Itinerary

Your adventure begins as you board your yacht at the Crown Bay Marina, only five minutes from the airport. On board, unwind with a tropical drink as you sail along the coast of St. Thomas, crossing Pillsbury Sound to St. John. Once anchored in tranquil Francis Bay, the warm Caribbean waters await. Why not start with a swim or try snorkeling with the resident green sea turtles?

After breakfast, you will cruise to the sandy beaches of Leinster Bay, often referred to as “the best snorkeling on St. John.” Octopus, parrotfish and spotted eagle rays are just a sampling of the marine life you’ll observe as you explore the coral reef. Back on dry land, you’ll hike through a lush mangrove forest to the 18th-century ruins of the Annaberg Sugar Mill, passing pelicans, iguanas and wild donkeys along the way.

Enjoy lunch as you make the brief passage to the British Virgin Islands, clearing customs at Soper’s Hole, Tortola. Here you can indulge in some local shopping on the wharf or take a taxi tour of the colorful island. By late afternoon, you are off to Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke for the night. You’ll have plenty of time for food and drink at the famed Foxy’s, and if you are up for it, a nightcap at the Soggy Dollar Bar.

After breakfast on the yacht, you’ll board the tender for a short ride to Sandy Cay. Donated to the British Virgin Islands government by Laurance Rockefeller in 2005, this jewel of a national park–complete with natural botanical gardens–is ideal for windsurfers, swimmers, hikers and bird watchers alike. Pristine waters and white powdery sand also make it the perfect location for your picnic on the beach. If the season is right, you just might see a pod of migrating humpback whales.

Back on the boat, you will cruise to storied Norman Island and anchor in a large, protected harbor know as the Bight. Inspired by tales of pirates and their hidden troves, legend has it that Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island while camped out on these very beaches. Whether or not you strike gold, snorkeling the magical waters surrounding the cays is bound to enrich you.

Evening begins with cocktails on the floating, pirate-themed Willy T. pub, followed by a private dinner on the yacht.

Start your day with a splash as you dive or snorkel the Indians rock formations rising from the water just a short ride away. Then head for the dramatic views and private beaches of Peter Island and stroll among the coconut palms and seagrape trees of Deadman’s Bay. Looking for something more adventurous? Not a problem. You can kayak, swim or snorkel to bond with the island’s diverse aquatic life. For a change of pace, go ahead and dine ashore at the Peter Island Yacht Club and Resort.

From Peter Island, sail to Salt Island and explore the wreck of the Rhone, one of the most popular dive sites in the region. For an encore, continue to Virgin Gorda and explore the spectacular geological formation known as The Baths. On this beach, you’ll find enormous granite boulders – some the size of houses – forming extraordinary, sea-facing grottos that are clear evidence of the islands’ volcanic past.

Virgin Gorda is also home to classic tropical getaways Little Dix Bay and the Bitter End Yacht Club, several immaculate beaches, and the best sailing you can imagine. After exploring the grottos and swimming in the crystal pools, anchor off the resort of your choice for the evening.

Once in Tortola, take in the exotic sites of Road Town, capital of the British Virgin Islands. After lunch, hire a car, travel to the highest point on the island and go for a hike in the Sage Mountain Rain Forest. Orchid lovers, however, may want to visit the beautiful Botanic Gardens instead.

As early evening approaches, sail to Cooper Island for the night. Anchor off
Machioneel Bay's tranquil beaches and enjoy cocktails, conversation and a moonlit dinner.

Cruising back to the US Virgin Islands, enjoy breakfast and picturesque scenery as you cross over to St. John's Caneel Bay. The untouched land, immaculate beaches and crystal-clear waters of the Virgin Islands National Park (now leased by Caneel Bay Resort) will welcome you in authentic Caribbean style. From here, you can go for a relaxing swim, treat yourself to a massage and then ride the tender to Honey Moon Beach for an afternoon picnic.

By the time your captain brings you back to Crown Bay Marina, you’re fully rejuvenated. And with the fantastic, duty-free shopping of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas’s historic capital, just a brief taxi ride away, you can use some of your newfound energy to take advantage of the bargains before your flight out.