Tortola
round-trip.
Plan the ultimate 7-day BVI catamaran charter. Daily route, anchorages, snorkel sites, beach bars, mooring tips, and dining—from Tortola to Anegada and back.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Tortola → Peter Island
Pick up at Road Town or Nanny Cay, snorkel The Indians off Pelican Island on the way out, then about 6 nm downwind across Drake Channel to Peter Island. Grab a National Parks Trust buoy at The Indians before 11:00 — the field fills early. Anchor in Great Harbour on sand at 6–10 m for the first night.
Distance
5 NM
Sailing
~1h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Best season
December – early July (peak Feb – Apr)
Duration
7 days · Sat – Sat
Departure
Tortola
Sailing area
British Virgin Islands
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who’ve actually run this passage.
Tortola → Peter Island
Begin your charter from Tortola, the sailing hub of the BVIs. Your first stop is Pelican Island, home to the world-famous snorkel site known as The Indians. Here, you’ll find dramatic rock pinnacles surrounded by tropical fish, coral gardens, and crystal-clear waters. Sail on to Peter Island, where you can anchor in Great Harbour or Little Harbour. Peter Island offers secluded bays, hiking trails, and calm anchorages perfect for your first evening onboard. Enjoy a swim before dining at anchor under the stars.
Things to do
Snorkel The Indians (Pelican Island) coral pinnacles
Anchor in Great Harbour or Little Harbour for sunset swim
Walk Peter Island’s south-coast trails
Dine at anchor under the stars
Mooring tip
BVI National Parks Trust mooring at The Indians is first-come, first-served (US$30/night). Pick up the buoy before 11:00 in season — it fills fast. Great Harbour on Peter Island has free anchoring on sand at 6–10 m.
Peter Island → Cooper Island
After breakfast, sail to Salt Island to explore the RMS Rhone, one of the Caribbean’s most famous wreck dives. Divers and snorkelers alike will be enchanted by the coral-covered remains of this 19th-century steamship. From here, set course for Cooper Island and pick up a mooring ball at Manchioneel Bay. Snorkel at Cistern Point for vibrant marine life, then head ashore to the eco-friendly Cooper Island Beach Club for cocktails, Caribbean dishes, and a famous rum bar.
Things to do
Dive or snorkel the RMS Rhone wreck off Salt Island
Snorkel Cistern Point reef on Cooper Island
Sample the Cooper Island Beach Club rum tasting flight
Watch the sunset from Manchioneel Bay
Mooring tip
Cooper Island Beach Club moorings (US$30/night) book up by 14:00 in winter — VHF channel 16 ahead to reserve, or arrive before noon. Holding outside the field is poor coral, so a mooring is the safe choice.
Cooper Island → Scrub Island
Day three is your longest passage, sailing north to Anegada, the only coral atoll in the BVIs. Known for its endless sandy beaches and shallow turquoise waters, Anegada feels like another world. Spend your day exploring Loblolly Bay or Cow Wreck Beach, spot flamingos in the salt ponds, or rent a scooter to explore the island. In the evening, enjoy freshly caught lobster, a specialty of Anegada. On your way back, stop at The Dogs, a small group of islets ideal for snorkeling. End the day at Scrub Island, where you can enjoy a luxury marina, resort facilities, and fine dining.
Things to do
Lobster dinner at Anegada Reef Hotel or Cow Wreck Beach Bar
Snorkel at Loblolly Bay reefs
Spot pink flamingos in the inland salt ponds
Snorkel The Dogs on the return passage
Mooring tip
Anegada channel is shallow and reef-fringed — only attempt with the marked buoys in good light (10:00–15:00) and under 20 kt winds. Pick up a mooring at Setting Point (US$40/night) rather than anchor; turtle-grass patches make holding inconsistent.
Scrub Island → Jost Van Dyke
Cruise west to lively Jost Van Dyke, one of the most famous islands in the BVIs. Anchor in White Bay, where you can swim ashore to the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, home of the original Painkiller cocktail. For overnight, move to Great Harbour and enjoy dinner at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, where live music and a festive atmosphere make for an unforgettable Caribbean night. If you prefer tranquility, anchor in Little Harbour, where lobster dinners at Sidney’s Peace & Love are a tradition.
Things to do
Swim ashore at White Bay for a Painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar
Dinner at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour
Lobster dinner at Sidney’s Peace & Love in Little Harbour
Snorkel the Bubbly Pool tidal blow-hole on the north shore
Mooring tip
White Bay is exposed to north swell — pick it only when the swell forecast is under 4 ft from the north. Move to Great Harbour for the night; moorings (US$30) and good sand-bottom anchoring at 6–8 m.
Jost Van Dyke → Cane Garden Bay
After a relaxed morning, sail to Great Thatch, a peaceful and undeveloped island that offers great snorkeling in calm weather. Continue to Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, one of the most iconic anchorages in the BVIs. With its wide sandy beach, palm trees, and colorful beach bars, Cane Garden Bay is a favorite among sailors. Visit the Callwood Rum Distillery, operating for over 400 years, and enjoy live music at Quito’s Gazebo or sunset cocktails at Myett’s.
Things to do
Tour the 400-year-old Callwood Rum Distillery
Live music night at Quito’s Gazebo
Sunset cocktails at Myett’s Garden & Grill
Beach swim and stand-up paddle on the wide sandy bay
Mooring tip
Cane Garden Bay is exposed to north and north-west swell from December through February — moorings on the north end of the bay are most protected. Avoid in winter cold-front conditions; switch to Brewer’s Bay or Soper’s Hole instead.
Cane Garden Bay → Norman Island
Head south to Norman Island, the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Stop at The Caves, where you can snorkel into sea caves filled with shimmering schools of fish. For another underwater highlight, visit The Indians again if you missed it earlier in the week. Spend the night in The Bight, Norman Island’s main anchorage. Here, you’ll find hiking trails with panoramic views, lively bars, and calm waters for a perfect overnight stay.
Things to do
Snorkel The Caves at Treasure Point on Norman Island
Hike the ridge above The Bight for panoramic views
Drinks at Pirate’s Bight or the Willy T floating bar
Sunset swim in The Bight before dinner
Mooring tip
The Bight has the BVI’s largest mooring field (~70 buoys, US$30/night) — even in peak season there is usually room. Free anchoring is permitted in the south-east corner on sand at 8–12 m.
Norman Island → Tortola
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely morning swim before sailing back to Tortola. Depending on your base, you’ll return to Road Town, Nanny Cay, or another marina for refueling and checkout. Spend one last evening onshore, dining at a waterfront restaurant and reflecting on a week of unforgettable memories.
Things to do
Final morning swim and snorkel in The Bight
Top up fuel and water at Road Town or Nanny Cay
Sunset dinner at a Tortola waterfront restaurant
Hand-back inspection with the charter operator
Mooring tip
Most charter contracts require return alongside by 16:00 Saturday. Plan to depart The Bight by 11:00 — the south-east trades push you back gently but Drake Channel gets busy with returning fleets after 14:00.
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