When Brenda and I first started taking Yacht Vacations in the Virgin Islands, Caribbean sailing vacations were not focused on having great chefs on the yachts. Instead the trips were built around the local restaurants and the characters that worked there. The industry has moved away from eating off of the yachts, and there is more of a focus on the chefs during yacht charter vacations, but you can still find amazing food, and amazing characters on your sailing tours. Below, I’ll take you on a typical seven night trip, with a focus on where to eat (and drink) for lunch and dinner.
Day 1
Let’s start our first day at Norman Island, where you can be served a proper lunch and dinner, all in the same bay… and, Norman Island is the perfect first day and night stop on any Caribbean sailing adventure anyway. Lunch is on the infamous Willy T floating bar and restaurant. Try their Honey Stung Chicken
Crispy Caribbean Style Fried Chicken. It is amazing. Dinner is at the Pirate Byte Restaurant at the end of the bay. In particular, try their Pan Seared Halibut
Served Creole-Style w/ SauteedMushrooms,Tomato and Spinach
Day 2
Of your yacht holiday and, we are off first for Cooper Island beach bar. After an amazing snorkel in the bay, try Cooper island’s Buljol Flaked Saltfish, served with Tomato Salsa and Fried Breadfruit.
Finish day two of your Caribbean sailing charter anchored off of Coca Maya where I recommend their famous Twice Cooked Pork Belly served with rice cakes/spicy black bean garlic sauce/leeks/peppers/bacon.
Day 3
Of your sailing tour will take you to Virgin Gorda’s north sound. Lunch requires a little work, as you need to take a taxi to the top of the mountain. The only thing better than the lunch served at Hog Heaven is the amazing views of the North Sound from the highest peak on Virgin Gorda.
Order anything on the menu and enjoy a really cold beer. Dinner should come at Saba Rock. Saba rock is reopening, having been closed since hurricane Irma. “what” you eat here is not nearly as important as just being here.
This location is one of a kind and one of the most unique restaurants in the world.
Day 4
Of your BVI yacht charter takes you to the flat island, Anegada. Lunch should be at one of the world’s great beach bars… cow wreck bar. And, for me, the choice is easy… they have the best mahi sandwich I’ve ever tasted. Dinner on anegada brings a ton of choices, but to me, they are all the same.
That is, except for the Wonky Dog, which clearly separates from the rest. Anegada is all about the lobster, so do not miss Wonky Dog’s 1/2 Jerk Mango Coconut Lobstercoconut milk, jerk seasoning, mango chutney crust
Day 5
Takes you on a long down wind sail to Cane Garden Bay… Jimmy Buffet’s “one particular harbor”.
This cool Caribbean town has many food choices, but for me, lunch has to be in the “tree house” restaurant, previously known as Myetts… now Pussers. They have the best coconut calamari I’ve ever had. Dinner is easy. Quito’s gazebo is the place to be.
Listen to Quito play acoustic guitar while you enjoy their pan seared trio, Fresh Sea Scallops, Atlantic cod and Shrimp are pan seared in garlic, olive oil, white wine and herbs, served with potatoes and broccoli.
Day 6
And the last day in the BVI has to be spent on Jost Van Dyke to make the BVI sailing holiday complete. Lunch at White Bay’s famous Soggy Dollar Bar is a must, and I’ve saved the quintessential BVI lunch for last. I love the chicken roti at Soggy Dollar Bar!.
Dinner has to be at Foxy Callwood’s bar. It is certainly not fancy, but their BBQ, which includes Mahi, Ribs and Chicken and a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables and is always followed by dancing and live music.
Day 7
And sadly your Caribbean Sailing charter is nearing and end… but not before you explore the best restaurants the USVI has to offer.
Cruz Bay actually has too many choices to pick one, but if I must, I’d say eat lunch at Tap and Still. This is going to sound funny for a food post, but Tap and Still has the best (really, the absolute best) chicken wings and hamburgers in the world.
For dinner, I’d go with Morgan’s Mango. This cool little tree house restaurant is amazing.
Try the POPPAS PICKAPEPPA RIB EYE STEAK inspired by JAMAICA –
14 ounce Rib Eye Steak marinated in Pickapeppa sauce & crushed peppercorns—grilled to order *Served with our unique Caribbean blend of a potato/yuca mash & fresh seasonal vegetables
Food and the resturants of the Virgin Islands are a huge part of the fun with any Caribbean sailing vacation. These are my personal favorites, but I recommend you come down and try them all for yourself!
A Few Other Recommendations
- North sound, Leverick and Saba rock
- Cow wreck and Lobblolly and
- Cane Garden Bay, Myetts and Quitos
- Soggy dollar and Foxys
- Cruz bay, Morgan’s Mango and Tap and Still
