Your British Virgin Islands yacht cruise departs from the glittering marina of Scrub Island – but not before an evening of wine, dinner and conversation with your fellow passengers to break the ice. Before boarding your boat at 6pm, make time for a self-guided tour of the marina; there are high-end shops, scenic seafront restaurants and perhaps one or two mega yachts to ogle.

Awake to a fresh breakfast and watch those mega yachts disappear on the horizon as you sail towards your first port of call: Jost Van Dyke. You’ll moor at the aptly named White Bay in time for a swim before lunch at Soggy Dollar Bar – a local favourite, not least for its legendary Painkiller cocktail. After more swimming and sunbathing, it’s back onto the boat for a speedy transfer to Great Harbour for dinner and more drinks.

Depart Great Harbour for snorkelling and beach time at Sandy Cay as lunch is prepared on board. This tiny island nature reserve is all volcanic rock on one side and coral reef on the other – so grab a mask and snorkel before you swim or take a dinghy to shore. In the middle is a lush wetland that you can explore on a birdwatching nature trail. After lunch you’ll complete your journey to Norman Island for more snorkelling at the sea caves of Treasure Point before an evening under the stars at Benures Bay.

After breakfast, it’s a short hop to the Indians – a renowned snorkelling spot with an unspoilt reef and crystal-clear waters. You’ll stay one nautical mile ahead of the other yachts en route and get to Deadman’s Bay on Peter Island by lunchtime. If you haven’t already, hop into one of the kayaks provided on board, or master your balancing act on a stand-up paddleboard before sitting down to eat. Later, there’ll be one more stop at Peter Island, before mooring up at Cooper Island for the night.

Your fifth day offers a slight change of scenery – although snorkelling is still very much on the agenda. Instead of open bays, though, you’ll be swimming between giant granite boulders, eroded by the elements. Known as the Baths, these boulders form natural tidal pools, tunnels, arches and grottos flooded by the sea. Follow the trail through the maze of boulders to reach Devil's Bay, before sailing north to anchor between the islands of Prickly Pear and Eustatia for more snorkelling and a quiet night at sea.

After an early breakfast, you’ll journey to Setting Point on Anegada island for a day on land. There’ll be the option to check out white-sand beaches such as Loblolly Bay and Pomato Point, as well as the salt ponds home to a bustling population of Caribbean flamingos. This optional tour also includes a signature Anegada lobster dinner on the dock.

Your last full day starts with a four-hour cruise from Anegada to Monkey Point on Guana Island. Keep your eyes peeled for leaping dolphins along the way and when you arrive – the ocean’s friendliest residents swim close to shore here. There won’t be any monkeys, but you might spot a sea turtle or two grazing the reef, among schools of iridescent fish. Dry off on White Bay Beach and enjoy one last kayak outing before setting sail to Marina Cay – a perfect spot for you and your new friends to toast your trip wit the backdrop of a Caribbean sunset.

Wake early and breathe in the ocean air one last time before sailing back to Scrub Island marina in time for breakfast. You’ll arrive at 9am, giving you plenty of time to explore different parts of the island, or head straight for the airport.