The Spirit of the Sea:

Celebrating the BVI Spring Regatta

Each spring, as the trade winds whisper through the Sir Francis Drake Channel in the Caribbean sun, something extraordinary happens in the British Virgin Islands. The islands come alive with colour, energy, and camaraderie — and at the heart of it all is the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival.

The BVI Spring Regatta is more than a world-class sailing competition. It’s a celebration of maritime heritage, a meeting of kindred spirits, and a powerful expression of island identity.

What began in 1972 as a modest two-day event has become one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious sailing festivals — attracting international yachts, seasoned racers, weekend sailors, and spirited spectators from all over the globe.

At Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel, we feel this energy deeply. Our beachfront property doesn’t just witness the Regatta — we celebrate it. We welcome it. And we honour the community it brings together. Our guests often describe arriving during Regatta season as stepping into the pages of a maritime storybook — one filled with billowing sails, sea spray, and evenings of laughter under starlit skies.

A Living Legacy of the Sea

Founded by BVI legends Peter Haycraft and Albie Stewart, the Regatta is rooted in the natural gifts of the Virgin Islands: steady winds, clear waters, and islands so perfectly spaced they feel designed for sailing. But its legacy also stems from a cultural rhythm — one that celebrates freedom, precision, teamwork, and the pure joy of being out on the water.

That rhythm doesn’t end at the docks. It drifts into the hills of Tortola, the streets of Road Town, and yes — into the heart of Cane Garden Bay. As a hotel grounded in both luxury and local charm, we take pride in being part of this moment each year. We often host sailors, support crews, and guests drawn by the sea and the stories it carries.

Regatta Meets Relaxation

At our sister restaurant, Rhythm & Sands, the evenings during Regatta week are especially memorable. Sailors share stories over local seafood and sunset cocktails. Live music echoes the soul of the islands — from fungi to reggae, from soca to soft acoustic sets that feel like a gentle nod to the day’s adventures.

And back at the hotel, the experience continues. Oceanfront balconies offer a front-row seat to the sea’s calm after the day’s race. Guests wake to the scent of sea air and locally brewed coffee, ready for another day of island discovery — or simply a moment of peace.

A Standing Invitation

For those who’ve never experienced the Regatta, it’s difficult to explain the sense of connection that emerges — between people, wind, and water. But once you’ve been here during the festival, you understand why so many return year after year.

To our Regatta guests in the BVI — past, present, and future — we say: Thank you.

Thank you for bringing your spirit of adventure, your love of sailing, and your stories to our shores.

Whether you’re racing, spectating, or simply soaking it all in, Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel is honoured to be a part of your BVI journey.

Next spring, we hope to welcome you again. Until then — smooth seas, strong winds, and memories that sail with you.