribbean sun
all the way!
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