British Virgin Islands, Tortola Marine Management, Yacht Charter

Before you leave the docks you will receive one of Sam's informative chart briefs. He's spent the last 27 years sailing, snorkeling and diving in the BVI - what he doesn't know isn't worth knowing!!

Here's a condensed version touching on the highlights!

Arrival Day
So many islands to chose from - which one first?? Probably your best bet for a brilliant introduction to the Caribbean is to go to Norman Island and anchor in The Bight. Here you will find the floating pirate ship "William Thornton" where you can have a beer or a body shot, depending on the mood you are in! Also here is "Pirates" a great little restaurant on the beach that is a great place to hang out with your toes dabbling in the warm water, and a frozen cocktail in your hand. Norman Island is reputed to be Robert Louis Stevenson's inspiration for his book "Treasure Island". Local legend has agrees - apparently treasure was found here in the cave - enough to set the person up who found it as a taxi driver!

Salt Island, Day One
A short beat up the Sir Francis Drake Channel takes you to Salt Island. Here you can pick up the National Parks moorings and either dive or snorkel the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamship Rhone, a relic of the hurricane of 1867 and famous for its part in the movie 'The Deep'. Alternatively, go ashore and visit the settlement and the salt pond from which the island takes its name. The annual rent for the whole island is paid each year directly to the Queen of England and is a bag of salt! After lunch sail to Cooper Island where you can pick up a mooring in front of the beach club bar and restaurant - there's a dive shop here also. Just to the south of Manchoneel Bay is Cistern Rock which offers some of the best snorkeling around. On any given day you will see squid, turtles and the odd shark.

Virgin Gorda, Day Two
Sail to the Baths, one of the most unique natural formations in the BVI. Consisting of thousands of smooth boulders, some as big as a house, strewn along the beach on the southern tip of Virgin Gorda. You can explore the many gaps that open into massive rocky grottos filled with sea water. Nearby is Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, with a full service marina, shops and restaurants. If time allows you could get a taxi to the nearby Copper Mine restaurant which offers fabulous sunset views and is an old copper mine site. Alternatively the Top of the Baths restaurant offers a fresh water pool and killer cocktails.

North of Virgin Gorda offers a huge safe area of inlets and anchorages. Whether you want to snorkel Eustastia Sound with it's sunken canons and great reef fish, or spy on Necker Island this is the area for you. Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock and Leverick Bay all offer good restaurants and transient dockage. Leverick Bay has a laundromat which may come in handy right about now. There is also a store at Bitter End for replenishing the beer and ice.

Anegada, Day Three
Either relax and spend the day in North Sound or sail the 15 miles north to Anegada. Anegada means 'drowned island' and when you see it you'll realize why! The highest point is 15 feet above sea level and it's famous for fresh lobster, iguanas and flamingoes.

You will have to leave North Sound early in order to arrive at Anegada during the middle of the day. This will give you good light to navigate through the coral heads at the entrance to the anchorage. Take a taxi ride to Loblolly Bay on the north side and snorkel inside the reef. Then go back to the anchorage for smoothies and a lobster dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel or Neptune's Treasure.

Trellis Bay and Marina Cay, Day Four
Sail from either North Sound or Anegada to Trellis Bay on Beef Island -a well protected natural safe harbour. If you prefer a more tranquil spot then try Marina Cay across the channel to the north, off Great Camanoe, which features a Pussers that is good for happy hour and casual dining. Last Resort - home of the famous restaurant and interactive entertainment with Al the singing chef is fabulous fun and well worth a visit.

Cane Garden Bay/Jost Van Dyke, Day Five
Weigh anchor and take a short cruise up to beautiful Guana Island for spectacular snorkeling and a superb beach at Monkey Point. It's a great spot to picnic. Then take an afternoon sail west to either Cane Garden Bay on Tortola's lush north shore, or to the islands of Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke. Both locations have good anchorages, beautiful beaches, hiking, beach bars and unique restaurants for your share of the evening's entertainment.

Soper's Hole/Peter Island, Day Six
Anchor off Green Cay and enjoy a swim in to shore. You can walk around the whole island in five minutes, but snorkeling around is more fun. Then sail west to Soper'sHole Wharf, the home of Pusser's Landing, said to be built on the spot where Blackbeard the pirate once lived. Ashore there are restaurants and provisions. For your last night, sail across the channel to Little or Great Harbour, Peter Island.

Road Harbour, Day Seven
Enjoy the sunrise over the hills of Peter Island, take an early morning swim or snorkel and then weigh anchor for a short sail across the channel to the TMM docks. Now that was a week well spent!