If you’ve read “Bareboat Chartering Basics” and want to delve deeper into the planning process, read on for our March 2025 sail plan, which may inspire your own.
We booked our boat, Saint Bleu, a 2019 Lagoon 38 catamaran, with BVI Yacht Charters for 10 days including the option to sleep aboard the day before. Our primary reason for going back to the BVIs is that we have not been back since these beautiful islands were torn apart by not one, but two major hurricanes, leaving practically all boats and most beach side businesses and villages devastated. We wanted to witness how they have since rebuilt and, in our small way, contribute to their economy.
Our second reason is that our good friends, Dave and Laura, relatively new to sailing, were intrigued by our frequent bareboat trips to the Caribbean. Since the BVIs are the perfect place for first timers, we are inviting them to join us.
Once we arrive, the day before, we do a complete check of the boat’s inventory. The inventory list is provided by the charter company and we are tasked to find and confirm everything is onboard and in proper order. This process also ensures everyone knows where everything is, from coffee maker filters, to tools and spare parts, etc. I also get to test if everything works from the anchor windlass to the power winches, etc.
While we do this, its a good opportunity to do a walk around of the boat and get familiar. While still dockside, we can use all the water and power we want. If time allows, a quick trip to the Caribbean Cellar for our beer and spirits. We’ll have dinner at the nearby Charly’s Restaurant, which is part of the Moorings charter base.
The next morning will involve a trip across the street to Riteway Food Market for our groceries. Followed by a boat and chart briefing with the BVI Charter team. Departure should be around noon.
Navigation and sailing charter boats. When planning your itinerary, please note that all charter boats must be securely anchored or moored before sunset. So, there is no night sailing or motoring allowed and insurance companies are clear on this. Plus, arriving at an anchorage during sunlight will help you visually see the depths and any obstacles such as reefs, etc.
OUR SAILPLAN
A day by day overview of our sailplan follows, you can see the chart version in the image above. If you’d like to make your own sailplan, click this link to access the template. To make your own sailplan, click “File” then “Make a copy.”
Day 1: Marina Cay, Tortola
Once the boat and chart briefing are complete, groceries stored, fuel and water tanks topped up, including fuel for the dinghy outboard (all charter boats include a dinghy and outboard), we are set to depart by noon. All charters normally go from noon to noon.
Our first stop, Marina Cay, is a small island that is protected by a reef that is great to snorkel on. This is also where I will dive down and check the hulls, keels, rudders and props and confirm any pre-existing damages to the base by radio or phone. This cannot be done at the base as the water is usually not very clear or clean. Drinks ashore and dinner aboard. Most charter boats do have BBQs! At one time, they used to be charcoal, but thankfully for convenience, most are now propane.
Day 2: Saba Rock, Virgin Gorda
Using the Boaty Ball app, we pre-book a mooring ball near Saba Rock, Gorda Sound, we set sail for The Baths at Virgin Gorda and grab one of many day-time mooring balls, if we’re lucky. It’s a busy place. Afterward, we set sail north to Gorda Sound and make our way to our mooring ball at Saba Rock. We dinghy over to the newly rebuilt Bitter End Yacht Club for drink and visit. Once back onboard, we hail Saba Rock on the VHF for them to send their tender to pick us for dinner.
To learn more about the Boaty Ball application, consult “Caribbean Bareboat Chartering Basics: Top Pre-Departure Tips.”
Day 3: Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda
In the morning, we motor or sail over to Leverick Bay. Then we rent a car to tour Virgin Gorda. Back on the boat, we dinghy over and explore Calquhoun Reef. Dinner onboard and join in the weekly beach party at Leverick Bay beach club.
Day 4: Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Leaving Gorda Sound for a westerly sail towards the north side of Tortola, we make a stop at George Island, part of a group of islands called The Dogs, for some great snorkeling. We then sail and make our way between Great Camanoe and Guana Island and anchor off Monkey Point for lunch and snorkeling. Afterwards we make our way to Cane Garden Bay for the night and one of the most spectacular sunsets in the BVIs.
Many restaurant choices for dinner and a tour of Callwood’s rum distillery are only steps aways from the dinghy dock.
Day 5: White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
We sail over to Sandy Spit for a quick tour of this popular deserted sandy isle next to Jost Van Dyk. Sandy Spit has been seen on many beautiful calendars. Then we move and anchor near Foxy’s Taboo for a hike to Bubbly Pool. After which, we sail down to White Bay and grab a mooring ball as soon as possible. Drinks, fun and games ashore at the Soggy Dollar bar, where the original Pain Killer drink was first introduced. Dinner ashore at .
Day 6: Leinster Bay, St-John, USVI (Hoist yellow quarantine flag)
Sailing away from White Bay, we make our way to Soper’s Hole, West-End of Tortola for a visit, shopping and some provisioning. Once we leave, we cut across and anchor overnight in Leinster Bay USVIs, hoisting our yellow quarantine flag, indicating we have not cleared U.S. Customs and will not set foot ashore. Snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay. Dinner onboard.
Day 7: The Bight, Norman Island
After an early morning snorkel and few hours of sailing, we set course towards Norman Island, making a stop at the Indians, an amazing coral formation perfect for snorkeling, teeming with sea life. Afterward, we motor over and set anchor in The Bight and use the dinghy to go explore the nearby caves, which were the inspiration for the book Treasure Island. A few drinks onboard the famous floating bar, Willy T. Dinner ashore at The Club.
Day 8: Deadman’s Bay, Peter Island
After a few hours of sailing along the Sir Francis Drake Channel, we set anchor in Deadman’s Bay off of Peter Island. Snorkeling and drinks ashore at the Peter Island Resort’s beach side bar and restaurant.
Day 9: Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island
Another morning of sailing, we make our way to Cooper Island to anchor near the Cooper Island Resort on Manchioneel Bay. Rest and relaxation, as well as great snorkeling nearby using the dinghy to reach Cistern Point.
Day 10: Return boat to BVI Yacht Charter Base, Tortola by noon
After a quick morning swim and final breakfast aboard, we sail across the Sir Francis Drake channel to reach Road Town, Tortola and make our way to the charter base by noon.
At this point, we normally donate all our leftover food and beverage inventory to the locals. Or we may have done so at Cooper Island the day before.
Once the staff have checked out the boat, we get our and pay for the fuel we’ve used. The amount of the security deposit depends on the value of the boat and charter company policy, in this case it is $1,400 USD.
Next stop is the ferry back to St-Thomas, USVI, for a few days at our favorite B&B before heading home. At this point, talk of where our next charter will usually dominate the conversation!
CONCLUSION
To the readers; I hope you have enjoyed these articles on bareboat chartering and that they have served to demystify bareboat chartering, and give you the confidence to get this amazing bucket list item checked off. In our case, we’ve checked it off many times in many destinations, but somehow it keeps popping back up on our list!
Practical Sailor’s Caribbean Bareboat Chartering Basics series:
Bareboat Chartering Basics: Sail the Caribbean the Practical Way
Bareboat Chartering Basics: Planning and Charter Companies
Bareboat Chartering Basics: Top Pre-Departure Tips
Recommended Apps to download before leaving home:
Although there are many weather and wind applications I used at home, when traveling abroad I particular like Savvy Navvy. But do review your favorite app to see if the intended sailing destination is covered. Having more than one app is also a good idea.
Some bareboat charter companies servicing the BVIs:
For more, search: BAREBOAT CHARTER COMPANIES IN THE BVI for a full list and do visit www.BVITOURISM.com
References:
Cruising Guides – Cruising Guides Publications
Typo, probably due to autocorrect. The cay in Leinster bay is Waterlemon Cay, not Watermelon Cay. Incorrect in both the article itself and in the photo caption.
A note for sailors – these photos look to be pre-Irma/Maria. Looking at the Marina Cay photo in the article, it looked to me like it was pre-hurricane as it had the Pussers store, which was wiped out in the hurricanes and which looks quite different now in the video at the Scrub Island Resort web site. What you see may not be what you get.
Hello Les and thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, you are correct. It is Waterlemon Cay.
As for some pictures, yes some are pre-hurricane. As we are going back for 10 days, the follow up article will provide updates post hurricane.
It’ll be our first time back in the BVIs since the hurricanes.