Explore The British Virgin Islands

 Cooper Island, located a short 6 nautical miles from The Moorings base at Road Town, is a beautiful island with a protected anchorage at Manchioneel Bay, and plenty of activities to offer. Ashore, Cooper Island Beach Club is the main attraction – a small resort with restaurant, rum bar, coffee shop, boutique, and lovely outdoor lounge area. The beach bar and lounge face west, making this the perfect place for enjoying a cocktail while watching a stunning Caribbean sunset. The beach and calm waters make Manchioneel Bay well-suited for water sports, and nearby Cistern Point offers excellent snorkeling and turtle watching. 

Venture toward the island of Virgin Gorda, home of the world-famous Baths. The Baths are as pristine as ever, including the famous pathway leading through the giant boulders to Devil’s Bay. Top of the Baths Restaurant is open with its delightful panoramic views.

The nearby marina at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor offers Wi-Fi, fuel, water and ice. Radio ahead for a slip on the dock, or take a mooring ball outside the harbor and dinghy in. The grocery store is a short walk, and there are also some restaurants open nearby that can be accessed by dinghy or taxi, including the all new Snapper’s Bar & Grill, and Coco Maya which is a 10-minute walk from Spanish Town. Coco Maya is a great spot to relax with a cocktail and meal.

Get underway early and enjoy a scenic cruise to Anegada, a charter-favorite that remains just as charming as the last time you visited. Sparsely populated and rural, Anegada is 11 miles long, low, and flat, quite unlike any of the other islands in the BVI. The balmy trade winds gently sweep across its sandy shores, swaying the palms and rustling through the boughs of the pines. In the center of the island is a series of salt ponds, beautiful and teeming with birds. A flock of pink Caribbean flamingos live on the ponds not far from the anchorages on the western end.

Take a taxi or scooter rental to Cow Wreck Beach Bar for lunch, where the locals are always friendly and beaches are world-class. Don’t miss the nearby gift shops. Visit beautiful Loblolly Bay for excellent snorkeling, and stop at Big Bamboo for a cocktail or snack. For a delightful dinner ashore, make reservations at Anegada Reef Hotel, Potter’s by the Sea, or Wonky Dog to tempt your taste buds with famous Anegada lobster. Anegada Reef Hotel can also assist in organizing taxi transportation to get the most of your time on the island.

 Scenic and quiet, Marina Cay is a sheltered anchorage nestled behind a protective reef. Cruising in Marina Cay waters brings you to the north end of Tortola and the smaller isles that bejewel its picturesque coast. 

Sail around the northern end of Tortola, bound for Cane Garden Bay. Rum enthusiasts may want to arrive earlier for a lunch on the beach and a visit to the Callwood Rum Distillery. Beach lovers may choose instead to stop for a snorkel or swim. Two splendidly secluded stretches of sand will catch your eye as you near Cane Garden Bay. Sandy spit and Sand Cay are tiny islands where can anchor carefully and swim or dinghy ashore, often with only a few palm trees for company.

Cane Garden Bay has plenty of mooring balls and great restaurants on shore. Quito’s Gazebo has a beachside lunch menu and an indoor restaurant menu. At night live Reggae music accompanies the sunset and friendly service. Watch the schedule to see when Quito himself will play! Next door Paradise Grill is home to the iconic photo opportunity with two swings in the sand behind a sign declaring, “I Love BVI”. Myett’s and Indigo are two more excellent stops for dining and drinks.

 Just to the north and west of Tortola, the heights of Jost Van Dyke rise majestically from a turquoise sea. With a population of a little more than 200, the island’s character is distinctly rural. No British Virgin Islands vacation is complete without a visit to Jost Van Dyke, which harbors some of our favorite seaside establishments. Great Harbour is an excellent overnight anchorage and is home to the famous Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant. Foxy’s boutique is open and stocked with souvenirs. A short walk from Foxy’s is Cool Breeze cafe, offering Wi-Fi along with breakfast and lunch. Further down the beach, Corsair’s offers a full menu throughout the day. White Bay, just a short cruise from Great Harbour, is a popular day anchorage offering a beautiful beach and snorkeling along the reef. A wide selection of restaurants and bars line the beach, including the famous Soggy Dollar Bar, Hendo’s Hideout, Gertrude’s, Seddy’s One Love, and more. 

 Norman Island, with its popular anchorage “The Bight”, lies on the east side of Flanagan Passage with St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands just across from it to the west. Hilly, scenic, and popular for its superior snorkeling locations, Norman Island is a highly-recommended stop on any BVI charter. Enjoy drinks and dining at Pirate’s Bight Restaurant, serving appetizers, salads, entrees and cocktails including Pirate’s “Irma Punch”. There are plenty of mooring balls available here, and you can enjoy snorkeling at both The Indians and The Caves.