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. Nearbyy 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 it's 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.
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