Tortola Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Tortola’s central position in the BVI makes it the ideal base for day charters and multi-day explorations in every direction. The day charter routes below are standalone outings returning to Tortola each evening; the 3-day and 4-day itineraries cover different parts of the archipelago and can be combined into a 7-day BVI grand tour without repeating a single stop. Your captain adjusts every route to the day’s conditions and your group’s mood.

Day Charter Routes from Tortola

Tortola to Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay: The Beach-Bar Classic

Depart Soper’s Hole or Nanny Cay and cruise north-west to White Bay, Jost Van Dyke (10 nautical miles, 35 minutes). Swim ashore to the Soggy Dollar Bar for the original Painkiller on one of the BVI’s most beautiful beaches. After a lazy morning, cruise to Great Harbour for lunch at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar – cold Carib beer, grilled fish and the chance to meet the legendary Foxy Callwood. On the return, stop at Sandy Cay (3 nautical miles from Great Harbour) for a final swim and nature walk on this uninhabited ring of white sand. Return to Tortola by late afternoon. Duration: 7–9 hours.

Tortola to Norman Island and The Indians: The Snorkel Adventure

Cruise south from Nanny Cay to The Indians (6 nautical miles, 25 minutes) for a vibrant wall snorkel on rocky pinnacles alive with schooling fish and colourful sponges. Continue to Norman Island’s Bight (2 nautical miles) for the sea caves at Treasure Point – swim into the caverns through shafts of sunlight – and a late lunch on the aft deck or at Willy T’s floating bar. Return to Tortola via the south side of Peter Island for scenic views. Duration: 7–8 hours.

Tortola to Cane Garden Bay and Brewer’s Bay: The North-Shore Run

Cruise around Tortola’s western end and up the north coast to Cane Garden Bay (roughly 7 nautical miles from Soper’s Hole, 25 minutes). Pick up a mooring in the bay’s turquoise shallows and swim ashore to a mile of white sand. Rum punch at Myett’s, a swim, a paddleboard. After lunch, continue east to Brewer’s Bay (2 nautical miles) for a quieter afternoon with decent snorkelling and Nicole’s Beach Bar. Return to your starting marina via the south coast. Duration: 6–8 hours.

3-Day Tortola Yacht Charter Itinerary: The Western BVI Loop

Day 1: Tortola to Norman Island and Peter Island

Board at Nanny Cay by mid-morning. Cruise south to The Indians for a mid-morning snorkel (25 minutes). Continue to Norman Island’s Bight for the sea caves and a lunch at Willy T’s. In the afternoon, cruise south to Peter Island (3 nautical miles) and anchor in Deadman’s Bay – a stunning crescent of white sand. Dinner on the aft deck – grilled mahi-mahi, island salad and a bottle of rosé – as the stars appear over the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Day 2: Peter Island to Salt Island and Jost Van Dyke

Morning cruise to Salt Island (3 nautical miles) for a dive or snorkel on the RMS Rhone wreck. The bow section in 22 metres is dramatic – coral-encrusted hull, the 15-foot bronze propeller, barracuda and turtles. The stern in 10 metres is accessible to snorkellers. After the dive, cruise north-west to Jost Van Dyke (14 nautical miles, 45 minutes). White Bay for the Soggy Dollar Bar, then Great Harbour for dinner at Foxy’s. Anchor overnight in Great Harbour with the sound of live music drifting across the water.

Day 3: Jost Van Dyke to Sandy Cay and Cane Garden Bay

Morning swim and snorkel at Sandy Cay (10 minutes from Great Harbour) – a picture-perfect uninhabited island. Brunch on the aft deck. Cruise south to Cane Garden Bay (4 nautical miles, 15 minutes) for an afternoon on Tortola’s finest beach. Rum punch at Myett’s, a swim, a final paddleboard in the calm turquoise water. Return to Nanny Cay in the late afternoon.

4-Day Tortola Yacht Charter Itinerary: The Eastern BVI and Anegada

Day 1: Tortola to The Baths, Virgin Gorda

Cruise east along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to The Baths (12 nautical miles, 40 minutes). Explore the granite boulder labyrinth – wade through natural pools, squeeze through narrow passages, and emerge onto Devil’s Bay’s pristine sand. Return to the yacht for lunch, then cruise north to Spanish Town for an afternoon at CocoMaya – Asian-Caribbean fusion on the beach with fire pits and sunset views. Anchor off Spanish Town overnight.

Day 2: Virgin Gorda North Sound

Cruise around Virgin Gorda’s eastern coast to North Sound (8 nautical miles, 30 minutes). Spend the day in this sheltered watersports paradise: kayak from Leverick Bay, lunch at the Bitter End Yacht Club, paddleboard to Saba Rock for an afternoon rum punch. The sound’s calm, reef-protected waters are perfect for every water activity. Watch the sunset from Saba Rock’s terrace. Anchor overnight in North Sound.

Day 3: North Sound to Anegada

Cruise north to Anegada (15 nautical miles, 45 minutes to an hour). Anchor off Setting Point and tender ashore. Morning at Loblolly Bay – pristine beach, excellent reef snorkelling (nurse sharks, rays, turtles). Visit the salt ponds for wild flamingos. In the evening, the highlight: lobster dinner at Cow Wreck Beach or The Lobster Trap. Freshly caught Caribbean lobster grilled over open coals, tables in the sand, sunset over the reef. Anchor overnight off Anegada.

Day 4: Anegada to Cooper Island and Return to Tortola

Depart Anegada in the morning. Cruise south to Cooper Island (18 nautical miles, an hour). Snorkel Cistern Point’s reef, enjoy a rum cocktail at the Cooper Island Beach Club. Farewell brunch on the aft deck. Cruise west along the Sir Francis Drake Channel back to Tortola (8 nautical miles, 30 minutes), arriving at Nanny Cay by mid-afternoon.

Guests looking for a longer voyage can combine the 3-day western loop (Norman Island, Peter Island, Salt Island, Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, Cane Garden Bay) with the 4-day eastern route (The Baths, North Sound, Anegada, Cooper Island) for a comprehensive 7-day BVI grand tour covering the entire archipelago.