Cruising Information

View a map of the Virgin Islands

Easily accessible by air from the US, Canada and Europe, the US and British Virgin Islands are a boater’s paradise with warm, clear waters, fair blue skies and tropical trade winds. They are located in the northern part of the West Indies chain with the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. 

The Virgin Islands have it all – beautiful beaches, clear waters, secluded anchorages, relaxing beach bars, exciting water activities as well as shore excursions, plentiful shopping and restaurants ranging from “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” to those requiring a collared shirt and long pants. Navigation is line of sight and there is just enough sailing/cruising time between anchorages to make you thirsty.

US Virgin Islands

First visited by Columbus in 1493 during his second voyage to the New World, the US Virgin Islands were purchased from Denmark in 1917 for the grand sum of $25 million dollars.

The US Virgin Islands consist of 4 main islands – St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island – each with its own personality. St. Thomas is the big city with endless shopping and dining opportunities. St. John has the National Park and is comfortably laid back. St. Croix is mellow with an agrarian based economy and Water Island is a small, mostly residential island. The US Virgin Islands are located about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, 1100 miles southeast of Miami and 1500 miles from New York City.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas has a wide variety of enticing options to offer, both on shore and off shore. Dining experiences range from the elegant Old Stone Farmhouse to the sand between your toes restaurant Iggie’s Beach Bar at Bolongo Bay. You can shop ‘til you drop in the downtown Charlotte Amalie, Havensight and Crown Bay shopping areas where you’ll find everything from jewelry and perfume to local island crafts and tropical clothing. There are informative island tours, unbelievably gorgeous white sand beaches like the famous Magen’s Bay Beach and attractions of all kinds from the Paradise Point Tramway to the Atlantis Underwater Expedition. As well, there’s snorkeling, world-class SCUBA diving, fishing and even whale watching from February through April when the humpback whales travel south into our waters to breed and raise their young.

On St. Thomas, most yacht crews pick up their guests at Crown Bay Marina  located between the airport and the downtown Charlotte Amalie shopping district or at the newly constructed Yacht Haven Grande just east of downtown Charlotte Amalie or American Yacht Harbor Marina in Red Hook on St. Thomas’ east end.

Just across from the east end of St. Thomas (across from Cowpet Bay) is the popular anchorage Christmas Cove off the small island of Great St. James. There is a rocky beach but the draw here is the snorkeling during the day and fishing from your boat at night. My son hooked a real whopper which we saw but it was too big to land. This can be a delightful lunch stop before heading across the Pillsbury Sound or a protected night stop.

Going further east around St. Thomas after passing through Current Cut into the often boisterous Pillsbury Sound, Red Hook will be off your port bow. This is the location of American Yacht Harbor Marina as well as several eclectic bars and great restaurants, a local favorite being Duffy’s Love Shack

St. John

Two thirds of the island has been dedicated as national parkland since the 1950’s donation of lands by Laurance Rockefeller. There are invigorating hiking trails that take you from ancient petroglyphs etched into stone to sandy beaches and waters in which to cool your heels afterward. Ahhhhh! As the waters are protected, the reefs are pristine with vibrant corals and an abundance of fish. There is even an easy underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay with markers identifying corals and fish. The ruins of Annaberg Sugar Plantation and the fascinating archaeological dig at Cinnamon Bay give the visitor a glimpse of ages past on St. John.

A Sampling of North Coast Anchorages

Cruz Bay is a point of entry for Customs and Immigration and the main town on St. John. It’s a bustling little town with ferry service from St. Thomas and the BVI. There are unique shops of all kinds and many cozy bars and restaurants. This is a crowded anchorage with lots of activity and may not be comfortable overnight.
 
Caneel Bay laps upon the shores of Caneel Bay Resort. Visiting yachts are welcome to anchor and go ashore during the day to enjoy the gift shop and upscale restaurant. It’s quite enjoyable just to walk the grounds and you may catch sight of a wedding being performed on the picturesque point. There are several hiking trails that are accessed from Caneel Bay. There is good snorkeling along the right side of the beach.

Cinnamon Bay is also home to the Cinnamon Bay Campground  operated by the National Park. There is a water sports concession on shore that rents snorkel gear, windsurfers, kayaks and mountain bikes. The archaeological dig is also here and they may let you pan for artifacts. The snorkeling is good and the palm trees provide ample shade.
    

Maho Bay and Francis Bay are just east of Cinnamon Bay and, like Cinnamon, lovely anchorages when the waters are calm. A ground swell occasionally works in but you will likely be swimming or exploring ashore so it won’t matter. Mayo Bay has an ongoing list of activities from glassblowing and tie dying to snorkel tours and marine slide shows.
(Annaberg Sugar Plantation Photo)

Leinster Bay is a lovely, protected anchorage with views over to West End Tortola and Jost Van Dyke in the distance. There is an easy hiking trail that links to the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Trail and the restored ruins and there is great snorkeling on the fringing reef of Waterlemon Cay.

A Sampling of South Coast Anchorages

The south coast of St. John is less visited and can be a delightful departure from the more well- known north coast anchorages.

Little Lameshur Bay is a protected anchorage except during a southerly breeze and offers excellent snorkeling. The Yawzi Point Trail, less than ½ mile with moderate inclines, begins on the eastern side of the bay.

Coral Bay, the main harbor for St. John during the height of the sugar mill era, is now home to an interesting collection of local live-aboards and transient cruisers. Off the beaten path, it has a funky, laid back atmosphere. Ashore, there are numerous bars and restaurants, including Skinny Legs, a self proclaimed “pretty ok bar and grill”.

St. Croix
Located 40 miles south of St. Thomas, St. Croix is the largest of the four main islands. To get there from St. Thomas is an open water sail and few charter boats want to take the time (one day over, one day back) to go there. However, if you have time, you can take a ferry or seaplane over and rent a car to explore this relatively unspoiled and less touristy island. The island is surrounded by the largest island barrier reef in the Caribbean and thus is the destination for world class scuba diving. The Wall is a mere quarter of a mile offshore gently sloping at first to drop to thousands of feet.

Honeymoon Beach

Water Island
Water Island, located just across Elephant Bay from St. Thomas, is almost entirely residential and one of the most peaceful and relaxing spots in the Virgins. The sand is white and soft under the feet, the waters are warm and gin-clear and when the visibility is good, you can see Puerto Rico’s El Yunque mountain to the west.

On the beach, there are two excellent beach bars, Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill and Joe’s Bohemian Beach Bar. Heidi serves up lunches every day and truly gourmet meals each Saturday night for fine dining with your toes in the sand. Joe’s has great music, cold beverages and blender drinks to chill you out. There are walking trails and Water Island Adventures offers an interesting bike tour of the island.

Joes Bohemian Beach Bar

British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands lay just east of the US Virgin Islands but offer more sheltered waters and more protected anchorages. Most navigation is line of sight and the distance between anchorages is typically just long enough to work up a thirst for the next stop. In general, the BVI is more low key as opposed to the hustle and bustle of St. Thomas, USVI. The pace is slower but the sailing can really be exhilarating as you tack back and forth up the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

From the lush mountains of Tortola to the flat white sand beaches of Anegada and from the huge granite boulders of The Baths on the beach at Virgin Gorda to the laid back beach bars on Jost Van Dyke, the 60 plus islands and cays of the BVI are known as “Natures Little Secrets”.

Click here a calendar of events in the BVI

Tortola
Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, is the center of commerce and government for the British Virgin Islands. The terrain is mountainous and lush and there are anchorages with beautiful, sandy beaches on the north shore and many marinas tucked into the shore all around the island.
The main hub is Road Town / Road Harbour. While this is a place to meet your yacht and crew, there are some spots like the Virgin Islands Folk Museum where you can see ancient Indian artifacts and Fort Burt,  built in 1776, that overlooks the harbor for site-seeing.

Trellis Bay (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

Located on the north shore of Beef Island, Trellis Bay is a protected anchorage that not only serves as a staging point for those traveling by air to and from the BVI  but also is home to The Last Resort, a funky and fun restaurant / bar located on Bellamy Cay, a tiny islet in the middle of Trellis Bay . On any given night, the live entertainment may include singing dogs, donkeys, bands and full moon parties. This is a required stop. Ashore, there are also plenty of interesting things to see such as the artists at Aragorn’s Studio, coffee and internet café’s, beach bars and restaurants. 

Marina Cay
Marina Cay, almost totally surrounded by reefs, has a rich and interesting history still evidenced by some of the buildings on island. Read Our Virgin Island by Robb White to learn the trials, tribulations and joys that he and his bride experienced turning this secluded rocky islet into their home over 50 years ago. No longer primitive, Marina Cay now boasts a full service fuel dock, bar, restaurant and Pusser’s Company Store.

Marina Cay (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

A picture perfect beach with palms draped over the white sand, Cane Garden Bay is littered with an assortment of rockin’ beach bars all having live entertainment. While this is a family- friendly beach during the day, it is also a party anchorage that can get loud by night so don’t go here if you’re looking for peace and quiet in the evening. Stanley’s Welcome Bar is one of the originals and still around after 25 years. There is a dinghy dock so you don’t have to take a spill landing on the beach in swells.

Soper’s Hole / West End is a port of entry and busy stop for ferries from St. Thomas, St, John and many other BVI ports. This anchorage is well protected but very busy with both commercial and pleasure vessels. You will find Soper’s Hole Wharf and Marina which offers anything you might need for last minute items. Pusser’s Landing offers waterfront dining with two restaurants and bars and a Pusser’s Country Store. There are also a number of clothing and jewelry shops, dive shop and even an ice cream parlor. On the other side of the Bay past the Customs dock, the Jolly Roger Inn serves delicious frozen fruit punches.

Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is a small (only 4 miles long), high island just north of Tortola with a total population of about 200 lucky residents. It is largely undeveloped with “Main Street” being the beachfront full of little shops, bars and restaurants. This is the epitome of “toes in the sand” casual as you will rarely see anyone wearing shoes.

White Bay is the westernmost bay and has a drop-dead gorgeous white sand beach that is home to the quaint White Bay Sandcastle cottages,  the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar and a handful of eclectic shops. The Soggy Dollar Bar is the birthplace of the Painkiller, a fruity rum drink that will make the hammocks a welcome spot to “lime” as the sun sets after a long day of fun swimming in the crystal clear waters, snorkeling on the reef close offshore and partying with friends. You can also get a flying fish sandwich (tastes a bit like chicken). On the other side of the Bay, Ivan’s Stress Free Bar offers an even more (if it’s possible) laid back atmosphere with an honor bar. Truly stress free. Due to the close quarters, this makes a better day stop than overnighter. Watch out when landing your dinghy ashore as the surf has a habit of fouling the best landing techniques and dousing all on board - thus the name Soggy Dollar.

Great Harbor is just to the east of White Bay and can also be visited after a 20 minute walk. This harbor is a point of entry into the BVI and is the largest settlement on the island. Here, the beach is not the focus - the beach bars are. 

This is the home of the famous Foxy Callwood and his Tamarind Bar and Grill. The restaurant serves delicious seafood. Foxy will regale you with his very own raucous and racy tunes and stories during the day and there are live bands entertaining on the weekends. The BIG PARTY is New Year’s Eve. Part of the fun is to get your anchor down early and relax on deck to watch the late arrivals in the anchorage try to eek out a spot. Put out plenty of fenders. Also, well attended are the Halloween Cat Fight (catamaran race) and Wooden Boat Regatta.  

To the east of Great Harbor is Little Harbor. Ashore, there is a rigorous hike up the mountain which provides a commanding view of your tropical kingdom. As well, there are three restaurants including Sidney’s Peace and Love which has been serving great local fare for over 25 years. There is also occasional live entertainment. However, the main events here are the lobster feasts with “bugs” freshly caught from Anegada.

Sandy Cay
This is the quintessential deserted island. Just east of Jost Van Dyke, this 14 acre islet is almost totally surrounded by soft, white sand and gin clear waters that melt into an incredible tropical blue as it deepens. The interior is full of sea grapes, coconut palms and a small pond. There is a botanical tour that encircles the island where you will see Sandy Cay’s only inhabitants- iguanas, bugs and birds. The anchorage is in the lee of the island and should be considered as a day stop only. The snorkeling is great on the breaking reef when the seas are calm.

Virgin Gorda
Columbus named this volcanic island Virgin Gorda, the “Fat Virgin”, due to its profile on the horizon as he approached. Most of the anchorages on Virgin Gorda’s west side (The Beach Coast) function best as day anchorages during the calm summer months or in the winter when the swells are down. These include Long Bay which has a beautiful, secluded beach with great swimming and snorkeling and lots of birds.

The Baths, located on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda is a required day stop. This collection of huge granite boulders washed smooth by the seas is both fascinating and beautiful as they come together to create rooms and pools that you can walk through and admire the effects of sun, sand, granite and sea.

There is excellent snorkeling at either end of the beach which is lovely albeit crowded with visitors and stalls selling souvenirs. Up the hill is Top of the Baths for food, cold drinks and spectacular views.

Located on the northern end of Virgin Gorda, North Sound / Gorda Sound is very protected from all quadrants and is full of a variety of restaurants, bars, marinas, gift and clothing shops and activities such as diving, deep sea fishing and windsurfing. Below are just a very few of the interesting and inviting locales to visit while in North Sound. You could easily spend an entire week enjoying all there is to do and see in this glorious water-world.  

The Bitter End Yacht Club is an active place with restaurants, marina, shark cage, shops, beach, pool and entertainment. The English Pub offers English ales on draft and real English fare such as shepherd’s pie and they purport to “stay open as long as anyone is conscious”.

The Sand Box Seafood Bar & Grille on the best beach in North Sound at Vixen Point on Prickly Pear Island is a great place to hang out with your toes in the sand, sip on a cool Margarita and take in the vistas of the entire Sound. Activities include swimming in the calm, clear waters and hiking. The whole island is a nature refuge and you will find all kinds of migratory birds, cactus (hence the name Prickly Pear), butterflies and lizards.    

The Saba Rock Resort is the small islet between The Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda and Prickly Pear Island. The neat thing is that the island IS the resort. The restaurant / bar is a great place to sit back and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Norman Island
Norman Island is sometimes called Treasure Island as it is believed that the legends of pirates and their buried treasures inspired Robert Lewis Stevenson to pen “Treasure Island”.

West Money Bay (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

The main anchorage on Norman Island is The Bight which is very protected. This is the home of the famous floating restaurant / bar the William Thornton, a 93’ topsail lumber schooner replica named after the architect of the U.S Capital building. You’re apt to find just as many locals as tourists at this popular establishment and your friendly bartender will keep you happy. The “Willie T” has a reputation for getting pretty rowdy on occasion so you might want to anchor or moor farther away of you want peace and quiet. Also, sorry to say that the thrill of jumping off the Willie T is no longer allowed.

There is also the Pirate’s Bight restaurant / bar at the head of the bay that offers West Indian fare and cool rum drinks and live entertainment. For the snorkelers and divers, dinghy around Treasure Point to the Caves and enjoy the large variety of fish. 

Peter Island
Peter Island is just across Sir Francis Drake Channel from Road Town, Tortola. Not only does Peter Island have many beautiful anchorages and world-class diving and snorkeling sites but it is also the home to the upscale but relaxed Peter Island Resort

Sprat Bay and Deadman’s Bay are associated with Peter Island Resort. Sprat Bay has a marina and moorings available to visiting yachts. Deadman’s Bay makes a lovely day stop when the surge is down. Snorkeling is excellent and the beach is beautiful. The west side of the beach is for resort guests only.

Little Harbor is a well-protected anchorage and Great Harbor is a great spot for a very secluded overnight stay. The local fishing boats run their nets into Great Harbor in the afternoon so it’s recommended that you anchor farther out until they are gone and then move into shallower waters for the night. Callaloo at the Beach offers lunch and dinner.

Salt Island
Historically, Salt Island with her salt ponds was an important source of salt for the British Navy. After the wreck of the RMS Rhone, the Salt Islanders tried to rescue survivors and the British Queen, in gratitude to them, gave the island to the residents and their heirs in return for one bag of salt a year in rent. This is still paid today.  

Salt Island Salt Pond (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

The two anchorages, Salt Pond Bay (the settlement) and Lee Bay should be used as day anchorages only due to the surge. A tour of the salt ponds and discussion of how the salt is harvested is available at the Salt Pond settlement.

R.M.S. Rhone's Bow Sprit

Lee Bay is a good place from which to launch a dive on the Wreck of the Rhone, one of the most famous dive sites in the Caribbean, being the backdrop for the classic 1977 Columbia Pictures movie The Deep. The RMS Rhone was a 310 foot Royal Mail Steam Packet Ship that went down in a violent hurricane in 1867. Incredibly, the bow section is intact in about 75 feet of water with decking, rigging and propeller also visible. Colorful corals and abundant fish round out this unbelievable dive experience.   

Cooper Island
Manchioneel Bay is the main anchorage for Cooper Island and home to the Cooper Island Beach Club serving lunch and dinner on the beautiful beach with a sunset view to the west. At the southern end of the bay there is great snorkeling / shallow dive at Cistern Rock. On the southeastern side of the island there is a sheer rock wall that extends down to the ocean floor 70 feet below where you often see sharks.

Anegada
Also called The Drowned Island, Anegada is unlike any other Virgin Island being formed, not by volcanic influences as are the others, but by the movement of the Caribbean and Atlantic tectonic plates. Located 14 miles north of North Sound, Virgin Gorda across open water, Anegada is only 28 feet above sea level and surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches and Horseshoe Reef to the southeast.

Cow Wreck Bay (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

You come to Anegada for the seclusion, the warm hospitality, the diving and snorkeling, the incredible white sand beaches, the funky bars and the lobsters – AHHHH the lobsters. There’s nothing like a huge, meaty Anegada lobster that’s been plucked from the waters just hours before being grilled over open coals for your dining pleasure while you sip a tropical concoction- all this with your toes in the sand enjoying the view out over the open ocean waters. 

Angeda Reef Hotael (Walker Mangum) - Click to Enlarge

Anegada Reef Hotel is a great place to hang out and there are more bars and restaurants along the Main Anchorage as well as many others scattered all over the island. If that wasn’t enough for most mortals, there are also island tours, beach walks (take water and sunscreen as many are truly secluded with no concessions in sight) and shell collecting. Lagoon swimming and snorkeling are beyond belief at Loblolly Beach. The bone fishing on the flats from Setting Point and deep sea fishing at the North Drop are sure to excite even the most jaded angler. Horseshoe Reef, at 18 miles long, is one of the longest coral reefs and is the last resting place for over 300 ill-fated vessels. Diving opportunities are endless. In the interior of the island, the salt ponds provide a habitat for numerous migratory birds and are the site of the re-introduction of the Caribbean flamingo.

So many islands. So many beautiful sunsets. So let’s get started. Come on down and get some sand between your toes.

Sample Itineraries: US and British Virgin Islands

By far the most popular cruising destination in the Caribbean, the waters of the US and British Virgin Islands have rightfully earned their reputation as a sailing paradise by virtue of the protected, crystal clear waters and warm breezes where at any given time there are a multitude of lovely anchorages within sight.  View map of US and British Virigin Islands.

Three Moons Three Moons is a 72’ Irwin sailing yacht based in St. Thomas with 4 similar air-conditioned staterooms with ensuite heads/showers and an award winning and very hospitable crew of three. Randy and Shelly are veteran charter hosts and are devoted to showing you a good time and presenting the freshest local delicacies. Shelly also offers Spa Services. Click Here for an example of your week on board Three Moons. Rates and Availability

Sample Itineraries: Other Caribbean Charter Destinations

The Caribbean islands and waters are Paradise! From the duty-free shopping on St. Thomas to the incredible diving in the San Blas, each island and region has a different style and feel. Check out the itineraries of these yachts that are generally based in the different regions to see which suits you and your group best.   

Spanish Virgin Islands

Located between Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, the “off the beaten path” islands of Culebra
and Vieques are quaint, very laid back and kind of funky with a Puerto Rican flair.    

There are no term charter yachts based soley in the Spanish Virgin Islands but some yachts normally in the USVI and BVI will “step out” and work with you to create your own personal itinerary around the charming islands.

The Leewards and Windward Islands

While most of the charter yachts are based in the US and British Virgin Islands in the Winter Season, there are a few fine yachts that have made these southern islands there home and they would love to share their local knowledge with you. As well, some yachts that are based in the US and British Virgin Islands during the Winter Season will charter “down island” during the Summer Season.

As these islands are more spread out, there can be some spirited sailing in the passes between the islands. This is generally more the case in the Winter Season than the Summer Season.   

Leewards

Godiva Godiva is based out of St. Martin year-round and accommodates 4 guests in 2 queen staterooms. They offer charters around St. Martin, St. Bart’s, Antigua / Barbuda and Guadeloupe / The Saintes Rates and Availability

Windward Islands

Genesis Genesis is a spacious 47’ catamaran that offers great privacy for one couple as you sail from isle to isle in the sparkling waters of the Grenadines     from St. Vincent to Grenada to include the remote and notoriously lovely Tobago Cays. These islands give you a glimpse into the Caribbean of old. Rates and Availability

Shaitan For those with more guests, the very popular Shaitan is based out of Bequia. Great for families, there are accommodations for 10 guests in 4 equal sized staterooms, 2 staterooms having Pullmans. Imminently versatile, the walls dividing the 2 queen size staterooms both fore and aft can be removed so that the yacht has 2 VERY large fore and aft staterooms for 4 guests. Rates and Availability

Western Caribbean (Summers)

Aloha Malolo While they will sail almost anywhere in the Caribbean to meet you during the Winter Season, during the Summer Season when most yachts are hauled out on the hard or have traveled to areas outside of the main hurricane zone, Aloha Malolo is plying the waters of the Western Caribbean, namely the off-the-beaten track San Blas Islands near Panama. Rates and Availability

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