"Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly."

Van Morrison, Irish Singer-Songwriter

Latitudes & Attitudes Magazine

Whether you are a full-time cruiser or a weekend novice, you will find something to enjoy from our favorite sailing magazine, Latitudes & Attitudes. Lats & Atts inspires all types of cruisers by highlighting the real-life experiences of boaters already living their dream on the water. It serves as a manual to the cruising lifestyle; a how-to, must-read, dreamer's guide.

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"Whether the weather be fine, Or whether the weather be not;... We'll weather the weather, Whatever the weather; Whether we like it or not!"

Traditional British school rhyme

Our Top Five Favorite Anchorages in the British Virgin Islands

The criteria for what makes an anchorage favorable is truly subjective. Every sailboat skipper and crew have their own opinion on what attributes are important. This list of favorite anchorages in the British Virgin Islands is based on our own experience of sailing the BVIs and seeking locations that are good for this casual cruising couple. This is not a list of party spots or where to get the best Painkiller. We've spent time at Soggy Dollar, Foxy's, and the rest, but that is not what draws us to the BVIs. We prefer quiet, idyllic spots that are close to good snorkeling, sandy beaches, scenic hikes, and still within easy reach of authentic dining and provisions.

It is difficult to narrow this list to only five anchorages as the BVIs offer many great locations for the sailor. Some were excluded from this list because they require ideal weather conditions for a comfortable overnight stay. Others did not make the cut because they are a bit too popular (i.e. crowded). And others are not on the list because they just don't fit our cruising style.

In no particular order, here is our list of Top Five Favorite Anchorages in the British Virgin Islands. Click each anchorage link to open a Google Map view in a new browser tab to help you identify the locations.

- Little Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, 18°26'20.4"N 64°43'43.6"W
Often used as the overflow anchorage for the more popular Jost Van Dyke neighbor Great Harbour, Little Harbour offers excellent protection from easterly winds and swell. There are plenty of mooring balls available if you don't show up too late in the day, and a few great restaurants are within easy reach by dinghy; our favorite is Abe's By The Sea.

- White Bay, Guana Island, 18°28'26.5"N 64°34'33.3"W
Not that White Bay (home of Soggy Dollar), but the more quiet version on nearby Guana Island. The island is home to the beautiful Guana Island Resort, but White Bay is also a wonderful location for a quiet anchorage. There is awesome snorkeling throughout the area. Mooring balls are limited but you can also choose to anchor away from the moorings. Great protection from easterly winds.

- Near Neptune's Treasure, Anegada, 18°43'28.1"N 64°23'16.7"W
We love Anegada, but the mooring field near Setting Point can get pretty crowded in high season. If the boat's draft allows you to venture a bit closer to the more shallow waters, try to get a mooring ball west of Setting Point near Neptune's Treasure. You will be a bit further walk from The Settlement, but still very close to all of the action at Neptune's Treasure, Wonky Dog, and Anegada Reef Hotel.

- North Sound, Prickly Pear Island, 18°30'23.9"N 64°22'21.0"W
The North Sound of Virgin Gorda is making a meaningful recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Home to the popular Leverick Bay Resort and Marina, Saba Rock Resort, and Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound can get a little crowded during high season. We like to stay slightly out of the way by anchoring near the western shore of Prickly Pear Island. This location offers good holding in most conditions but can expose you to a little swell. Lots of turtles to keep you company for sundowners!

- Benure's Bay, Norman Island, 18°19'18.3"N 64°36'20.2"W
We hesitate to include this location on our list because we don't want it to become too popular! Benure's bay is on Norman Island, just east of The Bight Bay and the popular Pirate's Bight. This side of the island is much less visited. A very quiet anchorage with great sunset views of The Indians. No mooring balls and limited space for anchored boats. You may need to run a stern line to shore. Great snorkeling and beachcombing.

We hope this list helps you plan your own BVI adventures. Please let us know if we have missed your favorite location. We are always looking for new anchorages for our next visit to the British Virgin Islands.

"And I would recommend to them... to keep the halyards clear for running, [and] to remember that 'any fool can carry on but only the wise man knows how to shorten sail in time...'."

Joseph Conrad, Letter to owner and crew of the Tusitala, June 2, 1923

Recommended Reading (continued)

I enjoy reading for pleasure and only wish that I made more time to get lost in a good book. Sailing stories are some of my favorites which is why I was excited to receive as a gift, The Greatest Sailing Stories Ever Told, Twenty-Seven Unforgettable Stories, edited by Christopher Caswell.

Caswell has done a fine job of compiling excerpts from several great books and authors into one convenient collection. Each chapter is reasonable in length to make this a pretty easy read.

The stories are mainly about sailing catastrophes... storms, damaged ships, troubled crew, and issues at sea. While that can make for some exciting reading, it is not my personal favorite genre. If sailing were nothing but drama after drama, the Admiral and I would not be working so hard to spend more of our time on the water under sail.

That being said, it does make for a good book to pick up and set down over time. Read a chapter or two and then walk away for a few weeks before reading a couple more. This made the book much more enjoyable for me as I wound up feeling pretty anxious after the fourth straight storm story! <grin>

"Upon acquiring his first boat the embryo yachtsman discovers that its use is going to involve intimate, personal contact with rope and cordage, and to a far greater extent than he anticipated."

Hervey Garrett Smith, The Arts of the Sailor