Peter Island,
British Virgin Islands

Peter Island Deadman’s Bay

Written by Missy Johnston

Now a private island, Peter Island, in the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean is home to Peter Island Resort. However, this was not always the case. Peter Island was once home to privateers, and pirates. Part of the allure of the setting is its history. as the lovely bay next to today’s resort restaurant and Club House is known as Deadman’s Bay; said to be named for pirates that were marooned on neighboring Dead Chest island with a bottle of rum. This marooning is said to have inspired the popular poem: “16 Men and a Deadman’s Chest.” Further, that those same men subsequently drowned swimming to Peter Island for water and their bodies washed up on Deadman’s Beach. Directly to the southwest lies Norman Island, the basis for Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.” These are Peter Island’s neighbors, and that sense of escaping to an (almost) deserted island is a constant evocative suggestion.

In the 1960’s a Norwegian was first taken with the beauty of this island and established the first resort, which was bought in 1978 by a visiting yachtsman with a larger vision who created Peter Island Resort and Spa into what it is today.

Still family run, the Resort is open to visiting yachtsmen to enjoy a meal in a restaurant, a drink at a bar, and a treatment in the spa. There is dockage available for yachts up to a certain size range. Largely undeveloped, the island is crisscrossed with hiking and walking trails.

What to Enjoy on Yacht Charter on Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

Dining: Peter Island Resort has three restaurants, The Tradewinds Restaurant for fine dining, Drake’s Lounge for cocktails and lunch around the pool, and Deadman’s Beach Bar and Grill.

Peter Island Spa

Spa: The 10,000-square-foot Spa includes 10 indoor treatment rooms, two outdoor bohios, and couple’s suites, all built with spectacular views of Big Reef Bay. Enjoy massages, scrubs, wraps, facials, hair treatments, manicures, and pedicures, along with Ayurvedic treatments, specializing in detoxifying and rejuvenating the body.

Hiking and walking: The island has many well-maintained trails for both walking and hiking, through lovely flora and fauna, with glimpses of water views and beautiful island beaches.

Anchor in Deadman’s Bay, and enjoy great snorkeling, and any one of the amenities that Peter Island Resort offers while on a crewed yacht charter.