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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

TemperaturePrecipitationRainSunshineWind
Jan28C45mm30%7 hours10 knots
Warm and sunny
Feb27C50mm35%6 hours10 knots
Mild and occasional rain showers
Mar28C40mm25%7 hours10 knots
Sunny with occasional clouds
Apr29C30mm20%8 hours10 knots
Warm and mostly sunny
May30C45mm30%8 hours12 knots
Hot with occasional brief showers
Jun31C60mm40%7 hours12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional thunderstorms
Jul31C60mm45%7 hours12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional showers
Aug31C70mm50%7 hours12 knots
Hot and humid with occasional showers
Sep31C80mm55%6 hours12 knots
Hot with occasional showers and thunderstorms
Oct30C80mm50%6 hours12 knots
Hot with occasional showers and thunderstorms
Nov29C60mm40%7 hours10 knots
Warm and occasional rain showers
Dec28C50mm35%7 hours10 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.

Attractions
• Horseshoe reef 5.0 (amazing flamingo and conch island)
• Cow wreck beach 4.5
• Loblolly beach 4.5

Restaurants
• 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.

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