British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a group of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are believed a straightforward sailing area as the islands are within sight of one another to ensure that navigation can be done by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which in right in the middle of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this article, not to be missed, are easily contained in a 1 week sailing yacht charter in the BVI's.
Spot #1: The Baths
Situated on the southern tip of Virgin Gorda, the Baths is one of the very most well-known and popular landmarks to see in the BVI's. Gigantic granite boulders and half submerged rocks line the southern seashore of Virgin Gorda, creating grottos, tunnels, and arches. Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the region provides a dramatic and lovely destination for a swim, snorkel and explore.
Another beach in the area, called Devil's Bay, is reached through a maze-like passage through theSupercar rental dubai boulders and shallower grottos. The path is lined with ladders and ropes to help relieve the hike along steeper rocks.
Spend some time exploring the region, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is very good, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is not a reef area. Due to the various inlets and pools produced by the landscape, marine life is caught in the pools with each tidal change. Make sure you look closely at the safety flags as certain weather can cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even when swimming is cautioned against, there are always the rocks to climb and the white sandy beaches for sunning.
Spot #2: Bitter End Yacht Club
In the North Sound, located at the northern end of Virgin Gorda, is your home of the well-known Bitter End Yacht Club.
The North Sound, once home to pirates Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, was a remote quiet anchorage, rarely visited for centuries. In the first 60's, a traditional bar and cottages existed clinging to the point of land on the north end of North Sound, that has been a destination meant for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell in deep love with the region, and built the resort into what it's today, which while offering resort style accommodations and services, still runs in true Caribbean style, using generators for electricity and cisterns for collecting rainwater.
The North Sound is still a stylish anchorage, made more attractive by shoreside establishments like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Whilst in the anchorage, take advantage of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, such as a marina, pool, beach, water sports, restaurants and bars, and a spa. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille has been a yachting landmark for years. This open air restaurant sports the burgees from a huge selection of yachts and yacht clubs from all over the world. These flags flutter gently from the rafters in the breeze created from the numerous ceiling paddle fans, evoking a colonial Caribbean feel. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille buffet established fact for homemade soups, and breads, and if you have not tried a grilled Caribbean lobster, basted with butter, this will be the time and place for this uniquely Caribbean treat.
Spot #3: Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is a four mile-long barefoot paradise noted for its casual lifestyle, fine beaches and beachfront restaurants and bars. The Painkiller, a glass or two created from the Tortola local rum called Pusser's Rum was created at the world famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the long time Owner with this bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is best known as the spot to celebrate New Year's Eve. Yachtsmen started congregating in Great Harbor several decades ago to ring in the New Year at Foxy's. It has now become such a tradition, that it's wise to access Great Harbor a day beforehand for a great spot to anchor. Because the New Year draws near, the harbor erupts with activity and the buzz of dinghies heading here and there, through the entire harbor, as everyone visits friends, and ultimately heads ashore for Foxy's, to hail in the newest year, dancing on the beach under the stars.
Although Jost measures just four by three miles, the island is full of history. It's been home to Arawak Indians, Caribs, Dutch, Africans and English. Jost was the birth place of William Thorton, architect of the US Capitol, and John Coakley Lettsome, founder of the London Medical Society, was created on nearby Little Jost.
Great Harbour is sheltered by small mountains and offers moorings. In White Bay, just nearby from Great Harbour, could be the Soggy Dollar Bar, so named as generally patrons must swim ashore for the cool Caribbean cocktails. All patrons lined up on the bar stools are generally dripping wet, including, as you almost certainly guessed, the profit their pockets.
Jost Van Dyke has other offerings. Trace the old trails that connect the island. Explore the overgrown ruins of sugar mills. In the fall and winter, watch whales and dolphins from a hilltop. Or go to the bubbling pot at the East End, where the foaming sea forms an all natural Jacuzzi. And you are able to stop by Foxy's newest watering hole, Foxy's Taboo, on Diamond Cay, at East End. You might walk across to Little Jost or take the dinghy to deserted Sandy Cay, the perfect castaway island for your own personel beach barbeque.
Stop #4: Soper's Hole
Tucked away, on the western tip of Tortola, is Soper's Hole and Soper's Hole Marina. This area, also referred to as the West End, is home as well to a British Virgin Islands customs clearance office with a pier that is utilized by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Throughout the harbor from the customs clearance office, on another side of a tiny anchorage is Soper's Hole Marina. The pirate Blackbeard, who real name was Edward Teach, once made his home in Soper's Hole from 1715 to 1718. Called a "Hole" because of the protection made available from the deep cut of the anchorage in to the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is a nice spot to avoid while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as the exact same protection and calm anchorage that made Soper's Hole attractive to Blackbeard, is attractive to yachtsmen today.
Surrounding the dock area are a series of brightly painted Caribbean style buildings creating a sense of a traditional Caribbean marketplace. See the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry created from a stone local to the British Virgin Islands, or stop for a mouthful to eat at the Pusser's Landing Restaurant and store.
Pusser's Rum was the first rum of the British royal Navy and for over 300 years, the seamen up to speed a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, each day with a double tot of rum issued just ahead of battle. The up to speed Royal Navy rum was doled out by the Purser up to speed, and so eventually the Purser's rum became known as Pusser's rum. In 1970, the daily rum tot tradition was abolished in the British Royal Navy and the recipe of the mixture of 5 different West Indian rums was sold privately to the Owner of Pusser's Ltd. This company was established in Tortola and the exact same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has now been sold to the general public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a favorite of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A share of the arises from each bottle sold now go to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly since the Tots Fund. Immediately after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was created, only properly made out of Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller has become served in many different locations in the BVI's. The best Painkillers, however, are claimed to be served at the Pusser's restaurants, including Pusser's Landing Restaurant in Soper's Hole, where the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number based on how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
