With another winter storm here, it is not unusual to dream of a warm sun and crystal clear oceans.  We long to smell the familiar scent of sunblock and hear the sound of island reggae music. Okay, maybe that is a little much – but if not, it may be time for you to hop on a plane to explore the British Virgin Islands.

The location of the Islands is what makes it such an escape. It is no simple trek to get there.  You will take a flight to St. Thomas, where you might need to wait a short while for the half-hour ferry ride to the island of St. John.  Here, you might have to wait overnight for your charter boat to arrive.  If you do need to stay the night, I recommend Gallows Point. It is close to the docks, and you can cool off in their pool that is right next to the ocean.  For an island restaurant with great food, try Waterfront.

Scheduling a guided charter is the best way to explore the Islands.  The concept is simple: you will spend however long you like on a catamaran boat of your choice with a knowledgeable captain and first mate who will take you around all of the Islands.  You will eat food that they prepared and sleep on the anchored boat each night. We spent a week on a boat called “Soterion” with two incredible guides who created a memorable experience for us.

You might be able to design your own itinerary – in other words, you could choose the sequence and activities of your trips.  We first sailed to the island of Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands (the others are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada, with over sixty smaller ones completing the chain). Here, visit the famous Foxy’s Bar, located on the serene shoreline, and if you are lucky, meet Foxy himself.  You might also have the opportunity of meeting some of the island natives and listening to their histories.

The next location I would recommend is White Bay, still in Jost Van Dyke.  Here, you might visit the Soggy Dollar, an island bar where you can pick up a tropical smoothie and perhaps play a round of Jenga with their giant game pieces!  That same day, you could sail to the relatively close Sandy Spit.  This is a small, uninhabited island with great snorkeling in surrounding waters.  You will see tons of coral, fish, and great barracuda.  If snorkeling is not your thing and your charter carries some boards, try paddleboarding.

You can next visit Lee Bay, a great place for water tubing, if you are up for it.  Hopefully you have a fun-spirited captain who will take you out to zip around on the water’s surface. You will still have time to sail to Iguana Cove that night, where, in the spring, you can anchor your charter and hop on a smaller boat to head to an island Full Moon Party that is full of seafood, bustling people, and island sounds. You will be able to dance and shop for souvenirs all night.

Possibly your most crucial stop is the Baths in Virgin Gorda.  This stop will require an entire day.  Besides its lovely snorkeling, where you might spot a nurse shark or two (I did), the Baths have rocks with a natural beauty that will strike you with such a sense of wonder.  If you are adventurous, you can explore, walk through, and climb the tunnels formed by the rocks. Then, you can take a moderate hike up to the very top of the Baths, where, hopefully, you can catch the sunset and jump into a pool there. You will be hot enough that you will not think twice about it.  The hike back down will be a night hike if you have watched the sunset at the top, so be sure to bring appropriate gear such as headlamps and flashlights.

Next, visit the Caves, where you will be able to snorkel in – get ready for this – caves.  You will spot some of the best fish here.  You can also sail over to Caneel Bay in St. John, where you can water tube and snorkel. The snorkeling allows one to see dozens of sea turtles and even great barracuda.

The shockingly broad range of locations and activities to choose from makes the British Virgin Islands such a unique experience.  Hiking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, water tubing, and an immersion in the island culture… Does this sound tempting yet?  Escape the spell of the frosty winter, schedule a charter, and head to the beautiful British Virgin Islands.