Star Clippers Sailing Itinerary | Ten islands in eight days
We explored ten islands in eight days on our cruise through the British Virgin Islands and West Indies
Chances are you made it here because you are curious about what it is like to sail on a Star Clippers cruise and want to know more about where you would go. This post is a continuation of the conversation about the cruise (if you missed that post, click here to learn all the details!).
In this post, I will breakdown the ten islands we visited in the hopes of helping you plan your next trip and/or get excited about sailing the Caribbean seas.
There are two main routes the Caribbean cruise takes so please note that this may not be your exact route and as it happened to us, adjustments may be made in route depending on individual country travel restrictions.
Our travel list included the following islands:
Before we get started I would also like to mention that information shared in this post is pulled from a combination of personal experience, travel documents shared by our Cruise Director and facts confirmed on the official BVI Tourism website. We didn’t spend more than a half day on any one island (the downfall of cruising) so these summaries do include information that we didn't get to experience ourselves but wish we could have!
All pictures are taken personally by me and are from our adventures on the cruise.
Anguilla
The most northerly of the Leeward Islands, Anguilla is touched by two seas: the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Anguilla is home to 33 beaches totaling over 12 miles of beach. With an average monthly temp of 80, low humidity & minimal rain, it truly is the definition of Caribbean paradise.
As mentioned above there are many beaches to choose from. Here are a few top choices depending on your preference of activity.
Sandy Ground; where the cruise ships anchor, here you will find bars, activities and entertainment.
Shoal Bay; thought by many to be the best beach in Anguilla. White sands, coral reefs, clear waters and ideal snorkeling location.
Rendezvous Bay; with views of St. Martin this area is known for its resorts and restaurants as well as historical sites.
If you are looking to explore beyond the beaches, here are some highlights you won’t want to miss.
Crocus Bay: the highest point on the island with stunning views from every angle. If you are hungry, be sure to make reservations at DaVida’s.
Island Harbor: Here you can discover Anguilla’s fishing town.
The Old Valley is a walk through history, churches, homes and buildings of Anguilla’s past.
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is most commonly known as the home of the Soggy Dollar, the famous bar on White Bay. A popular spot for small and private cruise ships, yachts and those taking a day trip from surrounding islands including St. John’s.
In 2020, USA Today rated the Soggy Dollar the best beach bar in the Caribbean.
The Soggy Dollar serves hundreds of their famous Painkiller cocktails daily. You can also order lunch to absorb some of that alcohol and the bonus is that ordering food or drinks, will give you a spot on the beach—grab a seat at one of the many picnic tables or grab an Adirondack, sip and munch and enjoy the spectacular views of the island and yachts hanging out.
If you’d like to do more than eat and drink, you can go for a hike but learn from our mistake!
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know we love to find adventure in our travels. Well, our biggest adventure on this trip was on Jost Van Dyke.
On the boat we read about a hike to The Bubbly Pool, information said to take a taxi to Foxy’s Taboo and then follow a short trail to The Bubbly pool; a small, natural pool turned jacuzzi when the waves come crashing in through the rocks.
The problem was we didn’t know there was a bar named Foxy’s and one named Foxy’s Taboo. Foxy’s Taboo is about 1/4 mile from the natural pool, Foxy’s, where we went, is about 4 miles.
That was four miles of steep hills, walking roadside and getting caught in sporadic rain! We made it but the locals were sure giving us odd looks.
The taxi driver that took us to Foxy’s gave us his number, problem was my husband’s cell didn’t work by the time we made it our destination and we had no way of getting in touch with him. We were dreading the 4 mile walk back so we hitched a ride from a local and we were so grateful for his help. He even put benches in the back of his truck so we were more comfortable.
So if you want to swim in the Bubbly Pool be sure to take a cab to Foxy’s Taboo and arrange a time for pick up from the same driver so you don’t get stuck like we were!
Jost Van Dyke makes for a fun day trip—if you have a chance to go, don’t pass it up!
Tortola
Tortola is the largest of the islands of the British Virgin Islands and home to the Sage Mountain National Park.
If you love to swim, sunbathe or take long walks on the beach, you can choose from any of these beaches and have a great day.
Apple Bay
Brewer’s Bay
Smuggler’s Cove
Long Bay Beach
Elizabeth Beach
Josiah’s Bay Beach
If energetic activities such as watersports, fishing and surfing are more your style, then head to these areas:
Brandywine Bay
Soper’s Hole
Trellis Bay Cane Garden Bay
Since Tortola is the biggest island is has multiple options for places to stay, things to do but is not as “touristy” as St. Maarten. If you are looking for a lesser known place to escape, this may be your island. You can get chartered day trips to other islands like Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island or Virgin Gorda to make the most of your vacation.
Getting to and from Tortola is pretty convenient. The island is home to three ports and is centrally located in the BVIs. Surrounded by the Caribbean Ocean and covered in gorgeous white sand beaches, add sunny skies and idyllic weather, Tortola is truly a vacation paradise.
Norman Island
This was a tiny island on our tour and the only one that is privately owned. It’s actually uninhabited and only has one restaurant on the island, Pirate’s Bight. All employees have to commute to the island to work.
Legend has it that this island inspired author Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island.
Norman island is popular with tourists for its caves tucked along the cliffs of the island, a perfect location for snorkeling.
There is also a floating bar on the north side of the island, the popular Willy T’s. It was destroyed by Hurricane Irma but has been rebuilt and after a little controversy, has retuned to Norman Island.
Virgin Gorda
The highlight to our visit to Virgin Gorda was our excursion to The Baths National Park and Devil’s Hill National Park located just outside Spanish Town.
Virgin Gorda is known for its huge boulders. In fact, they cover much of the island, making only the town and valley of Spanish Town habitable for residents.
Hiking through the parks is relatively easy, there are a few steep spots to get around the boulders but there are ropes to help you. What makes the hike challenging is if you have a heavy or cumbersome backpack or the wrong shoes.
You will want a pair of water shoes for this hike—something that will stay on your feet but give enough traction for the rocks. You will get wet on this hike.
Once you land at the first beach, you can swim, take in the views or explore the caves.
On the second hike, you’ll climb more boulders and walk through a cave to get to the second beach where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe or get a refreshing drink.
On your way back to transportation, you can stop at the local restaurant for lunch or shopping in the nearby shops and take in some amazing views from cliffs of Virgin Gorda.
If you want to hike other spots in Virgin Gorda, be sure to head to Gorda Peak, the highest spot on the island and home to Gorda Peak National Park. From the top, you can take in views of the entire island and take in the variety of wildlife and vegetation this environment has to offer including the smallest lizard on the planet—if you can find one!
From the top, you can also take in views of the nearby reef and spot neighboring islands such as Tortola and St. John. Fun fact: all land above 1000 feet on the island is protected by the National Park.
Anegada
For us, this island was a quick half day stop and we now know why—there isn’t much to see (at least on the side we landed and it was a long tender ride to shore!).
One of the flattest islands we visited, we didn’t see a single person. Also, be warned there are no bathrooms on this part of the island.
Gorgeous stretches of shoreline, crystal blue waters and white sand made for a perfect beach walk but that’s about it.
On our walk we did find a few bungalows that looked to be in good condition and we even came across a few donkeys grazing so there must be people living here but we didn’t find any.
It’s possible they were on the other side of the island but we had. no way of getting there by foot.
After our beach walk, we headed back to the boat since there wasn’t much to see and we didn’t bring bathing suits or towels.
Barbuda
On our original itinerary we were supposed to land in Saba on this day but with ever-changing travel restrictions, we were told we couldn’t disembark on the island so we headed to Barbuda, an island in the West Indies.
It was a 21 hour boat ride, much of it quite turbulent. At times, I honestly thought we were never gone to get there and when we did, I sort of which we hadn’t.
This stop was a reminder of what devastation a hurricane can do and how long it can take for communities to recover when they don’t have the resources or support of a government. It’s a heart-wrenching sight.
In 2017, Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma and at the end of 2021, there was evidence of the destruction everywhere you look. Dilapidated buildings, trash everywhere and deserted cars. The roads were borderline impassable but despite it all, the locals were welcoming and excited to show us around.
In a place like Barbuda, every tourism dollar makes an impact on the locals who are still trying to recover and rebuild.
We opted for the Frigate Bird Sanctuary excursion which involved a 20 minute bus ride followed by a 20 minute boat ride to get to the Preserve. Frigatebirds are also commonly seen in the Galapagos Islands.
Barbuda is home to the largest Frigate bird population in the world. Over 150,000 birds come here to mate each year. Our tour involved a slow boat ride through the mangroves to see the birds up close and personal and learn more about their evolution and mating habits. The entire tour lasted about 30 minutes.
On our way back to the boat, we stopped at an old fort on the island known as the Martello tower. The stop was quick since you couldn’t enter the tower. A few pictures and we were on our way.
This stop reminded me that there is something to learn about everywhere you go. This island is best suited for a half-day trip if you are staying on St. John’s or Antigua more than a 21 hour boat ride. There are beautiful, remote beaches and a half day here could make you feel like you have a piece of the Caribbean all to yourself.
St. Kitts
St. Kitts is home to Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, construction started in 1690 and was completed 100 years later. It was an active fortress until 1852.
I will be the first to admit I’m not really into forts but this one is quite impressive. From cannons to bake shops, from the citadel to walls built on cliffs, it is truly a magnificent structure and for someone like me who loves photography, it is truly a place you could get lost for a long time with a camera. The views are jaw-dropping.
If you are visiting St. Kitts and can afford a couple of hours, I’d recommend this stop.
We also stopped by the Romney Manor, to explore the gardens and stop by the shop to purchase some authentic Carabelle Batik pieces. As a sign of the times, we went home with 3 new masks and a beautiful sarong as a gift for my mother-in-law.
Did you know there are two universities on St. Kitts? The first is Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and the second is University of Medicine and Health Sciences, both are very popular with US students. Even from the road, the campus of Ross University was impressive, animals of all sizes were cared for there.
St. Kitts seems to be split into two halves, the side of the locals and the side for tourism. Driving around, as soon as we crossed over to Frigate Bay, there were grand homes, large resorts, golf courses and more. It appeared that this side of the island (near the airport) is a popular destination for tourists.
On our way through Frigate’s Bay, we stopped for an incredible vantage point where you can see both St. Kitts and Nevis and both the Atlantic and the Caribbean Oceans. This was one of my favorite views on the trip.
From there we went to St. Friar’s Bay to spend the rest of the day relaxing. With a small rental fee, you can grab a lounge chair at the Carambola Beach Club and enjoy the gorgeous views of the bay while sipping a cold drink and reading a book.
The teens had a blast playing in the water and partaking in water sports provided by the ship. Some families even went snorkeling in the bay. This was not the cleanest beach (lots of small pieces of trash in the sand) but if you can look past that, the views and surroundings are very pretty.
St. Barts
It’s hard to imagine a place like St. Barts actually exists until you arrive. The land of the rich and famous. A level of glamour and elitism that is hard to wrap your head around. The yachts alone were mind-boggling, some valued at more than $500 million dollars!
While on St. Barts, you feel like you are rubbing elbows with the most famous and rich people in the world, all while being reminded that you are not one of them!
All of that to the side, St. Barts is beautiful. Quaint shops, lovely restaurants, gorgeous beaches and stunning views, it really has it all and I can actually say that if you have a chance to visit, go. It’s quite the experience.
Our first day on St. Bart’s happened to be Christmas so most of the restaurants and shops were closed for the holiday. We were intrigued enough to come back while we were staying on St. Maarten.
If you’d like to learn more about the ferry ride to St. Barts from St. Maarten, check out my recent post on Instagram.
Here is a quick list of our favorite spots during our two visits:
L’Isoletta—possibly the best pizza we’ve ever had
Bar de L’Oubli—a great spot for breakfast and a coffee. Cash only
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon—sit upstairs for views of the harbor and prepare for a very expensive meal but trust me, it will be worth it. Do NOT skip dessert—the French pastries made downstairs are incredible.
Shell Beach: this is a landmark in St. Bart’s and a scene all its own. You can go for the views, the food, the vibe or all of the above. PS: this link will also share 4 other great beaches to visit on St. Barts.
Take a walk up the hill to the Village of Gustavia (the Capital of St. Barts). There you can head toward the lighthouse and see incredible views of St. Bart’s and surrounding island. This is a 10 minute walk from town, just look up, you’ll see it.
If you love fashion, there are so many places to shop in St. Bart but you may want to ask for credit increase on your credit card before you go! If you love quality made items that are unlike anything you find in the US, visit Popie’s for handmade items made from exclusively from the famous Liberty Fabric. Popie is there herself, telling you how she sewed each piece!
St. Maarten
As I mentioned, our cruise left from and returned to the port of St. Maarten. This is also where we flew in and out of from Atlanta.
We made plans to stay in St. Maarten after our trip to extend our vacation for a few days but thanks to a combination of things, we decided to leave early. I think we were tired, ready to be home, nervous about the news of flights being canceled thanks to Omicron and a little bit of bored.
We did check out a few things during our stay so here is my quick list of places we visited.
Maho Beach: This is the beach that is famous for the planes flying overhead. It is located feet away from the runway at St. Maarten International Airport. It is crazy to see these huge airplanes fly overhead and/or take off and feel the winds from the engines. It’s a bit scary and exhilarating all at the same time but turn your back during take off or you will be eating a ton of sand.
We actually stayed at The Morgan Resort and Spa which is next to Maho Beach. I’ve never stayed so close to an airport before, it’s loud and the plane noise is pretty constant between 7am and 9pm, so consider yourself warned.
The one activity we tried to do was zip-lining in St. Maarten. We went to Rainforest Adventures. It is stated that they have the steepest zipline anywhere in the world. Sadly we didn’t get to take that ride. It’s a long story but we thought we were doing the right thing by going early but what we didn’t realize is that we’d be bombarded with cruise line tours. If you opt to go here, go in the afternoon, after the cruisers have to be back on ship. We found the park’s staff to be lacking in friendliness and the tubing run needed some repairs. The other zip-lining sections were ok but compared to other places we’ve been, it didn’t match up. The views from the top are pretty nice though.
Restaurants:
Salt at The Morgan (pass on the Breakfast oat bowl)
What we learned the hard way; lunch is hard to come by in St. Maarten, many places are only open for dinner.
We took the ferry to St. Barts and were hoping to get breakfast along the boardwalk before we boarded but that wasn’t possible. The boardwalk doesn’t open til 10am so grab food before you head that way or have a light snack and eat in St. Bart’s like we did.
While St. Maarten felt safe, for us, it didn’t seem very family friendly. It was more of a party vibe than we were expecting, better suited for those who enjoy the sun by the day and bar-hopping at night.
Our hotel was preparing for a huge NYE party and it seemed the whole town was getting ready to celebrate—it was one of the reasons we left early; so much commotion at the hotel as they set up.
We enjoyed our time in St. Maarten but will not be rushing back.
As you can see, there is so much to see sailing the BVIs and West Indies. Our itinerary truly gave us a variety of sleepy islands and tourist hot-spots and we didn’t even cover everything. The Caribbean waters are so blue and inviting and the weather was unbeatable. Cruising with Star Clippers gave us a comprehensive tour of the Caribbean and we feel like we got to experience the culture and sights it has to offer.
As always, I’m here if you have questions or need more info! Just comment below.
Celebrate the Caribbean, Explore the Islands!
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