My Brother's Wedding in Costa Rica, Then a British Virgin Islands Sailing Trip

In spring 2023 my brother got married on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, so we spent a few days in Jacó celebrating him. Then we flew to the Caribbean for a week on a catamaran with friends, sailing through the British Virgin Islands. It might be the most fun week we’ve ever had: a different turquoise anchorage every day, swimming off the back of the boat, and sunsets on deck.

Why we went: My brother's wedding in Jacó
Route: Jacó, Costa Rica → the British Virgin Islands by catamaran: Norman Island, Virgin Gorda, Cane Garden Bay, Jost Van Dyke → St. Thomas
How long: About 2 weeks
Who came: Colin, me and friends
Best for: Beach lovers and groups who want a week on the water

My brother’s wedding in Jacó

We were in Jacó for my brother’s wedding, and the whole weekend was a celebration on the Pacific: sunsets on the beach, an infinity pool that seemed to pour into the ocean, beach days with friends, and an ATV ride through the jungle on red dirt roads.

Two people in an infinity pool overlooking a green coastline and ocean — Pool with a Pacific view

Two people silhouetted with arms raised on a wet beach under a stormy sunset sky

A man and woman in helmets taking a selfie outdoors

A group of friends taking a selfie on a sandy beach

Sailing the British Virgin Islands

Then we went to the BVI, where we spent a week on a catamaran with friends, moving from anchorage to anchorage. If you’ve ever thought about a sailing charter, the BVI is the place to start: short hops between islands, calm water and a lot of beach bars.

Norman Island and The Bight

Our first big anchorage was The Bight at Norman Island. We paddleboarded, swam off the boat, dressed in white for a night on deck, and watched a lit-up boat bar glow across the water after dark.

A group of friends dressed in white sitting on the bow of a catamaran — White night on the catamaran

Two people on a paddleboard on open blue water

A large group of friends in white outfits taking a selfie on a boat

A boat glowing with purple and blue lights on dark water at night

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda is famous for its giant granite boulders tumbled into the clearest water you’ve ever seen, with Devil’s Bay tucked between them. We swam and wandered through them, rode scooters around the island, fished off the boat and had sunset drinks on the water.

Swimmers in clear turquoise water between large granite boulders — Snorkeling among the boulders

A couple standing on a white-sand beach with turquoise water

A couple sitting on a blue scooter wearing helmets beside a parked car

A drink glass in the foreground with a sunset over the sea

Cane Garden Bay and Jost Van Dyke

Then came more catamaran days: fish on deck, dinghy rides to the beach, tide pools, palm-lined white sand at Cane Garden Bay on Tortola and White Bay on Jost Van Dyke, and sunsets with sailboats silhouetted in the anchorage.

Bright turquoise water beside a catamaran with a green island behind — That water

A couple standing on a catamaran with green hills and blue water behind

A couple on a boat deck holding up a large fish

Two people silhouetted in shallow water at sunset with sailboats behind

St. Thomas

We ended in St. Thomas with morning coffee over the harbor, hibiscus everywhere, a beach with blue umbrellas, and a sunset flight home.

A hand holding a coffee mug over a view of a harbor town and hills

Palm fronds framing a beach with blue umbrellas and turquoise water

BVI sailing tips

Charter with a skipper if nobody in your group is an experienced sailor. Many companies offer one.
Split the cost with friends. A catamaran sleeps several couples and makes the price per person reasonable.
Pack light, in soft bags. There isn’t much storage on board.
Bring cash for beach bars and mooring balls.

More sailing

A year later we did Yacht Week in Croatia for our buddymoon. Read Yacht Week Croatia.