Wanna Live Out Your 'Below Deck' Dreams? Charter a Yacht in the British Virgin Islands

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I've been lucky enough to travel to some far-flung destinations throughout my time. But I can honestly say the trip I took to the British Virgin Islands this past December was unlike any vacation I've been on before, anywhere in the world. That's because I spent it on a catamaran chartered by Navigare Yachting, the world's premium luxury yacht charter operator. (FYI: A yacht charter is a crewed vessel that you can rent to house, feed, and sail you to different locations for the length of your vacation.)

Over the course of five days, I got to island hop, eat fresh seafood, play water sports, get pampered, and so much more, with a gorgeous boat as my home base. Sounds pretty nice, am I right? Well, if you're not yet convinced, allow me to make the case as to why your next group or family vacation should be on a chartered yacht through the BVI (and, tbh, it shouldn't be hard).

FYI, the writer received comped travel, accommodations, meals, and experiences in order to write this review.

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Navigare Yachting: I'd never really sailed before—and I'd certainly never slept on a boat—so I was excited but nervous before I left. But it turns out I had nothing to worry about. The yacht Navigare put us up in was gorgeous, spacious, and state-of-the-art. My room had a full bed with storage underneath, as well as a private bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. As you can imagine, you're not getting a full studio apartment when you're staying on a floating vessel, but I thought it was pretty roomy, all things considered. I'm lucky because I'm not prone to seasickness (if you are...maybe skip this trip), so I slept like a baby every night.

Staying on the boat was such a blast, and a great way to see all that the BVI has to offer (I got to see five different islands in just five days!). A delicious breakfast was served every morning (think: eggs, bacon, pastries, fruit, and coffee), and the boat was stocked with plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks like chips, pretzels, crackers, and cookies. Our first mate even made fancy apps every afternoon! Oh, and speaking of the crew (Below Deck, much?), the team on my ship truly went above and beyond for everything and everyone. I learned so much from them about sailing, and miss them already.

Btw, I know this all sounds like it would probably be $$$. But believe it or not, chartering a yacht can actually be more economical than staying in multiple hotel rooms onshore if you're traveling with a big group. You know, in case you're planning a girls' trip or a family vacay anytime soon.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay: Maybe boat life isn't for you—at least not for more than a few days. After my time on the boat, I spent one night at the Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Just a five-minute drive from Virgin Gorda Marina, The Rosewood is probably one of the most beautiful resorts I've ever stayed at. It's a popular destination for honeymooners, and I get it. I'm already planning an (insert noun here)-moon trip just so I can come back.

I was lucky enough to stay in the Tree House suite, which, despite its name, was massive. Inside was a king-sized bed, a dual-vanity bathroom with a soaking tub, and an outdoor rain shower. During my stay, I got my very own butler (every guest does) who was available 24/7 through Whatsapp chat. Casual! In case that's not enough to convince you, the Rosewood also has tennis courts, a fitness center, a farm where they grow their own produce, a petting zoo, an infinity pool, and the cutest bicycles for guests to ride around.

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Get your adrenaline pumping at Bitter End Yacht Club: Built on the island of Virgin Gorda in 1969, Bitter End is a water-sports lover's dream. A family-owned island outpost, it's been a haven for travelers and yachting enthusiasts alike for over half a century. Sadly, it was completely destroyed in Hurricane Irma. But after four long years of reconstruction, it's back and better than ever.

Thanks to the ideal sailing conditions year-round, the BEYC offers a plethora of water activities like windsurfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and parasailing. It also has its own gourmet market, restaurants, and shops that overlook the crystal blue waters of the North Sound. One of the coolest features is a beach bar that was made from the wreckage of a ship hull that survived Irma! I spent the day here sailing, swimming, sunbathing on the platform dock, and eating seafood, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Melt your stress away at Scrub Island Resort and Spa: Scrub Island (the name for both an actual island and a resort/spa) is a Caribbean gem that opened in 2010. It's located a couple of miles off the coast of Tortola and allegedly got its name from pirates who would drop anchor here to scrub the barnacles off their ships. It's home to three pristine beaches that frame the island, and remains mostly untouched as it's a protected environment.

While I was at Scrub, I visited the Ixora Spa. I had never been a massage girlie before this trip...but the treatment I had here completely changed my mind. I got the Signature Destress Massage and let me tell you: it sent me to a seventh heaven! My masseuse applied the perfect pressure and by the end of my hour session, I left with a beautiful crown braid (yes, she braided my hair too!) and walked on air for the rest of the evening.

Explore the untouched magic of The Baths: While in BVI, I highly recommend taking a trip to The Baths. It's a protected national park that surrounds the beaches and rocky shoreline of the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda. Basically, it's a series of interconnecting boulders that formed millions of years ago, creating caves and magical grottos with beautiful crystal waters. A trail of steps with roped handrails allows visitors to safely explore the stunning grounds, starting from the large bouldered beach and going up to Devil's Bay, where there are local vendors and a bare-bones cash bar. Definitely bring water shoes or hiking boots for this excursion!

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Soggy Dollar Bar: You can't visit the BVI without stopping by (...or should I say swimming up to?) the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. Located on White Bay, Soggy Dollar is known for its dock-less beach. Boats have to anchor about 15 feet from the sand, so patrons can either dingy or swim and carry their "soggy dollars" to shore. This is also where the classic Painkiller cocktail was invented—comprised of dark rum, coconut cream, a mixture of pineapple and orange juice, and fresh nutmeg shavings. The vibe is definitely laid back, so prepare to hang out for the day and play beach games, or learn how to make a Painkiller! There's also a live cam overlooking the bar, so you can wave to your jealous friends back home.

Hendo's Hideout: If you need something to absorb all those Painkillers after drinking at Soggy Dollar, you'll find a great lunch spot right next door, at Hendo's Hideout. Hendo's is a casual outdoor bar and restaurant overlooking White Bay, boasting classic Caribbean food with an American twist. I ate here for lunch and I highly recommend the conch fritters with sweet chili mayo, and the lobster wrap with corn, cheese, and sweet chili. Be sure to try their hot Ting cocktail (mainly so you can order it out loud, but also because they're delicious). It's a light drink with rum, Ting (a sparkling water), grapefruit soda, and a squeeze of lime!

Foxy's Tamarind Bar: Foxy's is very laidback (a theme here in the BVI!) and feels like your favorite college sports bar. The walls and ceilings are adorned with flags, t-shirts, and IDs from universities and cities all over the world. They almost always have amazing live music playing. It was so good when I was there I even found myself on the dance floor (they played ABBA, okay?!). The food here was also excellent: I had the baby-back ribs, and they were so tender they were falling off the bone.

Saba Rock: Saba Rock is a haven for yachters and water sports enthusiasts, offering luxury accommodations as well as delicious meals. I'm not exaggerating when I say I had the best lobster I've ever eaten here. It didn't even need the butter, let alone the truffle parmesan fries on the side (but I had them both anyway). I enjoyed this meal with a Saba on the Rocks (when in Rome!), which is made of spiced rum, triple sec, and pineapple and passion fruit purée.

Hog Heaven: This place is worth a visit for the view alone! Also located in Virgin Gorda, this hotspot overlooks a stunning panorama of some of the BVI's most beautiful islands. I came here for a delicious barbecue lunch that consisted of pork ribs smothered in a delicious sauce, with a side of yellow rice and plantains. Order their Rum Punch and soak in the beautiful scenery—just be sure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt, as it does get windy due to the elevation!

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