Island sailing in the BVIs .

Charter a luxury sailing yacht in the British Virgin Islands, then lie back and take it easy whilst your crew take you to explore uninhabited islands and palm fringed beaches. This is a part of the world to escape to when you really want to do as little as possible - even the winds move at a gentle pace! If you dream of desert islands, silver sand and funky beach bars with names like the Soggy Dollar or Bomba's Shack, then this is the place for you to go sailing.

With sixty islands, only fifteen of which are inhabited, and hundreds of secret bays and hidden coves, there's plenty to explore.

This is a fantastic location for diving and snorkelling as the sea literally teems with life, including turtles, exotic sponges and cup corals. There are also many reefs and old wrecks with pirate legends in abundance! Diving is easy to arrange and you can be picked up directly from your yacht before spending a morning sightseeing beneath the waves.

Many people find the proximity of the islands appealing as sailing between them can take as little as half an hour and rarely more than two or three hours. Combined with its light, predictable winds and calm seas this makes the BVIs an ideal destination for those who really want to chill.

Relax, who needs an itinerary?

Yacht charters normally start in Tortola, as this is near to the airport. Other than that, all you need is a rough idea of what you want to see and do, final decisions can wait until morning! To give you some ideas, here are a few highlights:

Tortola is the hub of the chain of islands and the largest at 21.5 square miles, its Cane Garden Bay is a crescent-shaped beach and anchorage with many bars and restaurants to enjoy. Virgin Gorda is the third largest island and is home to The Baths, where huge boulders provide a myriad of rock pools, secret beaches and walks.

Norman Island is reputedly the site of buried treasure as 15th century documents link it with Spanish galleons and pirating. It has also been suggested as the prototype for 'Treasure Island' - you'll want to believe this after exploring the underwater Treasure Caves off Treasure Point.

The wreck of the RMS Rhone, which sank in 1867, is one of the most extraordinary dive sites in the Caribbean and is just off Peter Island. For deserted beaches that are reputed to be the loveliest in the Caribbean head to Anegada, a coral island lying only 28 ft above sea level and famous for its fresh lobster. Jost Van Dyke is equally famous for its rum, as well as its bars which include Foxy's Tamarind Bar and the Soggy Dollar (home of the 'Painkiller' cocktail). Nearby Sandy Cay is real desert island material and Prickly Pear Island has some of the most stunning beaches which are only accessible from the sea.

Weather conditions: The islands offer calm, sheltered waters. They enjoy a sub-tropical climate with constant, gentle tradewinds and an average temperature of 27°C.

"Sailors are spoilt by the vast choice of sheltered coves and hidden bays
with safe anchorages..."
Treasure Islands; on the pirates' trail in the British Virgin Islands.
International Yacht Vacations and Charters magazine. Volume 2, Issue 3, 2005.

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