Explore the British Virgin Islands
Cooper Island
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 a 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.
Virgin Gorda Island
Head to Virgin Gorda, home of the famous Baths, where the path through giant boulders to Devil’s Bay remains pristine. Enjoy panoramic views at Top of the Baths Restaurant. The nearby Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor offers Wi-Fi, fuel, water, and ice. Radio ahead for a slip or use a mooring ball and dinghy in. A grocery store is a short walk away, and nearby restaurants like Snapper’s Bar & Grill and Coco Maya (a 10-minute walk from Spanish Town) offer great meals and drinks.
Anegada Island
Set sail early for a scenic cruise to Anegada, a charming, sparsely populated island with a unique landscape. Unlike other BVI islands, it’s flat and 11 miles long, with gentle trade winds, sandy shores, and palm trees. The salt ponds in the center attract flamingos and other birds. For lunch, head to Cow Wreck Beach Bar, where you can enjoy world-class beaches and friendly locals. Explore gift shops, snorkel at Loblolly Bay, and grab a drink at Big Bamboo. For dinner, try Anegada Reef Hotel, Potter’s by the Sea, or Wonky Dog for famous lobster. Anegada Reef Hotel also helps arrange local transport.
Marina Cay
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.
Cane Garden Bay
Sail around Tortola’s northern end to Cane Garden Bay. Rum lovers can visit the Callwood Rum Distillery and enjoy lunch on the beach, while beachgoers may opt to snorkel or swim. As you approach, look for two secluded islands, Sandy Spit and Sand Cay, perfect for anchoring and relaxing. Cane Garden Bay offers plenty of mooring balls and great dining, including Quito’s Gazebo with beachside lunch and live reggae at sunset. Nearby, Paradise Grill offers iconic photo ops with swings in the sand. Myett’s and Indigo also serve up delicious meals and drinks.
Great Harbour
Just north and west of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke rises from turquoise waters. With a population of just over 200, it retains a rural charm. No British Virgin Islands trip is complete without visiting Jost Van Dyke, home to favorite seaside spots. Great Harbour offers excellent anchorage and Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant, plus a boutique with souvenirs. Nearby, Cool Breeze Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and Wi-Fi. Corsair’s offers a full menu down the beach. White Bay, a short cruise away, features a stunning beach, snorkeling, and bars like Soggy Dollar, Hendo’s Hideout, and more.
The Bight
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.
