After switching your clocks to island time and setting off on the adventure of a lifetime, you'll find yourself sailing across the Sir Francis Drake Channel towards Norman Island. Famed for its association with pirate lore, Norman Island was said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Treasure Island'. Legend has it that the island served as a haven for pirates who buried their treasure in its caves. Anchor at "The Bight" and snorkel The Caves in search of hidden pirate treasure before soaking up the island's swashbuckling past over sunset drinks at the infamous Willy T floating bar and dinner the Pirates Bight
đź“ŤThe Caves
Salt Island is the perfect spot to anchor and enjoy your yacht's water toys, explore salt ponds ashore or dive into a spot of maritime history. The island was named for its salt ponds, which were previously harvested annually by residents in the days of Queen Victoria and it became tradition to send one pound of salt to the Monarch on the Queen's birthday. Since 1980, Salt Island has been home to no more than three residents who pay their yearly rent to the British Monarch in the form of a one-pound bag of salt.
In the waters off Salt Island lie the wreck of the Royal Mail packet steamer RMS Rhone, which sank during a hurricane on October 29th 1867. Most of the ship's crew were lost and many were buried in a mass grave on Salt Island. This tragic maritime disaster has since become one of the Caribbean's most renowned dive sites. Pull on a mask and snorkel and explore the wreck site from the surface, or arrange a rendezvous dive with Blue Water Divers to delve deeper into history.
đź“ŤRMS Rhone
Hop across to Cooper Island and scoop up a mooring for the evening before sampling rums from one of the largest selections in the Caribbean, Cooper Island Rum Bar. Sit back, relax, and sip on a rum or cocktail while expert bar staff guide you through the fascinating history and origins of this timeless spirit.
đź“ŤCooper Island Rum Bar
In 1493, Christopher Columbus named the Virgin Islands after the religious legend of Saint Ursula's martyrs. As he approached Virgin Gorda, Colombus observed that the island's curvy landscape resembled a large woman lying on her side, so the explorer named her the "Fat Virgin".
Virgin Gorda has a wealth of history to explore, from the geological phenomenon of the Baths to remnants of early African, Spanish and Indian settlements and the site of Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins' 1595 fleet rendezvous. Rent a car in Spanish Town and tour the island. Be sure to visit the Copper Mine National Park, which showcases the remnants of a once-thriving copper mining industry perched on the cliffs of the southeastern tip of Virgin Gorda.
đź“ŤThe Baths & The Copper Mine
Sail back across the channel and into Trellis Bay. Located entirely within the bay you will pass Bellamy Cay, a tiny island named after its most famous resident "Black Sam" Bellamy, the "prince of pirates". Although now a site of ruins, this islet was previously used by Bellamy as his base of operations, whilst his crew used the protection of Trellis Bay to maintain their fleet of ships. Bellamy used the cay as a viewpoint from which he could see ships sailing through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, preying upon the likes of treasure-laden Spanish Galleons destined for the King and Queen of Spain. Follow in the footsteps of these 18th century pirates with a stroll along the beach and explore Aragorn’s Studio, a creative hub sprinkled with local handicrafts, pottery, copper fireballs and hand printed t-shirts.
đź“ŤBellamy Cay
Cane Garden Bay, nestled on Tortola's northwestern coast, is steeped in Caribbean history and culture. Once a key site for sugarcane plantations, it played a vital role in the region’s rum production during the colonial era. Today, its historic sites, vibrant local community, and breathtaking beachfront make it a charming blend of the past and present. Visit the Callwood Rum Distillery, one of the Caribbean's oldest continuously operating distilleries, dating back over 400 years. Discover the time-honored traditional methods of rum production and savor the flavors of locally crafted rums before enjoying an unbeatable sunset beach walk.
đź“ŤCallwood Rum Distillery
Jost Van Dyke takes its name from Joost van Dyk, a 17th-century Dutch privateer and reputed pirate who was among the first European settlers in the British Virgin Islands and established the first permanent settlements in the territory. In more recent history, the island was the birthplace of the famous Painkiller cocktail, created by bartender Daphne Henderson at the iconic Soggy Dollar Bar in the 1970s. Visit White Bay to be spoiled by its powdery white sand and turquoise waters and sample the BVI's signature cocktail from its place of origin - it would be rude not to!
đź“ŤSoggy Dollar Bar
Enjoy a final swim in paradise before returning to Nanny Cay, ready to begin your journey home and start planning your next unforgettable sailing adventure with us!