in Road Town Harbor across the mountain. The telltale sign of cruise ship passengers heading into town is hundreds of beach chairs lined up along the beach early in the morning.
While the mooring area of Cane Garden Bay is not great for snorkeling, the bay it is typically quite flat and a good place to swim, SUP, or just float around on an inflatable swan. But if the swell direction is right, the rocky point break along the portside of the channel into Cane Garden Bay is a popular Caribbean surf spot. Several webcams and forecasts keep an eye on this break, so it’s always worth checking a few days in advance of your trip if surfing is a high priority on your BVIs agenda.
On land, Cane Garden Bay has many restaurant and bar options – with almost all right on the beach. If rum is your thing, also be sure to take a trip east out of town to the local distillery. There is also a relatively good grocery store in Cane Garden Bay to replenish your boat.
The Virgin Islands are teeming with fantastic attractions, many of which are uncrowded and stunning. More than a typical vacation though, planning ahead on a sailing trip always pays off. It’s never fun sacrificing precious beach, snorkel, or rum time under sail, unless of course, your main goal on a Virgin Island sailing adventure is, well, sailing. When in doubt on where to go, local knowledge always trumps advice sought online. And be prepared - life in the Caribbean moves slow, very very slow. It’s always important to remind yourself to embrace the local vibe and be patient when your trip does not go as planned. What’s great about spending a week living on a sailboat is that the Caribbean slowness seeps into your life without trying.
February 2017 - Feature Destination
44 - SEVENSEAS