The British Virgin Islands are made up of more than 50 islands that stretch throughout the Caribbean as a mosaic of sun-soaked harbors, turquoise waters, and powdery white-sand beaches. Enjoy warm water, steady trade winds, and the freedom to explore.
Let each day take you where it will, whether it be snorkeling with sea turtles along the shores or discovering a hidden restaurant tucked into the rolling hills with panoramic sea views. Each of the island’s vibes offers a laid-back ambiance that can’t be replicated. Once you get a taste of the island life, you won’t want to leave.
A British Virgin Island sailing charter is an excellent choice for a first time British Virgin Island vacation unless you want longer sails or fewer people. The climate throughout the Caribbean is hard to beat, with a minimum temperature of 70F even at night and a winter high of around 82F. In the summer this rises only slightly but feels warmer as the wind is generally lighter. The trade winds average 20 – 25 knots in winter throughout the Caribbean, but the outside islands protect this cruising ground from the Atlantic swells, providing great sailing and comfortable power boating.
British Virgin Islands 7 Day Charter Sample Itinerary
Location 1: Cooper Island
Cooper Island, British Virgin Islands
Location 2: Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Location 3: Anegada
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
Location 4: Trellis Bay
Trellis Bay, British Virgin Islands
Location 5: Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
Great Harbour, British Virgin Islands
Location 6: Norman Island
Norman Island, British Virgin Islands
Location 7: Tortola
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Enjoy the freedom of a bareboat charter vacation in the BVI. You’ll start your sailing vacation in Tortola and head for the azure waters of the Caribbean. From here you have complete freedom to stop at any of the thousands of white sand beaches, laid-back bars or island restaurants, swim with hawksbill turtles or explore shipwrecks.
With easy island hops, line-of-sight navigation and sheltered anchorages, bareboat charter vacations in the BVI are perfect whether you’re a new sailor or a skilled skipper. There’s no better way to explore the delights of the BVI than from the deck of your own sail boat.
Trade winds, treasure islands
Reliable trade winds, easy line-of-sight sailing, and beautiful sun-warmed scenery make our BVI charter itinerary one of the world’s best Caribbean sailing experiences.
Embark on a bareboat or skippered sailing vacation and discover the splendid variety of the British Virgin Islands, where you’ll swim with turtles above vibrant reefs, lounge on unspoiled white sand beaches and kick back in friendly waterside bars.
Day 1
Cooper Island
Cooper Island, a short sail or motor from the main island of Tortola, is a beautiful island with a protected anchorage at Manchioneel Bay, with plenty of activities to offer. On shore, the Cooper Island Beach Club is the main attraction – a small resort with restaurant, rum bar, coffee shop, boutique, and lovely outdoor lounge area. The beach bar and lounge face west, making this the perfect place for enjoying a cocktail while watching a stunning Caribbean sunset.
The beach and calm waters make Manchioneel Bay well-suited for water sports, and nearby Cistern Point offers excellent snorkeling and turtle watching.
Day 2
Virgin Gorda
From Cooper island, head Northeast to the island of Virgin Gorda. Spend the morning at the iconic Baths at the southern tip of the island, exploring the large boulders, water caves and swimming and snorkeling at Devil’s Bay beach. Have a picnic lunch among the natural landscape or venture to the Top of the Baths restaurant for amazing views and killer cocktails.
From the Baths, sail along Virgin Gorda to North Sound where there are several anchorage options and inlets with restaurants, gift shops and transient dockage. Bitter End, Saba Rock and Leverick Bay Resort to name a few.
For an excellent gourmet restaurant experience, check out Coco Maya on the beach near Spanish town. From Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour (on the way to North Sound), Coco Maya is a 10 minute walk or 3 minute taxi ride. Or take an Island Tour taxi from North Sound to see more of the island.
If you are interested in a luxury resort spa experience, Oil Nut Bay Resort (east of Saba Rock in Eustasia Sound) offers a day pass for visiting charterers that provides access to their Beach Club facilities.
Day 3
Anegada
Set sail early morning and head 15 miles north (2-3 hour sail in the open ocean) to the flat coral atoll of Anegada. A nature lover’s paradise, Anegada is known for iguanas, pink flamingos, salt ponds, conch shells, white sandy beaches, abundant underwater marine life and fresh lobster.
Take a taxi or rent a car or scooters and explore the island, stopping for lunch at Loblolly Bay, Cow Wreck Beach or Anegada Beach Club, all of which are also great spots to chill on the beach and take a dip or snorkel in the warm, blue ocean.
If you want to enjoy Anegada fresh lobster for dinner, be sure to make reservations at one of the many restaurants onshore around the anchorage when you arrive.
Day 4
Trellis Bay
Head out early back towards the BVI mainland. The Dog Islands offer incredible snorkeling and are a great spot to stop for lunch on board.
After lunch, sail a little further to Trellis Bay on the east end of Tortola on Beef Island. A quaint and distinctly local vibe, Trellis Bay includes The Trellis Bay Market for basic provisions, breakfast and lunch along with the recently renovated Loose Mongoose beach bar and restaurant.
Also along the beach at Trellis is Aragorns Studio, an artisan’s market where you can shop for local art items and other gifts. Aragorn also operates Good Moon Farm offering locally grown and sourced food items you can order and have delivered directly to your yacht.
If you’re visiting during a full moon, Trellis Bay is where you’ll find the infamous Full Moon parties on the beach featuring fire balls on the water and live entertainment.
If you’re looking for something more tranquil Marina Cay, Scrub Island Resort and Guana Island are all just across the channel from Trellis Bay.
Day 5
Jost Van Dyke
Make your way west to the island of Jost Van Dyke. Stop at Sandy Spit for a quick snorkel around the tiny island and then head over to Diamond Cay and and swim with the sea turtles or take a hike to the Bubbly Pool and have an island cocktail at Foxy’s Taboo on the way back.
For more active anchorages, motor around the corner to Great Harbour, home of the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant or a bit further to White Bay for an infamous Soggy Dollar Painkiller cocktail and many dinner options lined along the beach.
Day 6
Norman Island
Sail around the west end of Tortola and along the southern tip to cross the channel over to The Bight anchorage at Norman Island. Said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s well-known book, ‘Treasure Island”, many visitors enjoy exploring the caves searching for hidden prate booty and snorkeling at The Indians, a small archipelago of rock formations.
The Bight is home to the famous “Willy T” floating bar as well Pirates Bight restaurant on the beach. There are also some great hiking trails on the island with incredible views to the south.
Day 7
Tortola
From Norman Island it’s an easy motor or sail back to Tortola for your disembarkation.
Get in a quick snorkel at the “Wreck of the Rhone” or explore the coves and bays of Peter Island.
From Cooper island, head Northeast to the island of Virgin Gorda. Spend the morning at the iconic Baths at the southern tip of the island, exploring the large boulders, water caves and swimming and snorkeling at Devil’s Bay beach. Have a picnic lunch among the natural landscape or venture to the Top of the Baths restaurant for amazing views and killer cocktails.
Set sail early morning and head 15 miles north (2-3 hour sail in the open ocean) to the flat coral atoll of Anegada. A nature lover’s paradise, Anegada is known for iguanas, pink flamingos, salt ponds, conch shells, white sandy beaches, abundant underwater marine life and fresh lobster.
Head out early back towards the BVI mainland. The Dog Islands offer incredible snorkeling and are a great spot to stop for lunch on board.
Make your way west to the island of Jost Van Dyke. Stop at Sandy Spit for a quick snorkel around the tiny island and then head over to Diamond Cay and and swim with the sea turtles or take a hike to the Bubbly Pool and have an island cocktail at Foxy’s Taboo on the way back.
Sail around the west end of Tortola and along the southern tip to cross the channel over to The Bight anchorage at Norman Island. Said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s well-known book, ‘Treasure Island”, many visitors enjoy exploring the caves searching for hidden prate booty and snorkeling at The Indians, a small archipelago of rock formations.
From Norman Island it’s an easy motor or sail back to Tortola for your disembarkation.