To the west, outside the channel...

all providing great gunk holes in which to anchor for the night.

The island spots lining the Sir Francis Drake Channel include:

Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay and Green Cay

These three areas just to the east of Jost Van Dyke provide pleasant day anchorage spots to the east of Jost Van Dyke. While anchored, you can enjoy excellent swimming and snorkeling areas, or hiking possibility to enjoy the botanical tour made possible by Lawrence Rockefeller, owner of Sandy Cay.

Tortola

The largest island in the BVI, Tortola has a number of choice spots to stay.

Cane Garden Bay

There are few anchorages in the Caribbean that hold the magic of Cane Garden Bay, along which a pristine beach invites you to forget yourself under the palms. Within this perfect setting you can dingy in to find numerous beach restaurants and bars, from Quito's on the east to Myett's and then De Wedding in the west. Some have occasional local entertainment typical of the island calypso that will evoke fond memories. You can also find shops selling souveniers, t-shirts and gifts.

Soper's Hole

Located on the west end of Tortola, tucked inside Frenchman's Cay, lies this embarkation point for the U.S. Virgin Islands or other points in the BVI. A full service marina provides easy shore access to those yachts taking advantage of the gifts it has to offer. Lined by upscale shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants, jewelry stores , a ship's chandlery and a local Pusser's Company Store along the marina, Soper's Hole provides the perfect location for a few lingering hours or an overnight stay.

Nanny Cay

This cay forms a miniature harbor located a short distance from the BVI capital of Road Town. The harbor is lined on the eastern shore with marina slips, adjacent to which are restaurants, a botique and other shops.

Road Harbour

The capital of the British Virgin Islands, Road Town and its bay Road Harbour provide the center of government, commerce, trade and pleasure for the islands. In road town there are numerous marinas, boat landings, restaurants, jewelry shops, boutiques and kiosks to suite any taste and pocketbook. One of the islands best gourmet restaurant, the Brandywine Bay Restaurant, having a magnificent view of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the surrounding islands, is but a short drive east of the center of town.

Maya Cove and Fat Hog's Bay

Maya Cove is home to the Sunsail bareboat charter fleet in the BVI at Hodges Creek Marina. Tucked up into the western corner of the cove lies Fat Hog Bob's Restaurant with a dining balcony overlooking the Channel. Just to the east, around Buck Island, sits Fat Hog's Bay, home to several  restaurants of local flavor and a ship's chandlery.

Trellis Bay and Marina Cay

At the far eastern end of Tortola, Trellis Bay provides good protection and easy access to one of the more fun places in the BVI, The Last Resort Restaurant. Located on Bellamy Cay in the bay, the Last Resort sports a varied menu with gourmet selections to match anyone's taste. Ashore along the fine sand beach lies De Loose Mongoose, a snack bar and internet cafe serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Aragon's Studio next to De Loose Mongoose is a treasure trove of local art work. Across the bay to the east lies Marina Cay. Anchoring between the cay and Great Camanoe Island is excellent, providing easy dingy access to the dock and Pusser's wharf, company store and restaurant. A shallow swimming area to the west of the cay is good for children and provides easy access to some light snorkeling.

Norman Island

At the southwestern most end of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, and at the beginning of the British Virgin Islands, lies Norman Island, sometimes called "Treasure Island" by the natives because of the tales of pirates' riches supposedly buried there. Anchoring in The Bight is usually one of the truly memorable experiences of the islands for two reasons: an evening visit to a floating bar/restaurant the William Thornton; the Caves that, with their surrounds, provide one of the best snorkeling experiences available. Females (and insistent males) jumping from the upper deck of the "Willy T" are sure to be rewarded with a unique t-shirt remembrance of the experience. Sunset aficionados will enjoy a drink at Billy Bones Beach Bar and Grill located ashore in the Bight.

Peter Island is home to the yacht harbour of that name within which lies the Peter Island Resort complex. A restaurant, beach bar and several walking trails can make a short stay enjoyable.

As its name implies, Salt Island used to be the center of evaporative salt production in the Virgins, and is still a place of interest where one can get introduced by locals to this type of activity. At the western point of the island overlooking Salt Island Passage, lies the wreck of the Rhone, now a National Park Trust. A favorite for both divers and snorkelers, this 310-foot-long ocean steamer, the Rhone, went down one night in 1867 whilst attempting to escape from Road Harbour and the effects of a hurricane. The bow section lies in only about 20 feet of water. One may even meet up with a cautious barracuda hanging around the wreck.

Manchioneel Bay on the northern side of Cooper Island provides an interesting overnight anchorage with good snorkeling nearby. One finds a nice beach ashore along with the Cooper Island Beach Club and a gift shop.

Lying approximately 13 nautical miles east of Gorda Sound, Anegada is a low, coral-based outcropping of land about ten miles long and less than 30 feet at its highest point having one of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean. One can literally walk for miles and hours around the island and not run out of sand. The shallow anchorage is well protected by coral reefs surrounding the island and the only harbor access to the island. More than 300 wrecks attest to the extent of the coral heads that protect this tiny island. Ashore at the harbor one can have dinner at a restaurant literally on the beach, enjoying a meal of spiny lobster taken right out of the water. Worthy of a multi-day visit, Anegada sports numerous hiking trails, salt ponds, numerous local restaurants and bars, shops selling all kinds of local goods and t-shirts.