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.

 

BVI charter itinerary

8
Days

Highlights

  • Lobster dinner on Anegada
  • Rum punch in the sun
  • The Baths National Park
  • Explore the beach bars on Jost Van Dyke
  • Adventure and watersports in Virgin Gorda
  • Treasure hunting on Norman Island
Day 1

Wickhams Cay II to Spanish Town

The day's sailing

11
Nautical miles
3.5 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring
Spanish Town_Virgin Gorda

Leaving from our base at Wickhams Cay II, you’ll embark on the first leg of your Caribbean sailing adventure. Cruise east from Tortola toward Virgin Gorda, with the sun warming the deck beneath your feet. Your first stop on your exciting BVI charter itinerary: The Baths! This famous, awe-inspiring geological wonder is comprised of massive granite boulders that appear to tumble into the sea. Spend time exploring with a short hike to the restaurant and bar at the “Top of the Baths”, or discover the magical path leading through the boulders to Devil’s Bay. Later, a short sail northward takes you to Spanish Town where you can go ashore and enjoy shopping or a waterfront dinner.

Discover Spanish Town

Suggested lunch spots

Anchor in any of Mahoe, Pond or Savannah bays to enjoy a lunch break on the golden, sun-warmed sand.

Day 2

Spanish Town to Gorda Sound, Virgin Gorda

The day's sailing

9
Nautical miles
3 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring

From Spanish Town, you’ll trace a meandering path northwards towards Gorda Sound. Sail the length of majestic Virgin Gorda, passing broad Savannah Bay, before rounding the headland and entering Gorda Sound. A shallow, sheltered sound surrounded by reefs and islands, Gorda Sound is great for swimming and snorkeling as well as water sports such as paddle boarding, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Book a slip or pick up a mooring for an evening at Leverick Bay Resort, The Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock, or anchor west of Prickly Pear Island for a more secluded evening under the stars.

Discover Gorda Sound

Suggested lunch spots

To the east of Virgin Gorda, the Dog Islands—Great Dog, George Dog and West Dog—offer beaches, bays, cliffs and caves to explore on your lunch break.

Day 3

Gorda Sound to Anegada

The day's sailing

13
Nautical miles
5 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring

A little over 15 miles to the north of Gorda Sound, the island of Anegada awaits your arrival. Enjoy a prolonged spell of blue water sailing as you leave Virgin Gorda in your wake and cruise through the blue to this flat coral atoll. Sparsely populated and teeming with wildlife, Anegada is a must see for nature lovers. Visit the Salt Ponds to view Anegada’s resident flamingos, and keep an eye out for the rare ground iguanas that live only here and on Guana Island.

Discover Anegada

Suggested lunch spots

Take a taxi or rent a scooter and head to Cow Wreck Beach Bar for lunch.

Day 4

Anegada

The day's sailing

0 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring

A little over 15 miles to the north of Gorda Sound, the island of Anegada awaits your arrival. Enjoy a prolonged spell of blue water sailing as you leave Virgin Gorda in your wake and cruise through the blue to this flat coral atoll. Sparsely populated and teeming with wildlife, Anegada is a must see for nature lovers. Visit the Salt Ponds to view Anegada’s resident flamingos, and keep an eye out for the rare ground iguanas that live only here and on Guana Island.

Discover Anegada

Suggested lunch spots

Visit beautiful Loblolly Bay for excellent snorkeling, and stop at Big Bamboo for a cocktail or snack.

Day 5

Anegada to Trellis Bay

The day's sailing

19
Nautical miles
6 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring

Your next stop along your BVI charter intermarry is on the east end of Tortola, where you’ll find quaint Trellis Bay. There is a small market available here for basic provisions. A highlight at Trellis Bay are the monthly full moon parties featuring fire balls on the water and live entertainment. Scrub Island and Marina Cay are just a short cruise across the channel and are a beautiful destination to enjoy another day in the Caribbean. Another serene overnight option is nearby White Bay on Guana Island. Here, you can enjoy a stunning sunset and walk the pristine white sand beach. Guana Island is private, but you’re free to explore along the shore up to the high-water line.

Discover Trellis Bay

Suggested lunch spots

Cruise into the gentle bowl of Trellis Bay on Beef Island, where you can enjoy a laid-back lunch overlooking the bay. The market here offers daily breakfast and BBQ lunch.

Day 6

Trellis Bay to Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke

The day's sailing

17
Nautical miles
5 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring
Great Harbour_Jost_Van_Dyke

To the northwest of Tortola you’ll find Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands. Jost Van Dyke is a must on any BVI charter intinerary. Leave Cane Garden Bay in your wake as you sail past little Sandy Cay, heading for the southern shores of Jost Van Dyke and the welcoming anchorage of Great Harbour. Great Harbour and nearby White Bay offer some of the best bars and nightlife in the BVIs, so enjoy lounging on the beach and snorkeling in the sea by day and sipping rum cocktails to the sound of live music by night. Adventurous sorts can hike into the tall, rainforest covered hills behind Great Harbour.

Discover Great Harbour

Suggested lunch spots

Enjoy a lunch break on aptly named Sandy Cay, where a spit of virgin sand reaches out into the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Day 7

Great Harbour to The Bight, Norman Island

The day's sailing

10
Nautical miles
3 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring

Sail the border between two countries as you navigate The Narrows separating St. John from Tortola. Pick your way between Great Thatch and Little Thatch islands before bearing southeast towards The Bight at Norman Island. Norman Island is said to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, and many visitors still explore the coves and bays in the hope of discovering long forgotten pirate booty.

Discover The Bight

Search for treasure in the caves

Snorkel the Caves off Treasure Point in the evocatively named Privateer Bay, searching for hidden booty overlooked for centuries.

The Indians, BVI

Suggested lunch spots

The Indians are a small archipelago of islets and one of the most popular dive spots in the BVIs. Make a day stop here for lunch and dive or snorkel an underwater playground brimming with tropical fish species.

Day 8

The Bight to Wickhams Cay II

The day's sailing

6
Nautical miles
2 hr
Sailing time

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Suggested activities

  • Watersports icon Watersports
  • Sunbathing Sunbathing
  • Snorkelling Snorkelling
  • Car hire Hire a car
  • Paddle boarding Paddleboarding
  • Kayaking Kayaking
  • Exploring Exploring
Wickhams Cay II Marina Base

Use your final day of your BVI charter itinerary to return to our base at Wickhams Cay II. The journey will take you past Peter Island, with its multitude of bays, coves and reefs, so take the opportunity to stop off and explore. Take your time and return to base at your own pace or hurry back early to spend the day exploring Tortola—it’s entirely up to you.

Discover Wickhams Cay II

Suggested lunch spots

Relax poolside and enjoy lunch and cocktails at the Mariner Inn’s outdoor dining area. Or take a taxi into town and dine at Pusser’s Road Town Pub, where you can order a Pusser’s Painkiller in a “take-home” Pusser’s Navy mug.