Wickhams Cay II to Cooper Island

Leaving from our base at Wickhams Cay II, you’ll embark on the first leg of your Caribbean sailing adventure.

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.

The day’s sailing

• 1.5 Hr Sailing time
• 6 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Mooring: Mooring Balls

Anchoring in Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island’s main harbor, is not recommended because the holding ground isn’t good. Moorings for a fee are plentiful, but get there early. Mooring balls here are first come, first served, and bookable ahead of time on BoatyBall.com from 7am on a given morning.

Dinghy dockage: Tie up on either of the jetties flanking the Cooper Island Beach Club.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Showers/ Toilets,Electricity, Laundry

Discover Cooper Island

Suggested spots

Cooper Island has a good beach for swimming and watersports. Enjoy a meal at the Cooper Island Beach Club or shop at the Seagrape Boutique. Scuba buffs will want to check out Sail Caribbean Divers, which offers dive excursions for divers of all skill levels. Of special interest are dives on the HMS Rhone, a mail steamer sunk off the west end of nearby Salt Island during a hurricane in 1867.

Cooper Island - Virgin Gorda (Spanish Town)

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.

The day’s sailing

• 1 Hr Sailing time
• 5 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Mooring: Marina

Call for a slip at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor. Alternatively, there are some moorings outside the marina at Spanish Town. We recommend a slip for safety.

Things to do

The Baths is a major attraction on Virgin Gorda, where you can explore the rock formation’s tunnels, pools, and caves.

Facilities

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour have slips, ice, garbage disposal, and provisions available in town.

North Sound

Find quiet in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda when you round Mosquito Island and chance upon this hushed retreat. The area is home to a number of peaceful beaches and snorkeling spots.

Virgin Gorda - North Sound (Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock)

In the morning, set sail for the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Among the most popular areas in all the British Virgin Islands, the North Sound offers protected anchorages, excellent dining options and a chance to reprovision. Mooring balls are available in the area or you can book a slip at Bitter End Yacht Club.

Now re-opened after Hurricane Irma, Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) is a nautical paradise. Exquisitely decorated and instantly welcoming, the Bitter End is an idyllic stop for the day or night. Spend the day playing beach games, lounging on the chairs and hammocks, or trying out water sports like Hobie Cats and wind surfers. Soak up the sun with a drink at the beach bar, a reclaimed ship from Irma. The restaurant offers a delicious variety of cuisine and cocktails. Bitter End also offers a ferry service to Saba Rock or Leverick Bay.

Saba Rock features an afternoon tarpon feeding where you can watch the massive fish skip through the crystal waters. With one of the best pain killers on the island, the bar is a must do, and the restaurant serves unforgettable meals with stunning sunset views.

The day’s sailing

• 9 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Mooring: Anchor, mooring balls, and slips available.

Anchor, mooring balls, and slips available. BoatyBall is available at Leverick Bay and Saba Rock. Moorings and slips also available at Bitter End Yacht Club.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop, Electricity, Laundry

Discover North Sound & Bitter End Yacht Club

Sail the length of majestic Virgin Gorda, passing broad Savannah Bay, before rounding the headland and entering Gorda Sound. A shallow, sheltered sound surrounded by reefs and islands, Gorda Sound is great for swimming and snorkelling as well as water sports such as paddleboarding, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Book a slip or pick up a mooring for an evening at Leverick Bay Resort, The Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock, or anchor west of Prickly Pear Island for a more secluded evening under the stars.

North Sound - Anegada

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.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr Sailing time
• 13 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are available in the inner harbor. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available. Anchorages are located in the inner and outer harbors. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice,Restaurants, Bars, Rubbish, Taxi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop
Dive Shop, Electricity, Laundry

North Sound - Anegada

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.

The day’s sailing

• 5 Hr Sailing time
• 13 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are available in the inner harbor. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available. Anchorages are located in the inner and outer harbors. Holding is good.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice,Restaurants, Bars, Rubbish, Taxi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop
Dive Shop, Electricity, Laundry

Anegada - Trellis Bay

Quaint Trellis Bay welcomes you with a distinctly local vibe complete with Aragorn’s Studio artisan market. The Trellis Bay Market is open for basic provisions, ice and water. The market is also offering breakfast and BBQ lunch daily. If you are visiting the BVI during a full moon, the Trellis Bay Full Moon parties are a special highlight featuring fire balls on the water and live entertainment.

The day’s sailing

• 6 Hr Sailing time
• 19 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Mooring: Mooring Balls

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Restaurants, Bars, Taxi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop,Electricity,
Laundry

Trellis Bay - Leverick Bay

Sail back to North Sound area. Pick up a mooring ball or book a slip at Leverick Bay.

Leverick Bay Resort and Marina is home to the famous Friday night beach BBQ with dancing Moko Jumbies. A pool and bar provide a relaxing retreat, and water sports rentals are available for some fun in the sun. The charming Pusser’s Boutique tempts willing shoppers with nautically inspired attire, jewelry, and accessories.

From Leverick Bay a taxi ride will take you on a tour of the island or bring you to Hog Heaven for Barbeque with breathtaking views all the way to Anegada.

You can also take the dinghy to North Sound Bistro, where visitors are welcomed to the cliffside pool with excellent food and cocktails and friendly service.

The day’s sailing

• 3 Hr Sailing time
• 12 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking

Facilities

Water, Ice, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop,Electricity, Laundry

Leverick Bay - The Dogs/ Guana Island/ Scrub Island

Spend the morning diving into the incredible underwater beauty of the British Virgin Islands. Nearby snorkeling spots include The Dogs, Monkey Point in Guana Island, and Marina Cay. Day use moorings allow you to easily island hop these areas and enjoy their natural splendor.

In the afternoon, settle into a slip at Scrub Island and enjoy the resort’s amenities. Slips need to be pre-booked.

The day’s sailing

• 2 Hr Sailing time
• 11 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving,Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping.

Scrub Island - Cane Garden Bay

Sail around the northern end of Tortola, bound for Cane Garden Bay. Enjoy lunch on the beach and a visit to the Callwood Rum Distillery.

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.

The day’s sailing

• 0 Hr Sailing time
• 13 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are plentiful. The holding ground is excellent. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Dinghy dockage: The bay has a public dinghy dock.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Fuel, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Provisioning, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop, Electricity, Laundry

Discover Cane Garden Bay

Aside from swimming, enjoying windsurfing or kayaking (rentals are available from Pleasure Boat), or simply relaxing in the cockpit, the bay’s many beach bars and restaurants are well worth a visit for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You can walk from one to the other, beach crawling to sample specialty rum drinks, pumpkin fritters, conch, and other Caribbean delights. Live music and ‘jump up’ is almost always available in one or more establishments. Quinto’s Gazebo, the Big Banana Paradise Club, Rhymer’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, and Indigo House. Myett’s Garden & Grille Restaurant, De Wedding, and the Elm Bar and Gift Shop all offer a variety of dining and shopping experiences.

When sightseeing, include a trip to Callwood rum distillery. Ask permission before exploring the grounds and take advantage of the opportunity to purchase some locally produced rum!

Cane Garden Bay - Sandy Spit/ Sandy Cay/ Diamond Cay

Head out for a piece of paradise that will feel all your own. Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay are two splendidly secluded stretches of sand where you can anchor carefully and swim or dinghy ashore, often with only a few palm trees for company. Visit one or both, and then make your way over to Diamond Cay. Pick up a mooring ball at Diamond Cay.

From the dinghy dock at Foxy’s Taboo, you can do a short hike to the Bubbly Pool where the surf creates a natural jacuzzi. Before cleaning up for dinner at Foxy’s Taboo, slip on your snorkel gear and check out the reef along Diamond Cay where you can see brain corals, sea fans, and countless colorful fish.

The day’s sailing

• 0 Hr Sailing time
• 4 Nautical miles

To be used as a guide only. Based on suggested sailing lanes and average wind speed for area.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Showers/Toilets, Electricity, Laundry

Diamond Cay - Great Harbour

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.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving
Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Discover Great Harbour

A BVI charter wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Foxy’s, one of the more famous restaurants in the Caribbean. It’s located on the eastern end of the beach and has built a reputation in the last 40 years as a hugely popular party Mecca for world cruisers. The casual ambience and friendly staff certainly contributes to its appeal, but the other patrons, many taking a short breather from long ocean passages, are also part of the attraction.

A short hop to the west is White Bay, home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, so named for the yachties who swim to it from their boats, soaking their dollar notes!

Great Harbour - Soper’s Hole

Wake up leisurely and enjoy some water toys or a swim. White Bay, while a party scene later in the day is peaceful for a swim in the morning. For those who like a little adventure, head over in the morning to Diamond Cay. You can do the short hike to the Bubbly Pool from Foxy’s Taboo. The Bubbly Pool is a natural pool formed in the rock formations where the swell sends waves crashing in to create a natural jacuzzi. Enjoy the bubbly pool or some snorkeling around Diamond Cay.

After Diamond Cay, set sail for Soper’s Hole back on Tortola. Soper’s Hole has plentiful mooring balls, or you can book a slip at the marina.
Omar’s Fusion restaurant is famous for its artful mix of Caribbean and Indian cuisines. Pusser’s Landing is a favorite stop for beverages or snacks.

The anchorage is peaceful and verdant with the afternoon sunlight casting a glow over the mountains.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Fuel,bRestaurants, Bars, WiFi,Provisioning, Rubbish, Taxi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop, Electricity, Laundry

Soper’s Hole - Peter Island

Have some fun sailing down to Peter Island. Once home to an exclusive resort, the island is now quiet and peaceful as it is built back. There are mooring balls outside of a good restaurant called Ocean’s 7. Make a reservation there for dinner and take in the beauty of the peaceful evening. It is recommended to check opening days & hours.

Mooring

A number of moorings are available for a fee. Holding ground is good. The anchorage can get crowded, so be sure you have plenty of swinging room. FCFS (first come, first served) moorings and BoatyBall are available

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Fuel, ATM, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Provisioning, Rubbish, Taxi, Showers/Toilets, Gift Shop, Dive Shop, Car hire, Bike hire, Electricity, Laundry

Peter Island - Norman Island

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.

Mooring

Moorings for a fee are plentiful. Anchoring in the northeast or southeast portion of The Bight outside the mooring fields is possible, but it’s easier to just pick up a mooring to avoid worries about swinging room or dragging anchor.

Dinghy dockage: Dinghy dockage is available at the Pirates Bight restaurant and bar.

Things to do

Watersports, Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Snorkelling, Swimming, Diving, Exploring, Sunbathing, Biking, Fishing, Bush walks, Hiking, Shopping

Facilities

Water, Ice, Restaurants, Bars, WiFi, Provisioning, Showers/Toilets, Electricity, Laundry

Discover Norman Island

The caves at Treasure Point are a very special snorkeling location. You can swim inside the flooded indentations in the island with an underwater flashlight and observe teeming sea life in the shallow water. Just above the surface, the interior walls of the caves shimmer in purple and rust colored orange. Nearby Pelican Island and The Indians is another major BVI snorkeling and scuba diving location.

You can also visit the legendary floating bar and restaurant, Willy T for a delightful lunch and amazing views. Enjoy a laid-back experience during the day, or an upbeat party scene at night.