A CATAMARAN CHARTER TO CAPTIVATING COOPER ISLAND

If you are looking for the idyllic tropical island, you will find it just 5 miles southeast of Tortola, across the Sir Frances Drake Channel. At just 1˝ miles long by ˝ mile wide, the mostly uninhabited tiny Cooper Island is an unspoiled paradise. If you are looking for roads, shopping malls, nightclubs and crowds, you will not find it here. But, if you want the perfect escape from the stress of everyday life, than this should be a destination on your BVI catamaran charter itinerary. With only 4 privately-owned properties on the island, plus a small beach club resort with a handful of colorful but simple rooms with kitchenettes, ceiling fans and private baths with outdoor showers, Cooper Island is a peaceful place to relax.

Most people on a catamaran charter to Cooper Island do nothing – and that is the idea! You can laze on the beach, read a book, poke in the Sea Grape Boutique, take a swim, sip a rum drink of your choice, gaze out on other yacht charters as they glide by in the Sir Frances Drake Channel and watch the sunset over some of the other islands. If you are feeling more energetic, you can explore the island on foot, snorkel or dive, and even dinghy over to nearby Salt Island.

The best snorkeling is right off the beach. The sea grass in Manchioneel Bay is an interesting snorkel. Look for green turtles, sting and eagle rays, starfish and a large Queen Conch bed. On occasion, you might also find sea horses. If you follow the rocks parallel to shore south of the Beach Club jetty, you will see many reef fish, including parrot fish, blue tangs, angel fish, as well as various sea urchins and a large resident octopus. For some excellent snorkeling, take your dinghy to the south of Manchioneel Bay to Cistern Point and tie your dinghy off to the line attached to 2 buoys and snorkel around Cistern Point Rock and coral reef ridge. Cistern Point is noted for its photogenic ledges covered with brilliant corals, flowing gorgonians (sea rods and sea fans) and abundant tropical fish often in groups like grey snappers and blue tang. You may occasionally see a sleeping nurse shark and even a huge lobster or two. There are usually a school of barracuda floating around the mooring line, but they are harmless.

If you are looking for more adventure, leave your catamaran charter in Manchioneel Bay and take a 15 minute dinghy ride over to Salt Island. Salt Island is named for the island’s three evaporation ponds. Salt Island was once an important source of salt for Her Majesty’s ships. Today, the island and its salt ponds still belong to the Crown, but they are operated by the local populace. Each year at the start of harvest, one bag of salt is accepted by the Governor as annual rent. There is a tiny rundown settlement just off Salt Pond Bay that you can visit. For the past couple of years, only one person seems to live there. He is usually napping in a hammock under the shade of some palms. If you happen to catch him at the right time, he may point you in the direction of the salt ponds and may even explain how the harvesting is done. You can also buy a small bag of salt. Salt Pond Bay is affected by a surge and therefore, it is only a day anchorage. Make sure your anchor is well set before going off to explore the salt ponds. For those wishing to dive the wreck of The Rhone, go to Lee Bay-just around the corner from Salt Pond Bay. This bay is not well protected and is also affected by surge. The Rhone is protected by he National Parks Trust, so anchoring over The Rhone is strictly forbidden, but if your charter yacht is less than 50 feet, you can pick up a mooring in Lee Bay and then dinghy over to The Rhone, using the dinghy mooring line provided. Just be aware of divers in the water if you do dinghy over!

Whether you are just limin’ or engaging in some more stimulating activity on or around Cooper Island, at some point, you are going to get hungry. Most yachties on a catamaran charter cite the restaurant as their main reason for returning to Cooper Island. The Cooper Island Beach Club’s restaurant is a great spot for open-air, casual style dining on the beach – looking out over the boats at anchor. Open for lunch and dinner, Chefs Norma, Sheril and Gail-Ann create magic in their tiny kitchen. Try their great pasta, local fish, veal marsala, beef, lamb or conch curries, rotis and the local West Indian specialty of conch fritters served with a spicy dip. Save room for homemade desserts like mango-papaya cheesecake, carrot cake and chocolate brownies. Shoes are not required, but make reservations for dinner!