Sample Charlie Sailing & Advanced Scuba Voyage Itinerary
Here's a taste of what life might be like when you join us on Charlie for an adventure you will never forget! Unlike other teen scuba camps, you'll learn sailing techniques, explore the vibrant underwater world of the Caribbean, work towards receiving a number of PADI dive certifications, and familiarize yourself with the beautiful islands.
Note: This is a sample 21-day BVI itinerary. See a 14-day version (Charlie 3) at the bottom of this page. 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 Manchioneel Bay, Cooper 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, go over basic navigation techniques, take time to practice using the winches and take a turn behind the helm as you head toward Cooper Island. A prime dive training bay, Manchioneel provides a mix of stunning coral as well as flat sandy patches to begin practicing your scuba skills.
Day 3 Diamond Cay, Jost Van Dyke
After a picturesque sail down the north side of Tortola, you will visit the bubbling pools, Jost Van Dyke's own natural jacuzzi! After refueling with lunch, those working toward their Advanced Open Water certification will complete knowledge reviews and take a giant stride into the deep sea to work on more advanced diving certifications. At the end of the day, you'll get your feet back on land as you spend the evening enjoying dessert at the famous Foxy's Taboo, while getting to know your new friends.
Day 4 The Indians/ The Bight, Norman Island;
After two days in the islands, you're beginning to get the hang of this sailing gig. Your Captain will begin to introduce different sailing skills as you hop over to Norman Island. Upon arrival you'll have a chance to complete some of your dive academics and will meet our dive boat to head over to The Indians for a spectacular dive around these giant pinnacles.
Day 5 Soper's Hole, Tortola
This is your first docking; a major event for the whole crew! You'll learn the Dos and Dont's of a successful docking, and go over knot tying techniques before pulling into docks. 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 6 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
You'll sail around the southwest tip of Tortola, have a lesson where you review Points-of-Sail, and pick up a mooring ball in beautiful Cane Garden Bay. This challenging sail precedes a day full of diving, windsurfing, and beach games. Your entire crew will gather in the afternoon and do a thorough beach clean-up community service project before returning to boats to cook dinner on board. During the evening, your fleet will have its first fleet-wide night out with great local Caribbean music.
Day 7 Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke
After last nights dancing and a couple days of sailing and scuba, a quiet day at Jost is just what the crew needs to rejuvenate. Your boat may decide to stop at Sandy Cay where you will have the chance to snorkel, kayak or hike around this tiny speck of land to admire beautiful panoramas. At Jost you'll try your luck at tubing and take some time to study dive academics. Dinner tonight is a special event! Each boat will make their own rendition of chili to present to a panel of Sail Caribbean staff judges. This Chili Cook Off gets creative as crews dress-up in crazy costumes and bring a whole new meaning to the phrase 'home cooked meal'!
Day 8 Marina Cay
After a day of some exploratory sailing, arrive at the beautiful Marina Cay, a tiny island dotted with bungalows and the famous Pusser's restaurant. You hop on the dive boats early for a full day of diving exploration! You'll spend the afternoon underwater admiring the vibrant sea life of the BVI, and may work towards specialty dive certifications. After dinner on board you'll enjoy homemade milkshakes atop Marina Cay and enjoy the 360-degree views of the surrounding islands.
Day 9 Great Harbor, Peter Island
A nice sail around the east end of Tortola and down the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Peter Island is followed by an afternoon of diving. You and your dive group are in for an exciting trip as you complete your first dive on the Wreck of the Rhone. You'll be amazed by the massive shipwreck and all of the creatures that call it home! After you whip up a scrumptious dinner on board, you'll have quite the treat when you head out for your first night dive. Swing your arms to see the phosphorescence illuminate the water, and navigate by dive flashlight to explore marine creatures that only come out at night.
Day 10 Village Cay, Tortola
You'll go out for a morning dive before sailing to Road Town, the capital of the BVI, where you'll complete another challenging docking. En route you will learn Bernoulli's principle of fluid pressure and begin to further understand the physics behind sailing. At Village Cay Marina you will have the chance to go shopping and exploring in Road Town, socialize by the dockside pool, and treat yourself to delicious homemade gelato. In the afternoon you will also have the opportunity to hike through the rainforest to the highest point in the BVI, or attend a Marine Biology seminar on the impact that humans have on the coral reefs.
Day 11 Mountain Point, Virgin Gorda
AM diving followed by a long sail brings you to Mountain Point at the mouth of the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. There you will anchor next to spectacular rock formations and invite another crew to your boat for a delicious jerk chicken dinner. After dinner you'll clean the boat and prepare for another amazing night dive.
Day 12 Vixen Point, Prickly Pear
A short sail into the Gorda Sound leaves the whole day open for water-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, wake boarding, small boat sailing and racing, and beach volleyball. After you've tried your hand at a variety of water sports you'll wash up and head to shore for a big Barbecue, and an evening of dancing to the beats of our favorite DJ, Heavy B.
Day 13 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 and most relaxing voyage yet. This long sail gives you plenty of time to focus on dive education, and study for upcoming dive exams. Once on Anegada, a safari style taxi will deliver you to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean where 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 14 Muskmellon Bay, Guana Island
A spectacular place for night dives; Guana is an unspoiled island off the northeast end of Tortola. This rarely visited bay is home to a myriad of wildlife, and is a beautiful place to swim ashore to the beach. You'll spend the morning taking in your beautiful surroundings, and participating in a plethora of water sports. In the afternoon and evening you get back into diving with a two-tank dive before dinner and a night dive to round out the evening.
Day 15 Monkey Point, Guana Island
Dive, dive, dive! You'll have a full day of diving as our dive boats meet you just after breakfast in secluded Monkey Point. Luckily this is the perfect spot to catch a beautiful BVI sunset so all of that diving will pay off as you lay on deck gazing off towards the horizon after a filling burrito dinner.
Day 16 Trellis Bay, Tortola
You'll spend your morning at Trellis Bay enjoying time on the beach browsing Aragorn's art and pottery studio, writing emails home at The Cyber Cafe, and marveling at the huge copper sculptures that line the shore. You'll head back to boats for lunch on board and get ready to go diving in the afternoon. In the evening your fleet will have a special treat as you meet up with the other programs to enjoy a great Caribbean feast ashore, with live island music, stilt walkers, and dancing.
Day 17 Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda
Take a day off from diving to enjoy everything that The Bitter End Yacht Club has to offer! You'll sail into the Gorda Sound and pick up a mooring ball before going to docks. You'll spend the afternoon shopping, windsurfing, and small boat sailing, or do some writing in your journal while rocking in a comfy Caribbean hammock. In the evening you'll enjoy a movie on shore with your fleet at The Bitter End's outdoor living room. What a relaxing break from your busy schedule!
Day 18 Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor, Virgin Gorda
Spend the first half of your day finishing up your diving certifications before heading to The Mine Shaft restaurant for a barbecue, some mini golf, and another evening of dancing with Heavy B. This spot boasts magnificent views for you to enjoy as you look back on your accomplishments of the past two weeks.
Day 19 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. You'll then head out on the dive boat for one last night dive before heading back to base tomorrow.
Day 20 The Baths/Road Town, Tortola
Wake up to the beautiful landscape of The Baths. You and your friends will test your sense of adventure as you dive off Jump Rock and explore the many tunnels and passageways created by the massive boulders that surround you. Your crew will then celebrate their 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 anchor right off Buck Island before coming in to docks and 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 21 Fond farewells as you head back home, with airplane letters in hand, ready to tell your family about all of your amazing summer scuba adventures!
Sample 14-day Itinerary
Day 1 Road Town, Tortola
Day 2 Manchioneel Bay - Cooper Island
Day 3 Little Harbor - Jost Van Dyke
Day 4 Marina Cay
Day 5 Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda
Day 6 Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor
Day 7 Peter Island
Day 8 The Bight, Norman Island
Day 9 Nanny Cay, Tortola
Day 10 Cane Garden Bay
Day 11 Trellis Bay, Beef Island
Day 12 Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda
Day 13 Road Town, Tortola
Day 14 Fond Farewells