British Virgin Islands
This Offshore Cruising Club winter getaway is over, with happy times shared by Offshore grads on four Moorings 43.3 yachts. The description here is a sample of what a cruise in the BVI is like, when we set up the next one in 2017 (dates coming in the fall). The cruise starts at The Moorings base in Road Town, Tortola, with sailing through the verdant islands of a unique tropical paradise. This “sailing capital of the world” provides wonderful sailing on azure waters in steady trade winds. Steel drums, sandy beaches, warm water, sunny skies – what’s not to love?
If you want to get away sooner than 2017 on a spectacular sailing adventure, we’ve got two terrific cruises coming up – Croatia (sold out) and the Bahamas (five cabins left). If cruising in the British Virgin Islands is first choice, read up on it below and watch for new dates.
Coffee in the Cockpit While Snow Falls Up North
While your friends bundle up to head to work on those gray winter mornings, you
BVI Flotilla Cruise packages usually include:
- Private or shared cabin on a Moorings yacht
- All breakfasts, lunches, snacks and three dinners aboard (provisioned in advance)
- Group welcome party arrival night
- Damage waiver, cruising permits and tax
- Fuel and water placed aboard before we leave
- Commemorative Offshore Cruising Club BVI cruise cap and shirt
Get on the 2017 List Today!
Call 888-415-7015 or 239-454-1700
Email Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
Itinerary
Many of the Offshore team, including Steve and Doris Colgate, have cruised the British Virgin Islands multiple times. Why? Because it is by far one of the most beautiful sailing areas in the world with comfortable cruising year-round. Here is Steve Colgate’s favorite itinerary. A booklet sent in advance includes updated information.
Saturday – Arrive Road Town, Tortola
Board boats late afternoon at The Moorings base on Wickham’s Cay, get acquainted with crew mates at one of the local eateries, store provisions if they have arrived (sometimes they come the next morning), spend tonight aboard at the marina.
Sunday – Cooper Island, 6 nm
Breakfast aboard or ashore, then boat check-outs, navigation briefing and you’re off by 1 p.m. on a short hop across Sir Francis Drake Channel to lively Cooper Island. We recommend stopping for a swim and snorkeling at Salt Island if there’s time before picking up a mooring for the night in Manchioneel Bay. Cooper Island has killer sunsets from the beach looking out at the boats, a fun bar and nice restaurant.
Monday – Virgin Gorda Sound, 14 nm
Sail 5 nm northeast to the west end of Virgin Gorda and explore The Baths, a fascinating jumble of boulders with interesting caves to explore. If sea conditions are not favorable to anchor here, we’ll head to the The Dogs for spectacular snorekling off Virgin Gorda’s north Shore. Then you’re off to North Sound for a night off The Bitter End Resort where you can explore special snorkeling areas by dinghy, then head to shore to stretch your legs, have a tropical drink and share sailing stores.
Tuesday – Anegada Island, 14 nm
Some of our flotilla groups like to spend an extra night in Virgin Gorda Sound so, the cruise leader may take a vote and make this an optional part of the itinerary for the flotilla. It’s a nice reach to an entirely different destination – low and flat with long sandy beaches, sparsely populated and a favorite for avid snorkelers, beach combers, and locally caught lobster cooked on the beach.
Wednesday – Marina Cay or Scrub Island, about 18 nm
This starts the westward leg of your journey. Often we anchor off Marina Cay where there’s a Pusser’s Rum store and great snorkeling, then dinghy over to Scrub Island Resort and swim in its three-tiered swim-up bar pool. This fabulously beautiful resort is home to one of Offshore Sailing School’s BVI bases and has steep hiking trails if you want some aerobic exercise, a lovely spa, plus several places to dine indoors or out. Docking here costs extra, not included if the fleet all votes to do so.
Thursday – Cane Garden Bay, 18 nm
Sail north around Scrub Island and Great Camanoe Island into open waters along the northern shore of Tortola. The fleet might stop in White Bay to visit the Soggy Dollar Bar, or anchor off tiny Sandy Cay and walk from its beautiful sandy beach to black shores at the other end. Cane Garden Bay has a crescent shaped beach lined with many fun night spots and restaurants. If the anchorage is too rolly, there are plenty of other options in Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke – where you may find legendary Foxy.
Friday – Norman Island, about 10 nm
This completes a circumnavigation of Tortola, heading south to The Bight in Norman Island and the lively Willie T – a replica of a 93′ lumber schooner with a riotous bar. Deep n the harbor is a lovely beach front restaurant. Two must explorations here include a swim into the caves at Treasure Point, and snorkeling The Indians.
Saturday – Back to The Moorings
Check in is at noon. After a nice breakfast aboard, quick clean of the boats and packing personal gear, the flotilla heads back to Road Town. Upon arrival, the designated skipper and navigator complete the check-out process with Moorings staff. If you don’t have an early afternoon flight, relax ashore head into town to see the local craft market.
Call 777-415-7015 or 239-454-1700 to get on the BVI 2017 list
Email Sail@OffshoreSailing.com
More Details About Your Cruise
The following costs are usually not included in the published package rates:
- Transportation to and from Tortola, and transfers to and from The Moorings base (taxis available at airport and ferry dock)
- Mooring ball fees (around $45 per night per boat, each boat sets up a kitty)
- Any meals and beverages ashore, including dinners ashore during cruise
- Beverages to be ordered and paid by each individual (beverage form sent in advance of cruise for ordering)
- Any food or commodities bought during the cruise (often this comes out of the boat kitty)
- Hotel room if desired before or after cruise
- Other costs incurred by you
Payment and Other Terms
- 30% deposit required with signed Terms & Conditions
- Final payment and $150 refundable security deposit due 3 months prior to cruise start
- If you cancel outside of the three month date, your deposit less a $200 per person cancellation fee, will be refunded
- No refunds are allowed after that date
We recommend you purchase travel insurance for any unforeseen changes in your plans and make
sure you have a valid passport good up to six months prior to expiration. The $150 per person security deposit due with final payment is refunded approximately one month after the cruise ends, if no damage or loss occurs to any of the boats in our flotilla. If damage has occurred, the cost assessed by The Moorings is shared by everyone on the cruise.
