Best of British Virgin Islands & St. Barths: Five Iconic Caribbean Yachting Destinations
What are the best hidden beaches and harbors to explore in the British Virgin Islands and St. Barths?
From secluded anchorages to chic island playgrounds, the British Virgin Islands and St. Barths showcase Caribbean yachting at its most effortless. Best discovered by small luxury yacht, these islands offer an intimate alternative to traditional luxury cruises and larger cruise ships, where short distances, glowing turquoise waters, and a naturally unhurried pace create a far more personal way to travel.
Aboard SeaDream Yacht Club’s intimate twin yachts, you sail beyond the reach of conventional upscale cruise lines, enjoying a luxury yacht experience defined by freedom, flexibility, and access. Dropping anchor close to shore, SeaDream reveals tranquil lagoons, playful yachting harbors, and pristine beaches that remain blissfully untouched, an approach to luxurious cruising that feels refined, exclusive, and deeply connected to each destination.
Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
Sitting quietly in the Lesser Antilles, just four miles west of Tortola, the tiny island of Jost van Dyke remains one of the British Virgin Islands’ best-kept secrets. Named for a seventeenth-century Dutch privateer, this remote island is accessible primarily to yachts and small-ship cruises, offering a more intimate alternative to traditional luxury cruises and larger luxury cruise ships that cannot reach its shores.
SeaDream Yacht Club’s intimate yachts drop anchor in secluded White Bay, where palm-lined white-sand beaches meet luminous turquoise waters framed by lush green hills. Home to SeaDream’s signature Champagne & Caviar Splash®, Jost van Dyke reflects the essence of a high-end yacht experience that feels relaxed, refined, and deeply connected to place. Guests can spend the day hiking and snorkel in this secret paradise or stroll along the beach to connect with locals at the iconic Soggy Dollar Bar, enjoying a side of the Caribbean few upscale cruise lines can offer.
St. Barths, French West Indies
St. Barths combines the elegance of the South of France with chic Caribbean style. Known for its exclusivity, luxurious atmosphere, powder-white beaches, and vibrant turquoise waters, the island offers an intimate experience compared with larger luxury cruise ships or even exclusive cruise lines. SeaDream itineraries often include overnight stays and full days and nights, allowing guests to stroll its chic towns with designer luxury boutiques, and dine at waterfront restaurants. From waterfront dining to lively harbors at dusk, the island of St. Barths transforms a Caribbean voyage into a luxury experience that feels personal, unhurried, and unforgettable, standing apart from many other Caribbean cruises and high-end cruise lines.
Few travelers think of St. Barths as a hiking destination, yet the island offers rewarding trails through rocky terrain and lush tropical flora. The Colombier Beach Trail, a scenic 30-minute walk from Petite Anse to Colombier Beach, winds through a protected nature reserve to a secluded shoreline otherwise accessible only by sea. This hidden path provides a unique way to explore the island beyond its beaches, combining the freedom of a small luxury yacht voyage with the immersive experiences rarely offered by larger luxury cruise ships or cruise routes to St. Barths.
Few think of St. Barths as a hiking destination, but there is plenty of access to rocky terrain and tropical flora on this island. The most popular hiking trail is Colombier Beach Trail, a 30-minute walk from Petite Anse to Colombier Beach as it winds its way from its high point down through a nature reserve to a secluded beach shoreline, which otherwise can only be accessed by sea.
Prickly Pear, British Virgin Islands
Prickly Pear is the essence of letting go, a serene escape for those seeking a more intimate experience than offered by larger luxury cruise ships or traditional upscale cruise lines. Just offshore, three vibrant reefs provide some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean, revealing colorful coral and tropical fish in crystal-clear waters.
Located on the north side of North Sound, opposite Virgin Gorda, this tiny uninhabited island has no permanent residents—only a beach bar and a recreational watersports facility. Pristine white sand invites relaxation under swaying palms, while a walk to the far end of the island showcases native birdlife and the rich aquatic world. SeaDream Yacht Club guests enjoy this secluded paradise as part of the elevated experience, one of the most personal and unforgettable ways to explore the Caribbean compared with typical Caribbean cruises or itineraries offered by other exclusive cruise lines that go to more crowded islands.
Anguilla, Northern Leeward Islands
Anguilla is a tiny island paradise where limestone caves, sea turtles, and native birds await exploration alongside some of the Caribbean’s most stunning sandy beaches. The long crescent-shaped beach at Sandy Ground welcomes sailboats and small yachts, offering calm, protected waters ideal for wading and pearl-white sands perfect for leisurely strolls.
Of the more than 30 accessible beaches, most are blissfully deserted, providing the seclusion and freedom travelers rarely find on larger luxury cruise ships or typical Caribbean cruises offered by other exclusive cruise lines. The island’s beauty is matched by its vibrant food and culture, with world-class snorkeling and diving. SeaDream Yacht Club guests can also enjoy watersports directly from the yacht’s signature Marina, making this an immersive luxury yacht experience unlike any other in the Caribbean.
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Known for its dramatic coastline and crystal-clear waters, Virgin Gorda is a haven for snorkeling and exploration. Along the southwest coast, The Baths reveal underwater reefs, vibrant rock formations, and colorful tropical fish, creating one of the Caribbean’s most iconic snorkeling destinations.
Just offshore, The Dogs—a small group of uninhabited islands—invite further discovery, while many bays, including Savannah Bay, provide self-guided snorkeling trails for those seeking a more personal adventure. SeaDream Yacht Club guests experience these natural wonders as part of an intimate luxury yacht journey, offering access and freedom rarely found on luxury cruise ships or standard Caribbean cruises offered by larger cruise lines.
How can I explore the British Virgin Islands and St. Barths with SeaDream?
Experience the secluded islands and playful harbors of the British Virgin Islands and St. Barths aboard SeaDream, where every moment unfolds in effortless luxury. Discover hidden beaches, turquoise waters, and personalized adventures that only a small luxury yacht can provide.