We (still) have high hopes of the British Virgin Islands. After rushing past St. Barts to get to St. Maarten from Barbuda, we were looking forward to getting away from it all again. Quiet wilderness, unspoilt nature, pristine beaches and marine habitats.

Unrealistic expectations? Perhaps, and our first impressions of the BVIs have made us a little uneasy, for if not overrated it’s definitely overpopulated with altogether too many other boats (who likely think much the same of us).

We had to sneak round behind Eustatia Island to get away from the crowds around Saba, Bitter End and Vixen Point in North Sound, where the boys made the most of the beach we found we had all to ourselves (it helps to choose a private island).

The water is a wonderful picture-postcard turquoise with visibility of 25 metres and more at times, even if snorkelling was marred by too much bleached coral.

The following morning we left for Anegada for a less developed, less crowded anchorage, and our arrival showed promise as a pair of dolphins and a turtle welcomed us as we approached.
Here’s the view from our transom after dark:

Yes, they’re all anchor lights. One of the most crowded anchorages we’ve ever seen. Maybe we just picked the wrong day to visit?
Tomorrow we’ll take a bus to visit a highly-rated beach on the other side of the island. Swings and roundabouts ….