Yacht Itineraries: 7 Days' Cruising in the BVIs

OnboardOnline offers you a sample itinerary of how to make the most of a seven day yacht cruise through the stunning British Virgin Islands.  

Starting in Tortola and winding through the tropical islands and coral reefs of this beautiful archipelago, this itinerary offers the perfect, relaxing holiday- with a bit of adventure for those who want it!

 

DAY 1

Arriving in Tortola you will join your yacht at Village Cay Marina and make yourself comfortable on board. Settle into a relaxing lunch on deck and enjoy the gentle breeze as the boat gets underway to nearby Norman Island (Some suggest that Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous book Treasure Island was based on this place).

Spend an hour or two snorkeling through the caves, floating past schools of fish and majestic turtles swimming in the crystal clear water. Then head back to the boat to read a book in a comfy deckchair, or take an afternoon nap in your cabin to the sound of water lapping at the hull. 

Drop anchor in the Bight at sunset and enjoy a cocktail and dinner onboard, then jump in the tender and go to the famous floating bar Willy T’s for an evening of music and dancing.

 
DAY 2

Start your morning with a refreshing swim and a platter of tropical fruit, then grab your camera and hike to the top of Spy Glass hill, an old look-out point for marauding pirates. The British Virgin Islands are rich in pirate lore, these many islands and coves were a perfect hiding spot for outlaws hiding from the British navy. 

Get out your snorkel and dive masks and dive into the water to explore The Indians or Rainbow Canyon, before taking a short cruise up to Peter Island, well known for its romantic beaches.  

Make sure you take a walk along the soft sand beach at sunset before enjoying a casually elegant dinner on board, the table lit with flickering candles under a moonlit sky.

DAY 3

The next morning it is only a short cruise to Salt Island to dive or snorkel the wreck of the Rhone, a British Packet Ship that was lost in a hurricane in 1867 and is now considered one of the best wreck dives in the world.

Cistern Point, Cooper Island is the next stop, with absolutely spectacular snorkeling on a sheltered reef teeming with sea life. 

Alternatively, head to the beach, sit under a palm tree and enjoy the light breeze coming off the calm blue waters.  

A quiet late afternoon cruise reaches Marina Cay as the sun falls over the horizon.    

DAY 4

On day 4, either go to Dog Islands for more excellent coral dives, or visit the Baths on Virgin Gorda. The Baths are unmissable- spectacular rock formations rising out of turquoise waters that just beg to be snorkelled around and clambered over. 

If you’re craving a bit of shopping or the feel of land under your feet, you can explore Spanish Town or take a taxi tour around the island. 

Back on your yacht, settle in on deck as you cruise up the stunning west coast of  Virgin Gorda- some of the most beautiful scenery in the Caribbean.   

Spend the night dancing to a reggae band at the famed Bitter End Yacht Club and meet locals and sailors from all round the world. 

DAY 5

North Sound is the perfect spot to spend the next morning- this natural harbor offers good windsurfing and snorkeling, but also hiking and shopping if you feel like stretching your legs.  There are several luxury resorts here where you can book a massage in the spa or enjoy an excellent lunch by the pool. 

Alternatively, cruise to Anegada to enjoy the relaxed feel of the deserted beaches and colourful reefs.   Pink flamingoes stalk carefully through the salt ponds, and lobsters are collected off the reefs and grilled up for dinner on driftwood beach fires at the Anegada Reef Hotel. 

DAY 6

Get away early from Anegada to have enough time to fully enjoy the fantastic snorkeling off Gauna Island, or dive Camanoe Island.   Find a quiet, beautiful anchorage off Tortola’s Eastern end- if you feel like a party atmosphere then head for Trellis Bay and go the Last Resort- where a comedy show makes gentle fun of the yacht crowd who come to visit the BVIs. 

  

DAY 7

On the way to Jost Van Dyke, there are some exceptionally pretty  places to stop- Cane Garden Bay, Sandy Spit and Green Cay to name a few- the only problem is upping anchor again.   

What to do on your last night depends on what you fancy. If you feel like a quiet night, then dinner on the yacht in White Bay is a good option as it is a secluded anchorage, with only the Soggy Dollar Bar ashore.

Meanwhile, Great Harbour is better for those who want a lively night at the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar.  Here you can drink his Sly Fox or Dread Fox drinks- both made from Foxy’s firewater rum, while listening to his inventive calypso songs- often based on his customers! 

DAY 8

Wake up on the final morning and make the most of the last few hours. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and snorkel or swim for one last time. Relax onboard for the cruise back to the marina for a midday departure.  

*Image credits: Kansasphoto (cropped), Wikimedia, BVI4092, adventurejay.com, Wikimedia Commons, Kansasphoto, Wikimedia Commons, Kansasphoto, Fairphotos, Bill Bryne- all accessed with CC license 2.0