Cruising the British Virgin Islands
Tortola, Tortola to Scrub Island, British Virgin Islands
When asked where the British Virgin Islands were, Sir Winston Churchill is rumored to have said, “I have no idea, but I should think that they are as far as possible from the Isle of Man.” Whether Churchill truly said it or not, it is the perfect starting point for exploring this one-time backwater of the British West Indies. By the late 1700’s while the rest of the British Empire’s sugar colonies in the Caribbean were making plantation owners very wealthy, BVI was just a blip in the total fortunes made in sugar, rum and slaves. However, through savvy planning, development and marketing by the islands’ government and entrepreneurs over the past 30 plus years, BVI has become the top charter and cruising destination for sail and power boaters alike. If you have never cruised BVI before, your first experience will be brimming with memorable anchorages, snorkeling adventures, and yes, realizing that you can still do the limbo.
Leg 1
Inner Harbour Marina
284-499-1144
Road Town
,
Tortola
,
British Virgin Islands
Leg 5
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour
284-495-5500
Virgin Gorda
,
,
British Virgin Islands
Leg 7
Bitter End Yacht Club
800-872-2392
Virgin Gorda
,
,
British Virgin Islands
Leg 10
Cane Garden Bay Anchorage
Leg 13
Light House Marina
284-340-1715
Tortola
,
Soper's Hole
,
British Virgin Islands
Leg 15
Scrub Island Resort Marina
284-440-3440
Scrub Island
,
,
British Virgin Islands
Cruising the British Virgin Islands
When asked where the British Virgin Islands were, Sir Winston Churchill is rumored to have said, “I have no idea, but I should think that they are as far as possible from the Isle of Man.” Whether Churchill truly said it or not, it is the perfect starting point for exploring this one-time backwater of the British West Indies. By the late 1700’s while the rest of the British Empire’s sugar colonies in the Caribbean were making plantation owners very wealthy, BVI was just a blip in the total fortunes made in sugar, rum and slaves. However, through savvy planning, development and marketing by the islands’ government and entrepreneurs over the past 30 plus years, BVI has become the top charter and cruising destination for sail and power boaters alike. If you have never cruised BVI before, your first experience will be brimming with memorable anchorages, snorkeling adventures, and yes, realizing that you can still do the limbo.
Lee Bay – Salt Island
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Lunch Stop: Pick up a National park mooring ball and snorkel the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer Rhone, which was forced onto the rocks during a hurricane in 1867.
Manchioneel Bay
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Overnight Stop: Pick up a mooring ball or anchor. Dinghy ashore for a delicious chicken roti at the Cooper Island Beach Club.
The Baths
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Lunch Stop: Pick up a National Park mooring ball and swim ashore to hike the number one tourist destination in the Caribbean. The trail from The Baths to Devil’s Bay meanders through gigantic granite boulders, salt water pools and sandy beaches.
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour
Overnight Stop: Before dinner, take a taxi to tour the ruins of a 19th century copper mine on the southeast tip of the island. Learn a bit of history and take in the breathtaking views.
Great Dog
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Lunch Stop: Pick up a mooring ball and snorkel the reefs at Great Dog.
Bitter End Yacht Club
Overnight Stop: Dock at the Quarterdeck Marina. North Sound is well protected as is perfect for watersports like kayaking and trying your hand with a stand up paddleboard.
Setting Point Anchorage
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Overnight Stop: Pick up a mooring ball or anchor. Spend the afternoon lazing around at the Anegada Beach Club on the windward side of the island. It is a windsurfer’s paradise, and rental equipment is available. Have a local spiny lobster grilled for dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel.
Monkey Point Anchorage
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Lunch Stop: Pick up a mooring ball and snorkel the rim reef.
Cane Garden Bay Anchorage
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Overnight Stop: Pick up a mooring ball or anchor. Dance to the bands performing at Quito’s Gazebo and Myett’s on the beach. In the morning, visit the nearby Callwood rum distillery.
White Bay Anchorage
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Lunch Stop: Drop anchor on the white sandy bottom and go ashore to the Soggy Dollar Bar and try a Painkiller at the bar where it was invented.
Great Harbour Anchorage
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Overnight Stop: Pick up a mooring ball, if possible. Anchoring can be difficult on the hardpan bay bottom. Go ashore entertainment and dinner at Foxy’s, a BVI landmark.
The Bight Anchorage
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Overnight Stop: Pick up a mooring ball or anchor. Dinghy over to The Caves to snorkel, then party on at the “Willy T”, a.k.a. the William Thornton floating bar.
Scrub Island Resort Marina
Overnight Stop: Dock at the marina at Scrub Island Resort and pamper yourself at the Ixora Spa, a haven of tranquility and well-being. Dinner at Caravela, the resort’s fine dining restaurant, is the ideal way to usher in the evening.
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