The Perfect Virgin Gorda Charter Day

You’ll hear me say time and time again that chartering a yacht in the Caribbean is unlike any other vacation you’ll go on. My family and I charter a yacht annually, and it’s a date we anxiously await every year. It’s an experience your family and friends will never forget, because spending a week on a luxurious charter yacht with a crew to handle your every need while you reconnect with one another in a stunning location is priceless.

If you’re doing a U.S. Virgin Islands or British Virgin Islands yacht charter, one day will be dedicated to Virgin Gorda, the 3^rd largest island of the BVIs and second most populated. The most notable must-see spots are The Baths, Savannah Bay, Hog Heaven, and the North Sound. My recommendation is to start your day with a safari rental out of Spanish Town, on the southwest side of the island. There are two options for completing this amazing adventure. 

One is to have your captain act as your tour guide and drive the safari around to the various locations.  The second is to have your captain hire a local who will do the same itinerary – the only difference would be the captain would then sail the boat around the island to the North Sound, so at the end of the day, guests can easily board the boat in their overnight anchorage. I personally think having your captain take the guests around the island is best – it ensures everyone is well taken care of, and sailing the boat around Virgin Gorda is a terrific way to end the day with a sunset cruise. 

Before you even get on the road, make sure you have your 5-star chef pack a portable cooler with water, beer, wine, and snacks to help keep you hydrated and nourished.  It’s an absolute blast sitting in the back of an open-air safari, with a cold beer in your hand, your friends and family sitting next to you, while you take in the beautiful sights and sounds of Virgin Gorda. 

The Baths

At the entrance, there is a restaurant and a few gift shops that are worth a visit. The restaurant’s patio offers an eagle eye view of The Baths, making for a great photo op. It’s about a 10-15-minute walk down to The Baths and the beaches. Your flexibility skills will come into play here, as there are areas you’ll be crouching, ducking or crawling your way through the caves. 

Your captain will guide you through the maze of giant granite boulders strewn across the beach and show you hidden grottoes. “The Cathedral” is one of the most famous spots to stop and take a picture – Tyra Banks did a Sports Illustrated photo shoot with it as her background. Guests can cool off in Devil’s Bay, snorkel or walk the sandy beaches.

Hog Heaven

After hiking around The Baths, you’ll most likely have worked up quite the appetite. Your trusted captain will navigate the island to one of the best overlooks in all the Virgin Islands – Hog Heaven. The drive alone will take your breath away (in a good way!), with narrow roads, dramatic cliffs, and white sugary beaches that make you believe you’ve found heaven. 

There are several overlooks along the drive that provide fantastic photo ops for you and your group. It’s a small BBQ restaurant located on the northwestern side that overlooks the entire North Sound, with stunning views of Necker Island, Moskito Island, Saba Rock, and on super clear days, Anegada.  Even if your group isn’t looking for a meal, it’s worth the drive for a cocktail and a view to die for. 

Savannah Bay

After lunch and a view, your captain will take you down to the pristine beaches of Savannah Bay. With soft, white, powdered sugar beaches to stroll and crystal clear blue waters to soak in, it’s the best way to end your day on Virgin Gorda. I’ve often been to this beach when there were just a few other people around, so if you’re looking for an uncrowded, secluded place to unwind in, you’ve come to the right spot.

The North Sound

Once you hop back onto your yacht, your captain will sail you around the West coast of Virgin Gorda, allowing you to see the beautiful landscape from another angle. And if it’s timed right, you’ll be able to catch the sun disappearing while sitting on the trampoline or relaxing on the flybridge with delicious handcrafted cocktails and appetizers made by your fabulous chef.

Once your charter yacht has made it to the North Sound for the night, guests often love going ashore to Leverick Bay, Saba Rock, or Bitter End Yacht Club. Here you can catch some of the nightlife and watch the Moko Jumbie dancers, feed tarpon, play a round of pool, or enjoy a nightcap at one of the many bars ashore.

Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria have passed, the Caribbean has had some major damage. But we are #Caribbeanstrong and #VIStrong, and the rebuilding has already begun! Your favorite beach bars like Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke, is back open, The Willy T’s is getting repaired and our beaches and reefs are still just as beautiful. The British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands are some of my favorite cruising grounds for a charter yacht vacation as the islands are so close together, making for easy, short passages and more time to explore.