Tortola to Tortola Itinerary
Can you imagine island-hopping across picture perfect, turquoise waters, going from port to port while being pampered in a luxury, private yacht? Few places on earth are as beautiful as the British Virgin Islands.
Day 1: Tortola & Norman Cay
Join your yacht at Noon at Sopers Hole on the West End of Tortola – the original home of the pirates. Today, trading can be a little easier with a visit to the shops at Pussers Landing. After a light lunch and chat about the itinerary, a 2 hour sail takes you to Norman Island (Treasure Island). Snorkel at the caves and be amazed at how many fish there are in the crystal clear waters.
The evening is spent in the Bight, with a visit to The William Thornton (Willy T) for an after dinner party – a wild floating bar where everybody lets their hair down and tells their sea-faring tales of the day.
Day 2: Peter Island
After breakfast you can hike to the top of Spy Glass Hill, a known lookout point for pirates – be sure to take your camera. Dive or snorkel the Indians or Rainbow Canyon and swim with the sea turtles. After lunch it’s a short tack up to Peter Island, famous for its romantic beaches.
Take an early evening stroll along the beach before a casually elegant dinner aboard. After dinner go forward to the trampolines and count the shooting stars, making a wish on each one you see.
Day 3: Salt Island & Cooper Island
After breakfast a short sail to Salt Island to dive or snorkel the RMS Rhone; this is one of the top five wreck dives in the world. Then motor around to Cooper Island for lunch and do some spectacular snorkeling off Cistern point, a sheltered reef alive with juvenile fish of endless varieties. Alternatively, take a stroll on the beach, sit under a palm tree and just soak in the beauty of the turquoise waters. A late afternoon sail takes us to Marina Cay (Republic of Jose Cuervo) for the evening, the smallest of the British Virgin Islands.
Day 4: Virgin Gorda
A morning sail will take you to the Dog Islands for a snorkeling adventure over colorful corals and shoaling reef fish or you can visit the Baths on Virgin Gorda. These spectacular rock formations below and above water can be explored by land or sea and snorkeling here is a must. Lunch is just outside Spanish Town, so you can shop or take a taxi for an Island tour. Next a speedy sail up the west side of Virgin Gorda, one of the most beautiful of the Virgin Islands. In the evening, dance the night away at the Bitter End Yacht Club to the local reggae band in the elegant setting this resort offers.
Day 5: North Sound or Anegada
Spend the morning enjoying the North Sound – truly one of the most outstanding natural harbors in the Caribbean. Enjoy windsurfing, snorkeling, hiking and shopping or sail to Anegada, the sunken island nestling within a horseshoe reef, the third largest barrier reef in the world. For the first half of this two or three hour sail there is no land visible, then the palm trees appear on the horizon warning of your imminent arrival.
After lunch absorb the atmosphere of the anchorage at Setting Point. Deserted beaches, fringing reefs and the unique flora and fauna of the salt ponds, home to pink flamingos, await your exploration. Lobster dinner at “Potters by the Sea” is a must. As darkness falls, with cocktail in hand, you will see from the cockpit of the boat the driftwood fires on the beach grilling your lobster for dinner.
Day 6: Trellis Bay
An early start from Anegada ensures plenty of time to sail back to enjoy the snorkeling off Guana Island or Camanoe Island. Off the Eastern end of Tortola are several small secluded anchorages. If evening entertainment is your choice Trellis bay is the home of the Last Resort, which offers a nightly comedy show, based on yachts that come and visit the BVI. Full moon parties at Trellis Bay offer Fire Balls and Jumbie Dancers on the beach. Great fun for all ages.
Day 7: Jost Van Dyke
Our first stop will be Foxy’s famous bar where you can grab lunch, enjoy cocktails, and listen to some live music from Foxy himself. Make sure leave your mark on the most popular bar in the BVI. Before the crowd thickens for the evening we will motor over to White Bay’s beautiful white sand beach, the home of the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. The bar takes its name from a Jost Van Dyke tradition. There is no dock, so guests swim ashore from their boats and buy drinks with their “soggy dollars.” The bar claims to have originated and perfected the “painkiller” in the 1970’s, this smooth rum flavored cocktail has been called the “essence of Caribbean imbibing.”
Day 8: Tortola
The last morning! Choose your breakfast from a light selection of assorted breads and fresh tropical fruits, to champagne and eggs Benedict. Swim or snorkel before sailing back to Road Town for that last minute gift shopping before joining your homeward flight.
The former haunt of pirates, Tortola’s main town, Road Town is within reach of secluded beaches and hidden coves. The ruins of Fort Burt and the still functioning Callwood Rum Distillery are worth visiting if you have time before your departure.
