The British Virgin Islands are a self-governing British overseas territory, situated in the Caribbean just to the east of the US Virgin Islands. The BVIs, as they are called, are a popular travel destination for sailors, fishermen (and women), sun worshippers, and other independent travellers, albeit not for the cost conscious. Boating among the dozens of tiny, mostly uninhabited, islands is a great stop on any tour of the Caribbean islands.
Regions
UnderstandLandscapeThe British Virgin Islands are comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands, including the island of Anegada. The islands fall into two types, with relatively flat coral islands and steep volcanic islands. The highest point is Mount Sage at 521m. ClimateThe islands' climate is subtropical and humid, although temperatures are moderated by trade winds. HistoryThe islands were first settled by the Dutch in 1648 before being annexed in 1672 by the English. EconomyThe economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west and indeed the US dollar is the legal currency within the British Virgin Islands. The islands are highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income, together with the offshore financial industry. Get inPassport and visa regulations are enforced at harbors, especially for boats moving back and forth between US and British territory.  By planeMost international flights into the BVIs involve changing planes in San Juan, Puerto Rico since the Road Town airport is not set up for large planes. Other flights may arrive from Florida or other Caribbean Islands. Flights from the UK often go to the US Virgin Islands and then require a fast boat transfer. By boatBoats move freely between the BVI and the US Virgin Islands. A few cruise ships visit the major ports, but small vessels are more common. Get aroundBy boatA great way to see the islands is by boat. Sailboats and motorboats can be rented or chartered with a crew from any major harbor. The conditions for sailing and motoring depend on the time of year and anchoring off islands can be tricky, so either be sure you know what you are doing or hire a crew. By carCars can be rented on the larger islands such as Virgin Gorda and Tortola, but are obviously unnecessary on many islands where goat paths and foot trails are the main mode of transportation. SeeNature is the main attraction in the islands. With coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and scenic seaside towns the main draw. Other attractions include historic towns, churches, and, if the sun is too much for you, a few museums scattered through the islands. Do
Sunsail are a provider of yacht charters in the BVI. Moorings rent power boats and sail boats of all sizes. They've been doing it forever and have nice boats.
The BVIs are home to the wreck of 'The Rhone', which served as the site for the underwater scenes in the 1977 Nick Nolte/Jackie Bisset/Robert Shaw flick 'The Deep'. The Rhone is the best-known and most often visited dive site in the islands. Lying just west of Salt Island, the Rhone is a former Royal Mail Steamer that sank in a hurricane on October 29, 1867. A spectacularly large 310-ft steamer in her previous life, she's now a three-site dive, with each chunk resting at varying depths, from 20 to 80 ft.
It is illegal for non-British Virgin Islanders to remove any marine organism from BVI waters without a recreational permit. A permit is available for charterers who intend to fish while in the BVI. The cost is $35 ($10 application fee; $25 for the permit). This TEMPORARY FISHING PERMIT can be obtained from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries: Department of Conservation and Fisheries, The Quastisky Building PO Box 3323 Road Town, Tortola. Tel: (284) 494-5681/3429 or (284) 468-3701 ex. 5555/1 Fax: (284) 494-2670 E-Mail: cfd@bvigovernment.org The government office closes early on Friday afternoons and doesn’t reopen until Monday morning. For charterers arriving on the weekend, it may be a couple of days before you can get a permit. When you arrive for your charter, check with the local staff for advice on obtaining a permit. BuyEatInevitably, seafood is the dish of choice for most people. Lobster and various fish are available from the small restaurants. You will need to have a boat to get to some of the nicest restaurants. DrinkRum, not surprisingly, is the drink of choice in the islands. Rum punch and other concoctions can be found at thatch-roofed bars on almost every strip of sand. The "Pain Killer" is highly recommend - probably the best rum based cocktail of all time. Although another popular local favorite, the "Bushwhacker", goes down equally smooth and packs a sneaky punch. It's earned its name legitimately. Nightlife is restricted to the larger towns, otherwise enjoy a beer, sunset, and maybe some local music. SleepIf you're renting a boat, you already have your bed too, but for landlubbers, the larger islands offer resorts, budget bungalows and a few things in between. To get off the beaten path you really will need to be seaworthy. Get outIsland hop to the US Virgin Islands and the rest of the Caribbean islands.
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