2012 British Virgin Islands (BVI) -  Caribbean Cruise & Learn 

Earn up to three (3) ASA Certifications: 

• ASA101 Basic Keelboat Sailing

• ASA103 Basic Cruising

• ASA104 Bareboat Chartering

• ASA105 Coastal Navigation

• ASA106 Advanced Coastal Cruising  

• ASA114 Cruising Catamaran

A fun holiday of sun and sea - $1,945 CDN per person

Before our state-of-the-art Jeanneau 41 sloop and Fountaine Pajot, Lavezzi 40 catamaran  leave the dock in Tortola, our crew will receive one of Sam's informative local knowledge and chart briefings. Sam has  spent the last 27 years sailing, snorkeling and diving in the BVI. Some say that what Sam doesn't know about the BVI isn't worth knowing!!! Here's a condensed version of our sailing itinerary touching on the highlights!

April 14th, Arrival- Day 1
So many islands to chose from - which one first?? Probably your best bet for a "brilliant" introduction to the Caribbean is to go to Norman Island and anchor in The Bight. Here we will find the floating pirate ship "William Thornton" where you can have a beer or a body shot, depending on the mood you are in! Also, we will find "Pirates", a  restaurant on the beach that is a great place to hang out with your toes dabbling in the warm water and  rum Mojito in your hand. Norman Island is reputed to be Robert Louis Stevenson's inspiration for his book "Treasure Island". Local legend agrees, as  pirate treasure has been found here in a cave.

April 15th, Salt Island- Day 2
A short beat up the Sir Francis Drake Channel takes us to Salt Island. A local covenant states that annual rent is a bag of salt for the whole island. It's is paid each year directly to the Queen Elizabeth II of England! Here we can pick up the National Parks moorings and  dive or snorkel the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamship "Rhone", a relic of the hurricane of 1867 and famous for its part in the movie 'The Deep'. Alternatively, you can go ashore and visit the settlement and the salt pond from which the island takes its name. After lunch  we sail to Cooper Island where you can pick up a mooring in front of the beach club bar and restaurant - there's a good dive shop here also for a night dive for the adventurous. Just to the south of Manchoneel Bay is Cistern Rock which offers some of the best snorkeling around. On any given day you will see squid, turtles and the odd nurse shark.

April 16th, Virgin Gorda- Day 3
Sail to the Baths, one of the most unique natural formations in the BVI.  It consists of thousands of smooth boulders, some as big as a house, strewn along the beach on the southern tip of Virgin Gorda. You can explore the many gaps that open into massive rocky grottos filled with sea water. Nearby is Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, with a full service marina, shops and restaurants. If time allows,  get a taxi to the nearby Copper Mine restaurant which offers fabulous sunset views and is an old copper mine site. Alternatively, the Top of the Baths restaurant offers a fresh water pool and cocktails.

North of Virgin Gorda offers a huge safe area of inlets and anchorages. Whether we want to snorkel Eustastia Sound with it's sunken canons and great reef fish, or spy on Necker Island this is the area renown for cruising in the BVI. Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock and Leverick Bay all offer good restaurants and transient dockage. Leverick Bay has a Laundromat which may come in handy right about now. There is also a store at Bitter End for replenishing the beer and ice.

April 17th Anegada- Day 4
We will relax and spend the early day in North Sound and sail the 15 miles north to Anegada in the early afternoon. Anegada means 'drowned island' and when you see it you'll realize why! The highest point is 15 feet above sea level and it's famous for lobster, iguanas and flamingoes. I have a new camera and look forward to the wildlife shots here.

We can take a taxi ride to Loblolly Bay on the north side and snorkel inside the reef. Then go back to the anchorage for smoothies and a lobster dinner at the Anegada Reef Hotel or Neptune's Treasure.

April 18th, Trellis Bay and Marina Cay- Day 5
Sail from  Anegada to Trellis Bay on Beef Island - a well protected natural safe harbour. If we prefer a more tranquil spot then we try Marina Cay across the channel to the north, off Great Camanoe, which features  "Pussers" which is good place for happy hour and casual dining.  Alternatively, the "Last Resort" is home of a famous restaurant providing interactive entertainment with Al the singing chef-  fabulous fun and well worth a visit!

April 19th, Soper's Hole/Peter Island- Day 6
Anchor off Green Cay and enjoy a swim in to shore. You can walk around the whole island in five minutes, but snorkeling around is more fun. Then sail west to Soper's Hole Wharf, the home of Pusser's Landing, said to be built on the spot where Blackbeard the pirate once lived. Ashore there are restaurants and provisions. For your last night, sail across the channel to Little or Great Harbour, Peter Island.

April 20th, Road Harbour- Day 7 our last day aboard
Up early this last morning aboard in paradise- unless you are wise enough to continue on VSCs BVI Week 2 cruising different islands.

 Enjoy the sunrise over the hills of Peter Island, take an early morning swim or snorkel and then weigh anchor for a short sail across the channel to the Charter Company Docks .

Now, this is a holiday to remember!