CGP Top 5 Things to do with kids on a BVI charter vacation

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At the helm in the BVI

1. Unique Caribbean Attractions

National Parks, Museums, Botanical Gardens, Full Moon Parties…  

Tortola alone has the Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens, a shell museum in Carrot Bay,Sage Mountain National ParkMount Healthyold rum distilleries. 

Full Moon Party at Trellis Bay

Once a month, Trellis Bay has a full-moon party for families (unlike Bomba’s) that includes a family-friendly beach party with a West Indian buffet, local music, Moko Jumbi dancers and Aragorn’s fire sculptures. including Callwood’s Distillery in Cane Garden Bay, and a prison that is now a museumThe Baths has two trails to Devil’s Bay (one that is more like an obstacle course, the other is a nature trail), but each (inhabited) island generally has trails and some kind of historical items from shipwrecks, old family heritage, and distilleries.

 2. Watersports

Kids Kayaking

Most charter companies offer kayaks, inner tubes, and snorkeling fins and masks and more watersportsitems to rent when you’re at anchor and the kids want to play. 

There are several places to obtain lessons for your children in the BVI for windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) and sailing among other things. Places like Bitter End Resort in North Sound, Virgin Gorda have great programs for kids that can be really fun. Many resorts have amenities that extend to marina guests and include pools, beach bars, beaches, etc.

3. Caribbean Arts And Crafts

Fishwatchers Field GuideSailing trips are a great time to leave electronic devices behind and to get back to the basics. Books, drawing, crafts and games are all great things to think about collecting before you leave. Pick out a couple books that the kids don’t get until the trip. Think coloring books, how-to-draw books, colored pencils, (washable) markers, crayons, friendship bracelets, puzzles, and origami. Kids can draw fish, coral, flora and fauna they saw swimming or ashore, and identify them on waterproof ID cards—an excellent way to learn about the islands. 

 

 

4. Sandcastles And Ice Cream In Cane Garden Bay 

Little girl on Bitter End beach

Get the kids off the boat to stretch their legs and go exploring, play on the beach or grab an ice cream. It’s a great time to do this if you have some provisioning to do or need to get some water and fuel. Bring walkie-talkies you can keep in touch with your kids and arrange to meet at a mutually agreed upon time and place, or you can drop them off in the dinghy until they radio you for pick-up. 

Spend the day at the beach! Supply your kids with tools for building sand castles or water toys like paddle boards and snorkels. You can purchase waterproof bags for towels, sunscreen, bug spray, dry t-shirts, books, and anything else that needs to stay dry. My sister and I spent hours exploring! Just a dinghy ride around to another anchorage or walks down the beach can scratch the itch for adventure or exercise.

5. Family Fun Time And Learning

Finger painting aboard

Living all together on a boat for a week (or more) is an excellent chance for learning activities. Play word games,card games, make up stories, read pirate lore aloud or discuss family history while underway. Books such asAlphabet of Boats and ABC of Boat Bits can help teach the whole family to identify the difference between a ketch and a yawl, or identify the clew on a sail or the boom and the mast, allowing you to quiz each other. I loved family sailing trips as a kid because our parents had the time to play with us. 

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