The Willy T
Norman Island · British Virgin Islands
The William Thornton — universally the Willy T — is a schooner permanently anchored in The Bight at Norman Island, operating as a floating bar and restaurant. It is an institution, and it is not a quiet one. Crews arrive by dinghy, tie up alongside, and the evening develops from there.
What to expect at Willy T
The food is decent bar fare and the drinks are generous, but nobody comes for the menu. They come because it is the most reliably raucous night out in the BVI, and because jumping from the upper deck into the bay has been a rite of passage for visiting sailors for decades.
The original vessel was lost in the 2017 hurricanes and sunk near Peter Island, where she now sits as an artificial reef and dive site. The current Willy T continues in The Bight.
Getting there on your crewed charter
The Bight is one of the most protected anchorages in the islands, with a large mooring field. Take the dinghy rather than swimming, keep an eye on your painter, and have a plan for getting your crew home.
