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Kylee, my best friend from Dallas, and her husband, Brent (our captain), love to sail, and they had actually done this trip (to different islands) last year. So when they invited me earlier this year I couldn't say no. I really had no idea what to expect - calling our catamaran "home" for a week - but that's what appealed to me. All I can say after having returned from this trip - is that it was absolutely one of the most amazing vacations I have taken in ages!! Watch the video (from our goPro footage) and read on below to hear about the experience, the much needed R&R, the unbelievable island hopping and snorkeling adventures. If I could go back tomorrow I would already be on the plane!!
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Accommodations
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Trip Itinerary
Map of our BVI Island Hopping
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Sailing to the other side of Virgin Gorda
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Brent did a lot of research and had planned a perfect itinerary for our week in the British Virgin Islands!
We all flew into Tortola and met at the Moorings Marina. Brent and Kylee had already checked in and boarded the boat by the time I arrived. We spent the night on the boat at the Marina, ready to take off in the morning after final prep and inspections.
We all flew into Tortola and met at the Moorings Marina. Brent and Kylee had already checked in and boarded the boat by the time I arrived. We spent the night on the boat at the Marina, ready to take off in the morning after final prep and inspections.
And we're off! Leaving the Moorings Marina in Tortola
Day 1: We crossed the very bumpy Drake Channel (take your ginger pills!), which took a couple hours, and made a first stop at The Indians for some snorkeling. Afterwards we headed a short distance over to Norman Island where we tied up to a mooring ball for the night along with the other boats in the harbor.
1st stop - The Indians for some snorkeling
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Norman Island
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Day 2: We headed to Peter's Island, first stopping at the picturesque tourquise waters of Deadman's Man for a little hiking adventure and beach time on land - practically all to ourselves. Then we went around to the other side of the island to grab our spot for the night in the Great Harbour where there wasn't much more than the water and deserted shoreline.
Deadman's Bay at Peter Island
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Peter Island Great Harbour
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Day 3: We were off to Cooper Island, about 45 minutes away. We snagged a mooring ball in the harbour and settled in for our stay that day and evening. This was our first "real" island with a couple stores and restaurants and wifi.
Welcome to Cooper Island
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Happy Hour at the bar
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Day 4: We made two stops today - first at The Baths for some amazing adventures through the unbelievable caves to Devil's Bay, as well as lunch at the top of the island. Then in the afternoon we put the sails up for the first time and sailed to the North Side of Virgin Gorda where we planned to stay for 2 nights.
Exploring The Baths
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Brent, Kylee and EJ at Devil's Bay
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Day 5: We spent all day and night at Virgin Gorda, with an afternoon of snorkeling and relaxing on the uninhabited Prickly Pear island. With so much to do on Virgin Gorda, it definitely warranted a second day!
Virgin Gorda
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Our view from Prickly Pear Island
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Day 6: With the sails up, we made our way 2 hours over to Marina Cay for our final day in the BVIs. A beautifully quiet spot with the bluest of waters as far as you could see. Just a little island store and restaurant (with gorgeous views) on land.
Marina Cay Island Store
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Marina Cay at night
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Day 7: Our last day on the boat, we took off early to head back across the Drake Channel and returned the catamaran to the marina in Tortola before going to the airport. I got to be 'co-pilot' on the little 10-seater prop plane back to Puerto Rico!
Flying to Puerto Rico in the Co-Pilot seat!
Trip Highlights
Snorkel at every opportunity around as many islands as possible! The coral is just stunning and the adventures were unique at each location.
- At The Indians be sure to find the split in the rocks to swim through - very cool!
- At Cooper Island, we took the dingy over to a spot by the rocks, not too far from our boat, where we tied the dingy to a rope and jumped in for some great snorkeling. The waves were pretty strong, so it was a good workout, but the view below was worth it!
- At the Virgin Gorda info booth on shore, they told us about a great spot to snorkle around the back side of Saba Rock. We took the dingy out to this spot in the water where the color changed (shallow spot) and it really felt like we were stopping in the middle of no-where to jump off the boat and snorkel...hence our "stranded" video in the GoPro footage. :) It was amazing snorkeling though with beautiful coral and the dropped cannon.
- In Marina Cay we found two spots to snorkel. One spot near land where we tied the dingy to a rope and jumped in. The coral was beautiful! Then we jumped in the water from our boat and swam over to a snorkeling spot with tons of yellow colors and fish galore.
The Indians
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EJ Snorkeling at The Indians
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Snorkeling at Cooper Island
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School of Fish at Cooper Island
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Our Virgin Gorda Snorkeling Spot
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Brent snorkeling in Virgin Gorda
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Beautiful purples in Marina Cay
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Snorkeling near our boat at Marina Cay
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Rent a Paddleboard from the marina to use during the trip. We rented one but we will definitely get two next time! The waters in each harbor are so calm it was perfect for paddleboarding. And what great exercise! Gotta burn off all those island beverages.
- We would paddleboard around the boat, or on a couple occassions take it to shore.
- Or when we were finally worn out - just use it as a raft to relax and sunbathe near the boat. And when the current gets too strong and is taking you out to sea, just tie your board to the catamaran to achieve the perfect R&R.
- One of our silliest adventures - Kylee and I sharing the one board to get to shore in Marina Cay. Talk about a work out - especially going against the current! I think we laughed the entire way.
- And a favorite memory - watching Brent attempt to jump onto the board from the boat over and over until he finally stayed on. (Watch the video for more tries at this!)
EJ paddle boarding at Peter Island
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Brent entertaining us!
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Kylee paddle boarding around Cooper Island
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Kylee and I heading to Marina Cay shore
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Enjoy the Island Adventures! From some mini hikes (we definitely need to do more next time), to exploring the beautiful beaches and desserted shorelines, taking the dingy to various new spots and best of all - explore The Baths in Virgin Gorda. Can I say it again...explore The Baths!!
- On Peter Island in Deadman's Bay we walked a short trail over to the other side of the island. There were some amazing coral shells along the beach...which we had all to ourselves...and we had fun searching for coral souvenirs
- The Baths was the highlight of adventures! We had to prepare well for our excursion because to get there meant taking the dingy to the roped off section - then swimming a good ways to shore. (Bring a waterproof bag). Once on land we hiked around the Baths for over an hour. Talk about an amazing place!!! So unique - very fun adventure going in and out of the rock caves, through the water holes and finally out to the unbelievable view of Devil's Bay!
- Take the dingy to nearby beaches and islands or various snorkeling spots around the island.
Brent hiking to the other side of Peter Island
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Kylee exploring the caves at The Baths
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EJ at the top of the caves
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On the dingy heading back from Prickly Pear Island
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Relax!!!
- Enjoy the sunset each night and be sure to look up at the stars in the evening. That's definitely not a sight you get in the city. I couldn't get a photo of the stars, but I think I stared at them long enough to capture the image to last a lifetime!
- Float the day away. Grab a noodle or float, tie up to the boat and just close your eyes and relax in the sun. It's how we spent almost every afternoon before dinner. Rough life!
- If you see a desserted/uninhabited island - go check it out.
- On Peter Island we found a nice spot in the shade, had a couple beverages and just enjoyed more relaxation time.
- From Virgin Gorda head over to Prickly Pear island, which we basically had to ourselves. We hung out there for a while and were amazed at the view of the Google Owner's island on the right and Richard Branson's island on the left!
- In Virgin Gorda Kylee and I found a gorgeous beach to relax and swim while we waited for Brent to take his kite surfing lesson. It made for a perfect morning before heading out on other adventures.
- Embrace the storm if you encounter one! There were some crazy storms overnight at Cooper Island so that was an experience that kept us all awake most of the night! The winds were so strong it turned the boat around 180 degrees!
- Learn to disconnect because there is no cell phone service and extremly limited wifi on this trip! It was exactly what I needed and I loved every minute of it. But do say hi to family and friends for a few minutes when you have a chance - there was wifi on Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda and Marina Cay. But thankfully only on land - not on the boat in the harbor.
Kylee enjoying the sail
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Sunset at Peter Island
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Exploring Prickly Pear Island
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Virgin Gorda Bitter End beach
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Relaxing in the shade on Peter Island Great Harbour
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How we spent each afternoon
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Brent enjoying the afternoon
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Enjoy the view on Cooper Island while sipping a coffee
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Enjoying my first sunset in the BVIs - Norman Island
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Soaking up the views at Marina Cay
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Kylee and EJ - heading to dinner on Virgin Gorda
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Offset those burned calories by replenishing with a cold beer or island beverage.
- On Norman Island after dinner we took the dingy over to Willy Ts (the famous boat / bar in the bay) for drinks. We had a couple drinks - the Painkiller is what you have to try. And the people watching is great - trust me!
- Cooper Island had a nice shoreline - with a restaurant and bar, coffee shop, gift shop, etc (and wifi). We sat around a while enjoying the island life in the morning and also enjoyed happy hour and a very nice dinner at the restaurant.
- After making our way back through The Baths we headed up the steps to the Top of the Baths restaurant where we devoured our coconut chicken fingers and enjoyed a cold beer after our hiking adventure.
- Kylee and I enjoyed exploring the stores and restaurants on Virgin Gorda. A favorite was Crawl Pub where we enjoyed happy hour and dinner one night. We even put on real clothes for dinner!
- In Virgin Gorda we stopped at Saba Rock for a happy hour drink.
Kylee and I enjoying our Painkillers at Willy T's!
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Refreshments at the Top of the Baths restaurant after our adventure
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Kylee in deep thought at Crawl Pub
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Happy Hour at Saba Rock
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Slideshow of more BVI photos - use right/left control arrows or scroll and click to view
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Cheers to one of the most relaxing and amazing vacations I have taken in ages! Thanks to Kylee and Brent for taking me along on the adventure. Looking forward to next year! :)