A portrait of Caribbean destinationsThe British Virgin Islands - the Caribbean bestseller

Andreas Fritsch

 · 28.02.2024

Anchoring off The Baths on Virgin Gorda, with the main island of the British Virgin Islands in the background: Tortola
Photo: YACHT/A. Fritsch
The British Virgin Islands in the northern Caribbean are a compact area with short distances to picturesque destinations, but they are also very busy. No clearing in and out necessary, perfect for Caribbean beginners

Topics in this article

  • Arrival: ***
  • Level of difficulty: ****
  • Versatility: ***
  • Infrastructure: ****

The British part of the Virgin Islands is the number one charter destination for German crews. The neighbouring US and Spanish Virgin Islands follow far behind, the change of territory is simply too complicated. The very small archipelago between Tortola, Virgin Gorda and the small offshore islands is ideal for crews who love short distances. You are rarely travelling for more than two or three hours. Ideal for a swim stop during the day. The longest trip is usually the 15-mile detour to the shallow coral island of Anegada in the north-east.

yacht/bvi-mapo_e631705b831ee2c681c9271e58449e24Photo: YACHT

Highlights

A perfect beach, restaurants and bars on every island. On site mostly buoy fields or jetties and marinas. An area for the sweet life with drinks under palm trees, swimming, chilling out, full moon parties (Trellis Bay Tortola). Great destinations are the granite rock formations of The Baths, the coral and lobster island of Anegada, cult beaches such as Sandy Spit and bars such as "Foxy's", the "Soggy Dollar Bar" on Jost Van Dyke or the mini-island of Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda. The picture-book hotel complex on Cooper Island or the similarly beautiful resort in Soper's Hole are also top destinations in the British Virgin Islands.

You have to come to terms with the fact that there are many yachts and tourists on the water and you often have to pay to moor at buoys (usually around 60 US dollars per night). The area is expensive, the charter yachts are more expensive than in other Caribbean destinations, as are the restaurants and bars.

Charter

Motorised catamarans in Road Town on the island of Tortola.

Journey

Via Paris or Amsterdam to St Martin, then on to Tortola by island hopper. Alternatively via the USA including an overnight stay and then by ferry to Tortola.


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