Although all of the Virgin Islands are popular for yachting, it is the British Virgin Islands (BVI) that hold the broadest appeal and most pervasive presence within the international yachting community. The greater archipelago includes the US and Spanish Virgin Islands and extended itineraries can easily include St. John, Culebra, St. Croix and even Vieques to the west. Today the BVI continue to offer an authentic version of themselves, with idyllic rum bars tucked into protected bays and premium services just a few nautical miles away. It’s worth noting that the itinerary options here are endless, and it would be impossible to experience the entirety of the islands in just one week – one of many reasons that so many boats return year after year.

TORTOLA The BVI circle Tortola, the largest of the isles, with roughly 30 more surrounding that, extending from Anegada in the north to Norman Island in the southwest. Tortola is said to be home to one of the first bareboat charter organisations in the world, and, while chartering yachts is not a new concept, the industry boomed here in the 1960s and has since remained a cornerstone of global chartering. Tortola itself is a lush island filled with harbours, bays and coves. Although it is often a starting point, it should not be overlooked when planning a route. From Soper’s Hole along the West End to Trellis Bay on Beef Island, there are several notable anchorages along the north coast including Cane Garden Bay, known for its white-sand beach lined with restaurants, bars and live entertainment. Along the south coast, Nanny Cay Marina and Road Town – the capital of the BVI – serve as major hubs for provisioning and services. A typical BVI course circumnavigates either clockwise or counterclockwise into the archipelago from Tortola, often determined by the eastern swell direction.   

Virgin Gorda 

The second largest island in the BVI, Virgin Gorda sits toward the east, shielding the Sir Francis Drake Channel from the prevailing winds. Stretching north to south, the island is lined with notable anchorages, yacht clubs and resorts, all alive with the sailing spirit.

The most iconic location in all of the BVI is the picturesque Baths, located along the southern leeward coast of the island facing Tortola and the aforementioned Sir Francis Drake Channel. These soft beautiful beaches are unlike any other. Massive granite rock formations appear as though they tumbled down a mountain and came to rest perfectly balanced and smoothed along the water’s edge. The topography is a geological wonder formed over millions of years. Ashore, natural walking paths lead visitors through the stones, where white sand and bright turquoise waters flow together.

The second most iconic location and a historic hub of yachting culture in the BVI is North Sound, home to the legendary Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock and Leverick Bay. Enter the bay from the north, following the channel markers between Colquhoun Reef and Prickly Pear Island and continue until you are well within the bay. Once inside its protected waters, the calm expanse is lined with Superyachts and hundreds of cruising and charter boats alike. 

There is ample room for yachts of all sizes to anchor in the centre of the bay, and transient moorings are available in front of Saba Rock and The Bitter End. Leverick Bay Marina is a full-service docking facility offering fuel, provisioning, waste disposal and a small selection of restaurants and bars ashore.

Anegada 

Unlike the other BVIs, Anegada is a low-lying coral island, distinct from the volcanic isles characteristic of the rest of the archipelago. Sitting 12 nautical miles north of Virgin Gorda, the island is set apart from the main cluster and its water colour, culture and topography are unrecognisable compared to the other islands. With a maximum elevation of 8.5 metres above sea level, the island’s geology resembles that of an atoll – a once-volcanic island that formed a fringing reef, which over time evolved into a low-lying coral barrier.

Setting your course due north, Anegada remains invisible until you are approximately five nautical miles away, at which point the tops of the tropical whispering pine trees come into view. Cruising boats with a draft of less than 2.4 metres can follow the channel markers toward the Setting Point anchorage. The bay is calm and quiet but can become busy, with up to 100 boats anchored during the height of the season. Potter’s By the Sea, Anegada Reef Hotel, The Lobster Trap and The Wonky Dog are the primary restaurants along the waterfront, each offering open-fire grilled Anegada lobster nightly. It’s customary to place your order in advance, as each restaurant monitors a different VHF channel. Hail your restaurant of choice upon arrival to reserve your supper. Potter’s is especially famous for its lively nightly dance parties.

A must-do when visiting Anegada is to explore the north coast. With 12 miles of uninterrupted white-sand beach dotted with rum shacks, Anegada’s north coast is consistently bright blue and calm, protected by the outer reef. Cow Wreck Beach, located along the northeast stretch, was named after a shipwreck off the reef where the surviving cows swam ashore. They can still be seen wandering the beach as you explore the coast.

Pomato Point offers an alternative anchorage for deeper-draft vessels and large yachts, which typically anchor up to two nautical miles from shore and take their tenders in for a Caribbean lobster bake experience.

Guana Island There is a cluster of small islands just off the eastern point of Tortola that includes Scrub Island, Great Camanoe, Marina Cay and Guana Island. These islands lie less than a nautical mile from Tortola and Beef Island and are a popular anchorage. Guana Island is private and home to the Guana Island Resort, an 18-room estate with scattered villas and cottages along the western side. No other residents inhabit the island, which contains some of the best-preserved native flora and fauna in the entire BVI.

White Bay, to the west of the island, has approximately 12 transient moorings, and larger yachts can often be spotted anchored farther out. Monkey Point, just south of White Bay, features day moorings and is considered one of the BVI’s most celebrated snorkelling locations.

Jost Van Dyke 

Jost Van Dyke is perhaps best known for celebrated local establishment Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour. Established in 1968 by “Foxy” Callwood, this legendary bar has become a staple of BVI culture. It sponsors the annual Wooden Boat Regatta out of Soper’s Hole and hosts the BVI’s largest New Year’s celebration.

To the west of Great Harbour lies White Bay, home to Soggy Dollar Bar, Gertrude’s, Ivan’s Stress Free Bar and Alace’s Restaurant. The bay has limited moorings, and the seafloor is a mix of hardened coral and sand. Larger yachts anchor in the outer bay beyond the reef. Protected from north and northeast swells, White Bay is exposed to easterly swells that roll in during the winter months.

Manchioneel Bay, on the east side of Jost Van Dyke just south of Little Jost Van Dyke, is a large bay marked by Green Cay, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay: it’s the island’s largest, and the most suitable for bigger yachts. The prevailing winds that enter it make this anchorage ideal for kite-surfing enthusiasts, and you’ll often find avid sportsmen flying across the water when the breeze picks up. Dinghy ashore to Sandy Cay or Sandy Spit for a unique adventure on land.

Peter Island

Peter Island lies among the Little Sisters, a micro-archipelago separating the Sir Francis Drake Channel from the Caribbean Sea. It has two points that extend from its northeast corner, stretching west and southward, creating a number of small bays along the southwest coast. These bays are secluded, with views of Norman Island and the open Caribbean. South Bay is the place to go when seeking solitude and wild nature. Along the north coast, there are three popular bays: Little Harbour, Great Harbour and Deadman’s Bay.

Both Little and Great Harbour remain largely undeveloped, aside from a local restaurant and bar named Oceanis 7 Yacht Club. Approximately 20 standard BVI transient moorings are installed in Great Harbour, while Little Harbour is a delightful spot for a stern-to anchorage with lines run ashore. On any given day, you’ll see both Superyachts and charter catamarans anchored stern-to along the shores of Little Harbour.

Enter Sprat Bay, and you’ll find numerous modern luxuries and refined facilities. The recently rebuilt Peter Island Resort and Yacht Harbour features a state-of-the-art marina facility. Connected to the hotel, the marina accommodates two Superyachts up to 60 metres, with piers for transient vessels up to 20 metres. For marina and staying guests only, there are two dining options: the Drake Steakhouse, an elegant Caribbean steakhouse and the Drunken Pelican, a casual, tropical spot just steps from the marina.

Norman Island Bookmarking the archipelago to the south is the uninhabited Norman Island, situated between Peter Island to the east and St. John to the west. It’s never been developed and Pirates Bight Restaurant is the only establishment on the island, located in The Bight Bay. Benures Bay, Soldier Bay, The Bight and Privateer Bay are the four suitable anchorages along the island, with The Bight Bay being one of the largest protected bays in the BVI. Privateer Bay, on the western side, is known for the great snorkelling you can do along the cliffs, known as The Caves. Larger yachts typically anchor in Privateer Bay, while smaller cruising charter boats utilise the 75 moorings in The Bight.