Hi helpful people, we're headed to BVI in mid-June for sailing Cat bareboat. Are there any compelling reasons why traveling around the islands in one direction is better than another? Our itinerary (in a clockwise direction) includes JVD, Cane Garden Bay, Anegada (2 nights), Virgin Gorda, Norman, then back to RT. One of our reasons for going clockwise is that if we go counterclockwise, we wind up in JVD on a Saturday which we've ready can get pretty busy. We prefer to avoid crowds. We also recognize that the leg from CGB to Anegada will be a full day of sailing (8 hrs +/-?) but we don't mind that since most of the other legs will be short runs.

I'd love to hear any feedback on the sailing direction, or our itinerary otherwise.

Thanks!

Generally, CCW is much better since the longest leg in a typical rounding of Tortola is from Anegada to JVD which would turn from a nice downwind sail to a long slog upwind.

What kind of sailing cat? Do you have much experience sailing a cruising cat upwind?

It depends on the weather. If the wind is over about 15 from the East your route will not be fun. You’re putting yourself into the wind and waves far more than a counterclockwise route. To get out of the knot of weekend boats I will sometimes head over to Cane Garden Bay for night one. It’s not that far from Roadtown. After that counterclockwise.

I guess it depends :-) at least in part on the weather. Last time we were there we motor sailed from JVD to North Sound (in a small monohull) which was quite pleasant but long. But conditions were calm.

We like the Clockwise route because of not being with the crowd. But MrEZ points out the downside. Counterclockwise you break down the upwind portion into smaller segments. Plus, with average weather, the sail from North Sound to Anegada is really sweet.

You could get ahead if the crowd by going from Tortola to North Sound on day 1 (perhaps with power assist) then go to Anegada the next day and so on.

Sorry I see George got in ahead of me. Honestly I didn’t plagiarize the first sentence.

We have used the clockwise route in our previous trips all in the June/July timeframe. The only time we didn't sail was the run from Cane Garden Bay to Scrub. All other routes were nice sails. That being said, we are doing a CCW route this year to get into the North Sound on Day 1.

we are not good planners (by plan)...we zig zag JVD/cane/scrub or marina cay, then go counter clock to leverick/anegada, then down to cooper, then norman, then usvi, around the back side of st john. the other option that NOBODY does is sail on the back-side of the channel. ZERO CCCs to think about with nice clean wind. and on the next trip, might be different. we operate on plan B/plan C. never A

Super helpful tips, everyone. I think we'll keep an eye on the weather as we get closer to our trip and decide then. We like the idea of jumping to North Sound or Cane Garden Bay for night 1. Thanks!

I just wrote a blog about itinerary planning... sharing it here for the topic more than anything else. Its all down to personal preference of course, but the one time I set off from Sopers Hole to Anegada was enough of a lesson for me not to go that way round again. Not that it was brutal by any means, but it wasn't the gentle relaxing trip that you tend to go to the BVI for. Passengers didnt enjoy it either. The drinks kept on spilling!

https://graemem.substack.com/p/planning-your-itinerary

I tried to go from CGB to Anegada once in a mono hull with the family. Figured it would be fun with 15 to 20 out of the east. Divorce was averted but it was close, very close!

yeah, unless you have the very rare west wind. it SUCKS! BTDT
wave crashing for 4 hours into 6+ foot suckers.