Welcome to the BVI
(British Virgin Islands)
A Sample Itinerary for the BVI

If you fly intoTortola's Beef Island Airport, a short walk takes you to Trellis Bay where your yacht will be at anchor. You will be welcomed onboard by your crew and you can relax over an ice cold glass of champagne or a tropical cocktail. Over lunch you can sit and watch the pelicans dive or windsurfers whizzing past with varying degrees of dexterity.

A short sail takes you to Lee Bay, your destination for the evening. Lee Bay is an idyllic setting for a candle-lit dinner below a tableau of stars. Sit back and watch for shooting stars. After breakfast the next day, take a hike through native bush to Cam Bay across a short isthmus on Great Camanoe Island. This island is full of local bird life, flora and fauna untouched by the influence of man. Huge aloe plants line your path, providing a home for an abundance of lizards, birds and hermit crabs. Later, to cool off, snorkel in the crystal clear waters. The variety of fish here is amazing. Watch out for parrot fish, spotted drums, cleaner ship, angels and many, many others. If you have never snorkeled before, your experienced crew will be happy to familiarise you with the equipment and how to use it. They will also accompany you on your trip and point out many fascinating underwater creatures.

After lunch, you can sail to Monkey Point, Guana Island for another snorkel or a laze on the beach. There are two beautiful, fine sand beaches here where you can relax, enjoy the sun and read or sleep.

Jost Van Dyke is your next stop, home of the indomitable Foxy Callwood, famed for his impromptu calypsos. Enjoy a Painkiller as Foxy strums his guitar and unerringly creates a topical calypso just for you. Let the atmosphere surround and envelop you as you enjoy another superb dinner onboard your yacht.

The next afternoon you can sail to West End, Tortola, home of Pussers, the famous rum company. You will enjoy the Caribbean architecture and pastel colors in this thriving anchorage. Go ashore and visit the boutiques, sample the genuine Pussers Painkiller and watch the sun go down - perhaps this time you'll see the green flash!

Norman Island is your next stop. Set anchor at Treasure Point and snorkel in and out of the Caves with schools of brilliantly colored fish. Around the corner in the Bight lies your evening anchorage. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink on The William Thornton, a floating restaurant and bar. The Bight is a calm and comfortable place to eat dinner and look over the channel to the distant lights of Tortola.

Great Harbour, Peter Island provides a perfect place to learn to kneeboard or waterski. Perhaps you'd like to learn to windsurf. A sojourn in Little Harbour, Peter Island, soaking in the sounds of silence, the picturesque palm trees and sipping a cook drink, you can look forward to another splendid dinner.

On a reach across the Sir Francis Drake Channel the next morning, take the helm and feel the power of your yacht under sail, and in no time you will be in Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands. Stop here for lunch and have a look around - hire a car or a taxi and visit Sage Mountain Rain Forest or visit the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Visit Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop or Pussers Company Store for souvenirs and gifts.

In the afternoon, sail to Cooper Island for the evening. Anchored in Manchioneel Bay, off a beautiful white sand beach, enjoy dinner by moonlight.

After breakfast, set sail for The Baths on Virgin Gorda. These are vast boulders thrown up by an ancient hand across the land and sea. They form caves and walkways with magnificent rockpools to play and snorkel in. This area has fabulous beaches lined with pristine sand and clean, crystal clear waters.

Past Spanish Town right to the end of Virgin Gorda, your next sail takes you to North Sound. This is the home of The Bitter End Yacht Club and Biras Creek Hotel. Acres of protected waters make it an ideal place to hone your water sports skills or snorkel amongst old cannons and anchors on Eustatia Reef.

Anegada, the sunken island, is the last island you visit on the cruise of the Virgin Islands. It lies 12 miles away across shallow blue waters, the perfect place to watch for migrating whales and dolphins. On arrival relax, swim or snorkel at Loblolly Bay or visit the salt ponds and see the pink flamingoes that have been re-introduced to the island. Treat yourself to a lobster dinner ashore - its the best in the BVI.

The next morning sail back to Trellis Bay and enjoy your last swim before flying home.

This sample cruise is just one of many you can enjoy in the British Virgin Islands. Cruises can be tailored to your personal tastes. Life aboard can be as informal or formal as you wish and as active or relaxing.