Must-See Itinerary Additions for a Virgin Island Vacation

In writing this, I feel like I am divulging all the secrets of our favorite vacation spot!  If you have been before and want to go back or are looking for some extra, exciting itinerary additions for a Virgin Island vacation, this is the place for you! We have written a 7-day British Virgin Islands Itinerary for any first-time visitor to the BVI. This is the next step in your BVI vacation!

We have frequently taken 7 to 10-day sailing trips to the British Virgin Islands. We have gone as a couple for a romantic respite, a group of traveling friends seeking a mix of adventure and rest, and as a family reconnecting and recharging. We have been so blessed to be able to explore to some of the most amazing places on Earth from the comfort of our yacht! And you can too! 

Add these ideas to your “Virgin Island Bucket List” to create the ultimate vacation experience! 

Anagada

Anagada is known as the “Drowned Island” because at it’s highest point it is only 28 feet above sea level. It is mostly comprised of coral and limestone, in contrast to the volcanic formations of all other  Virgin Islands.  There is a significant reef that extends down the southeast side of the island and is home to numerous shipwrecks and the largest fish and lobster in the area.  While its topography is unimpressive, its white sandy beaches are indescribably beautiful and peaceful.

 The food is worth the 3-4 hour sail from Virgin Gorda.  If you do decide to make Anagada part of your trip, you’ll need to decide where you want to dine and make reservations before 4 pm. That is because the food is so fresh they will catch it that very day. They will ask how many in your party want lobster and send divers out to bring in live lobsters that day for your evening meal. Truly a foodie’s paradise! 

Our favorite adventures there include renting scooters to go across the island to the north shore to have burgers at the Cow Wreck Beach Bar and snorkel there, stopping to see the wild flamingoes along the way, then making our way back to dine at Wonky Dog Bar and Restaurant, with our feet in the sand, while we dine on the world‘s finest Lobster Thermidor. An unforgettable experience!

Spanish Virgin Islands

I admit, I was nervous about leaving the familiar BVI and USVI to head west into the “unknown.” I could write pages about the SVI, and will elaborate more in future blog posts, but today want to highlight just a few of my favorite “must see”s.  

Plan to leave from Tortola before lunch (after provisioning, and gourmet breakfast at Omars, of course). Head to Vieques’s Mosquito Bay to get a mooring ball and grab dinner before one of the most extraordinary experiences of a lifetime: The bioluminescent bay tour. This will rival seeing the Northern lights, Nigra Falls, or any of the world's wonders. Believe me, you do not want to miss this magical experience! Book a tour when you arrive in Esperanza.

The tours are all from clear acrylic kayaks and the bioluminescent microorganisms are magnificent and wondrous to see! Any movement in the water causes these tiny organisms to light up for a second or two, meaning as you glide through the still salt water, your kayak and paddles leave light streaks, as do any fish that move under your boat. You can even scoop the water in your hand. 

The next day, we recommend heading to Flamenco Beach the title of one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Aside from the beautiful setting, the main attraction is the abandoned tanks scattered across the beach that the US Navy used for target practice up until the 1970s.  There are beach bars and various snack shacks here.

Next, go to Culebrita, which has been my all-time favorite beach in the Virgin Islands! Culibrita is uninhabited, the beach is pristine, the turtles are abundant, the hike to the lighthouse gives you a breathtaking panoramic 360-degree view. It is the best in the Caribbean! The hike is about 3/4 mile hike, and the trail is very well maintained. I did it in plastic Birkenstocks and was fine, though flip-flops would not be ideal. The old Spanish lighthouse was built in 1886 and the marble floors are still present. It is not maintained, so explore with caution and delight in the rich history.

 It is worth noting again that Culibrita is an abandoned island, so there are no beach bars here, plan meals accordingly and enjoy the solitude of unadulterated paradise!

United States Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands boast stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters. Wondering what else to do while you're there? On St. Thomas, we loved Sapphire Beach, Lindquist Beach, and Hull Bay. Sapphire Beach Bar is really so good! Over on St. John, don't miss Maho Bay for snorkeling with turtles, or head to Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, or Peace Hill. A great perk about Maho Bay? It’s part of the US Virgin Islands National Park.

Take a ferry to Water Island, located just off St. Thomas, for a fantastic day trip. Simply check the ferry schedule, hop on, and head to the beach! At Dinghy’s Beach Bar, you can rent beach chairs, enjoy lunch, and sip on a few cocktails. It’s the perfect way to spend a day, in my opinion.

Take the cable car up to Paradise Point for incredible views of the island and sea. While there, have lunch at Prime at Paradise Point and be sure to order a Bushwacker!

Hiking is another great activity on St. Thomas, with many excellent trails to choose from. Magen’s Bay Trailhead and John Brewers Cave are both fantastic options. If you have an extra full day or half day day on St. John, there are plenty of wonderful hikes to explore there as well.

Snorkeling is also a must! You can rent snorkel gear, bring your own, or join a snorkeling excursion. The snorkeling around the US Virgin Islands is simply outstanding!

Diving in the British Virgin Islands

The BVI has some of the most incredible diving opportunities whether you are an experienced, certified diver, to someone who has never dived before. If you have never dived before or just would like to be on a guided tour, there are countless tours and excursions for any level of diver in the BVI.

The RMS Rhone

If you have some extra days in the BVI, diving on the Rhone is an unforgettable experience. This 310-foot-long mail ship sank in 1867, killing 123 people. Yet now, it is perhaps the most impressive shipwreck in the Caribbean, given its remarkably maintained deck, visible iron cannons and anchorage, and colorful sea life. 

This wreck is not one any diver can pass up. It is regarded by many as one of the best wreck dives in the Western Hemisphere.  

Anagada Reef

Anagada’s reef is home to an abundance of colorful sea life, but this reef also holds many secrets. The Anagada Reef is a graveyard for over 300 documented shipwrecks from the 16th hundreds to the present. There are Spanish galleons and English privateers with uncountable and untold treasures. You can take a guided tour to see some of these incredible shipwrecks and learn the story behind them. You may even find treasure!

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

There is so much to do in the Virgin Islands! If you would like to talk to our experienced captain about the ins and outs of sailing in the Virgin Islands, reach out to us! We would love to talk with you more about this unforgettable experience!