Our British Virgin Islands adventure was an enormous success filled with warm sun, pristine beaches, fantastic snorkeling and great breezes. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, we played in a place that can be described as nothing less than a tropical paradise. We ate amazing local foods, swam with fish and rays while snorkeling caves and reefs, dived on the Wreck of the Rhone and met interesting friends along the way. While sailing a handsome, large and well stocked new yacht in great weather was undoubtedly an awesome experience, the true joy of the adventure was the comradery between every member of our fun, gorgeous and willing crew. Out on the Water Sailing is extremely thankful to Jim, Randy, John, David, Mike and Andy for joining Captains Chris and Toby on this tropical adventure. A great time was had by all and I hope you all made friends to cherish for years to come!
- The Baths, Virgin Gorda, BVI
So many delightful moments were had along the way during the week’s sail that it is hard to adequately describe all the awesome experiences. To give everyone a brief synopsis, however, we boarded our chartered 53′ sailing yacht in Tortola, which was so new that it hadn’t yet been named. After fittingly christening her “Black Swan” (one day before the Oscars), we departed Tortola directly heading for the natural rock caves of Virgin Gorda called “The Baths.” After hiking these stunning coastal caves, playing in the rocks and the water on a warm day, we ate well and met new friends at the Bitter End Yacht Club. There, the Black Swan was visited not only by sea turtles, but Richard Branson (local land owner of some note) drove his motorboat filled with children past us with a wave and a smile. With a preeminent kite surfing event hosted by Branson happening around the eastern British Virgin Islands, we quickly found ourselves mixing in the fun and gorgeous kite surfer circuit in the outward coral atoll, Anegada. Luckily, the great winds early in our adventure allowed us sail to this paradise, which is well known as an illusive and out of reach destination to many who sail the British Virgin Islands. Once at Anegada, we swam pristine waters around colorful and flush coral, ate lobster and danced the night away making many fabulous new friends
- Sunset at Anegada, BVI
The second half of our week brought even more excitement and adventure. We visited the leeward island of Jost Van Dyke where we anchored on the sandy shores of White’s Bay and enjoyed meeting more new friends on the beach at the Soggy Dollar Bar. We ate aboard that night before heading the next day to Deadman’s Bay where we anchored just off the beautiful sand beaches of the luxurious Peter Island Resort. Friday, while half the crew disembarked for a great scuba adventure, the rest of us pampered ourselves with fine wine, shopping and lounging in the fabulous amenities that the Peter Island offered.
With one night left in our vacation in paradise, more snorkeling, dining and dancing was on tap at Norman Island. We snorkeled the caves before heading to one of the most fun hot spots of the Caribbean, a floating restaurant and bar called the “Willy T.” There, we let loose and cut a rug on our last night before returning the boat to Tortola. Not yet done with our excursion, we pampered ourselves by the pool and spa at the Tortola resort before saying goodbye to our great friends.
Hope to see you next year in the BVI!
