The Sir Francis Drake Channel is a wonderful place to sail, though it can be a bit funnel like and have winds of 20 to 25 knots at times. Christmas winds are usually the worst, but we had a tough beat through it last spring on our way to St. Martin. Just tuck a reef or two in the main and go sailing. There are so many great anchorages and islands around that should you wish, you could do one to two hour hops from Soper's Hole to the Last Resort, one of my favorite spots; great (though expensive) food and always interesting entertainment. Unfortunately, you're going to have to spend money on moorings in most places in the BVI; I guess it's called progress, though it does beat having to anchor in 60 to 90 feet of water at the Bitter End, also a terrific, expensive place to eat. When I ran charter boats there, both places were must stops for eating ashore, and Foxy's in Jost, of course.
If you are using a good charter company, they will take the time to go over everything you could possibly want to know about the area and the boat should have a cruising guide to the VI's aboard.
Enjoy, you picked a good time to go and miss the winter crowds, though the BVI are rarely completely empty these days.
