SAMPLE ITINERARY
Join your yacht in Road
Town Harbor, Tortola.
Several restaurants,
bars,
banks and shopping are within walking distance of the harbor. Road Town
is the capital of the British Virgin Islands and is the center of
commerce, shipping and social activity. There are a multitude of
attractions on and around the shores of Tortola, glorious beaches line
the northern shore, mountainous green peaks characterize its southern
coast. The Botanical Gardens in Road Town, the ruins of an old windmill
near Brewers Bay, the unique plant and wild life of Sage Mountain and
the Rum Distillery in Cane Garden Bay are all worth the visit.
Set
sail to The Bight on Norman
Island where you can
snorkel on the reef, explore Treasure Point and the Caves, or enjoy a
hike to the top of the hill for the incredible view. The William
Thornton, a floating restaurant in the harbor, is a replica of a
top-sail lumber schooner measuring 93 feet. Nicknamed the "Willie T",
yachtsmen still dream of buried treasure over a drink or a meal. Often
referred to by the locals as "Treasure Island", Norman is purported to
be named for the famous story of buried treasure. Nearby Pelican Island
and The Indians offer excellent snorkeling with Brain, Finger, Star and
Elkhorn corals as well as gorgonians and sea fans, while Angelfish
Reef boasts a large colony of angelfish for your snorkeling delight.
A visit to Peter
Island Hotel
and Yacht Harbor and their lovely waterfront
restaurant is a very special treat. For those with less formal pursuits
in mind, try a beach barbecue and dancing to a local steel pan band.
There are numerous walks to take, but be sure to take the short walk to
the top of the hill to the eastern side
of the harbor for a delightful, panoramic view of the channel and Dead
Chest Island. Deadman’s Bay with
its white sand beach fringed with palm trees will not soon be forgotten
Near Salt Cay dive
or snorkel the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer, Rhone. This magnificent
310’ vessel sank during an extremely violent hurricane in 1867. This
great ship remains remarkably intact with much of her deck, rigging,
steam engine and propeller still visible. Gilded with colorful sponges
and flourishing corals, she is perhaps the most impressive shipwreck in
the entire Caribbean. Cooper Island is
home to the
Cooper Island Beach Club, a unique setting in this picturesque harbor.
Snorkelers will enjoy Cistern Point, Carver Bay and Haulover Bay with 15
- 20’ high mushroom coral heads where you can pet stingrays and play
with huge jewfish.
Virgin Gorda is
an island approximately 10
miles long with high peaks at the north and central areas. All land over
1000 feet high on Virgin Gorda has been designated National Parks land
to preserve its natural beauty. No trip the the British Virgin Islands
is complete until you have visited
the Baths. Located on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda,
the Baths are a most unusual formation of giant granite boulders. Where
the sea washes in between the huge rocks, large pools
have been created, where shafts of light play upon the water, creating a
dramatic effect. The beach adjacent to the Baths is white and sandy with
excellent snorkeling. Hikers will delight in the trail that leads
inconspicuously between the Baths and Devil’s Bay.
Once the capital of the BVI, Spanish
Town is still
the major settlement on the island. Until 1867 it is estimated that some
10,000 tons of copper ore were exported from Virgin Gorda. A trip to
Copper Mine Point on the southeast tip of the island offers spectacular
sunsets and views of the surrounding islands. Savannah Bay, Long
Bay, Great Dog, George Dog, West and East Seal Dogs all offer excellent
diving and snorkeling! Explore a winding canyon leading to an underwater
arch, coral heads with an unbelievable variety of sea creatures, a
cathedral effect cave a variety of eels, pelagic fish and other species
with an occasional school of tarpon.
Located at the northern end of Virgin Gorda, Gorda
Sound is
a large bay protected all around by islands and reefs. Drake’s Anchorage
on Mosquito Island is a favorite stop to sample West Indian and French
cuisine after the excellent snorkeling on the reef west of Anguilla
Point. In Leverick Bay, visitors enjoy restaurants, live music,
barbecues and beach volleyball. Located on John O’Point, the
Bitter End is a recreation center resort hotel with restaurants, marina
and shops. Biras Creek also offers a protected anchorage fringed with
mangroves, and the hotel is noted for its fine cuisine.
In contrast to the mountainous volcanic formation of the remainder of
the Virgin Islands, Anegada is
comprised of coral and limestone, and at its highest point is 28 feet
above sea level. Anegada is 9 miles long and fringed with mile after
mile of sandy beaches. Horseshoe Reef, which extends
10 miles to the southeast, has claimed over 300 known wrecks, and
provides a home for some of the largest fish in the area, including
lobster and conch. The Anegada Beach Hotel rents bicycles and vehicles
and operates a taxi service which takes guests across the island to the
great snorkeling beaches of Loblolly Bay. Flamingos may be seen on the
salt ponds, and a nature trail has been opened around the Bones Bite
area where you may spot some iguanas. Look for the wild orchids that
thrive on the west end of the island.
Regarded
by many as one of the more beautiful anchorages in the BVI, Cane
Garden Bay has
a white palm fringed beach stretching the entire length of the bay.
Stanley’s Welcome Bar alternates with Rhymer’s for steel band music. Mr.
Callwoods rum distillery affords the visiting yachtsman a glimpse back
into history. White and gold rum is still produced from the cane grown
on the hillsides. Brewer’s Bay, without question, is one of the most
beautiful anchorages in the Virgin Islands. The snorkeling is excellent
and time should be taken to explore ashore, perhaps to Mount Healthy
where the ruins of Tortola’s only remaining windmill can be seen.
A large, high island, Jost
Van Dyke was
named after a Dutch pirate. With a population of about 200 it remains
relatively unspoiled. The largest settlement is at Great Harbor, which
lies at the foot of one thousand foot high peaks. Down the beach is
Rudy’s Mariner’s Rendezvous, a local West Indian bar, and Happy Laury’s
which has occasional entertainment. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Grill has
become an institution for cruising boats over the years. Don’t miss the
entertainment, especially when Foxy is singing. Little Harbor lies to
the east of Great Harbor and was once used as a careenage for island
sloops. There are three restaurants ashore and a popular gathering place
for yachtsmen. For those who enjoy hiking, there is a small track that
takes you about 1000 feet up the mountain. For those ambitious enough to
make the climb, the views are spectacular. Nearby Little Jost Van Dyke,
Green Cay and Sandy Cay offer seclusion, excellent snorkeling and
spectacular beaches.
|