BVI
Day 1
Start soaking in the views of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands as you cross the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Norman Island for your first night. The Indians and The Caves offer two national park sites to explore the sea life and natural reefs while snorkeling.
You can enjoy a snorkel at either site on Day 1 and save the other for the morning of Day 2. PIRATES BIGHT is a lively, family-oriented beach bar and restaurant, tucked away in the south east corner. A great place to dinghy in for a tropical delight while digging your toes into the soft white sand on the beach. The afternoon can be spent lounging on the beach chairs, playing a game of giant Jenga, wading or floating in the water or simply CHILLAXIN. There is also a hiking trail opportunity behind The Bight for guests looking to explore the land and venture up the hillside for spectacular views. In Winter Season, The Bight has been known to offer up live local talent to add some island spicy flare to your Sunday-Funday beach day. We also recommend checking out their boutique store for Pirates Bight souvenirs and island wear.
Day 2
Wake up and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the morning water. Take the opportunity to CHILLAX and let the island time soak through your blood or get active with a morning SUP or kayak before or after breakfast. The group may choose to circle back to snorkel either The Caves or The Indians. Norman also offers our active guests protected, calm water for water skiing, tubing or whatever fun toys your boat has for playtime fun. You’ll head past Peter Island next and will be sure to stop and visit the infamous floating bar, WILLY T’s. It may not be pretty but it sure can be a ton of fun! We recommend checking it out and taking the jump from the top for your photo op! Our party group guests might want to break out the shot ski. Kids are welcome here but fair warning–the later day gets the less family friendly it becomes.
If your inner Pirate just needed a quick fix at Willy T’s, then keep moving on to Salt Island which is home to the famous, Wreck of THE RHONE, sunk in 1867. It is ideal for a stunning dive or snorkel. You have the option on the way to tack up to COOPER ISLAND BEACH CLUB in the early afternoon and grab an overnight mooring in Manchioneel Bay. Swim over to Cistern Point for more snorkeling or simply relax on the beach or by their rum bar, coffee bar or brewery themed options. There is a strict ‘no anchoring’ policy in effect at Cooper island, due to the plentiful turtle grass on the bottom, overnight here depends on mooring ball availability.
Day 3
Get an early start up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to THE BATHS on the southern end of VIRGIN GORDA. You can spend an hour or two exploring the tunnels, caves and crystal-clear pools through the maze of massive boulders which have been resting here for literally millions of years. Some people call these the eighth wonder of the world! We recommend the walk up to the Top of The Baths for a rum punch treat after exploring The Baths. The views from here are simply breathtaking!
Continue on to the North Sound of Virgin Gorda for anchorage. LEVERICK BAY offers an opportunity for spa, shops, beach bar and pirate life. Local Michael Beans has a 1 man, family friendly, pirate-themed show to entertain all ages. Like a good theme night while on charter? Take some pirate gear and dress up the group to make your grand entrance!
We will be watching BITTER END YACHT CLUB and SABA ROCK during their post-hurricane rebuild and look forward to the reopening in the future.
Another alternative afternoon itinerary option for those guests who don’t mind spending some $$ off the boat is visiting OIL NUT BAY RESORT and SPA. This is a luxury resort which is currently allowing charter yachts to visit when they lunch and tour the property. The stretch of beach is pristine offering vibrant turquoise blues which continue and reflect into the pools- including the swim up bar pool.
Day 4
Anegada is the longest sail/cruise between islands and comes highly recommended to include in your itinerary if the Captain confirms conditions are favorable. Anegada is unique, offering a flat topography and the uninhabited white sand beaches. It is known for the family KITE SURFING SCHOOL, drawing kite surfers from across the globe to check out the perfect conditions, it’s Pink Flamingos who travel in a large flock and it’s conch shell mounds.
It is even more well known for it’s fresh Lobster. Many guests choose to dine ashore at Anegada for a fresh lobster meal. Exploring Anegada is one of your itinerary items that does require a fee for a taxi or scooter rental so you can get around the island. On the “don’t miss” list is COW WRECK BEACH and LOBLOLLY/BIG BAMBOO. You’ll want to simply CHILLAX at both of these locations. Take some beach games if you want to be active on the beach. Be sure to visit ANNE’s BOUTIQUE.
Day 5
Waking up on the water off Anegada is the definition of tranquility. By now you are immersed in complete island time, reconnected with friends and family and disconnected from the stress of the daily grind back home (you could access technology still, but why?) After a leisurely breakfast, swim, kayak or SUP around the boat, it’s time to head toward SCRUB ISLAND, TRELLIS BAY, GREAT CAMONOE area…you and your group chose!
Our snorkel lovers/scuba divers could take advantage of an inviting stop along the way at THE DOGS–A series of 3 rock island formations offering vibrant coral and sea life. Or, pass on The Dogs and head to Monkey Point for one of our favorite snorkel spots. Hop over to SCRUB ISLAND and let the kids take a splash down the slide while the adults find a swim up pool bar stool and an umbrella drink. Or maybe a mid-week massage is called for at SCRUB ISLAND SPA if you choose. So many options! If it’s a full moon, you will want to visit TRELLIS BAY after dinner aboard to join in the FULL MOON PARTY fun! Music, dancing, limbo, stilt walkers, fireballs are just a few of the festivity highlights for this family friendly island celebration. Our favorite anchorage for the night is Guana Bay.
Day 6
Continuing on, it is time for Jost Van Dyke and the beautiful White Bay Beach. You might want to stop at Cane Garden Bay along the way to gather up the island vibe–Tortola style–along a stretch of beach literally enveloped in a hillside of lush garden greens sprinkled with the sounds of morning roosters, mountain goat sightings and entertained by the resident diving birds. Quick anchorage here to visit our friends at MYETT’s BEACH BAR and off you go!
As you approach JVD, you have an option of stopping at the newly rebuilt FOXY’s TABOO. Our land lovers may want to take the 10 minute trek to the hidden “BUBBLY POOL”. Oh, and keep your eyes open for SANDY SPIT and SANDY CAY! Chillaxin’ Charter guests spent volunteer time and money toward post-hurricane efforts by planting new baby palm trees, so please send us a picture of the growth and water
them if you stop by! Finally, arrive at the beach bar lovers paradise of the BVI, White Bay Beach. Upon anchor, dinghy in and let the games begin!
JVD is as near and dear to us as it is to Kenny Chesney. If you are lucky enough (like we were, you might find yourself anchored out at the same time he is!) No shoes, no shirt, no problem as you start at SOGGY DOLLAR BEACH BAR, pop over to HENDO’s HIDEOUT, visit our bartender girlfriends at COCO LOCO, make your own rum punch at GERTRUDES, find the definition of love at ONE LOVE BAR and then walk to the other end of the beach to support IVAN’s STRESS FREE BAR (could there be a better name for a beach bar!)
If you aren’t into the beach bars, enjoy the turquoise water, be entertained by the people watching, or escape to the floating Ocean Spa built out of reclaimed Hurricane Irma remnants.
If you didn’t make it to FOXY’s by day, head there after dinner—DJ nights occur in season so you can kick up the sand! Insider tip= wear white and the black-lights are extra special for you!
Day 7
Sleep in! Didn’t get enough JVD yesterday? Stay a little longer! Your liver may need to move on for a peaceful last day though, so here are your other options. Hop back over to Tortola to pop into SOPERS HOLE. Still rebuilding post hurricane, but it promises to offer its boutique shopping again and there’s always PUSSERS, a staple watering hole of the BVI.
Depending on your logistics, we recommend a quiet last day in the BVI back at Peter Island to simply enjoy the yacht toys and the people you are with. Or, if you depart out of the USVI, head back over toward St. John (see our St. John highlights) (link) or Christmas Island so departure morning is relaxed and easy. If you can make it to Christmas Island, please don’t pass up the opportunity to indulge in PIZZA PI—when else can you dinghy up for your take-out pizza? (and it is not just a novelty—it really is VERY good!)
Day 8
Enjoy a leisurely and slow breakfast morning while you take advantage of the quiet morning paddle board, kayak or water sports for the kids—maybe even a snorkel if you desire. If you have even thought about packing before now someone hasn’t done their job.
You are fully Chillaxed! You are having full blown debates of what could possibly be the “favorite” part of the trip because there were so many highlights it’s hard to choose. You are thankful you actually survived a week on a boat with that particular family member or friend and you didn’t throw them overboard! And, of course, you are picking dates for your next Chillaxin’ Charter Vacay!
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