Jumbies at Festival Time in Tortola

Two favourite places to sail into on Tortola, British Virgin Islands are Cane Garden Bay and Trellis Bay near the airport.

Cane Garden Bay is centrally located on the north side of Tortola and easy to sail into if you are on your way to Jost Van Dyke. It is a crescent shaped bay surrounded by high hills with plenty of moorings to pick up. The beach has all sorts of bars and restaurants for entertainment and great for stretching your legs ashore. You can safely swim there due to buoy management where dinghies are not allowed to park on the shore. There is a good provisioning shop there and also the historic Callwords Rum Distillery which has the original structure of the factory to view and you can buy samples of the rum too.

Cane Garden Bay is also a great place to jump in a taxi and go to Bomba’s Shack, famous for its Full Moon Parties.

Another huge attraction for a Full Moon Party’s is Fireball Full Moon Party in Trellis Bay where the whole beach turns into a great night life area including bars steel drums, reggae bands, Caribbean food, Moko Jumbies dancing and the spectacular fireballs. Over the years this has turned into a huge attraction for Full moon.

Stop in Trellis Bay, Tortola, to See Moko Jumbies Dancers – Part of the Popular Full Moon Festivities

Here are 2012 Full Moon dates:
May 5th , June 4th, July 3rd, August 2nd and 31st, September 30th, OOctober 29th , November 28th and December 28th

Flying into Union Island and cruising down to Grenada is one of our most popular itineraries. Flying into St. Vincent and cruising through the Grenadines down to Union Island is another. To read the St. Vincent to the Grenadines itinerary, click here.

Union Island, St. Vincent, Carriacou and Grenada

Union Island

After flying into Union Island, enjoy a few days of local culture and nightlife, with no shortage of great bars and Caribbean restaurants. Time your visit to coincide with Easter Holy Week, late May’s “Maroon” celebration or one of two major sailing regattas to get a taste of Caribbean culture (but book your hotel early—those dates fill up fast. ) If you fly into Union Island any other time, there’s still an abundance of fun to be had. Climb on board your yacht and let the real adventure begin!

Sail to a beautiful island and swim ashore

Petit St. Vincent (“PSV”) – an hour’s sail  from Union Island

A beautiful sail from Union Island, Petit St. Vincent is a private island with a 113-acre resort and just 22 cottages. Secluded and quiet, stop here for a trip to the hillside spa, practice yoga in a pavilion overlooking Conch Bay, or fish and swim in the crystal waters. Hikers can trek to the top of Marni Hill for great views.  And hungry travelers can take in the charms of the hillside restaurant or happy hour with other yachters at the beach bar.

Carriacou- a 2 hour’s sail from Petit St Vincent

Sail into one of the many harbors of Carrriacou Island, and prepare yourself for all this lovely island has to offer.  Less developed than some of the islands, Carriacou isn’t home to any major resorts or 5-star hotels—just 16 miles of rolling hills, white sand beaches, and authentic island living. There are no shortage of walks to interesting historical sights, and the snorkeling is top notch. Immerse yourself in local culture and enjoy the many festivals offered throughout the year.

Grenada- a 2 hour’s sail from Carriacou

This island country and Commonwealth realm is home to an exciting blend of eco-tourism sites, industry, and upscale resorts.  Culturally-rich and inviting, Grenada features beautiful beaches and waterfall-dotted, hilly terrain. Frequently called “The Spice Island,” Grenada is one of the world’s largest producers of cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, citrus peels, and wild coffee. Sail into Grenada and explore its National Parks; tour an old plantation; imagine battles from your perch in a fort; or spend the day at a rum distillery, swim in one of the waterfalls—there’s something for everything on this island!

Flying into St. Vincent and cruising through the Grenadines down to Union Island is one of our most popular itineraries. Flying into Union Island and cruising down to Grenada is another. To read the Union Island – Grenada itinerary, click here.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Five small, uninhabited islands that make up The Tobago Cays are a must-see for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts

After flying into St Vincent, you’ll take a quick taxi to Young Island Cut, where you’ll meet up with your chartered yacht and begin your sailing voyage. From Bequia to Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and the Tobago Cays to Palm Island and Union Island, this is one island-hopping adventure you’ll never forget!

Bequia – an hour’s sail from base

The largest of the Grenadines, this lovely island is a haven for natural exploration, maritime buffs, shopping, and mingling with local sailors. Drop anchor in Bequia and explore one of the 28 dive sites. Catch a glimpse at ghostly shipwrecks and exotic fish; visit the whaling museum and learn about the island’s maritime history; or take a trip to the turtle refuge farm and fall in love with some of nature’s slowest charmers.

Mustique - around two hour’s sail from Bequia

Celebrity spotters take note: this privately-owned island is the playground of the rich and famous. With such noted visitors as Tommy Hilfiger, you never know who you might run into. With no traffic lights, beach vendors, or power lines, sail to Mustique for quiet relaxation on gorgeous beaches, tennis in paradise, and upscale parties—the island is tailor-made for the discerning traveler.

Canouan - about a three hour sail from Mustique

Home to one of the longest barrier reefs, and three major resorts, laid-back Canouan is a great place to snorkel, hike, hit the casino, or just soak up rays on the white sand beaches. Anchor your yacht in one of Canouan’s two beautiful bays, take in the views, and get in a round of golf at one of the best golf courses in the world.

Mayreau - approximately one  hour’s sail from Canouan

The smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines, this wee outpost is home to around 300 people and spans just 1.5 miles. You won’t find much hustle and bustle here—just incredible beaches, an abundance of fishermen, and a charming hilltop stone church that offers stunning views of neighboring islands. Visit the salt pond or dock your yacht in Saline Bay, where you can snorkel or dive the wreck of a World War 1 gunboat.

The Tobago Cays – half an hour’s sail from Mayreau

The five small, uninhabited islands that make up The Tobago Cays are a must-see for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Much of the Tobago Cays Marine Park is encompassed here and you’ll soon know why if you sail into The Tobago Cays. Sea turtle nesting sites, pristine coral reefs, lobsters, and iguanas are just some of the wonders you’ll see. Hike the trails of James Bay, Petit Bateau and Petit Rameau for amazing views and close encounters with birds and iguanas, or trek to Petit Trabac to see where they filmed “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl.”

Palm Island and Union Island

Tiny Palm Island is a great place to dock your yacht for a few hours. Enjoy waterfront dining at one of the resort’s two open-air restaurants, stop in for a massage, or go for a stroll along the island’s five lovely beaches.

Just a quick sail away is the much larger Union Island, a hot-spot for culture and nightlife, with no shortage of great bars and Caribbean restaurants. It seems like there’s always something happening on Union Island—visitors who arrive during Easter Holy Week, late May’s “Maroon” celebration or during one of two major sailing regattas are sure to be treated to a taste of Caribbean culture. But don’t worry—if you sail into Union Island any other time, there’s still an abundance of fun to be had. From turtle watching to shopping, dancing, and diving, Union Island is a gem.

Two of the most popular itineraries for crewed charter yachts are flying into St. Vincent and cruising through the Grenadines down to Union Island, or flying into Union Island and cruising down to Grenada.

BVI Sailing Vacation Itinerary One: St. Vincent and the Grenadines

After flying into St Vincent, you’ll take a quick taxi to Young Island Cut, where you’ll meet up with your chartered yacht and begin your sailing voyage. From Bequia to Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, and the Tobago Cays to Palm Island and Union Island, this is one island-hopping adventure you’ll never forget!

Click here to read the full St. Vincent – the Grenadines BVI Sailing Vacation itinerary. Or click on one of the islands below to go directly to the the specific island destination description.

Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, the Tobago Cays, Palm Island and Union Island

BVI Sailing Vacation Itinerary Two: Union Island, Petit St. Vincent, Carriacou, and Grenada

Click here to read the full Union Island – Grenada BVI Sailing Vacation itinerary. Or click on one of the islands to go directly to the the specific island destination description.

Union Island, Petit St. Vincent, Carriacou, Grenada

Ready for the Scuba Diving Vacation of Your Life? Charter a Yacht in the BVI

Find out more about our Special Caribbean Sailing Vacations here.

Here are examples of the best known scuba dives in the British Virgin Islands

For the novice diver: The Indian, Depth:10-55 feet (3-16m)

The area around the four jagged rocks that make up “The Indians” is packed with large mushroom coral heads and lush, soft coral gardens. Marine life abounds in the coral folds—schools of Creole Wrasse and Blue Tangs scurry by while lobsters, Spotted Drums and Fairy Basslets hang out under the corals head. The gap between the four Indians and a fifth, hidden Indian forms a mini canyon, and the vertical walls of the rocks themselves are encrusted with hard and soft corals and sponges. On the eastern side, a shallow “fish bowl” (ideal for snorkelers) conceals a narrow tunnel and a small cave filled with Glassy Eyed Sweepers. Reef sharks are seen here from time to time.

For intermediate to advanced divers: Anchor of the RMS Rhone, Depth: 50-65 feet (15-20m)

The RMS Rhone was anchored here in the mouth of Great Harbour, Peter Island in October of 1867 while she took on fuel, supplies, and passengers for the journey back to England. When a category five hurricane blew in, the massive anchor and its 300 feet of chain were lost at this spot where they remain to this day, coral-encrusted and half-buried by sand. Dive down to this historical jewel and see the ship in all its ghostly glory, along with the wildly-diverse marine life that has made the boat their home.

When packing for a sailing vacation in BVI, pack light and bring strong sunscreen. Shown here: Cane Garden Bay - Tortola BVI

What’s the best way to pack for your crewed charter yacht vacation in the British Virgin Islands? Pack light!  Most of your days you will be either onboard sailing, at anchor, on a mooring or travelling in the dinghy to go snorkeling on a beautiful reef or ashore to a beach.  In some places you can swim ashore to a local bar for happy hour.

For a typical 7 day charter you would need 2 or 3 swimsuits (aka swim “costumes”), t-shirts and shorts, a pair of casual long pants or dress for going ashore to eat or shop.  You will only need flip flops or boat shoes (no dark soles allowed) or shoes to go ashore in.  Remember, clothes can get wet or splashed so leave your treasured t-shirt or hat at home.  A cover-up is essential, while on-board, swimsuits are OK, ashore some places request more modesty and so cover-ups will be required.  Your sailing crew will advise as you go.  Remember you are going sailing so it is quite likely that your hats will fly overboard, so bring at least 2 or invest in a clip on for the back of your shirts. Bring a sweatshirt and light raincoat for cooler evenings and choppy seas in the dinghy.

Sailing in the Caribbean Calls for SP 30 Sunscreen or Stronger

Sunscreen and after sun care is a must. We consider SP15 only a moisturizer  here!  If you do not want to be burnt, bring minimum SP 30 and oil-free only please.  Remember to use it on your feet too.   The non-perfumed sunscreen is the best.

Zip lock bags are “the thing” to keep money and personal gear dry for swimming ashore to bars and beaches.  They are easy to pack and extremely useful in a wet environment.

Batteries and disposable cameras are quite expensive here so bring them with you for capturing those fish underwater.

Finally, soft luggage or luggage that packs flat is the best for stowing away in your cabin or locker as space is at a premium onboard most yachts.

Dynamic Charters BVI specializes in “crewed” charters, yachts sailed by a captain and first mate (and additional crew depending on the size of the yacht and number of guests). Crewed chartering brings new meaning to the words “getting away”. Perfect for families, friends and even corporate retreats, the British Virgin Islands are a paradise of hidden treasures and there is something for everyone. From total seclusion to the wildest party spots, and everything in between, the British Virgin Islands’ 60 islands and islets, have it all.