Norman Island BVI

Norman Island sits at the southern end of the BVI’s main charter chain — three miles south of Tortola, just past Peter Island — and is one of the most consistently sought-after stops on a Virgin Islands cruise. The Bight is the primary anchorage: a large, well-protected harbor with mooring balls managed by the BVI National Parks Trust, a few private dock spaces, and reasonable holding for ground tackle when moorings fill. Tucked near the head of The Bight is the William Thornton — the legendary “Willy T” floating bar and restaurant. Onshore, Pirates Bight offers a quieter alternative.

The headline attraction is Treasure Point and the Caves, four sea-level caves cut into the south wall of The Bight that draw snorkelers daily. Robert Louis Stevenson is widely (if loosely) credited with using Norman as the inspiration for Treasure Island, and the pirate lore is part of the island’s persistent reputation. Privateer Bay to the west and Soldier Bay offer secondary anchorages for crews looking to escape the crowd.

Below, ALL AT SEA’s editorial archive of Norman Island coverage — anchorage notes, mooring-ball logistics, snorkel and dive reports, and the regular events at Willy T — going back to 1993.