Ultimate 7 Day BVI Sailing Itinerary: Best Stops & Map
The British Virgin Islands are one of the world’s best sailing destinations, and it is easy to see why. We have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, and nothing compares to the ease of sailing and countless protected anchorages in the BVI. Even in peak season, you can still find quiet, tucked-away bays if you know where to look.
Best 7 Day BVI Sailing Route
Tortola ➡️ Salt Island ➡️ Virgin Gorda ➡️ Anegada ➡️ Marina Cay ➡️ Little Jost Van Dyke ➡️ Jost Van Dyke ➡️ Norman Island ➡️ Tortola.
This is counterclockwise route around Tortola works beautifully in traditional trade winds. It mixes snorkeling and beach time, hits all the hot spots, and gives you a realistic pace that does not feel rushed.
Map of This 7 Day BVI Sailing Itinerary
Before You Go: What to Know for a BVI Charter Vacation
Best Time to Sail the BVI
November through June is the height of sailing and tourist season.
Peak times of the season are the winter holidays and spring break. There’s a lull in tourists in late January and early February, and again just after spring break in late April and early May before the early summer rush wraps up the season.
Summer is the quieter time of year but can still be a great option if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, and you don’t care about the hot-spot restaurants which close in late August through October. If you are there to sail, be in secluded bays surrounded by nature, this is a way to get away from it all. It is hurricane season, so travel insurance is a must in the summer months.
April is my favorite time in the British Virgin Islands! Less crowded, warm sunny days, nice breeze at night.
Slow Down, You’re on Island Time
If you’re used to a fast-paced routine, this might take a minute to adjust. When you’re sailing the Virgin Islands, slowing down is part of the experience.
Remember to greet others with “good morning, good afternoon, and good night.” Things may run a little late, and that’s normal. Deliveries, food and drink orders, and greetings at establishments in general are slower than your experience at home.
Let go of the schedule, and enjoy your surroundings.
Bareboat vs Crewed Charter Yacht
If you have sailing and boating experience, this itinerary will work great for bareboaters because we are going to show options that might be new to you.
Bareboating is more like camping. You are hands-on, doing it all: setting everything up for yourself and learning the ropes. The crewed yacht is just show up, sit back, and relax. It is like going to a resort in that we do all the work for you.
For those that have no boating experience, a crewed yacht is the ultimate vacation! Even if you have experience, a crewed yacht allows you to be totally turned off and in vacation mode.
Over the years, we’ve hosted several very experienced sailors as guests on our crewed yacht because they’re ready for a hands-off vacation. No worrying about the safety of others, navigation, checking charts or weather.
Provisioning Tips
With many years of experience provisioning in Tortola, my go-to store is Riteway.
While Riteway is a chain, they seem to carry the widest variety of options. In the Caribbean, you will never find a one-stop shop, but this is as close as it gets. With their online ordering system, it’s best to order heavy items (like drinks and canned goods), dry and pantry goods, and meats (there’s a section for special requests to enter notes for the butcher). Keep in mind, what you find there one week, may not be there the next.
After delivery, you will take inventory and possibly need to return some unwanted substitutes. Head to Riteway in person for things that you want to put your hands on, like produce.
Next stop for me was the locally owned chain, One Mart. While One Mart also offers online ordering, it’s not the best interface. One Mart also carries a wide variety that differs from RiteWay.
The third big store option is Bobby’s. Locally owned and has a great name in the community. Bobby’s is great for specialty diets; they carry many gluten-free and vegan options. My caveat to Bobby’s is you must to check the expiration dates, and their refrigeration and dry produce section is truly a last resort.
More specialty stores include:
Steakation Butchers, French Deli, SupaValu, Gourmet Foods, Relish, local farms for produce and herbs, a sustainable lobster farm, and Seafood Kingdom.
Seafood Kingdom has the best price and great quality. He provides many of the restaurants throught the BVI and was our go-to for seafood as well.
In the BVI, alcohol distributors are licensed by brand, so not every store carries everything. RiteWay has the license for popular Cruzan Rum, while Caribbean Cellars and Tico carry most other brands and typically have the best pricing on beer, liquor, and wine.
All of these places will deliver with a minimum order.
Moorings vs Anchoring
With both first come first serve (FCFS) balls and balls that can be reserved, mooring balls/buoys are most popular in the British Virgin Islands. Anchoring is also allowed in most areas around the BVI (contrary to popular belief). It is illegal to anchor in coral.
Pre-reserved balls are managed by the US-owned company, Boaty Ball. You will find the orange with blue stripe BoatyBalls in almost every bay. White balls with blue stripes are first come first serve.
There are also yellow (commercial vessel only), blue (dinghy only), and red (private and bareboat vessels) National Parks mooring balls that are limited to 90-minute use.
While anchoring spots are being filled by mooring balls every year, there are still plenty of places to anchor.
If you are a cruiser on your own boat, trust your anchor, and have plenty of anchor chain, you will never struggle to find an anchoring spot in the BVI.
If you are bareboating, there are more limitations. Companies restrict where you can anchor, and since you don’t know the size of the anchor or length of chain onboard, anchoring may not always be safe depending on depth and conditions.
Ultimate 7 Day BVI Sailing Itinerary: Day by Day
Let’s break down our favorite spots with weather alternatives.
Day 1: Tortola to Salt Island
We depart Tortola and head to Salt Island. Right out the gate, we’re getting in some sailing, but it’s short enough that you’re swimming in the Caribbean Sea quickly. Anchor on the north side of Salt Pond Bay for a quieter area.
If the weather is settled, take the dinghy around to Lee Bay to snorkel (or dive) the wreck of the R.M.S Rhone. Be cautious entering, as there can be a strong current in this area.
Hike around the salt pond, bird watch, climb the hills for a birdseye view of Sir Francis Drank Channel.
Enjoy the warm sea with a snorkel, standup paddle-board, or just float with a cocktail.
Weather Alternatives:
If a northswell is running, Salt Pond Bay will be uncomfortable, so Peter Island is our preferred alternative. The south side of Peter offers a quieter, more nature focused area similar to Salt Island; while Great Harbor offers the best protection in most weather patterns.
Restaurant Alternatives:
If you’re looking to dine ashore on your first night, Peter Island Resort offers both fine dining and casual waterfront options.
Ocean 7 is an independent restaurant in Great Harbor, Peter Island with varying hours.
While Cooper Island makes most must-visit itineraries, it’s on our alternative list. The reason being, the mooring field has limited balls, is compact, busy, and can be exposed to weather. The Cooper Island Beach Club does offer a unique experience with their rum bar and microbrewery.
Day 2: Salt Island to Virgin Gorda
The Baths at Virgin Gorda National Park are a true highlight! Firstly, check the cruise ship schedule because you do not want to be there when a large cruise ship is in port.
Honestly, this is a day where it is probably best to motor, but for the hardcore sailors it is fun tacking up the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Often standard advice is to go early to avoid the crowds at The Baths. Instead by planning around cruise ships, you don’t have to wake up extra early on vacation, and you really do want to be there when the sun is high. Not only are The Baths special because of their impressive geologic features, the bright teal blue water surrounding the white sand and gray boulders glows midday!
Pick up a National Park mooring ball or anchor at Valley Trunk then take your dinghy into a National Park dinghy mooring line and swim in. There is a safety flag system in place (Yellow=use standard cation, Red=mooring field closed/no swimming, Purple=marine life cation/jellyfish bloom) Check the Flag Status Here
Swimming into The Baths does require good mobility and confidence swimming.
Weather/Ability Alternative
Dock at Spanish Town Marina and visit by land. If you’re pre-planning your trip and know swimming in is not an option for your group, book a slip in the marina for land access.
For weather rerouting, the marina offers an hourly rate but availability may be limited.
Skip the west side of Virgin Gorda on a strong northswell and go straight to North Sound, Virgin Gorda. Taxi from Leverick Bay Marina to The Baths with a bonus island tour and stop for a photo op at the iconic Virgin Gorda sign.
There is a $3 per person entry fee for The Baths National Park, whether you are going in by water or by land.
Safety Tip: Remove your hat walking through the boulders at The Baths. You’ll be ducking, climbing, and moving around with rocks above your head. I can’t tell you how many of our guests have hit their heads!
Skip The Baths Alternative:
Let’s say it’s not your first trip, and you’ve already experienced the magic of The Baths and are looking for something different.
- Fallen Jerusalem is an extension of the same geologic features just south of mainland Virgin Gorda, offering a much smaller scale experience without the amenities or other people.
- Savannah Bay offers a secluded lunch stop perfect for floating, snorkeling, and some beach time.
- Trunk Bay offers snorkeling, beach time with a walking path up to the Sugarcane Restaurant.
- Mountain Point (Long Bay) offers snorkeling/diving, floating, and beachcombing in a remote area.
- If there’s a strong northswell the above locations will be unattainable, go to the south side of Ginger Island instead. You’ll thank me later!
After The Baths, sail up to spend the night in North Sound, Virgin Gorda. North Sound is a huge area with so many options!
- Somewhere quiet to spend the evening on the boat: Drake’s Anchorage on the east side of Mosquito Island. Because it’s a private island with nothing ashore for boaters, it’s a less populated anchorage well protected by a reef with the most beautiful sunrise view.
- Another anchorage we love is off of Prickly Pear Island. Both sides of Prickly Pear are great options depending on the weather. The west side is the more protected side while the east side has a great spot in the general area of Eustatia Sound. That beach does face east, so depending on the trades and the time of year, you can get sargassum filtering in there. It is not a reliable everyday anchorage, but it is somewhere to check out.
- There is great snorkeling on the northwest side of Eustatia Island and throughout Eustatia sound with bright, beautiful blue, shallow water.
- Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock mooring field: these two iconic spots dominate the North Sound.
Side story: I first visited Saba Rock in 2002 with my dad, and during the tarpon feeding that still happens today, a staff member climbed a palm tree to grab me my first coconut.
- Bitter End Yacht Club is a longtime favorite, rebuilt after the 2017 hurricanes into a beautiful, reimagined version of itself with a nostalgic yacht club feel.
- Saba Rock also reopened after the storms with a more upscale vibe and prices to match. It is a great stop for drinks, especially the upstairs lounge.
- Biras Creek and Oil Nut Bay are two other marinas that offer high-end dining experiences.
- There is plenty to do, from water toys and beachtime to a scenic hike and hammocks, but these mooring fields are busy and not ideal for relaxing off the boat. Overall, this is more of a go-ashore-and-enjoy-the-scene area than a place to float and chill.
- Leverick Bay Marina: Leverick Bay is actually the only marina in North Sound that is part of mainland Virgin Gorda with street access, making it ideal for those interested in a land tour and land-based Baths’ visit.
- Leverick Bay is a family-friendly resort with a Happy Arr pirate show and beach BBQs during peak season. They also have an upstairs fine dining restaurant that gives a beautiful overview of North Sound.
- While there is tons to do in North Sound, we treat it more as an overnight stop since we gravitate more towards water and nature spots, but many love to spend an entire day(s) there with the resort and beach bar scene.
Land tour tip: visit Sugarcane Restaurant for an incredible cocktail and dip in the pool. Stop at Hog Heaven for a BBQ snack and breathtaking view of North Sound.
Day 3: Virgin Gorda to Anegada
With the traditional tradewinds, you can almost guarantee a fast sail to Anegada from North Sound.
Do not be too alarmed by the weather report. Anegada’s Horseshoe Reef blocks the Atlantic swell, so conditions are typically much calmer than forecast.
The only time to canceling your Anegada sail is if there is a strong southerly swell, as a swell from the south will make the anchorage unsafe.
Anegada, the only coral atoll in the Virgin Islands, looks like it was plucked out of the Bahamas and dropped in the Virgin Islands. It is a totally different landscape, so flat that you only start to see the bushes and the trees a few miles out. It’s an overwhelming feeling arriving to that bright pop of beautiful blue water.
Navigate carefully. Follow the charts. They are accurate. It historically has a bad name, but the charts are accurate. Just be vigilant on the approach.
Mooring ball or Anchor? Take your pick. BoatyBall is available, FCFS balls are plentiful, and there is space to anchor in the back of the field. It does get very shallow quickly out of the mooring field, so go slow and use caution.
Choose your main activities: Horseshoe Reef Tour or Island Land Tour
Many operators offer a day/half day tour to Horseshoe reef to include snorkeling the best reef in all the Virgin Islands, hopefully a sneak peek of the resident flamingo flamboyance (group), a visit to Conch Island, diving for fresh conch, and freshly boat-made conch ceviche.
Operators also offer SUP mangrove tours, kiteboarding, e-foiling, and fishing.
Rent a vehicle (or hire a taxi) to traverse the island’s single road. Anegada offers some of our favorite beach stops with snorkeling available right offshore. Rent a car, safari truck, or moke for a unique experience.
Local tip: DO NOT RENT A MOPED! The roads are sand.
You can choose to circumnavigate the island clockwise or counterwise; it makes no difference, but I’ll explain in a clockwise order so you can choose where to start.
Pick up your rental from one of the many options around Anegada Reef Hotel. After a quick photoshoot with Beyond The Reef’s Humpback Whale Sculpture, take the roundabouts first exit.
- The Pink Flamingo: Very local vibe (think loud music) fun for quick stop
- Sid’s at Pomato Point: Beautiful venue, outstanding food, absolutely stunning long-stretch of picture perfect Caribbean coastline
- Francis Family Farms: offering horseback riding
- Cow Wreck: one of the original favorites leaning into the history of Cow Wreck Beach
- Tipsy by Ann: Party spot. DJ, basketball, bar games, cornhole, cabanas, beach swings
- Anegada Beach Club: Great land-based destination when visiting with Polynesian-style villas
- Road passes through the island’s central salt pond, home to a wild flamingo population, with sandy stretches and pull-off areas
- Big Bamboo: Restaurant seating set back in the trees with paths that weave through and then open out to a big long stretch of beach
- Flash of Beauty: very small, very local, very engaging and friendly with the best snorkeling from shore. Check for ocean current and treat as a drift snorkel
- The Settlement: Rock Iguana Headstart Facility and Botanical Garden with a photo op at the iconic Anegada sign
- Flamingo Pond Lookout: small raised viewpoint with observation binoculars
- Crab Hole: Not to miss hidden gem! Open-air bar with a few bottles of liquor, a minifridge with a few beers, and money box. A true honor bar with a rooftop view
Dinner time favorites
- Wonky Dog: Our personal favorite for its standout lobster specialties like jerk mango, plus a wide-ranging menu from seafood to 13-hour lamb shank and Chef Peter’s must-try sticky toffee pudding
- Potters by the Sea: Mr. Potter’s chef, Sam, is known for the best traditional grilled lobster and the limbo-king of islands.
- There are others, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the waterfront options in Anegada!
Day 4: Anegada to Marina Cay Area
Leaving Anegada is usually a great downwind sail making for what we call comfortable cocktail sailing.
Looking at the map, you see Trellis Bay, Marina Cay, Great Camanoe, Scrub Island, and Guana Island as destination options.
Don’t miss the snorkel spot at Diamond Reef on the south side of Great Camanoe. It has National Park mooring balls, so be mindful of the 90-minute limit.
After the snorkel, you can move over to Marina Cay itself. There are some spaces to anchor and plenty of mooring balls available. Marina Cay is a small island owned by Scrub Island Resort offering a restaurant and a great little beach.
You could go around to Lee Bay on Great Camanoe for seclusion and a jumping rock for the adventure seekers.
Our absolute favorite anchor spot, but we’re not giving it out for free!
You can choose Scrub Island. Dinghy from a Marina Cay mooring ball or go into Scrub Island Marina. Scrub Island offers a very reasonable day pass to use all of their pools and resort amenities if you come via dinghy.
Just to the west is the private island of Guana. Because it’s a private island, you are not allowed past the high water mark on the beach. The bays offer a quiet area for water toys, floating, and snorkeling.
Mooring balls and deep anchoring space is found in White Bay. Use extreme caution anchoring in Muskmelon Bay, as there is a lot of healthy coral around the bay not clearly marked on charts. Anchoring in coral is strictly prohibited; you must know those waters well to carefully anchor there.
Weather Alternatives:
Trellis Bay and Marina Cay are the best options in this area during a north swell.
Trellis Bay is full of mooring balls and a few shallow anchor spots with many shoreside eateries.
Day 5: Marina Cay Area to Little Jost Van Dyke
It’s a beautiful downwind run along the north shore of Tortola to Little Jost Van Dyke, where the famous Sandy Spit is located. Ever wonder where Corona found that perfect, tiny desert island? Yeah, that famous ‘Find Your Beach’ backdrop was filmed here.
Lots of anchoring areas and mooring balls available.
Water toys, snorkeling, beachcombing, hiking, and the turquoise water is perfect for float time.
Bunkey and Andrea’s B-Line Beach Bar is a hidden gem with a laidback, old-Caribbean feel, home cooking, and beach toys. Open every day for lunch, and they will stay open for dinner too with reservations.
Stop at Foxy’s Taboo for a cold drink and get your Insta-photo at iconic Jost Van Dyke sign on the way to the Bubbly Pools.
There is also a great snorkeling at Diamond Cay, not to be confused with Diamond Reef from your last stop.
Alternative
Brewer’s Bay for a sunset and more secluded anchor option. *Unmarked but visible reef in the center of the bay*
Cane Garden Bay if you’re looking for a lively scene ashore. Great bars with live music, jet ski rentals, gift shops, and restaurants (Indigo Beach House is one of Tortola’s top restaurant).
Day 6: Little Jost Van Dyke to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
Another casual downwind sail takes you to the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. While I don’t necessarily agree that it deserves the BEST beach bar year after year, I do believe the iconic White Bay itself is one of the World’s most beautiful beaches.
Mooring ball or Anchor: If you are on a bareboat and your company allows it, anchor right in White Bay or try for one of the limited mooring balls on the east side. If you are on your own boat, definitely plan to anchor there. If you are not comfortable anchoring or your bareboat company does not allow it, go to the next bay to pick up a mooring ball in Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, and take taxi to White Bay.
The west side of the bay, where Soggy Dollar Bar is located, is the busier, more popular side of White Bay. Here is where the day boats come and go bringing in the cruise ship herds.
A rocky outcrop path connects the east and west side. On the quieter, east side, you’ll find Ivan’s Stress-Free Bar where Kenny Chesney filmed No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem. Ivan’s puts on an excellent Wednesday night BBQ if you’re schedule lines up.
Great Harbor affords a few more special spots: Foxy’s known for music, dancing, and Friday night BBQs; Tipsy Shark, owned by a local fisherman; Corsair’s pirate themed restaurant (not currently open)
Before departing the next morning, be sure to buy a Sugar & Spice Caribbean patty (like an empanada). They’ll dinghy around the anchorage selling patties and johnny cakes.
Weather Alternative:
White Bay is unsafe in a strong north swell. Go into Great Harbor or Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke and taxi to White Bay.
Skip Jost Van Dyke Alternative:
Let’s say you’ve done White Bay and want to check out a beautiful beach and turquoise water alternative.
Cross the channel to Smuggler’s Cove (possibly redlined by Bareboat companies)
Visit Soper’s Hole mooring field for restaurants and shopping
Day 7: Jost Van Dyke to Norman Island
A mix of sailing and motoring while we traverse from Jost Van Dyke to Norman Island.
Snorkeling at the Indians is a must if the weather cooperates. It is a National Park, and one of the few areas anchoring is prohibited. Mooring balls can fill up, so aim for just before or after the lunch rush when the sun is still high.
REMEMBER The National Park color codes. Yellow: Commercial vessels only. Blue: dinghy only. Red: private and bareboat vessels
Norman Island offers more destinations than many realize. During high season, mooring balls in The Bight do fill up, but there are plenty of alternatives.
There are anchor spots sprinkled throughout the mooring field. Privateer Bay offers balls and anchor spots. Water Point, Soldier and Benures Bays all have mooring balls.
When a northswell is running, Money Bay on the southside is a sweet-spot for anchoring!
Hiking paths abound on Norman Island.
In addition to the Indians, be sure to snorkel the Caves, water point, the point at Privateer Bay, and even just off the shore all along the coast inside The Bight.
The legendary Willy T floating bar, known for the party scene, is a must-visit for the bar crowd.
Pirate’s Bight restaurant is a chill but nicer venue where it’s completely acceptable to be barefoot. There is also a spa and a great beach area with cabanas.
This sets you up for an easy sail or motor back to Tortola the next morning.
Weather Alternative:
The Bight is protected in most conditions, but if it’s full, it’s short motor over to Great Harbor, Peter Island will afford a comfortable alternative.
If You Have 5, 6, or 10 Days Instead
5 Day BVI Itinerary
Skip Anegada and Little Jost Van Dyke.
6 Day BVI Itinerary
Skip Anegada. This is the most common adjustment, and it still gives you a fantastic trip.
10 Day BVI Itinerary
Add Peter Island or Cane Garden Bay, a full day in North Sound, and another day in Anegada. Ten days allows you to slow down and really settle into each place rather than moving every day.
Best Snorkeling Stops on This Route
- The Baths at Virgin Gorda
- Eustatia (weather dependent)
- Anegada’s offshore Horseshoe reef (Conch Island boat tour)
- Anegada Flash of Beauty (off the beach)
- Diamond Reef at Great Camanoe (Marina Cay area)
- Diamond Cay by Little Jost Van Dyke
- The Indians
- The Caves, Privateer Bay Point, and Water Point at Norman Island
Common Mistakes BVI First-Timers Make
Planning too many movements each day. This is a sailing vacation, not a sightseeing trip in a city. Slow down, enjoy the journey, and really immerse yourself in each stop.
Not letting your charter crew plan. If you are on a crewed yacht charter, do not come to them with an itinerary. Let them plan it for you. Once you have a call with your crew, I promise they will know you better than you know yourself. Trust them, they live here.
Ignoring the weather. This is a fluid vacation. The beauty of the BVI, and why it is such a great destination, is that there is a wonderful option no matter the weather conditions.
Packing way too much. When your hotel room goes with you, you realize how little you actually need. Check out our What to Pack for a Sailing Trip Essentials List by clicking here.
Underestimating sun exposure. Pack dry-fit clothes. Cool clothing that protects you from the sun. Hats, and drink lots and lots of water.
FAQs About a Week Sailing in the BVI
Is 7 days enough in the BVI?
Yes. For your first trip, seven days is a good amount of time. You are going to hit all the iconic stops, get a real feel for the islands, and still have time to relax. You will absolutely want to come back for more, but seven days is a great first trip.
Do I need sailing experience?
For a bareboat, absolutely yes.
For a crewed charter yacht, absolutely not. That is the beauty of it. We are going to walk you through all of it.
What does a BVI yacht charter cost?
Inclusive budget crewed charter yachts go for as little as $15,000. Mid-range yachts range from $17,000-$25,000, and it goes up from there. The Caribbean yacht charter industry is a service industry and standard gratuity of 20% is expected. This is an estimated range for a 50-foot sailing yacht with 3 passenger cabins (6 guests total).
Inclusive means your entire stay for 7 nights on board (hotel room), meals (chef prepared breakfasts, lunches, usually 3-course dinners plus hors d’oeuvres), standard bar includes beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the week, snacks, amenities on board the yacht (while this varies by yacht this generally means water toys and most home comforts), excursions like guided snorkeling (possibly scuba) and hiking.
Bareboats run considerably cheaper and rates vary by season and boat type if you plan to operate the boat yourself.
Can beginners enjoy this vacation?
Absolutely. That is the beauty of it, and that is exactly why you do a crewed charter.
Final Verdict: Is This the Best 7 Day BVI Sailing Itinerary?
Absolutely. We have owned and operated our own charter yacht in the Virgin Islands exclusively for six years, and this itinerary is built from real, on-the-water experience in all conditions. It is perfect for both first-timers and seasoned bareboaters, hitting all the highlights with a great mix of the renowned stops and quieter anchorages, plus flexibility to adapt as conditions change.
It is designed at a realistic pace without cramming too much in, with options at every stop. The key is flexibility so you can adjust for weather and your crew’s vibe, whether that is beach bars and energy or secluded bays and nature.
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