Dufour 37
3 cabines - 2023
One year after the devastating hurricane Irma hit the British Virgin Islands (BVI), we went back to the site to see the situation and to discover this beautiful navigation basin by proposing the best partners to rent your sailboat or catamaran in the BVI.
Here are in video the 5 top places that we preferred.
Located to the south-west of Virgin Gorda, The Baths Nature Park is the place not to be missed on your BVI sailboat cruise. You can take a buoy just in front of the park (for the day only) and get there with the dingy.
The bathing is very pleasant between the magnificent granite rocks which recall the Seychelles and the walk in the middle of the caves is superb, especially at the end of the day when the sun comes to blush the rocks. This is the place chosen by a pair of dolphins to raise their young, a show to discover in snorkeling with two loads of sailboats at anchor (vidéo).
Less than 10 miles north along Virgin Gorda, we recommend a one-day stop at the reconstructed Oil Nut Bay marina, which will be home to a swimming pool, restaurant and restaurants by the end of 2018. Take a reservation at Oil Nut Bay Resort (+1 284 393 1000) and the friendly staff of this luxury hotel will pick you up by golf cart or speed boat to enjoy the beautiful bay, the beach and all hotel facilities, including three pools. Do not hesitate to visit turtles, rays and small sharks that occupy the swimming area of this bay perfectly protected by a coral reef, just in front of Necker Island, property of Richard Branson (superb to visit with a local guide).
From here, you are only a dozen miles from Anegada that you will easily reach by a nice crosswind navigation. This island of a hundred square kilometers is famous for its underwater life, its kitesurfing beach next to the most beautiful hotel on the island (Anegada Beach Club). We advise you to rent a car to go around the island, enjoy the lobster (local specialty), see flamingos at the twin Flamingo Pond, admire the sunset at the Cow Wreck beach bar or get up at Loblolly High Point.
From Anegada, head south-west for a nice 3/4 reverse wind direction to Jost Van Dyke. On the way, admire Monkey Point south of Guana Island and then stay along the beautiful beach of Cane Garden Bay. From there, you are 30min from the tiny island of Sandy Spit that will remind you of Morpion in the Grenadines. Then continue west to White Bay on Jost Van Dyke taking care to aim the entrance to the pass protected by a coral reef. Take a buoy or anchor right in front of the famous Soggy dollar bar that will take you from happy hour until late at night. Unless you prefer to attend a famous Foxy guitar concert, the friendly patriarch of the island you'll find on Great Harbor.
Norman Island is famous for its caves on its west coast and its well protected anchorage (The Bight) at the bottom of which is the cozy restaurant The Pirate Bight. Arriving by Tortola, stop at The Indians near Pelican Island, a place famous for its turtles who spend the night there (to admire in snorkeling or scuba diving, attention to the current). On the island of Pitter, you will anchor or take a buoy at Great Harbor before taking an aperitif at the famous Willy T...
Finally, Cooper Island has a beautiful complex (restaurant, hotel, shops), developed on a sustainable model while being 100% independent in energy. At the center of BVI, the island of Tortola is of little interest except to take your sailboat or catamaran to rent. We recommend the marinas of Nanny Cay (Peg Legs restaurant with pool and nice beach, good store to stock up, chipchandler), or Road Town for fueling.
The trade winds regularly blow from east to west from November to April (high season) then more moderately from May to July. The navigation is very pleasant between the islands given the regular trade winds and the calm sea. Be careful to follow the evolution of the weather during the hurricane season (July to November).
The climate of the British Virgin Islands is tropical, warm but pleasant all year thanks to the presence of the trade winds. During the high season (November to April) average temperatures are around 25 degrees. The low season (May to October) is characterized by warmer and wetter temperatures, around 28 degrees.
Rent your sailboat or catamaran and take a tour of the British Virgin Islands from the main island of Tortola.
Tortola - The Baths (Virgin Gorda) - Savanna Bay - Oil Nut Bay - Scrub Island - Guana Island - Cane Garden Bay - Jost Van Dyke - Sopers Hole - Nanny cay - Tortola (60 NM)
Tortola - The Baths (Virgin Gorda) - Savanna Bay - Bitter End Yacht Club - Oil Nut Bay - Anegada - Scrub Island - Guana Island - Cane Garden Bay - Jost Van Dyke - Sopers Hole - Norman Island - Peter Island - Cooper Island - Nanny cay - Tortola (60 NM)
Note : the proposed routes are based on a sailing time of 2-3 hours daily at an average speed of 5 knots. We will be more than happy to guide you on the organisation of your sailing trip. If you are on the look-out for other itineraries, give us a call and we will gladly answer you.