This winter, set your course to cruise between the lush jungle peaks of sunken volcanoes and brightly coloured coral reefs in the stunning Virgin Islands. But why do it on a cruise ship or be stuck in busy resorts like everyone else?

Create the holiday your family will talk about forever: take your kids- and their kids- away from it all and charter a luxury private yacht to float through tropical Caribbean paradise… on your own terms. With complete privacy and total luxury, a yacht is the ultimate way to travel as a family- and the best way to bring the generations together.

Look out the porthole of your palatial cabin each morning to see another stunning anchorage you’ve arrived at overnight: sapphire waters lapping at soft white sands in Tortola, pink flamingos stalking gracefully across salt ponds in Anegada, and the giant boulders and rock pools of Virgin Gorda, shining in the morning sun. Get up, have a fresh breakfast on deck cooked by your private chef- and then dive right in to warm, crystal clear waters to explore the underwater world below.

The Virgin Islands are one of the world’s best yacht charter destinations- and not just because they’re outrageously pretty, with vivid green rainforest running from volcanic peaks down to the turquoise seas and coconuts washing up on the shore. The Virgin Islands are a perfect cruising ground because there are so many islands within short distances of each other, and heaps to see and do.  Everyone will have the time of their lives here- no matter what their ages or interests. We all know that it’s sometimes difficult to please everyone when the generations come together: a luxury yacht charter in the Virgin Islands will do just that.

Take a hike up to the peak of an extinct volcano to look out across the spectacular coast laid out before you, shop until you drop in vibrant St Thomas, learn to surf at Tortola and sail around the bay at the famous Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda. Snorkel the vast horseshoe reef encircling the coral atoll of Anegada, followed by a luxury barbeque at white cloth tables on the beach, eating lobster grilled on the coals and served up with lashings of melted butter. Keen divers will explore the wreck of RMS Rhone off Salt Beach, the Caribbean’s best wreck dive, or make their way along Wreck Alley, where ships and aircraft have been deliberately sunk to make homes for sharks, dolphins, turtles and schools of tropical fish. The kids will delight in visiting ‘Treasure Island’, an old Caribbean pirate haunt- and younger kids will love when the crew lead them on a shwashbuckling treasure hunt around the yacht and ashore.

Watch the teenagers tearing round on the wakeboards, take a leisurely kayak through a sea grotto, and be sure to spend a day at the spectacular Baths of Virgin Gorda- some of the most incredible rock pools in the world. Visit pretty Caribbean villages where brightly coloured shacks sell jerk chicken and curried conch, and barefoot bars serve up rum punch and pina coladas under the palm trees. Get a massage in a luxury beach hut spa, listening to the waves lap gently at the shore, the smell of frangipani and jasmine rich in the air.

When night falls, get dressed up and have cocktails on deck, before jumping in the tender to speed across the moonlit sea, warm night air rushing against your face. Dine at elegant restaurants in glamorous ports filled with other yachts, or onboard the famous Willy T schooner restaurant, where everyone dances on deck to a steel band that plays long into the night.

Other evenings, stay on board your gorgeous yacht enjoying an elegant meal under the stars, while the kids are busy fishing off the aft deck, the water illuminated electric blue by the underwater night lights. Or the family can relax in the Jacuzzi, chatting and watching the stars, or cuddle up on the comfy lounges in the sky lounge to watch movies with popcorn and fizzy pop.

Yacht holidays are about creating memories with the people you love. This winter, why not have your own, floating, private island as it moves slowly through a perfect world of palm trees, white sands, and laughter. It will be the holiday your family talks about, forever.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY: BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Explore tranquil clear waters and over 60 stunning islands when you book a vacation to the BVI . Read on for a sample itinerary!

DAY 1

Start your vacation in Tortola before heading to meet your captain and crew at lunch time. Welcome to your new home for the next week! Enjoy taking a tour, cold cocktail in hand before setting sail for your first stop – The Bight at Norman Island. It’s only a short cruise but enjoy a fresh seafood lunch prepared by your private chef, soaking in the views! The famed Treasure Island offers fantastic snorkelling so don’t waste time jumping in and getting your feet wet!

DAY 2

Another short cruise will take you to Peter Island, which remains largely undeveloped but filled with plenty of beautiful spots for photo opps! Stretch your legs on shore, while your crew prepares a picnic lunch on the sand. Dinner will be on land at Deadman’s Bay tonight – named for the pirates that once washed ashore here!

DAY 3

This morning starts with a dive at Salt Island – dating back over 150 years, this wreck features an old Royal Mail ship that went down on its way from Southampton. 

Another delicious meal will be served alfresco by your chef as you cruise to your next spot after lunch – Cooper Island. Back to the land of civilization! There is a small resort on the island here, as well as shopping, a bar and restaurant if you’d like to enjoy a cocktail on the beach before heading back to a formal dinner onboard.

DAY 4

Today you’ll head toward Virgin Gorda for the next two days. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee prepared just the way you like it, as you catch up on some reading on the bow on the way. Stop on the way to explore the mangroves where your captain can get you up close and personal on the tender. Enjoy the Baths that are famous around here for the natural whirlpool baths. Ice cold champagne is served on the upper deck tonight as you catch the sunset before another fantastic dinner onboard.

DAY 5

Day two in Virgin Gorda, you’ll be treated to a tour around the North Sound with its collection of tiny islands. Fancy a little picnic lunch at one of them? No worries, your chef has already packed it and the crew is laying it out while you play in the sea! Today is the perfect day to take some of the toys out – tear around on jetskis, take a stand up paddle board to the little bays or just tan on the deck with plenty of cocktails and snacks to keep you busy!

DAY 6

As you start to wind back toward Tortola, you’ll stop at a number of little islands along the way. Island hop from Bitter End and Saba  Rock to spend time throwing a football in the sand, snorkelling amongst the fish and enjoying a candlelit dinner in the sand tonight toasting another fantastic day at sea!

DAY 7

Your last full day onboard will showcase another couple of islands for you to enjoy! Moskito and Prickly Pear islands offer more opportunities to get your feet wet, play with the watertoys. Moskito island has plenty of snorkelling opportunities and Richard Branson’s latest development on land so use this opportunity to relax with a drink at the bar before heading back to the yacht for your final evening. It’s time to get dressed up for a formal dinner celebrating your excellent stay onboard.

DAY 8

Enjoy one final dip in the sea, one last deep dive with the snorkel, before cruising back into Tortola…until next time!