The Ultimate BVI Sailing Guide
Your Ultimate Family Sailing Guide to the BVI
Ready to trade your to-do list for a to-sail list? The British Virgin Islands are a fantastic place to sail with family. Whether you have young kids, teenagers, siblings to travel with or ageing parents, there are plenty of engaging places to visit.
This blog will delve into activities across the BVI that are well-suited to a family yacht charter. What might this involve, you ask?
A family yacht charter in the BVI will blend new experiences with sure-fire hits. All activities will be beginner-friendly for kids, and all tourist spots will offer both relaxation for older generations and interactivity for younger ones.
Explore our guide below.
1. Identifying Fish After Snorkelling
Between the incredible underwater landscapes, kaleidoscopic coral gardens, and the variety of marine life to see, snorkelling is one of the best things to do in the British Virgin Islands.
To get even more out of the experience, bring fish identification cards with you. These will cover common sightings like reef sharks and rays, as well as rarer sightings like octopuses, turtles and nudibranch. Everyone will get more excited about hunting for new species, and it might even become a competition.
If you’re looking for the perfect snorkelling site, you can find recommendations like The Bight in our Things to See in the British Virgin Islands blog. And if your family are snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, take a look at our guide to the Top BVI Diving Spots.
2. Looking for Seashells on Norman Island
Beachcombing on Norman Island, Cooper Island or Anegada is a must for a BVI family yacht charter. Where older generations might be content sunbathing and enjoying the atmosphere, little ones are less likely to sit still! That’s why beachcombing is a joyful way to keep tiny hands busy.
When you’re not having a picnic or building sandcastles, encourage them to find the most beautiful shells they can. If you’re lucky, you can find some really special ones! Conches, clams, top shells, bubble shells, and so much more. Encourage them to marvel in the beautiful colours, patterns, and textures.
3. Horseback Riding on Anegada
Make friends with some gentle giants at Francis Family Farm! Here, you can hire horses and trot along most of Anegada’s most picturesque beaches. Make your reservation online for a daytime, sunrise or sunset slot. The horses are calm, easy for children and adults alike to ride, and you can also add dining options to your package to make the experience even more magical.
Learn more about the best things to do in Anegada.
4. Explore the Caves at The Baths
If you want to get your family as excited about the natural world as you are, there’s nowhere better in the BVI to take them than The Baths. This spot in Virgin Gorda is a natural masterpiece – it features enormous boulders stacked on the beach, with the gaps and crevices between them forming unique caves.
Weave through this astounding landmark together; swim in the natural pools, or visit Skull Rock and enthral your kids with stories of the pirates who called the BVI home hundreds of years ago.
You’ll need to bring water shoes, as there are lots of wet and slippery surfaces to navigate, but as long as you stick to marked paths, everything will be fine. After you’ve had your fun, we also recommend visiting the Top of the Baths Restaurant, where the kids can take advantage of the free Wi-Fi for an hour or two while you enjoy the amazing food.
This isn’t the first time we’ve sung The Baths’ praises – take a look at our blog on 5 Reasons to Travel to the BVI.
5. Hike Sage Mountain, National Park
Near Road Town in Tortola, you’ll find the lush peaks of Sage Mountain National Park. This is one of the best places to visit on a family sailing holiday if you’re eager to stretch your legs.
The most popular trail, Mount Sage Loop, is relatively easy and can be completed in 1-2 hours, depending on how motivated your party is. This trail isn’t too exposed either, so heatstroke and sun protection are less of a concern.
Explore the incredible old-growth forests on your way up, while keeping an eye out overhead for red-tailed hawks and exotic wildlife. Once you reach the apex, you can refresh and refuel at the Mountain View Cafe/Restaurant before heading back down.
If you love hiking, you should also check out our dedicated 7-day BVI hiking itinerary.
6. Visit Saba Rock
The Saba Rock resort is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! There’s plenty to do here on a BVI family yacht charter.
Enjoy the restaurant, bar and gift shop. Rent watersports equipment and take to the sea for kiteboarding, kayaking, snorkelling and diving. Adults can also head to the spa for a well-deserved break; there is a breadth of wellness treatments, massage rituals and yoga classes on offer every day. Finish off the day with games after dinner.
Whether you visit just for the day or decide to stay the night, Saba Rock is bound to delight every member of the family.
7. Enjoy a Full Moon Party at Trellis Bay
If your charter lines up with it, we also highly recommend sailing to Trellis Bay, Beef Island, for a Full Moon Party. For sailors with teenagers or grown-up kids, this is the perfect night out on one of the BVI’s most family-friendly beaches.
Expect local vendors selling their arts and crafts, live calypso music, poi shows and giant fireballs! For a cost of roughly £30 per person, you can also feast on a buffet of succulent Caribbean food courtesy of Trellis Bay Market Bar & Grill. This is the kind of party you need to experience at least once!
Tips for Conquering the BVI with Family
- Stock up on vitamins. It’s not unusual for kids to get sick when travelling somewhere new, so having something to boost their immune system will do wonders.
- Bring safe foods for picky eaters. The BVI is a great place for seafood and Caribbean fusion food, but if your kids struggle with strong flavours and unique textures, having familiar options for them will help.
- Sun protection is key. Pack hats, UPF50+ shirts, reef-safe suncream and more. Take a look at our sailing holiday packing list for more tips.
- Pack games and toys that don’t need Wi-Fi. Kids might struggle with the lack of Wi-Fi, so pack other things to entertain them while on board – books, games, puzzles, drawing pads and more, depending on what they enjoy.
- Plan short passages. If your kids aren’t completely in love with sailing yet, they might get bored and frustrated during long periods on the water. Aim to create an itinerary with plenty of breaks and opportunities to get on land.
Discover the British Virgin Islands with Sunsail
Ready for a family holiday you’ll be reminiscing about for years? With Sunsail, you can traverse the British Virgin Islands on a bareboat charter. You can embrace adventure and chart your own course, visiting the hotspots entirely on your own terms. Start building your quote now.
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