Planning
BVI Itineraries
A ten-day route built around the anchorages we keep coming back to. Seven day trip - remove the Anegada voyage and stay only one night in Great Harbour, Jost VanDyke.
The BVIs are rich enough that ten days still leaves you wanting more. This itinerary starts and ends in Road Town, Tortola, and hits the stops we consider non-negotiable: the Bight at Norman Island, the Baths at Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. It breathes — extra nights, a run to Anegada, and time to linger.
10-Day Extended BVI
More time, more islands — including a run to Anegada.
Day 1 - Wednesday
Road Town, Tortola → Cooper Island
Wake up after your night's sleep aboard, skippers go to chart briefing, remaining crew stows provisions from Riteway, check boat systems out (more on these in Notes) and sail to Cooper Island in the early afternoon. The Cooper Island Beach Club https://cooperislandbeachclub.com has excellent rum drinks and a surprisingly good menu. Snorkel at Cistern Point — one of the better snorkeling spots, with coral, reef fish and turtles. Visit the Rum Distillery — try their locally made rum and visit the shop. Kayak, swim, float, and enjoy your first full day in paradise!
Day 2 - Thursday
Cooper Island > North Sound Virgin Gorda
The North Sound is a world-famous, protected marine playground located on the northeastern tip of Virgin Gorda. Reserve a mooring ball (more about mooring balls in Notes)at the Bitter End Yacht Club https://beyc.com after an amazing sail north. From there you can rent water toys, enjoy a drink at the Quarter deck, take your dinghy to Saba Rock https://sabarock.com, snorkel at Eustatia and Prickly Pear, kayak, or simply grab a beverage, good book and chill!
Day 3 - Friday
North Sound > Leverick Bay
Wake up refreshed, ready for another amazing day. Around 10am motor over to Leverick Bay Marina https://leverickbay.com. (Reservation strongly recommended). Jump aboard an open air taxi from Tiger's Taxi (248-345-2025). Enjoy a breathtaking voyage up and over the mountains to The Baths. Be sure to add a stop at Hog Heaven for spectacular views. The Baths are a UNESCO-worthy collection of giant granite boulders forming sea caves and tidal pools. Walk the trail through to Devil's Bay. Stop at The Top of the Baths https://topofthebaths.com restaurant and bar once your tour is complete. You can even take a dip in their freshwater pool. Call taxi, return to Leverick Bay for nightly entertainment. TIP: Large crowds, off cruise ships, between 9am- 1pm. Visit the Baths in afternoon.
Day 4 - Saturday
North Sound > Anegada
The big adventure. Anegada is a flat coral island 14 miles north of Virgin Gorda — a long open-water sail with a tricky reef entrance. Call ahead to the Anegada Reef Hotel for a mooring or via Boatyball.com. The lobster here is legendary; reserve your dinner as soon as you arrive, if not before. Snorkel Horseshoe Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the Caribbean. Rent scooters or jeeps and visit the north shore. Things to do: 1. Loblolly Bay — snorkeling & beach One of the best places on Anegada for snorkeling. Long, beautiful beach with relatively few people. The reef is accessible from shore. 2. Cow Wreck Beach Beautiful white sand and turquoise water. Great for swimming and relaxing. Cow Wreck Beach Bar & Grill is right on the beach—great spot for lunch and a rum drink. 3. Lobster & dinner with amazing sunsets. Either The Reef or Potter's By the Sea. Anegada has very little development and relatively low light pollution, so sunsets and nighttime stargazing can be excellent.
Day 5 - Sunday
Anegada > Marina Cay
Spend another full day sailing, to Marina Cay. Marina Cay is particularly convenient because the anchorage is protected and the island has moorings. After a long sail, relax, visit the small island, snorkel the reefs, kayak, or just chill out. An alternative is either Scrub Island Marina https://scrubisland.com or nearby Trellis Bay. Trellis Bay is located at the end of the airport runway on Beef Island.
Day 6 - Monday
Marina Cay > Cane Garden Bay
Cane Garden Bay — a beautiful crescent beach with a lively bar scene. Several beachfront places have live music, particularly in the evening. Numerous memories can be made here, starting with: A stroll down the long beach, visiting the Callwood Distillery, shop for souvenirs, swim, or stop in at one of the many beach bars. Stop at Bobby's Supermarket if you need to replenish provisions. There's also an ATM. NOTE: Not a good anchorage if northern swells are present. Find alternate anchorage, possibly Sopher's Hole https://sopersholemarina.com on Tortola's west end. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VamjRTuhG6E
Day 7 & 8 Tuesday & Wednesday
Cane Garden Bay → Jost Van Dyke — Great Harbour & White Bay
Sail northwest to Jost Van Dyke. A stop at Sandy Cay https://yachtwarriors.com/destinations/british-virgin-islands/islands/sandy-cay is a must. It's an almost impossibly small white-sand island with turquoise water—great for swimming, snorkeling and taking pictures. Continue sailing up to your reserved 2 night mooring in Great Harbour https://yachtwarriors.com/destinations/british-virgin-islands/islands/great-harbour-jost-van-dyke. Explore Foxy's, then dinghy around to White Bay the following day — home of the Soggy Dollar Bar https://www.soggydollar.com and the original Painkiller cocktail. Avid sailors can spend the day sailing. Remaining crew can soak up the sun in one of Soggy's beachchairs. Return to original mooring in Great Harbour for another evening.
Day 9 - Thursday
Jost VanDyke (Great Harbour) > Norman Island
Anchor in the Bight by early afternoon — it's a big, well-protected anchorage with excellent holding. Dinghy ashore to the Caves for snorkeling, then sundowners at Willy T's https://willytbvi.com (the floating bar). Dinner at Pirates Bight https://www.piratesbight.com.
Day 10 - Friday
Norman Island > Roadtown Tortola
Dinghy over and snorkel the Indians. They are the four dramatic rock pinnacles just offshore from Norman Island. Excellent snorkeling and diving around the rocks. Coral, sponges, colorful reef fish and sometimes hawksbill turtles. There are underwater arches, ledges and a short swim-through/tunnel. Depths range roughly 10–50/60 feet, so snorkelers can stay shallow while divers explore deeper. Daytime moorings fill fast, so schedule this adventure early. Easy, short sail back to your charter base in Roadtown. Dock in afternoon and spend remaining day (and last night in paradise) exploring the town. Cruise ships usually leave by 5pm, so crowds are smaller.
Day 11- saturday
Fly Home
But, if you're like us, you'll be back!
A Few Planning Notes
Both itineraries start and end in Road Town, Tortola — where most charter bases are located. Adjust the first and last day based on your charter company's base. Sail clockwise or counterclockwise around the islands.
Mooring balls are required in many BVI anchorages. Budget around $45 per night on first come first serve mooring balls. However, the best advise I can give you is to reserve your mooring ball through Boatyball.com. for $55 per night.
The Anegada run requires advance permission from most charter companies. Ask when you book — most allow it with a weather window.
Customs and immigration: if you plan to visit the USVI (St. John, St. Thomas), you'll need to clear customs in both directions. It adds time but St. John's Coral Bay is worth it.