The British Virgin Islands are a self-governing British overseas territory in the Caribbean just to the north-east of the US Virgin Islands.
The BVIs are a popular travel destination for sailors, fishermen, 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
Anegada
Jost Van Dyke
Southern Islands
Tortola: The largest island and home to the capital Road Town
Virgin Gorda
Capital: Road Town
Currency: USD
Population: 31700
County Code: +1284
Geography. The British Virgin Islands are composed of more than 60 islands and keys, 43 uninhabited. The islands fall into two types: the majority are steep volcanic islands (including the main islands, Tortola and Virgin Gorda), and a small number of relatively flat coral islands (such as Anegada and Sandy Spit). In fact, Anegada is referred to as “the drowned island” because its elevation is so low. Many people miss it altogether until they sail close to it. The highest point is Sage Mountain on Tortola.
Climate. With a tropical climate tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, and little seasonal temperature variation, the weather in the BVI is rather enjoyable. In the low season, there are some hurricanes.
History. The islands were first settled by the Dutch in 1648 before being annexed in 1672 by the British.
Economy. The economy is one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean. The US dollar is the legal currency within the British Virgin Islands. The islands of the BVI are highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income, together with the offshore financial industry.
GET IN
The British Virgin Islands maintain a separate border control from the United Kingdom. Nationals of most Western countries do not require a visa. Foreign nationals with a UK, US or Canada visa can also visit.
Passport and visa regulations are enforced at ports, especially for boats moving back and forth between the US and British territories. There is a $10 entry tariff and $20 exit tariff, per person, when entering and leaving the country.
By plane. Most international flights from North America into the BVIs involve changing planes in either San Juan, Puerto Rico (for flights from North America and Spain), Antigua (for the UK) or Saint Martin (for the Netherlands and France) since the Beef Island airport cannot accommodate large aircraft.
Via St. Thomas (STT). For North American visitors, travelling by air to St. Thomas and then connecting by ferry is usually by far the cheapest way to travel to the BVI from North America. However, some incoming flights arrive too late to catch the ferry to Tortola.
Via San Juan(SJU). Several small regional carriers fly between San Juan and Tortola, mainly Cape Air and Seaborne Airlines; smaller are LIAT, Air Sunshine, interCaribbean Airways. Cheaper to book a flight to San Juan and then separately book a flight from San Juan to Tortola on one of the regional carriers.
Via Antigua or St Martin. Air travel from Europe usually involves either flying from the UK to Antigua (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic), or flying into Sint Martin from Amsterdam (KLM, TIU Airlines Netherlands) or Paris (Air France), and then (in each case) connecting via LIAT. However, a number of carriers also link to North America (American Airlines, Air Canada, Delta, United, JetBlue, Spirit)
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) (On Beef Island, connected to Tortola by a bridge). This is the main airport of the islands
Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ).
By cruise ship. The main cruise ship pier is Road Harbour on Tortola. The port holds two large cruise ships, but ship may be too large for the pier.
Tortola is an ideal hub from which cruise travellers can experience day-trips to incredible locations. It’s easy to hop from island to island.
By boat. Boats move freely between the BVI and the U.S. Virgin Islands usually small vessels.
Ferries Tortola and St. Thomas. Several ferry companies link Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with either Road Town or the West End of Tortola. After 5PM most shut down, takes 50 minutes. The scenery is well worth the price of the ride.
May be best to buy two one-way tickets from different companies instead of one round-trip ticket to be able to catch a ferry at any time during the day.
GET AROUND
By boat. Sailing boats and motor boats can be rented or chartered. Line of sight sailing in moderate trade winds, no currents, barely any tides, and few underwater obstructions make sailing around the islands very relaxing. Road Town is a centre for self-hire yacht chartering in the Caribbean.
By car. Only on Virgin Gorda and Tortola as cars are unnecessary on many smaller islands. Jost Van Dyke has one scooter rental. By law, it is not possible to rent cars at the airport. The roads are very hilly, the standard of the roads is low, the standard of the driving is very low, and there are no specific laws against driving whilst under the influence.
By taxi. Expensive with prices fixed by law.
Money. BVI uses the U.S. dollar “$” (USD). It is divided into 100 cents.
Shopping. Shopping options vary from locally made to some high-end options.
The main shopping area on Tortola is Wickham’s Cay in Road Town in small, West Indian houses and often painted in bright colours, notably Serendipity Bookshop, perhaps the brightest of them all,
Alcohol is very cheap in the BVI with no special taxes or duties.
Eat. Freshly caught seafood: lobster and various fish are available from the many restaurants in the BVI. Local dishes include rotis and curries to Italian, French and Asian.
The national dish is considered to be Fish and fungee
Drink. Rum, not surprisingly, is the drink of choice with many rum-based options. Because beaches in the BVI are so pristine, many do not have refreshment stands so it would be wise to bring at least water. Live local music is a feature of many restaurants and bars. The sunsets are spectacular, so a drink on the beach or in the mountains, watching the sunset and listening to local music before dinner. Banana Keets on Tortola, Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda. The Banana Keets terrace overlooks Sage Mountain as well. Expats tend to hang out in Road Town, at the Dove, le Cabanon, or Village Cay. These places are full on Fridays. Do not miss the Full Moon Party at Bomba’s Beach Shack, which is full of revelers and good tiems. This bar is famous for its walls where panties and bras are hanging, old licence plates are affixed to the walls, and drinks are flowing freely.
ACCOMMODATION
If 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 there are many options if you’re willing to island hop by boat.
There are larger hotel options on Tortola, as well as many intimate, locally owned inns that are hidden treasures. Private islands like Necker Island (owned by Sir Richard Branson) and Guana Island can be rented. Peter Island Resort is a very exclusive private island resort (and is connected by a free ferry service from Road Town). Other high end resorts are on Virgin Gorda, but there are many villas and smaller hotels there as well. Jost Van Dyke offers laidback options and Anegada has adventurous packages for the active traveller.
Many visitors to the BVI stay on land will rent private guest houses rather than stay at larger hotels, and there are a large selection to choose from through the islands.
SAFETY
The BVI has much lower incidence of crime than many other Caribbean areas, and wandering about alone, even at night, is not considered particularly high risk. However, as with all foreign travel, tourists should use good judgement and avoid certain areas.
Despite the perception of the Caribbean being laid back in relation to drugs, possession and supply of narcotics is a criminal offence and penalties can be severe.
Health. Most healthcare in the BVI is private and run along the lines of U.S. healthcare (i.e. it is expensive). Compared to other Caribbean islands, the quality of care is good, but for serious matters, patients are usually transported to Puerto Rico for care.
Emergency treatment is usually provided from Peebles General Hospital in Road Town. Emergency care is free.
GO NEXT
Island hop to the U.S. Virgin Islands and the rest of the nearby Caribbean islands, such as Puerto Rico or Saint Martin.
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NOMAD MANIA United Kingdom – British Virgin Islands (Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda)
Borders: British Virgin islands (sea border/port)
XL: British Virgin Islands southern islets
Islands
TOTOLA
Airports: Tortola (BVI) (EIS)
World of Nature: Sage Mountain
Botanical Gardens: Road Town: Botanical Gardens
VIRGIN GORDA
World of Nature: Devil’s Bay
Beaches: Virgin Gorda: The Baths
ANEGADA XL, M@P