Cooper Island

Cooper Island, located a short 6 nautical miles from The Moorings base at Road Town, is a beautiful island with a protected anchorage at Manchioneel Bay, and plenty of activities to offer. Ashore, 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.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 6 Nautical miles

Mooring

Anchoring in Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island’s main harbour, is not recommended because the holding ground isn’t good. Moorings for a fee are plentiful, but get there early.

Dinghy dockage: Tie up on either of the jetties flanking the Cooper Island Beach Club.

Things to do

Cooper Island has a good beach for swimming and watersports. Enjoy a meal at the Cooper Island Beach Club or shop at the Seagrape Boutique. Scuba buffs will want to check out Sail Caribbean Divers, which offers dive excursions for divers of all skill levels. Of special interest are dives on the HMS Rhone, a mail steamer sunk off the west end of nearby Salt Island during a hurricane in 1867. As is the case at Norman and Peter islands, a motorboat makes early evening rounds in the mooring fields, its cheerful crew offering a variety of provisions for sale, including freshly baked bread and pastries.

Facilities

Cooper Island Beach Club has moorings. No other facilities for yachts are available.

Virgin Gorda Island

Venture toward the island of Virgin Gorda, home of the world-famous Baths. The Baths are as pristine as ever, including the famous pathway leading through the giant boulders to Devil’s Bay. Top of the Baths Restaurant is open with its delightful panoramic views.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 6 Nautical miles

Mooring

There are mooring balls available at Leverick Bay for a fee. When anchoring, holding is generally good here.

Dinghy dockage: Leverick Bay offers dinghy dockage.

Things to do

The Baths is a major attraction on Virgin Gorda, where you can explore the rock formation’s tunnels, pools, and caves. In North Sound, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to activities and photo opportunities.

Facilities

Leverick Bay Resort and Marina has slips, ice, garbage disposal, and provisions available.

North Sound, Virgin Gorda

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 snorkelling as well as water sports such as paddleboarding, 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.

The day’s sailing

• 1.5 Hrs Sailing time
• 8 Nautical miles

Mooring

Anchor, mooring balls, and slips available. BoatyBall is available at Leverick Bay and Saba Rock. Moorings and slips also available at Bitter End Yacht Club.

Things to do

Hiking, Dining, Biking, Beachcombing, Provisioning

Facilities

Grocery, Ice, Restaurants, Trash service, Laundry, Dinghy dock, Bike rental, Internet

Anegada Island

Get underway early and enjoy a scenic cruise to Anegada, a charter-favorite that remains just as charming as the last time you visited. Sparsely populated and rural, Anegada is 11 miles long, low, and flat, quite unlike any of the other islands in the BVI. The balmy trade winds gently sweep across its sandy shores, swaying the palms and rustling through the boughs of the pines. Anegada Reef Hotel can also assist in organizing taxi transportation to get the most out of your time on the island.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr Sailing time
• 23 Nautical miles

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

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are available in the inner harbor. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available. Anchorages are located in the inner and outer harbors. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

It’s well worth renting a car from one of several companies to fully explore Anegada, or opt for a bicycle or scooter rental instead. There are also taxicabs to get you where you want to go. Loblolly Bay on the north shore is known for its spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving in crystal clear water. Bones Bight and Cow Wreck beaches are also lovely. Fishing on the flats extending eastward from Setting Point is another popular pastime; guides are available for private charters. A sail to the island wouldn’t be complete without savouring the locally caught lobster. Potter’s by the Sea, Anegada Reef Hotel, and Wonky Dog are just a few of your dining options. Not all of the businesses on Anegada accept credit cards, so plan on paying with cash, and be sure to make dinner reservations in advance.

Facilities

Ice, provisions, phones, and Internet access are available. Fun in the Sun Market is open for basic provisions. Ice is available at Li’l Bits store or Anegada Reef Hotel.

Anegada Island

Get underway early and enjoy a scenic cruise to Anegada, a charter-favorite that remains just as charming as the last time you visited. Sparsely populated and rural, Anegada is 11 miles long, low, and flat, quite unlike any of the other islands in the BVI. The balmy trade winds gently sweep across its sandy shores, swaying the palms and rustling through the boughs of the pines. Anegada Reef Hotel can also assist in organizing taxi transportation to get the most out of your time on the island.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr Sailing time
• 23 Nautical miles

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

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are available in the inner harbor. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available. Anchorages are located in the inner and outer harbors. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

It’s well worth renting a car from one of several companies to fully explore Anegada, or opt for a bicycle or scooter rental instead. There are also taxicabs to get you where you want to go. Loblolly Bay on the north shore is known for its spectacular snorkelling and scuba diving in crystal clear water. Bones Bight and Cow Wreck beaches are also lovely. Fishing on the flats extending eastward from Setting Point is another popular pastime; guides are available for private charters. A sail to the island wouldn’t be complete without savouring the locally caught lobster. Potter’s by the Sea, Anegada Reef Hotel, and Wonky Dog are just a few of your dining options. Not all of the businesses on Anegada accept credit cards, so plan on paying with cash, and be sure to make dinner reservations in advance.

Facilities

Ice, provisions, phones, and Internet access are available. Fun in the Sun Market is open for basic provisions. Ice is available at Li’l Bits store or Anegada Reef Hotel.

Trellis Bay

Quaint Trellis Bay welcomes you with a distinctly local vibe complete with Aragorn’s Studio artisan market. The Trellis Bay Market is open for basic provisions, ice and water. The market is also offering breakfast and BBQ lunch daily. If you are visiting the BVI during a full moon, the Trellis Bay Full Moon parties are a special highlight featuring fire balls on the water and live entertainment.
Across the channel from Trellis Bay, Marina Cay offers moorings and an outdoor patio lunch. You may also visit Scrub Island Resort for a selection of restaurants and resort amenities.

Nearby, White Bay on Guana Island is another excellent overnight anchorage option. By day, snorkel at Monkey Point and enjoy an on board luncheon. Relocate to White Bay and pick up a mooring to enjoy the solitude and a spectacular sunset. Guana Island is private, but you are free to walk the pristine white sand beach up to the high-water mark.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr Sailing time
• 23 Nautical miles

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at Trellis Bay.

Things to do

Spend the day at Monkey Point, Guana Island. The snorkelling is excellent, and nearby beaches make a lovely backdrop for paddleboarding.

Facilities

The Trellis Bay Market has ice, drinking water and garbage disposal facilities available

Cane Garden Bay

Sail around the northern end of Tortola, bound for Cane Garden Bay. Rum enthusiasts may want to arrive earlier for a lunch on the beach and a visit to the Callwood Rum Distillery. Two splendidly secluded stretches of sand will catch your eye as you near Cane Garden Bay. Sandy spit and Sand Cay are tiny islands where you can anchor carefully and swim or dinghy ashore, often with only a few palm trees for company.

The day’s sailing

• 3 Hr Sailing time
• 10 Nautical miles

Mooring

Cane Garden Bay has a plentiful supply of mooring balls available for a fee, with excellent holding ground that ensures security for anchored vessels. Both first-come, first-served moorings and BoatyBall reservations are options here. A public dinghy dock is provided, offering easy access to the beach, restaurants, and other attractions.

Things to do

Aside from swimming, enjoying windsurfing or kayaking (rentals are available from Pleasure Boat), plan a trip to Callwood Rum Distillery. You’ll need to ask permission before exploring the grounds, but you can also take advantage of the opportunity to purchase some locally produced rum! For more food and drink options, we recommend:

• Quito’s Gazebo: This beachfront restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring Caribbean and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy dishes such as grilled seafood, jerk chicken, and vegetarian options. The venue is known for its live reggae music, with performances by Quito Rymer himself on select nights. 
• Paradise Club Lounge Bar & Restaurant: Located on the beach, this establishment is recognized for its traditional Caribbean breakfast, brick-oven pizza, and daily drink specials. The venue also hosts DJs and themed events, including monthly full-moon parties. 
• Myett’s Garden & Grille Restaurant: This restaurant offers a varied menu with options like lobster, shrimp, pasta primavera, and soups. The establishment is praised for its excellent menu and great service.
• Indigo Beach House: Situated in Cane Garden Bay, Indigo Beach House provides a good lunch stop with a menu that includes Mexican, British, Greek, Deli, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Bar, and Pub cuisines.

Facilities

Cane Garden Bay provides excellent facilities for visitors, including ice, high-speed internet, and a variety of provisioning options. The public dinghy dock makes it easy to access the shore. Beachgoers can explore the many restaurants and bars that line the bay, each offering unique menus and atmospheres. Those seeking activities will find opportunities for windsurfing and kayaking, with rentals available nearby.

Cane Garden Bay

The sights and sounds of Cane Garden Bay don’t just invite, they pull you in. Here beaches stretch into the green landscape and island shops make for an ideal stopover. The bay is an easy-access point at the northern side of Tortola and presents some of the area’s best views. Adventure junkies have been known to linger here where prime windsurfing and kayaking conditions abound, and the ocean welcomes many divers.

Great Harbour

Just to the north and west of Tortola, the heights of Jost Van Dyke rise majestically from a turquoise sea. With a population of a little more than 200, the island’s character is distinctly rural. No British Virgin Islands vacation is complete without a visit to Jost Van Dyke, which harbors some of our favorite seaside establishments. Great Harbour is an excellent overnight anchorage and is home to the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant.

The day’s sailing

• 0.5 Hrs Sailing time
• 6 Nautical miles

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

A BVI charter wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Foxy’s, one of the more famous restaurants in the Caribbean. It’s located at the eastern end of the beach and has built a reputation over the last 40 years as a hugely popular party Mecca for world sailors. The casual ambience and friendly staff certainly contribute to its appeal, but the other patrons taking a short breather from long ocean passages also play a part in the bar‘s allure.

A short hop to the west brings you to White Bay, home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, so named for the yachties who swim to it from their boats, soaking their dollar notes in the process!

Facilities

Water, fuel and ice are available at the main dock in Great Harbour. Provisions are not available at present.

West End

Soper’s Hole at West End offers a marina, mooring balls, and a nice selection of shops, bars, and restaurants. Set in a protected bay with a backdrop of Tortola’s lush mountains, Soper’s Hole is a great place to experience local flavor. At Soper’s Hole, discover Pusser’s Landing Restaurant and bar, and Omar’s Fusion offers an eclectic mix of Caribbean and Indian cuisines.
The grocery store is open and stocked. Captain Mulligan’s Sports Bar and Genaker Cafe are open.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 6 Nautical miles

Mooring

Moorings are available for a fee.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at Trellis Bay.

Facilities

Nanny Cay Marina has provisions, fuel, ice, and water available.

Norman Island - Angel Fish Reef

Norman Island, with its popular anchorage “The Bight”, lies on the east side of Flanagan Passage with St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands just across from it to the west. Hilly, scenic, and popular for its superior snorkeling locations, Norman Island is a highly-recommended stop on any BVI charter.
Enjoy drinks and dining at Pirate’s Bight Restaurant, serving appetizers, salads, entrees and cocktails including Pirate’s “Irma Punch”. There are plenty of mooring balls available here, and you can enjoy snorkeling at both The Indians and The Caves.
You can also visit the legendary floating bar and restaurant, Willy T for a delightful lunch and amazing views. Enjoy a laid-back experience during the day, or an upbeat party scene at night.

The day’s sailing

• 1.5 Hr Sailing time
• 8 Nautical miles