check out a typical lifeworks british virgin islands itinerary.
Since in-country logistics are subject to change for reasons outside our control - and our community service work changes with the needs of our partner organizations - please take the table below as a guide only. And, as always, feel free to give us a call at 800.808.2115 or +1.941.924.2115 for the most up-to-date information!
DAY |
DESCRIPTION |
1 |
Fly day! - Students depart all points of the globe for the British Virgin Islands! Staff help transfer students in San Juan for connection flights and in Tortola for the bus to West End. After getting settled into the Lifeworks catamaran, the students' new floating home, students take a swim, get to know their fellow shipmates, whip up the first meal aboard, and gather for evening program introductions and orientation. |
2 |
The First Sail - Students sail to Norman Island and receive their first basic instruction in sailing and knot tying. After an exciting first sail, students enjoy a snorkel through the once treasure filled "Caves." |
3 |
Spyglass Mountain - Students wake up for the breathtaking (both in scenery and steepness!) sunrise hike up Spyglass hill. Students then set sail for Tortola for an afternoon visit to the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) to meet some enthusiastic children for some educational games, baseball, and soccer. Night is spent under the stars for a lively Lifeworks Forum. |
4 |
Cleanup at Savanna Bay - Morning sail to Savanna Bay. Students have an interactive lesson in marine biology and island ecology, a quick hike to a salt pond, and then start to work on cleaning up a once pristine beach! |
5 |
The Beautiful "Baths" - Students explore one of the most famous natural wonders of the BVIs, and join together for some group building games on the beach. Afternoon sail, dingy driving instruction and test, and another lively Lifeworks Forum night. |
6 |
Bregado Flax and the Copper Mine - Students lead educational games and activities for a local school, before visiting a historic abandoned copper mine. |
7 |
Turtling Day! - Students are introduced to turtle tagging and release, and start the chase! Afternoon sail to Vixen Point for a night barbeque and dance on the beach. |
8 |
Anegada - Students embark for the long sail to Anegada, one of the most unique and least visited islands in the BVIs. Afternoon visit to the Anegada Iguana Center for a conservation project to protect these rare creatures. Evening movie night. |
9 |
Anegada - Conservation project with the Anegada Iguana Center. Students hop on a fast boat whaler for a turtling day - "rodeo style" - with Rasta Jim! |
10 |
Anegada - Students break-up into 3 groups for breathtaking hikes along the beaches of Anegada. Along the way, students help preserve these unique island beaches with garbage bags in hand, while also searching for and documenting important data on sea turtle nesting sites. |
11 |
Goodbye Anegada - Students have a more relaxing day as they sail to Marina Cay for an evening activity, of the inspirational type, with ActionQuest at Marina Cay. |
12 |
Play Day! - Sail to Muskmellon Bay for a "fun in the sun" day complete with water skis, wake boards, snorkels, and laser sails. |
13 |
Turtling with YEP - Students lead educational activities for YEP, while teaching local children to turtle tag. Evening barbeque at Sommer's Beach for delicious food and beach games. |
14 |
Jost Van Dyke - Educational activities, games, arts and crafts day with the children of Jost Van Dyke. Students visit famous Foxy and tour the Preservation's Society sloop project, a fascinating work of cultural preservation. |
15 |
Mount Sage Hike - Wrapped in the lush greens of Mt. Scenery National Park with views of the entire British and U.S. Virgin Islands, students conquer the highest peak in the BVIs. After a "Cheese Burger in Paradise" in the very spot that Jimmy Buffet is claimed to have written his song for, students join ActionQuest for a rousing sand castle building contest and great food and music under the stars at Sydney's. |
16 |
Smugglers Cove Hike and Road Town Free Time - Beach cleanup day at Smuggler's Cove. Afternoon free time in Road Town, with the ever-so-popular evening at Roti Palace for this famed Caribbean cuisine. |
17 |
Frenchman's Cay - Students spend the morning learning of the important work of the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue team, and get to work! Since it's solely volunteer run, VISAR has little time for building maintenance, and they rely on us for the help! Afternoon mangrove reforestion project with the children of YEP and the BVI Environment and Fisheries Department. Kids and adults alike love to hammer the PVC planting pipes into the soft shorelines! |
18 |
Conrad - Students visit the oldest original inhabitant of his island, Conrad. After a clean-up of this inspirational man's land, students head to Dead Man's Chest for another amazing day of turtle tagging. |
19 |
Salt Island - Sunrise sail to Salt Island for a hike to the top, with majestic views of the islands, sea, and the famed shipwreck of the "Rhone." Afternoon turtling and a sail to the Bight! |
20 |
The Bight - Morning sunrise hike to where it all began - Spyglass Mountain - a perfect opportunity for reflection on the Lifeworks experience. Students return to West End for "boat check out," and a grand final feast and closing at Pussers Landing. |
21 |
So Hard To Say Goodbye - Students say goodbye to their new friends at Lifeworks. Without fail there is a mix of emotions - there is excitement to return home; there is sadness to leave. Students fly with the help of staff in the Tortola and San Juan airports, and head home to their friends and families. |
