The British Virgin Islands is a fantastic destination for sailing enthusiasts. With its stunning turquoise waters, warm tropical climate, and steady trade winds, it offers a perfect setting for an unforgettable sailing experience.
The BVI is one of the easiest sailing destinations, with steady trade winds and calm seas year-round. The northern islands can have slightly rougher conditions with ocean swells, while the southern areas are more protected. The best time to sail is between November and June, avoiding hurricane season.
Skill Level: Beginner
Highlights
Crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility for snorkeling and diving.
Numerous secluded bays and coves offer peaceful anchorages.
The gentle trade winds provide consistent sailing conditions.
The islands are home to numerous world-class sailing regattas and events.
The stunning scenery includes lush green mountains and white sandy beaches.
Explore the famous Baths, a unique rock formation on Virgin Gorda.
Visit the iconic floating bar, Willy T, for a memorable evening.
Enjoy the vibrant marine life and explore the incredible coral reefs.
The local culture is friendly and welcoming to sailors.
Experience the thrill of sailing along the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Weather
Temperature
Precipitation
Rain
Sunshine
Wind
Jan
28C
45mm
30%
7 hours
10 knots
Warm and sunny
Feb
27C
50mm
35%
6 hours
10 knots
Mild and occasional rain showers
Mar
28C
40mm
25%
7 hours
10 knots
Sunny with occasional clouds
Apr
29C
30mm
20%
8 hours
10 knots
Warm and mostly sunny
May
30C
45mm
30%
8 hours
12 knots
Hot with occasional brief showers
Jun
31C
60mm
40%
7 hours
12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional thunderstorms
Jul
31C
60mm
45%
7 hours
12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional showers
Aug
31C
70mm
50%
7 hours
12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional showers
Sep
31C
80mm
55%
6 hours
12 knots
Hot with occasional showers and thunderstorms
Oct
30C
80mm
50%
6 hours
12 knots
Hot with occasional showers and thunderstorms
Nov
29C
60mm
40%
7 hours
10 knots
Warm and occasional rain showers
Dec
28C
50mm
35%
7 hours
10 knots
Warm and occasional rain showers
7 Day Suggested Itinerary
Day 1: Tortola
Check in is usually in the evening so spend a day in Tortola.
As the archipelago's largest island, the Capital isle of Tortola is the most likely starting point for your British Virgin Islands adventure. Ancient ruins of historic settlements past coexist side-by-side with oceanside luxury resorts and modern townships here. Some of the most stunning white-sand beaches in the world line the shores of Tortola, inviting romantic strolls and cool dips in the shade of gently swaying palms. Elsewhere, the landscape is characterized by lush mountains, hidden harbours, and sweeping plains.
If you're looking for more exciting escapades (such as water sports, fishing, or boating), then Tortola is more than up to accommodating you there, as well. Anchorages at Brandywine Bay, Soper's Hole and Trellis Bay afford excellent origin points for sailing, while surfing Cane Garden Bay, or game fishing the North and South Drops are also popular. History buffs will also find much to explore here. Pay a visit to the 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, Fort Burt, Mount Healthy Windmill, Callwood's Rum Distillery, J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens, Old Government House Museum and VI Folk Museum to learn about Tortola's rich past
When staying on Tortola, travelers have a range of options — from luxury resorts, to private villas, and even a scenic campground. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time here, you'll find both the landscape and the locals to be warm, friendly, and hospitable.
Attractions
• Shark bay 4.5 • Cane garden bay 4.5 • Smugglers cove 4.5 • Callwood rum distillery 4.0 • Sage mountain 4.0
Restaurants
• Dove restaurant 4.5 • Banana keet cafe 4.5 (one of the best restaurants in tortola) • Dcoalpot bvi restaurant 4.5 • The saga mill 4.5 (wonderful experience)
Day 2: Cooper island
A small, isolated and charming island that serves as a mooring haven for yachts
Attractions
• Cooper island beach club
Restaurants
• Cooper island beach club 4.5 (delicious dinner at the beach)
Day 3: Virgin Gorda
BVI's third-largest island, and was so named by Christopher Columbus — being as he found its shape reminiscent of a reclining woman. The island is regarded as one of the BVI's most beautiful, which is high praise given how utterly stunning the archipelago's isles are in general. Visitors to Virgin Gorda will discover vegetation- lined walking trails, several nature sanctuaries, and a truly awe-inspiring view from Gorda Point.
From there, you'll enjoy a panoramic eyeful of the island's pristine beaches and national park space. Natural beauty isn't the only sort that's on offer, however. Virgin Gorda is also home to several historic sides, including the remnants of early African, Spanish and Indian settlements. The island's largest city (Spanish Town) is a must-visit for exceptional cuisine, gifts, yacht clubs, luxury lodging, and local culture.
Attractions
• The baths 4.5 (amazing experience but take money and a snorkelling mask) • Gorda peak 4.5 • Wreck of chikuzen 5.0 (really cool easy dive)
Restaurants
• Hog heaven 4.5 (great food amazing people) • Leverick bay 4.0 • Saba rock 4.5 • North sound bistro 5.0 (bvi best kept secret) • Mad dog cafe 4.5
Day 4: Anageda
Anegada is one of the archipelago's most unique islands, given its nearly level coral and limestone topography (in contrast to the volcanic origin of most of the region's other islands). In fact, Anegada only rises 28 feet above sea level at its highest point!
The island is also surrounded by striking reefs, underwater caves, tunnel formations and age-old shipwrecks, making it a popular spot for snorkelers and SCUBA divers. Expect to spot needle fish, bonefish, stingrays, parrot fish, and other native species.
Nature enthusiasts will also discover much to love on Anegada, thanks to a largely isolated ecosystem that incorporates several interesting native species (such as rock iguanas, wild orchids, lush tropical vegetation and colorful exotic birds. Be sure not to miss the nature trail at Bones Bight, or the views at Nutmeg Point during your exploration. Looking for a quiet, contemplative beach for swimming or sunbathing? Check out the quiet shores of Cow Wreck Beach, Flash of Beauty, Bones Bight and Windlass Bight.
There's plenty of human history to discover on Anegada, as well, from ancient Arawak conch mounds in the East End, to wreckages of numerous Spanish galleons, American privateers and British Galleons in the surrounding waters.. The island's main township — The Settlement — is also home to unique island-style lodging and shopping.
• The wonky dog 4.5 • Lobster trap 4.5 (best lobster around) • Potters by the sea 4.0
Day 5: Jost van dyke
Although it's one of BVI's smallest islands, Jost Van Dyke (named for a Dutch privateer) still encapsulates an abundance of charm and history. Intrepid explorers can discover the ruins of early sugar mills, still-surviving explorer footpaths, and near-endless amounts of interesting wildlife here. Archaeological evidence suggests that Jost Van Dyke was visited by civilizations as diverse as the Arawak tribe, Caribs, Africans, the British, and — naturally — the Dutch.
Despite its diminutive stature, Jost Van Dyke's rich melting-pot history has fostered some of the Caribbean's best dining, with barbecue, Indian and seafood dominating the menus at the isle's various beachside eateries. When here, don't skip visiting Bubbly Pool, a naturally occurring “hot tub”-style swimming hole on the northeast shore.
Attractions
• White bay 5.0 (our home away from home) • Bubbly pool 4.5 • Soggy doller bar 4.5 (fun experience) • Foxys bar 4.0
Restaurants
• Sugar and spice 5.0 (incredible treat) • Hendon hideout 4.5 • Corsairs beach bar restaurant 4.5 (must visit) • Tipsy shark 5.0 (a must for dinner)
Day 6: Sandy Cay/Norman island
Sandy Cay is an uninhabited island of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It is located between Tortola and Jost Van Dyke. The island was owned by the Laurance Rockefeller Estate. On 1 May 2008, ownership of the island was transferred to the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands.
There are some places and some moments that seem absolutely unreal and Sandy Cay was one of those places. We pulled up to a long stretch of sand surrounded by unimaginably turquoise sparkling seas. The wind and water left ripples on the sand and there wasn't a footprint in sight.
There are probably many people reading this who've been to Sandy Cay and have seen this first- hand, but for me it felt like the beauty of discovery; of finding a place off-the-beaten path where few people venture. We all agreed that it was one of the prettiest stretches on the planet. Not that the water may not be similarly beautiful in places like the Maldives or French Polynesia, but to be in the thick of such beauty with zero development in sight is a rarity, one that I find myself cherishing more and more.
Norman island is said to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel “Treasure Island,” Norman Island has a well-documented history of being a stow spot for pirates. Today, It's a renowned area for divers and boaters.
Restaurants
• Pirates bight 4.5 • The willy t 4.0 • The club 4.0
Day 7: Back to Tortola
Check out is usually in the morning so spend the last night in Tortola.
