Tom Collins Charter Broker with Burgess in the Miami office.
A yachting vacation in the Virgin Islands would be my Favourite Place to spend time. With 18 mountainous islands all just within a few miles of one another they are just begging to be explored. Cruising in calm waters, an abundance of beautiful anchorages to choose from and hundreds of great sandy beaches this is the perfect spot for sunbathing in privacy, or enjoying the shade of the awning on the sundeck.At the Baths in Virgin Gorda, the view is picture postcard-perfect with giant granite boulders surrounded by brilliant white sand and gin clear water. Spend a great afternoon playing on and in the water and follow this with an evening at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke dancing on the sand to live local bands. At Full Moon each month there is a beach party at Bomba’s Shack on Tortola, which just has to be experienced.
From North Sound it is a quick ride in the tender to the likes of Necker or the Bitter End Yacht Club and in Peter Island there is a wonderfully exclusive atmosphere for Superyachts that use the marina there or anchor off the beach.
Diving is both safe and easy in the islands given that there are so many classic sites there is plenty of choice for the novice or expert. My favourites include The Indians off Norman Island and the wreck of the Rhone a Royal Mail ship destroyed in a hurricane and now home to some splendid sea life. Be sure to look out for some silver spoons in a shallow part of the wreck
Cruise the Virgin Islands aboard Lady Sheridan available throughout the Caribbean this winter from US$ 455,000 per week. www.burgess.com