The Virgin Islands
With miles of sparkling sandy beaches beneath striking cliffs, unparalleled dive sites, safe waters and a constant breeze, the Virgin Islands have long been a seafarers' haven stretching across the northeast of the Caribbean Sea. Discovered by Columbus 500 years ago, the 50-plus islands that make up the Virgin Islands have a long and colourful history.
Columbus was followed by pirates and fighting Europeans, leaving behind a chain of defensive stone forts built by the Dutch, English and Spanish that can still be seen along the coastlines. Today the islands attract a more sophisticated type of seafarer, who sails around the secret bays and hidden coves by day and into one of the many marinas to visit the glamorous bars, restaurants and boutiques that the Virgin Islands are famed for.
Itinerary - St Thomas to Jost Van Dyke
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Day 1
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas to Hurricane Hole, St John
(18 Nautical Miles) | An ideal place to start your charter, the busy harbour of Charlotte Amalie is crowded with sophisticated boutiques and restaurants. Begin your charter with a cruise to Hurricane Hole, St John, a perfect anchorage surrounded by the National Park's white beaches, emerald cays and turquoise waters. |
Day 2
Trunk Bay, St John to Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
(19 Nautical Miles) | Sail via Crux Bay, and follow the snorkel trail around Trunk Bay before setting sail across the 'border' from the US Virgin Islands to the British Virgin Islands. Drop anchor at Cane Garden Bay and visit Mount Sage for panoramic views before a lively night ashore in the bustling beach bars and local "jump-ons". |
Day 3
Cane Garden Bay to Soper's Hole, Tortola to Norman Island
(11 Nautical Miles) | Voyage to the marina at Soper's Hole before cruising across the Sir Francis Drake Passage to Norman Island. Explore the caves with blue, lavender and golden stalactites, and swim in the deliciously warm sea off Deadman's Bay before dining at Willy T's Bar & Restaurant. |
Day 4
Norman Island to Peter Island
(4 Nautical Miles) | It's a short hop across to Peter's Island where you can spend the morning water skiing in the secluded White Bay. Enjoy panoramic views to Dead Chest Island, where Blackbeard marooned 15 men with just a bottle of rum and their sea chests for company. |
Days 5 & 6
Peter Island to the Baths and North Sound, Virgin Gorda
(18 Nautical Miles) | Wallow in the rock pools created by the huge granite boulders of The Baths. Float in the warm waters and watch trigger and angel-fish dart among the corals, rich with the colours of the rainbow. Relax on deck whilst the pink flamingos gingerly wade in the salt ponds. Sail around to North Sound and the popular Bitter End Yacht Club for some evening entertainment. |
Day 7
Virgin Gorda to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
(3 Nautical Miles) | Spend the day leisurely sailing towards Jost Van Dyke, arriving at either Green Cay or White Bay, both white-golden beaches surrounded by a great snorkelling reef. |
Day 8
Jost Van Dyke to St Thomas
(20 Nautical Miles) | Weigh anchor and cruise via Great Harbour back across the 'border' to St Thomas where you can gently reintroduce yourself to the 21st Century. |
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