It depends on how long you have and what you want from the week. On a seven-night first charter, Anegada is a great addition if you want a remote, flat, lobster-and-beach-bar island and you’re comfortable spending a full day on the water to get there. On a five-night trip, or if you’d rather swim, snorkel and hop between short legs, skip it this time and save it for a return visit.
We’ve run charters out of Tortola since 1996, and we don’t send everyone to Anegada. Our own island guide recommends it on many seven-night charters, but says it isn’t for everyone. Here is how to decide.
TL;DR
- Go if you have at least seven nights, settled weather, and want something different from the rest of the BVI: a long beach, fresh lobster and a quiet anchorage.
- Skip it if you have five nights or fewer, are traveling with very small kids who tire on long passages, or want to snorkel clear, sheltered coves every day.
- The real cost is time: the passage is the longest in the BVI, and the reef around the island demands careful, daylight navigation.
- Not confident? Take a captain for that leg or for the whole week. It changes the Anegada question completely.
- Plan water and fuel before you commit, because the island has no fresh water supply for visiting boats.
Table of Contents
- What makes Anegada different from every other BVI island
- The case for going on a first charter
- The case for skipping it this time
- A quick way to decide
- How the trip works in practice
- Navigating safely around Horseshoe Reef
- Our perspective: Anegada is a reward, not a requirement
- Bareboat or captained: which suits an Anegada trip?
- Practical details to sort before you go
- Plan your Anegada charter with us
- FAQ
- Sources
What makes Anegada different from every other BVI island
Most of the British Virgin Islands are steep, green volcanic hills. Anegada isn’t. The Government of the Virgin Islands describes it as the only coral island in the territory’s volcanic chain, about 10 miles long and 2½ miles wide, with extensive salt ponds. Cruising Guides Publications notes that the island is made of coral and limestone and reaches only 28 feet above sea level at its highest point.
That has practical consequences for a boat:
- You can’t see it from far away. On the way in, the island is a low line on the horizon, so you rely on your chartplotter and a careful lookout rather than a mountain to steer by.
- The scenery is different. Think long white-sand beaches, shallow turquoise water, salt ponds and flamingos instead of green hillsides.
- The reef is the main hazard. Anegada’s name, the “Drowned Land,” comes from the ships the reefs have claimed over the centuries.
The Government of the Virgin Islands identifies Horseshoe Reef, an 18-mile barrier reef wrapping the island, as the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean. Anchoring on the reef itself is illegal, and the rules call for a proper lookout and safe speed in all conditions.
The case for going on a first charter
First-timers who love Anegada tend to love it for the same reasons others find it a letdown: it is remote and simple.
Lobster. Fresh-caught lobster is the island’s signature meal, grilled at beachside restaurants. If a lobster dinner on the sand is a goal for your trip, Anegada is where to do it. Order ahead when you arrive, since many places ask for your order early in the day.
Long, quiet beaches. The north shore has wide beaches that feel nothing like the busy bays near Tortola. If you’re on a romantic trip, this is the stretch of the week that couples remember.
Flamingos and wildlife. The government notes that visitors can see the re-established flamingos, and the island’s salt ponds are home to other birds.
Exploring on land. Anegada is flat, so many visitors rent scooters or open-air mokes ashore for a day. It is one of the few BVI islands where seeing the whole thing by road is practical.
A feeling of having gone somewhere. After a few days in the sheltered, line-of-sight sailing of the main islands, crossing open water to a place most day-trippers never see gives the week a clear high point.
The case for skipping it this time
Be honest about what it costs you.
It eats a big piece of the week. The passage from Virgin Gorda’s North Sound is open water, not the short hops that define the rest of the BVI. Plan on a full morning to get there and a full morning to leave. On a seven-night trip, you’ll typically give up about two days of your week to the Anegada leg. On a five-night itinerary, that is a big share of your time, which is why our 5-day BVI itinerary for first-timers leaves it out.
The snorkeling isn’t the main draw. The reef is a hazard first and a snorkeling site second. The sheltered coves of Norman Island, Cooper Island and Virgin Gorda are easier for families and nervous swimmers.
It’s an exposed anchorage. The anchorage in the main harbor off Setting Point is open to swell in some conditions, so it isn’t the best place if anyone aboard is prone to seasickness.
You depend on the weather. A big northerly swell can make the passage uncomfortable and the reef entrances dangerous. If the forecast turns, you need the flexibility to cancel the leg, and you can’t do that if your whole itinerary hinges on it.
Water and supplies. The research we use points out that Anegada has no local fresh water source for boats. Returning to Leverick Bay or Marina Cay for a refill is a 13 to 17 nautical mile trip. Top up before you leave, and keep an eye on your tanks.
A quick way to decide
| Your situation | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Seven nights or more, good weather window | Go, ideally for one night, two if you want a full beach day |
| Five nights or fewer | Skip it and focus on the Baths, Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island |
| Young children aboard | Consider a day or two in sheltered bays first; see our BVI yacht charter with kids guide |
| First time skippering any boat | Add a captain for the Anegada leg, or for the week |
| Lobster dinner is a top priority | Go |
| Main goal is snorkeling and swimming | Skip it, or visit on a later trip |
How the trip works in practice
Most charterers head to Anegada from the North Sound area of Virgin Gorda, which cuts the open-water time as much as possible. The distance depends on where you start. One broker’s guide puts the Virgin Gorda to Anegada leg at roughly 15 to 20 nautical miles, three to four hours under sail. In a power catamaran you may cover it faster, but the same caution applies.
A sensible sequence on a seven-night charter looks like this:
- Start with the sheltered islands. Spend the first days getting used to the boat, the mooring balls and the weather.
- Position yourself in North Sound. Our Virgin Gorda guide covers the area. It shortens the Anegada leg.
- Check the forecast the night before. If swell or wind is up, stay put.
- Leave early and arrive in daylight. You want the sun high and behind you so you can read the water.
- Stay one night, two if the weather holds. Book your lobster dinner on arrival.
- Return via Jost Van Dyke or Tortola. Don’t plan a tight return that leaves no room for delays.
If you’d rather see the whole route mapped out, our 7-night BVI itinerary for first-timers shows where Anegada fits.
Navigating safely around Horseshoe Reef
The approach is straightforward in good weather if you know the landmarks. Two navigation write-ups, one on bvipirate.com and one on nwmangum.com, describe how to get in safely, and both stress that the island is surrounded by submerged reef. They are independent sailors’ pages, not official charts, so use them alongside your chartplotter and the charter briefing.
Some rules to keep in mind:
- Arrive in daylight only. Never approach Anegada at night.
- Keep a real lookout. BVI Safety of Navigation Regulations, 2025Regulations,2025_0.pdf) apply to non-Virgin Islands ships while in Virgin Islands waters, so they cover your charter yacht.
- Don’t anchor on the reef. Use the designated mooring or the sandy anchorage.
- Set your anchor properly. If you want a refresher on the principles of setting and checking an anchor, this guide to anchoring a pontoon boat covers the basics on a smaller scale. Your charter briefing will cover the specifics for your yacht.
- Take incidents seriously. The territory’s Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority reported a boating incident involving a Lagoon 46 catamaran in July 2025. Reefs and charter boats don’t mix well when attention slips.
Our guide to navigating the British Virgin Islands goes through what to expect on the water in more detail.
Our perspective: Anegada is a reward, not a requirement
We’re a family-owned operation based on Tortola, and we’ve watched thousands of first-time charterers make this decision. Here’s what we’ve learned.
The people who enjoy Anegada most are the ones who chose it. They wanted the lobster, the long beaches and the sense of going somewhere remote, and they gave it enough time. The people who feel let down are usually the ones who went because a list said they should, then lost two days of a short trip to a long passage and a rolly anchorage.
So we ask the same questions of every guest. How many nights do you have? Who’s aboard? How comfortable is whoever’s driving with open water? What do you want your best day to look like? If the answers point to Anegada, we build it in and plan the weather contingency. If they point to the sheltered islands, we say so, and nobody loses by saving Anegada for next time.
Our view is also that a captain is the simplest way to take the stress out of this decision. Navigating a low island ringed by reef is a skill, and a local captain has done it hundreds of times. On a first charter, that can turn Anegada from a worry into the highlight.
— alexia
Bareboat or captained: which suits an Anegada trip?
If you have sailing or boating experience and a good briefing, a bareboat charter can handle Anegada comfortably. If not, a captain makes sense for at least that leg. Read our bareboat charter guide for what the qualifications and checkout look like, or our page on skippered hire without going fully crewed.
Published figures on our pricing pages, for context:
| Option | Published price |
|---|---|
| 3-cabin power catamaran, bareboat | £6,000–£10,000 per week |
| 4-cabin power catamaran, bareboat | £8,000–£14,000 per week |
| 5+ cabin luxury power catamaran, bareboat | £12,000–£20,000 per week |
| Standard captain | $250 per day |
| Training captain | $300 per day |
| Premium crewed catamaran (4–6 guests) | $25,000–$35,000 per week |
| Luxury crewed catamaran (6–10 guests) | $35,000–$70,000 per week |
| High-end luxury catamaran or motor yacht, crewed | $70,000–$120,000 per week |
A training captain is a good fit if you want to learn the boat and the waters while someone experienced stays aboard. Details are on our charter costs page.
Practical details to sort before you go
- Fresh water. Ask about a water maker. Our bareboat charters with water maker page lists those yachts, which takes the tank question off your list on a longer stay.
- Power. Air conditioning and other comforts at anchor depend on a generator. See our bareboat yachts with generator page.
- Power cat or sailing cat. Power catamarans cover the longer Anegada leg faster and with less fuss. Our comparison of power vs sailing catamarans explains the trade-offs.
- Connectivity. Wi-Fi is available for a one-off fee of $250 per charter, as set out on our what’s included page.
- Getting there without a yacht. If anyone in your party is joining for only part of the trip, Smith’s Ferry Services runs service to the island.
Plan your Anegada charter with us
If you’re leaning toward Anegada, or still unsure, talk to us before you book. We’ll look at your dates, your group and your comfort level, then recommend a yacht and an itinerary, with or without a captain. Start with our Anegada charter guide, compare boats on the fleet comparison page, or see bareboat pricing and crewed pricing. If you’d rather have a crew handle the reef and the lobster reservations, see our luxury crewed charters.
FAQ
Is Anegada worth it for a first-time BVI charter?
Yes, if you have seven nights or more, a good weather forecast and a real interest in lobster, long beaches and a remote feel. If you only have four or five nights, the long passage takes too much of your time. In that case, the sheltered islands give you more for your week.
How far is Anegada from the other BVI islands?
It is the most distant of the main islands, sitting well north of Virgin Gorda. One sailing guide puts the Virgin Gorda to Anegada leg at about 15 to 20 nautical miles. The crossing is open water, so allow a morning each way and don’t treat it as a casual hop.
Is it dangerous to sail to Anegada?
In good weather, with daylight arrival and a careful lookout, it is manageable. The danger is the surrounding reef, which has wrecked many ships over the years. Never enter at night, never anchor on the reef, and if you aren’t confident, hire a captain for the leg.
Can I get fresh water on Anegada?
Not for boats in any dependable way. Anegada has no local fresh water source, so fill your tanks before you leave. If you want less to worry about, choose a yacht with a water maker.
Do I need a captain to visit Anegada?
Not necessarily, but many first-timers find it worth having one for that leg. A captain knows the reef approaches and can handle the lobster and transport arrangements ashore. Our captains are priced per day on our charter costs page.
Sources
- Our Islands, Government of the Virgin Islands
- Government of the Virgin Islands
- Exploring the Virgin Islands Part I: Sailing to Anegada, Cruising Guides Publications
- Navigating to Anegada (nwmangum.com)
- Navigating to Anegada (bvipirate.com)
- Virgin Islands Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations, 2025Regulations,2025_0.pdf)
- Marine Safety Investigation and Reporting Authority, Government of the Virgin Islands
- Anegada, Smith’s Ferry Services
- BVI Sailing Distances & Itinerary Guide
- How to Anchor a Pontoon Boat Correctly on a Lake
Recommended
- Book 6–12 Months Ahead: Operator Tips for a First BVI Bareboat Charter
- BVI Bareboat Cruising Restrictions: Where Can You Go?
- 7-Night BVI Yacht Charter Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- Anegada Charter Guide | Beaches, Lobster & Coral Reefs
Did You Know?
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