Join us for a 7-day sailing journey through the breathtaking British Virgin Islands, where consistent trade winds, straightforward sailing routes, and spectacular coastal views make this a top sailing destination.
Day 1
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.
Day 2
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.
Day 3 - 4
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.
Day 5
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
Day 6
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.
Day 7
The Bight
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.
The day’s sailing
- 3 Hr Sailing time
- 11 Nautical miles
Mooring
Moorings for a fee are plentiful. Anchoring in the north-east or south-east portion of The Bight outside the mooring fields is possible, but it’s easier to just pick up a mooring to avoid worries about swinging room or dragging anchor.
Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at the Pirates Bight restaurant and bar.
Things to do
The caves at Treasure Point are a very special snorkelling location. You can swim inside the flooded indentations in the island with an underwater flashlight and observe teeming sea life in the shallow water. Just above the surface, the interior walls of the caves shimmer in purple and rust coloured orange. Nearby Pelican Island and The Indians is another major BVI snorkelling and scuba diving location.
Facilities
No facilities available for yachts.
Step Aboard Here
Start your experience with The Moorings on land and sign up to receive e-mails from us about yachts, offers and destinations.
By clicking 'Sign up' you confirm that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy and consent to our use of your information.