Sample Alpha Summer Adventure Itinerary
Here's a taste of what life might be like when you join us on Alpha for a sailing adventure you will never forget! You'll learn sailing techniques, participate in a number of different watersports, and explore the beautiful islands of the BVI. Choose a PADI Discover Scuba Diving course to enhance your Sail Caribbean summer adventures. Everyone participates in a community service project performing a coral reef health check-ups, beach maintenance, or working side-by side with local youth, teaching them water safety, snorkeling techniques and sharing your new-found sailing knowledge.
Note: This is a sample itinerary. Actual program itineraries will vary based on weather, and BVI holidays, so as to create the best experience for each of our students.
Day 1 Road Town, Tortola
Get acquainted with our beautiful home base; meet your Captain and everyone on your program. You'll have your first boat meeting over a delicious dinner, and set the course for the rest of your adventures to come.
Day 2 The Bight, Norman Island
Your captain will lead you through some preparations and basic sailing lessons at the dock, before you de-dock for a first sail across the Sir Francis Drake Channel. You'll become familiar with the parts of the boat, take a turn behind the helm, and practice with the winches as you head toward Norman Island. Once anchored at The Bight, you will spend time getting to know your crewmates, and experience cooking your first meal onboard. The summer stars are so beautiful that you set up your hammock and decide to sleep on deck tonight.
Day 3 The Indians/Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Look forward to snorkeling around these tall rocky outcroppings. Begin your Discover Scuba Course, or try watersports if you're not a diver. After the dive or snorkel you'll sail around the southwest tip of Tortola, have a lesson where you review Points-of-Sail, and take a stab at picking up your first mooring ball in beautiful Cane Garden Bay. This challenging sail will be complemented by beach activities, windsurfing, and group games. Your entire crew will gather in the afternoon and do a thorough beach clean-up community service project before returning to boats. During the evening your program will have its first fleet-wide night out with great local Caribbean music.
Day 4 Soper's Hole, Tortola
This is your first docking—a major event for the whole crew! After another fun-filled morning learning scuba or playing beach games, you'll learn the Dos and Don'ts of a successful docking, and go over knot tying techniques before pulling into your slips. You and your crew will then spend the day enjoying shore side facilities and shops full of real Caribbean flavor. You may even get brave and try a delicious local conch fritter. In the afternoon your captain will give a Leave No Trace seminar on the importance of using environmentally friendly products on board and a fleet social on the dock will round out the evening.
Day 5 Sandy Cay/Marina Cay
You'll feel like you are on Gilligan's Island during this morning on the beach! Snorkel, kayak and hike around Sandy Cay to experience the beautiful panoramas. Later in the morning, you'll up anchor, practice Man-Over-Board drills and then head east to Marina Cay. Arrive at this beautiful and tiny island dotted with bungalows in time to snorkel or join our dive boat for a Discovery Scuba Diving experience! You'll spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant sea life of the BVI. After dinner, enjoy homemade milkshakes atop Marina Cay and enjoy the 360-degree views of the surrounding islands.
Day 6 Anegada
Few people have the chance to go to this unique island. The surrounding reef makes accurate piloting and navigation critical. You'll meet to discuss the obstacle course that surrounds Anegada's mooring field and set sail for your longest voyage yet. A safari style taxi will deliver you to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. There you will hunt for sea turtle nests, and explore a phenomenal reef. A fresh island-style dinner and a nap under the Sea Grape tree round out the day.
Day 7 Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda
Get ready for Sail Caribbean race day! Your captain will give a lesson in race tactics and map out the course before you enter Gorda Sound in time for some fun racing. The first boat to enter the mooring field at The Bitter End and successfully pick up their ball wins! After an adrenaline pumped day of racing you'll head to the docks and spend the afternoon shopping, windsurfing, and small boat sailing. Take advantage of Bitter End facilities and have a lesson on perfecting small boat maneuvering. In the evening you'll enjoy a movie on shore with your fleet.
Day 8 Mountain Point, Virgin Gorda
A morning hike will bring you deep into the Eustatia Sound, where you’ll have a truly unique opportunity to snorkel some protected mangrove banks filled with thousands of juvenile fish and other sea creatures. Demonstrate that you are sailing savvy as you and your crew depart the North Sound in route for Mountain Point. Enjoy a beautiful truly spectacular sight as the sun sets between the Dog Islands, creating a picturesque photo opportunity.
Day 9 Pond Bay, Virgin Gorda
Let the festivities begin! An endless stretch of beach is the sight of our Sail Caribbean Olympics. Events such as the kayak pull, dizzy fender relay, and bury your captain set the stage for a little friendly competition between boats. This day always proves to be full of laughter and memories. To continue the fun you'll dress up your captain and mate as a celebrity couple for their theme staff meeting and hope to win for most creative ensemble.
Day 10 The Baths/ Great Harbor
Wake up to the beautiful landscape of The Baths. You and your friends will test your sense of adventure as you leap off Jump Rock and explore the many tunnels and passageways created by the massive boulders that surround you. After the Bath’s, enjoy a sail through the heart of the Sir Frances Drake Channel as you make your way to Peter Island. Be ready for a once in a lifetime opportunity as you prepare for an exciting night snorkel! Sleeping sea turtles, octopus, squirrel-fish, what will you find?
Day 11 Road Town, Tortola
Celebrate your last sail together by showing each other everything that you have learned and accomplished. Take one last turn behind the helm, prepare your crew for one last docking, and look forward to a night full of memories. You'll work with your crew to do one last cleaning of the boat. Awards will be given to each boat, students and staff will perform skits, and surprises will be sure to pop up all evening!
Day 12 Fond farewells as you head back home, with airplane letters in hand, ready to tell your family about all of your amazing summer adventures!