Sailing The Virgin Islands
May 11th to 18th, June 22nd to 29th, July 6th to 13th
Inaugural Sailing - May 11 - 18, June 22 - 29, July 6 to 13
The Ship - Valhalla - Saba 50’ Catamaran
Booking Summer Sailings Now
Guided & Crewed
Sailing, Swimming, Snorkeling, Kayaking
Small Group Discussions On Deck With Coffee and Drinks
Utilizing Memoir For Healing
Finding Meaning & Purpose
Authoring A Life Worth Living
Inaugural Special
$10,000 to 13,500 pp, single occupancy, queen cabin (3 Available)
$5400 - $7200 pp, dbl occupancy, queen cabin
10% Discount on Future Workshops
The Curriculum
The foundation of our coursework is immersive experiences in oceans, mountains, and deserts, the flow states they can foster, and how to utilize memoir and journaling to consider our pasts, our current lives, and to author our futures. During this ocean journey, we will spend many hours sailing, swimming, and snorkeling. Throughout our journey there will be ample time for writing, reading suggested texts, and group discussions during breakfast, lunch, or with evening cocktails and dinner. In group discussions (within each participant's comfort zone and with healthy boundaries), it is possible to gain context and perspective beyond our own experiences and support one another as we consider our challenges, passions, and goals.
The Itinerary (Illustrative)
Arrive Road Town via St. Thomas USVI and Fast Ferry - Dinner Out, Sleep Aboard Valhalla
Day 1 - The Bight at Norman Island makes the perfect anchorage on our first night. After crossing Sir Francis Drake Channel we will sail past The Indians and Pelican Island. Dead ahead is a protected anchorage where we will stay overnight.
Day 2 - At first light, we motor straight over to the Indians. There we can take in the lavish corals, an array of sea life, and colorful sponges which contrast with the rocky ledges and steep walls that rise to the surface. Next, we sail to Great Harbor, Peter Island. where we will pick up a mooring for the night and either dine at Ocean’s 7. Peter Island has 5 gorgeous white sand beaches and offers great snorkeling and swimming with turtles popping up throughout. Just off of Key Point is one of the newest dive and snorkeling sites, established in 2019, the sunken original Willy T. This an underwater pirate-themed shipwreck playground for divers, complete with skeletal pirates going about their daily business.
Day 3 - Following breakfast, we sail to the wreck of The Rhone, sunk in 1867, just off of Salt Island for a stunning morning snorkel. Next, we tack up to Cooper Island in the early afternoon and grab our overnight mooring in Manchioneel Bay, and then swim over to Cistern Point for more snorkeling, relaxing on the beach or chillin’ by the bar at the Cooper Island Beach Club. For the evening, we will dine ashore at the restaurant.
Day 4 - We tack up the Sir Francis Drake Channel to The Baths on the southern end of Virgin Gorda. From there we will swim to the beach where we can spend the whole day exploring the tunnels, caves and crystal-clear pools through the maze of massive boulders. By the way, they have been resting here for literally millions of years!
Day 5 - We head to North Sound, Virgin Gorda and The Dogs, a cluster of three islets, and an excellent snorkeling and diving site. After lunch, onward up into the North Sound and Leverick Bay, which offers a spa, pool, restaurant, beach bar, live entertainment most nights, water sports, shopping, and a market for provisions plus a deli.
Day 6 - Return to Road Town around the West End of Tortola and up the channel to Ritter Marina. Arrive in town by noon and prepare for Departure.
Logistics
Fly To Cyril E. King Airport - US Virgin Islands
Take The Ferry To Road Town, BVI
First Night Sleep Aboard Valhalla
About Chris
In addition to founding The Magical Year Project, Chris is an author, researcher, and interviewer. A multi-sport athlete and ocean swimmer, he developed the methodology taught in our retreats after managing a series of life-impacting health issues. He is a passionate advocate for the human spirit, and of fostering self-reliance, resiliency, tenacity, hope, and living a joyful and happy life of meaning and purpose. Foundational to these is his belief in the necessity and beauty of human connection, love, compassion and empathy. He is a former investigative journalist, editor, publisher, and investor. He lives outside Aspen, Colorado and has two adult children.