Day 1: Travel Day (Arrival to the BVI)
- Sailaway Free will most likely be at a dock in Nanny Cay Marina, waiting for your arrival. After you choose your cabin, and stow your gear, Captain Ron will serve drinks, and welcome you all to your adventure. Once you are "officially" welcomed on board, the captain will give you a brief tour of the boat, the operation of the bathroom and kitchen facilities, light switches, and some do's and don'ts while living on the boat. Depending upon your arrival time, the captain will take you to Peg Legs, the local bar and restaurant at Nanny Cay Marina, for appetizers, drinks and socialization, and to review the next days plans before everyone retires to their individual cabin for a good nights sleep.
Day 2: Normal Island (First Day on the Water)
- Guests will have some free time early in the morning to tour the marina, see others boats, and to meet and socialize with other boaters at breakfast in the marina.
- After Breakfast, you and your guests can purchase grocery's and provisions at the local Nanny Cay grocery store. There is also a gift shop and a dive shop, in case you want to rent scuba gear, snorkels, fins, masks, or other items you may have forgotten.
- The captain will be help you stow your groceries and provisions in their appropriate spot, and get the boat ready for departure. Departure will probably be somewhere between 10:00 AM and 11:30 am.
- After leaving the marina, and hoisting the sails, the first destination will be: Norman Island.
- Distance is approximately 8 nautical miles to Norman Island and you will either be anchoring, or grabbing a mooring ball in the bay called "the bite." The boat will be "moored" to a large floating ball, called a mooring ball, which in turn is attached to the sea floor with chains and ropes, so that you are safely anchored for your nights stay. The captain will probably be asking for volunteers to learn how to secure a mooring ball line, and to get the boat ready for an overnight stay.
- The first day sailing on the water involves familiarization with raising sails, tacking, jibing, steering a course, sightseeing, listening to tunes, and getting into the rhythm of your sailing "escape." Guests will enjoy the open sea, beautiful scenery, turquoise water, mountain scenery, sea turtles, and on rare occasions a dolphin may join the sail. Bring your camera for the memories, and your ipod for your favorite tunes!!
- Sailing time the first day will be about 2 to 3 hours, depending upon the spirits of the guests and how they adapt. Some guests can get a little motion sick at first, and it is best to bring some meclazine with.
- Your first day's anchorage will be in the "bite" and it is rumored that pirates hung out here in the early days. In that spirit, there is a beach bar and restaurant on shore named "Pirates." There is also a larger old ship, called the Willy T's that is permanently anchored in the bay. Willy T's is a world famous night spot for partiers and for hanging out with other boaters. Every island in the BVI has its own "character" and Norman is known for its wilder night life activity. Body shots, stick on tattoos, and the rule "what happens in the BVI, stays in the BVI" is the motto for many that adventure to the Willy T's late at night.
- Depending on the weather, the water should be crystal clear. There are a few excellent snorkeling spots around the bay, including a couple of caves to snorkel into. For the new comers to snorkeling, there is also a calm and shallow beach on shore in front of Pirates Restaurant that allows the beginner to walk in to waist deep water and learn to snorkel. Onshore, there is a hiking trail to the top of the mountain, and it offers some great views.
- It will always be the guest's choice whether to prepare meals on the boat, or to go out. Most cooking on the boat is done on a propane grill which is mounted on the back rail of the boat. Although there is a stove and oven in the galley, it tends to get hot,. Regardless of the dinner choices, it is highly recommended to experience both Pirates restaurant, and the wild and crazy Willy T's. (Click on the link to the left, and you can see their web sites)
- At night, you might want to spread a blanket out front on the "trampoline" and count stars, watch the lights of other boats, have some quiet conversation, or snuggle up in the moon light.
Day 3: Marina Cay and Cooper Island
- Some guests prefer to rise to a full breakfast, with the smell of bacon and scrambled eggs cooking in the galley. Others prefer to awake at their own pace, and sip on a cup of coffee and watch the pelicans dive the early morning water next to your boat looking for their own fish breakfast. At a certain point, the group will decide when its time to set sail, and when you do, the captain will make it happen.
- Day two involves sailing up the Sir Francis Drake Channel, a lunch stop at Marina Cay, and later an evening anchorage at Cooper Island. There is a great restaurant and souvenir shop called Pussers at Marina Cay, as well as a little history, well told in a movie called "Islands in the Sun" staring Sidney Portier in the early 1960's.
- The sail will most likely be into the wind and against the current, and although the direct distance to Cooper and Marina Cay is only about 9 miles, the tacking back and forth to make headway against the wind, will take a few hours. This is the first day that you will begin to hone your skills when the captain says "prepare to tack!!" If you enjoy being outdoors, on the water, in the sun and wind, and the comradery of being with friends in a teamwork setting, you are going to love this trip!!!
- The snorkeling is great at Cooper Island, because they have three distinct bottom types: grass, coral, and rock formations. You are almost guaranteed to see several large barracuda just off the reef, large numbers of colorful tropical fish on the coral, and plenty of conch, star fish, and sea rays in the grass.
- There are plenty of palm trees, and a quaint well kept bar, restaurant, and hotel ashore. You can swim ashore if you want and get to meet some other boaters from around the world.
Day 4: Virgin Gorda, The Baths, and North Sound
- You have a big day ahead, so if you are "game", you should plan on getting up earlier than normal
- Your first destination is called "the Bath's" This area is a long stretch of spectacular beaches surrounded by enormous boulders. The water is a beautiful color, and the photographs taken from this spot are world famous.
- Depending upon weather you will moor directly in front of the baths. From there you will either swim ashore to the beach, or take a dinghy. The dinghy cannot be kept on shore, so if you dinghy in, somebody in your group will have to take it a few hundred feet offshore and tie it to a designated mooring ball.
- Once onshore, plan on taking a short little hike through the boulders on a winding trail that will bring you to a beautiful white sand beach for you to climb on the rocks, and catch a little beach life.
- When done on the beach, you are going take another short hike up a trail; to the restaurant called "top of the baths" It has a tremendous view of all the islands, and a great deck that hangs out over the rocks of the baths. Don't miss this photo opportunity: it's a great one!!
- After lunch, you will trek back down the trail to the beach, and swim back out to the dinghy or the boat, and set sail to make it around to the north side of the island, and spend the night in a large protected bay called "North Sound."
- It's your choice, but a good recommendation would be to plan on making dinner reservations at a 5 star resort called the "bitter end". The bitter end is a world famous hangout for serious sailors. Undoubtedly you will see some very large and luxurious yachts here. The food is great, and definitely a five star experience within the island ambiance.
- After your dinner, take the dingy over to Saba Rock. They have a great little bar, restaurant, gift shop, hotel, and hangout. At night they have numerous underwater lights to attract the fish. Almost every night you will see huge tarpons cruising the waters right next to the dock searching for their next meal!!!
- The souvenir shop in Saba rock is a great one, and you might want to pick up some recovered underwater treasures they sell in the shop.
- This is a great night to star gaze. Lay on front of the boat, and millions of stars will come out, helping you relax, and drift off to sleep. The star's, the moon, and the gentle breeze make for quiet, peaceful company while everybody unwinds.
Day 5: Virgin Gorda Tour and Free Time
- Sleep in a little bit today. Have a nice breakfast, and tour around the bay in the dinghy, looking at some of the mega yachts, and maybe cruise over to Neckar Island, the private island retreat of Richard Branson. Stock up on some groceries, ice, or provisions. Take a hot shower at the bitter end resort if you wish. Maybe take a kite boarding lesson, or visit the gift shops.
- One of the "must see" experiences involves a tour of Virgin Gorda by land. Before noon, you should definitely take the ferry or the dinghy, from bitter end resort to gun creek or to Leverick bay and make arrangements to go on an island tour of Virgin Gorda. The scenery from the back of a pickup truck while winding up the mountain roads is tremendous. Tell your driver that you want to see Spanish Town, and the old Copper Mine. Spend 20 or 30 minutes at the mine site and soak up the drama of the crashing seas against the rocky beach. It's very memorable, and to some, it's a spiritual encounter with Mother Nature.
Day 6: Anegada
- Now that you are a seasoned sailor, you are ready for a longer journey to Amerada Island. Anegada is a very flat piece of land that is just a few feet above the water that surrounds it. You should set sail early, because it's going to take between 2 and 4 hours to get there, depending upon wind and waves. If you plan on leaving north sound by 8:00 or 9:00 you can usually plan on being anchored in Anegada by noon.
- Anegada is the third largest reef in the world, and the snorkeling can be great, again depending upon the weather, wind and waves. A popular place to snorkel is in a bay called "lob Lolly" The taxi and tour bus operator at the Anegada Reef Hotel can take you there and pick you up later. The taxi ride over to lob lolly bay will be on some pretty rough terrain, simply adding to the adventure. After you snorkel in the bay, ask the bar tender for a magnifying glass so that you can join the thousands before you, that have burnt their initials into drift wood on the beach.
- Don't forget to make the dinner reservations at the Anegada Reef hotel, for that evening. The food is tremendous, and the experience very unique. If you like lobster, it's highly recommended, because it is caught fresh that day, in the waters surrounding the island. It is cooked over a wood fire, right on the beach. Your candle lit, white table cloth table, will be on the beach, in the sand.
- When you return from snorkeling, and get back on the boat, the group might be tired. Just make sure when the sun starts to get low on the horizon, that you wake everybody up for a sunset photo. Most every one of the dozens of boats anchored near you will be doing the same. The sunsets here are usually a great ball of orange and yellow, and you can get a great shot of your friends at sunset.
Day 7: Cane Garden Bay
- Today is going to be what a great sailing day is all about. Most likely the wind is going to be slightly behind you, with a "trailing sea." This will make for a great smooth and quiet ride, and a perfect setting for reading a book, getting a tan, or just relaxing as the boat smoothly slides it way towards Jost Van Dyke and the western side of Tortola.
- By now, you don't have a care in the world, you will barely remember where you live, and you have forgotten what day it is, but when you begin approaching Tortola again, you should stop at Cane Garden Bay for a lunch break. It's a beautiful setting, and has a fantastic beach, with a few wonderful restaurants and shops!!!
- After a lunch break at Cane Garden, proceed onto Jost Van Dyke and anchor in front of Foxy's Restaurant. It's probably been a long relaxing sail day, and once you get anchored and settled in, plan on heading to shore for dinner or wait till after dark, for some onshore music, dancing, and socialization. Foxy's is world famous!!
Day 8: Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Spit
-Today, you should proceed onto Jost Van Dyke. Stop at Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay along the way. They are tiny little islands with sandy beaches all around. It's a great photo spot. When done, pull up your anchor and head to Jost Van Dyke and anchor in front of Foxy's Restaurant. Once you get anchored and settled in, plan on heading to shore for dinner or wait till after dark, for some onshore music, dancing, and socialization. Foxy's is world famous!!
Day 9: Peter Island
- Get up a little earlier today, because this is your last full day on the water. You are going to set sail into the wind, and against the current, to head up the Sir Francis Drake Channel, and sail to Peter Island.
- Depending upon wind and currents, it might take you a long while to make it to Peter Island. However, once you arrive, you will drop anchor aside a spectacularly beautiful beach. You will undoubtedly want to swim to shore and take a walk in the sand. The snorkeling in this area is pretty good too, because you probably see a few sea rays, conch, and star fish.
- Near the end of the day, you will want to start getting packed and ready for your return flight.
- Savor the last evening on the boat, however, you want to, and start making your plans to come back soon.
Day 10: Travel Day-Return to Nanny Cay and to Airport or Ferry Dock
- Wake up early and motor back to Nanny Cay. Upon docking in the marina, you can make arrangements for a taxi to get you to the airport or to the ferry dock if you flew into St Thomas. Or if your schedule suits you, check into the Nancy Cay Hotel and spend the rest of the day shopping, using a conventional shower, before your return home. You can click on the ferry schedules on our web page, to the left. Remember to have and make it a great day!!
