Necker Eustatia Island BVI are the second and third most northern island in the British Virgin Islands behind Anegada, which is 15 miles further north. Necker Island is located just north of north sound and owned by Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Records, airlines, space, and just about anything else you can think of to put virgin in front of!
Also, Necker is a private island that boasts the world’s most exclusive resort. The resort here takes up to 34 guests, and you rent the complete island from about eighty-seven thousand dollars per night.
Anchoring Necker Island
There is a sandy patch in amongst the many coral heads that one can anchor on towards the southern side of Necker Island. From here, you can take a dingy ride closer to the island and perhaps get a glimpse of one of the many movie stars or royalty that stay here. Often you will see them scurry away before you get close. Just in case you are paparazzi.
The staff on Necker island all sign a nondisclosure agreement before they are employed. This ensures the guest’s secrecy! Sometimes you may see sir Richard who is an avid sportsman, if a blond-haired man comes smoking past you on a windsurfer, be sure to have your camera ready!
Just south of the island is a small sand spit, which makes a great spot for those Caribbean sand island pictures. Take your dingy to the Necker side of the spit and beach there. You will see that there are a couple of fake palm trees planted here. For many years they tried to have real palms, but the sand spit is constantly moving and is extremely exposed to any storm weather. Be careful when walking on the sand as sometimes birds nest here and lay eggs on the sand.
This sand spit is where I often had that “one” particular and beautiful shell!
Necker Island FAQ
Flamingos can often be seen on the beaches of Necker Island. The island has a large breeding population living on its salt pond.
They are native here, but their numbers dropped to nearly zero. Sir Richard imported a flock and during mating season feeds them a portion of food that’s the equivalent of flamingo Viagra. The numbers are growing!
On the island, he also has a couple of Galapagos tortoise. I can’t be amiss in not mentioning Gumption’s Adventure Tours, where you can have an up-close and personal experience with all these and the Lemurs! Always highly recommended by all our guests.
Although all beaches in the BVI are public, including Necker’s, please be respectful and don’t go ashore. Guests pay a lot of money for their private vacation, it’s unfair to ruin that. Take a dinghy tour around the protected part of the island is a fun tour to do.
Prickly Pear Island and Eustatia Sound
To the south of Necker and east of the main channel into north sound. There is a pleasant anchorage that is much quieter than around in north sound. Enter about midway between Eustatia and the headland on prickly to its west. There is a shoal that heads out from Eustatia towards the west. Sail towards the eastern end of the beach.
Good anchoring here in about 10 feet in the sand. Pretty much anywhere in here is protected enough to anchor overnight. The water shallows towards the western end of the beach. Eustatia Island is privately owned at one time owned by Larry Page
Necker Eustatia Island-BVI
The sound is a beautiful expanse of protected water, by protected, I mean really protected. It has either land or very shallow coral reef completely encircling it. It is an off-limits area to bare boaters but makes a perfect place to explore with your dingy.
Access can be gained either by a passage between Saba rock and Bitter end resort or by coming around from the Prickly Pear, Eustatia anchorage. Travel slowly and be aware of the many areas of the shallow reef. If you are in this area because of a land-based vacation, then this is a perfect area to explore in a small skiff rented from Leverick bay.
About a half-mile to the east of Eustatia island on the southern reef, you will find a lone white mooring ball, this is a snorkel area that has a couple of cannons on the reef. Jump in here and try out your treasure hunter skills!
Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda
A trip to the far eastern end of the sound will take you to Oil Nut Bay. This is a lovely spot to explore in your dingy. In the shallow waters, you will often see stingrays and turtles. Oil Nut Bay Marina is now a popular spot for lazing the day away at with their Marina Village, Restaurant, Pools, and Beaches.
On your way back, follow the shoreline carefully. Often you will see flamingo’s wading in the shallows. The sound is a popular area for Kite Surfing. The waters are protected by the reef and are usually quite calm. There is, however, no protection from the constant trade winds, which makes for excellent Kiteboard waters.
We have many yachts that can take you to this Island. Either Crewed charter yachts or do it yourself with a bareboat. Happy to give you more details if you need help on anchoring at Necker Island. There are no public moorings at Necker Island and the anchoring room is extremely limited.
This area is a fabulous jumping-off spot if you are going out to Anegada.
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