The British Virgin Islands bring together many of the qualities that make Caribbean cruising so appealing: islands close enough for manageable passages, sheltered anchorages, beautiful beaches and a lively waterfront culture. One day can be spent exploring underwater rock formations, the next swimming beside an uninhabited cay or enjoying dinner at a beachfront restaurant.
For a BVI catamaran charter, ten days provide enough time to discover the principal islands without making every day feel like a race to the next destination. A Sunreef catamaran adds generous living spaces, private accommodation and outdoor areas designed for enjoying the journey as much as the stops.
This suggested itinerary begins and ends in Tortola, travelling through Norman Island, Virgin Gorda and Anegada before returning west via Jost Van Dyke. The route can be adapted to your group’s interests, the yacht and prevailing conditions.
Day 1: Tortola and Norman Island
Embark in Road Town, Tortola, where the crew will welcome you aboard, introduce the yacht and discuss the plans for your journey. Once settled, cruise south across Sir Francis Drake Channel towards Norman Island.
The Bight offers a sheltered setting for your first afternoon. Enjoy lunch on board, take a swim or simply settle into the rhythm of life at sea. In the evening, choose between dinner on the yacht and a visit to Pirates Bight. With the surrounding islands in view, it is an inviting introduction to the Caribbean.
Day 2: Norman Island and The Indians
Norman Island is a favourite for snorkelling, particularly around The Caves, where rocky passages and underwater formations create an interesting environment to explore. Nearby, The Indians are known for their dramatic rock formations and marine life.
The captain will select suitable sites according to the weather, visibility and your group’s experience. Spend the morning in the water, then return to the yacht for lunch and an afternoon of swimming, paddleboarding or relaxing on deck.
There is no need to rush to another island. Enjoy a second evening in The Bight, perhaps with a drink ashore, or let the crew arrange a private dinner on board.
Day 3: Peter Island and Cooper Island
Begin with a cruise to Peter Island and spend the morning at Deadman’s Bay. The beach and surrounding hills provide a beautiful setting for swimming, a walk ashore or an unhurried start to the day.
Continue east to Cooper Island, where Manchioneel Bay is a popular stop for visiting yachts. Enjoy the afternoon on the water before heading ashore for dinner at Cooper Island Beach Club. Known for its beachfront setting, rum bar and sustainability initiatives, it offers a different perspective on island hospitality.
Opening dates and reservations should be confirmed in advance, particularly when travelling outside the busiest winter months.
Day 4: Virgin Gorda and The Baths
The Baths are among the BVI’s most distinctive natural attractions. At the southwestern end of Virgin Gorda, enormous granite boulders form grottoes, natural pools and passages leading towards Devil’s Bay.
Arrive early to explore the trails and enjoy the scenery before the busiest part of the day. Access from the water depends on sea conditions, and designated moorings must be used where applicable. Winter swells can make the approach unsafe, so the captain may recommend visiting by land instead.
Afterwards, continue to Spanish Town for lunch, a walk ashore or any provisioning required before heading north. Spend the evening in a suitable anchorage along Virgin Gorda.
Day 5: North Sound
North Sound offers a change of pace, with sheltered cruising areas, watersports and a collection of waterfront destinations. Spend the morning exploring the sound or enjoy a swimming and paddleboarding session arranged by the crew.
Saba Rock and Bitter End Yacht Club are popular places to experience the area’s sailing culture, while Leverick Bay provides another option for waterfront dining. Guests interested in kiteboarding may also be able to arrange lessons through a local operator, subject to conditions and availability.
North Sound is an excellent place to extend the itinerary by a day if your group would prefer more time for watersports, relaxation or exploring Virgin Gorda.
Day 6: Anegada
Anegada is unlike the other islands on this route. Low-lying and formed from coral and limestone, it is surrounded by reefs and long beaches, creating a landscape that feels distinctly different from the volcanic islands to the south.
The passage from North Sound requires suitable weather and careful navigation through the reef system. Your captain will assess conditions and determine whether the journey is appropriate.
Once ashore, explore Cow Wreck Beach or Loblolly Bay, enjoy lunch at a local beach restaurant and spend the afternoon swimming or discovering the island. Anegada is particularly famous for its lobster, traditionally prepared on open grills. A waterfront dinner is a memorable way to end the day, with reservations and availability confirmed ahead of time.
Day 7: Jost Van Dyke
The passage west from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke is one of the longer journeys on the itinerary, so an early departure is worthwhile. Enjoy breakfast on board and spend the morning relaxing as the islands come back into view.
Jost Van Dyke is known for its informal beach culture and lively waterfront atmosphere. White Bay is home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, where the Painkiller cocktail originated, while Great Harbour is home to Foxy’s, one of the BVI’s best-known beach bars.
Spend the afternoon ashore, enjoy a drink or dinner, and return to the yacht for an evening overlooking the harbour. After a longer passage, keeping the schedule flexible allows everyone to enjoy the island at their own pace.
Day 8: Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit
After the energy of Jost Van Dyke, the nearby cays offer a more peaceful day. Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit are small, largely undeveloped islands where the focus is on the beaches, surrounding water and natural scenery.
Sandy Cay offers a walking trail and opportunities for snorkelling, while Sandy Spit is an appealing stop for swimming and enjoying the Caribbean landscape. Access and anchoring arrangements depend on conditions and local restrictions, with the captain taking care to protect the surrounding reefs.
Enjoy lunch on board, spend time in the water or simply relax with the islands as a backdrop. The afternoon can include another stop or more time in one location before continuing to a suitable anchorage for the night.
Day 9: Tortola and Cane Garden Bay
Cruise along Tortola’s northern coastline towards Cane Garden Bay, a beautiful beach framed by green hills and known for its waterfront restaurants and local atmosphere.
Spend the morning swimming or enjoying the yacht before heading ashore for lunch. The afternoon can be as active or relaxed as you wish, with time for watersports, a walk along the beach or a final visit to a local bar.
Cane Garden Bay can be affected by northerly swell, particularly during winter, so the captain may recommend an alternative anchorage if conditions are unsuitable. For your last evening, enjoy dinner ashore or return to the yacht for a meal prepared by the chef.
Day 10: Road Town and Disembarkation
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before returning to Road Town. Depending on your departure arrangements, there may be time for a last swim or a short stop along the way.
The crew will coordinate disembarkation and onward transfers, allowing sufficient time for your flight or ferry connection. After ten days, the BVI leave plenty of reasons to return, from favourite anchorages to islands you may wish to explore in greater depth.
Why Choose a Sunreef for the BVI?
The BVI suit a charter that combines manageable passages with plenty of time at anchor. A Sunreef catamaran offers the space to enjoy both, with separate areas for dining, relaxing, watersports and private time.
Depending on the model, guests may enjoy a flybridge lounge, foredeck seating, an aft cockpit and a swim platform providing convenient access to the water. The twin-hull design offers stability and generous living volumes, while the yacht’s accommodation allows family and friends to enjoy time together without sacrificing privacy.
A shallower draft than many comparable monohulls can also be advantageous in suitable cruising areas, although access always depends on the yacht’s dimensions, local regulations and the captain’s assessment.
Best Time to Charter the BVI
December through April is the principal BVI charter season, attracting visitors seeking Caribbean sunshine, trade winds and a winter escape. Christmas and New Year are especially popular, so early planning is advisable for festive departures.
January and February are attractive for sailing, while March and April can offer warm conditions and an enjoyable balance of cruising and time ashore. Weather varies throughout the season, and stronger winds or northerly swell may influence the itinerary.
Planning Your BVI Catamaran Charter
The best itinerary is one that reflects how your group wants to spend its time. Families may prefer shorter passages and more beach days, while experienced charterers might prioritise sailing, diving or a longer stay in North Sound.
Your charter team can help coordinate the yacht, crew, embarkation point and itinerary, along with restaurant reservations, watersports and special requests. Mooring availability, national park permits and access restrictions should also be considered, particularly for larger yachts.
Flights and transfers deserve attention before the route is finalised. Tortola’s main airport is on Beef Island, and international visitors may need to connect through another Caribbean hub or travel via St Thomas. Allow sufficient time for onward connections.
Plan Your BVI Catamaran Charter
Ten days in the British Virgin Islands offer the freedom to experience the Caribbean without rushing from one destination to the next. From the granite formations of Virgin Gorda to Anegada’s beaches and the lively shores of Jost Van Dyke, every island brings something different to the journey.
Plan your BVI catamaran charter with Sunreef Yachts Charter. Share your preferred dates, group size and the experiences you would like to include, and our team will help you find the right yacht and create an itinerary tailored to you.
