When we think of chartering a yacht in the British Virgin Islands, we’ve all heard of “Boy Trips” to the Caribbean. It usually involves copious amounts of alcohol and, with no wives or girlfriends to inhibit them, grown men acting like, well…kids. But who says guys should have a monopoly on fun getaways? If your life is so busy that you can’t find time to have lunch with your favorite girlfriend; taking care of your own needs is removed from your to-do list; It’s been a while since you laughed at yourself or maybe you’re hitting that birthday milestone, isn’t it time to find your girlfriend’s groove again on a “girls” trip? Whether it’s a group of friends with a past history together, sisters, mothers and daughters, or other female relationships, a girls’ trip is the time to come together and leave all the hassles and stress of your daily life at home. It’s a chance to get away, let your hair down, and just enjoy yourself and others, without having to worry about your husband or boyfriend, the kids, the house, the car, your job, or any other responsibilities. There is perhaps no better place to get away from the daily grind and have the opportunity to bond, reconnect and rejuvenate than on a girls-only BVI charter yacht. Now don’t panic! Even if you have never sailed or don’t know how to, sailing in the British Virgin Islands is easy and safe. Think of it like a floating sleepover. If you book through a charter broker, they will help you make all the arrangements and even think of things you probably didn’t know to ask.
Imagine a “girls night”, but longer! A yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands is an opportunity to relax and feel free to be who you are, to do what you want, when you want, without having to please others. It’s about friendship, connecting and supporting without competition. It’s a time to really be yourself: laugh, cry, howl and shout, sing, relax and be a girl again, all with the incredible adventure of exploring the British Virgin Islands by sea on a chartered yacht. People come from all over the world to experience sailing in the exquisite turquoise blue waters of the British Virgin Islands. Known as the sailing capital of the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands truly are the best and safest sailing area in the world. The islands are extremely beautiful and relatively close to each other. There are constant trade winds, but the islands are well protected from the Atlantic weather. Calm seas and visual sailing line make them ideal for first time yacht charters in the British Virgin Islands. The anchorages are beautiful and there are many secluded coves and deserted sandbars where you can simply jump overboard and swim to shore. Plus, if you’re looking for land adventures, there’s plenty to do in the British Virgin Islands. There are many options for booking yachts in the British Virgin Islands. If someone in your group is an experienced sailor, a bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands is the ideal adventure where you captain your own boat and visit the islands at your leisure. If no one knows how to sail, or you just want to experience a life of luxury while being pampered aboard a private yacht, don’t worry. Experience a crewed yacht, where a captain and crew look after you, and where your wishes are your command. Whether you choose to laze around all day on board or partake in some exciting activities, you won’t be disappointed with the time you spend on either type of British Virgin Islands yacht charter.
So what’s a girl on a BVI yacht to do besides hang out with the girls? If you don’t know how to navigate, learn. Many crewed yacht captains are more than willing to share their knowledge. Otherwise, there are plenty of other activities that are sure to be fun:
Snorkeling and Diving: Snorkeling and diving in the British Virgin Islands are fabulous. The water is incredibly clear and warm, and because the sand is light and often shallow, the corals are superbly colored. There are many pinnacles, canyons, caverns, and tunnels to explore. There are coral heads in shallow water and coral gardens on shallow reefs. Diving in the British Virgin Islands is easy and safe, suitable for both beginners and newly qualified divers. Although not particularly challenging for experienced divers, there are some interesting wrecks, including the RMS Rhone. Many dive companies in the British Virgin Islands will do meet dives. This means that you will be picked up from your yacht instead of having to go to the dive shop.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing – This can be arranged through one or two operators spread across the islands.
Shopping: Don’t most girlfriend getaways include some form of shopping? Unfortunately, the British Virgin Islands are not a shopper’s paradise like other Caribbean islands, but there are some shops to distract you. You’ll find a few small boutiques offering local handicrafts, but most of the merchandise is imported from other Caribbean islands. However, the British Virgin Islands do have some prolific and talented artists, so if you’re looking for souvenirs, check out some of the galleries dotted around the islands.
Hiking: There are large areas of undeveloped land in the British Virgin Islands with trails all over the place, they just aren’t marked. The best places to hike are in the two National Parks: Sage Mountain on Tortola and Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda. On Virgin Gorda, Victoria Wheatley will take you on a guided tour of Gorda Park, where she will explain the history and medicinal properties of the plants and trees.
JR O’Neal Botanic Gardens: Let’s face it, men don’t always share our interests, and the guys in your life probably couldn’t care less about flower gardens. So why not visit a place where you won’t have to rush because “he” is bored? Located within a wall in the center of Road Town, the gardens are dedicated to the indigenous flora of the British Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean, and are divided into sections on either side of a central alley lined with royal palm trees. Areas are dedicated to local orchids, cacti, and herbs, and there are collections of heliconias, anthuriums, and 62 species of palms.
Yoga/Holistic Activities: The scenery in the British Virgin Islands is exceptional and makes an ideal backdrop for the pursuit of yoga and other holistic activities, although the islands themselves offer limited opportunities. Fort Recovery, in West End, Tortola, offers free yoga and Pilates sessions that take place on its dock every day at sunset. The Spa at Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda can arrange private Indian hatha yoga sessions on your yacht. There are also individual practitioners who will come to your yacht for a private one on one session.
Spas: Of course a girls’ getaway will include spa time! Although there are still no yacht charters in the British Virgin Islands with spa facilities on board, don’t let that deter you. There are several major hotels and resorts in the British Virgin Islands that have recently installed spas that you can use. Two to look out for are The Spa at Little Dix Bay and Peter Island Resort. The Spa at Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda has a beautiful setting on a ridge overlooking Sir Frances Drake Channel. There are eight treatment rooms, all connected by walkways through the rocks and vegetation. Two rooms are wet rooms and three are on the edge of the cliff. Treatments include hot and cold stone massages, reflexology and aromatherapy, body wraps and cleansers, as well as facials and manicures. Although you can make use of the facilities, you must book in advance because hotel guests have priority. The Spa at Peter Island Resort sits on its own beach at Reef Bay. There are ten treatment rooms, including wet rooms, regular massage rooms, and two separate rooms right on the sea. Treatments include a salt scrub using salt from Salt Island, just a few miles away, body wraps, and different types of massages, including a “sand pack” massage using local sand. There is also a beauty salon. Visitors can use the spa by appointment only. Finally, if you really want the ultimate in pampering, you can arrange for a freelance massage therapist to come aboard your British Virgin Islands yacht charter.
Music, Food, and Drinks: Guys know how it is with “the boys,” so make it your version. The British Virgin Islands are very good for entertainment. If you are looking for good music, you will find it in the bars and restaurants. You will also eat well in the British Virgin Islands. If you have a crewed yacht charter with a chef, he or she will be an excellent cook. You’ll also find plenty of great places to dine in the British Virgin Islands ranging from 5-star gourmet meals to tasty snacks at roadside stalls. And, let’s face it, even if you don’t normally drink at home, it’s hard to resist those incredibly refreshing rum drinks. Beach bars must be counted among some of the best features of the British Virgin Islands. Whether it’s a shed under the palm trees on a secluded stretch of sand or something more substantial, there is usually at least one bar in almost every bay. You can cruise from bay to bay, snorkel, stop for lunch, and then after anchoring for the afternoon, watch the sunset with a rum drink in hand at a fun, fun Caribbean spot.
So if chartering a yacht in the British Virgin Islands sounds like the perfect paradise for you and your girlfriends, go for it! If you share the cost, a yacht charter vacation can be surprisingly affordable. There are yacht charters to fit almost any budget. To make the most of your BVI girlfriend getaway, follow these tips:
1. Reserve your charter now. Agree on a date and put it in your diary right away. It’s hard to go back on something you’ve already paid for.
2. Create a kitty for shared expenses like meals, taxis, etc. Keep the group from finding out each person’s share at each stop without discussing who should get the check this time.
3. Bring old photos. You’ll spend time on the trip reminiscing, so the photos are fun to have.
4. Take lots of photos, but decide ahead of time if bathing suit photos are allowed. Next year, you’ll be glad you took pictures of all the fun you’re having right now.
5. Try new things. Being inept is okay. It is impossible to be embarrassed in front of a close friend. After all, she has seen you at your best and your worst.
6. Consider sharing toiletries. I mean seriously, do you really need 6 bottles of shampoo?
7. Stand up for yourself. If part of the group wants to go diving and you just want to hang out and read that rubbish romance novel, that’s fine. It’s your vacation!
8. Leave behind the blackberries, the pagers, the laptops, the kids, the men, and maybe even the hair dryers, curling irons, and makeup.
9. Book early. If you loved your BVI yacht charter, book next year’s getaway right away. You can get preferential treatment, which can mean savings and upgrades.
A BVI yacht girlfriend getaway provides a great opportunity to laugh, swap stories, shop, exercise, explore beautiful scenery, learn new skills and relax, all while on an off-the-beaten-path Caribbean adventure. Nowhere else will she find the tremendous support, encouragement, and bonding that comes on a girls’ sailing trip. So if she’s looking for a unique way to recharge her batteries and stay connected with her friends, get on board. you will be glad you did. Just throw yourself in with the girls and throw all your worries to the wind!