Planning
BVI Itineraries
Two tried-and-true routes — one week and ten days — built around the anchorages we keep coming back to.
The BVIs are compact enough that you can cover a lot of ground in a week, but rich enough that ten days still leaves you wanting more. Both itineraries below start and end in Road Town, Tortola, and hit the three stops we consider non-negotiable: the Bight at Norman Island, the Baths at Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. The 10-day version simply breathes more — extra nights, a run to Anegada, and time to linger.
7-Day Classic BVI
The essential loop — all the highlights, perfectly paced.
Day 1
Road Town, Tortola → The Bight, Norman Island
Pick up your boat mid-morning, provision at Riteway or Bobby's, and motor-sail south. 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 (the floating bar). Dinner at Pirates Bight.
Day 2
The Bight → The Indians → Cooper Island
An early start gets you to The Indians before the day-charter crowd. Four dramatic pinnacles rising from the sea with spectacular snorkeling all around. Then sail east to Cooper Island — a quieter, more laid-back stop with a great beach bar and mooring field.
Day 3
Cooper Island → Virgin Gorda — The Baths
An easy sail northeast. Grab a mooring off the Baths early — they fill fast. 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. Anchor overnight in the North Sound or Spring Bay.
Day 4
Virgin Gorda → Gorda Sound (North Sound)
Spend the morning exploring the North Sound — Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club, and Leverick Bay are all within easy dinghy range. Excellent snorkeling at Eustatia Reef. This is a good provisioning stop if you're running low.
Day 5
Gorda Sound → Marina Cay → Trellis Bay, Beef Island
A short hop west. Marina Cay is a tiny private island with a Pusser's bar and good snorkeling. Trellis Bay on Beef Island is a lively anchorage with a full moon party tradition, local art, and the Aragorn's Studio market.
Day 6
Trellis Bay → Jost Van Dyke — Great Harbour
The longest sail of the trip — beat northwest around Tortola or take the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Worth every mile. Great Harbour is home to Foxy's, one of the most famous beach bars in the Caribbean. Anchor off the beach, dinghy in, and plan to stay late.
Day 7
Jost Van Dyke → Road Town, Tortola
A relaxed morning sail back. Stop at Sandy Cay (a tiny uninhabited island with a perfect crescent beach) if time allows. Return the boat by 5pm. Celebrate at a Road Town restaurant — you've earned it.
10-Day Extended BVI
More time, more islands — including a run to Anegada.
Day 1
Road Town, Tortola → The Bight, Norman Island
Same start as the 7-day — provision, depart, and settle into the Bight. With 10 days ahead, there's no rush. Snorkel the Caves, enjoy a long dinner at Pirates Bight, and let the rhythm of the water take over.
Day 2
The Bight → Peter Island — Deadman's Bay
Peter Island is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the BVIs. Deadman's Bay is a long white-sand beach with calm, clear water. The Peter Island Resort is here but the anchorage is open to all. Excellent snorkeling at the eastern end of the bay.
Day 3
Peter Island → The Indians → Cooper Island
Hit The Indians early before the crowds, then continue to Cooper Island for a relaxed afternoon. The Cooper Island Beach Club has excellent rum drinks and a surprisingly good menu.
Day 4
Cooper Island → Virgin Gorda — The Baths
Sail northeast to Virgin Gorda. Arrive at the Baths mooring field early — by 9am if you can manage it. After the Baths trail, anchor in Spring Bay for lunch, then move to the North Sound for the night.
Day 5
Gorda Sound — Full Day
Spend a full day in the North Sound. Snorkel Eustatia Reef in the morning, dinghy to Saba Rock for lunch, and explore Bitter End in the afternoon. This is one of the great sailing destinations in the world — don't rush through it.
Day 6
Gorda 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. The lobster here is legendary; reserve your dinner as soon as you arrive. Snorkel Horseshoe Reef, one of the largest barrier reefs in the Caribbean.
Day 7
Anegada → Trellis Bay, Beef Island
Depart Anegada in the morning — the reef entrance is easier in good light. Sail southwest back to Trellis Bay. Aragorn's Studio and the local market are worth an evening ashore.
Day 8
Trellis Bay → Marina Cay → Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Stop at Marina Cay for a Pusser's Painkiller, then continue around the north shore of Tortola to Cane Garden Bay — a beautiful crescent beach with a lively bar scene. Quito's Gazebo has live music most nights.
Day 9
Cane Garden Bay → Jost Van Dyke — Great Harbour & White Bay
Sail northwest to Jost Van Dyke. Anchor in Great Harbour for Foxy's, then move around to White Bay in the afternoon — home of the Soggy Dollar Bar and the original Painkiller cocktail. One of the best beach bar scenes in the Caribbean.
Day 10
Jost Van Dyke → Road Town, Tortola
A slow morning on White Bay beach, then sail back to Road Town. Stop at Sandy Cay if the wind and time allow. Return the boat, swap stories with the dock crew, and start planning your next trip.
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.
Mooring balls are required in many BVI anchorages. Budget around $30 per night and always have cash on hand — not all mooring operators take cards.
The Anegada run (Day 6 of the 10-day) 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.