"A Paradise for Sailors & Divers" Top 5 Page for this destination British Virgin Islands by catalysta

British Virgin Islands Travel Guide: 505 reviews and 1,343 photos

Sailing into the dream - British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands

East of Puerto Rico in the Sir Francis Drake Channel lies a cluster of over 50 islands "flung like jewels upon the sea". Harbours with legendary beach bars like those at Cane Garden Bay and Anegada alternate with secret sheltered coves that can only be accessed by boat. Fabulous wreck dives and pristine coral reefs lie waiting under shifting shades of Caribbean blue.

These are the British Virgin Islands, mythic paradise for sailors & divers alike. Descendants of freedmen have mingled with East Indian migrants and UK wanderers, creating the kind of atmosphere most of us fantasize & seek when we head to the Caribbean Sea. A little rum & reggae, a bit of West Antilles yellow pepper sauce or mango chutney on a fish pate, a hammock slung between two obliging palm trees, and the sound of the waves breaking against the reef as you slip into the dream...

Swimming through the hull of history

Swim through on the Wreck Of The Rhone

It's underneath you whenever you are on the water, the history of Western discovery of the Caribbean Islands & the Americas and the subsequent colonization by many different European countries.

From bits and pieces rumored to be from one of Columbus' ships (like the anchor found offshore from St. Croix), to victims of legendary pirates like Blackbeard and the hopes of Spanish gold still unfound, to cruise ships from the 1800's gone down in unanticipated hurricanes, to all manner of ships and small boats sunk on the treacherous reefs, to more recent small airplanes left to collect a veneer of coral and a few new inhabitants, it's all there awaiting your visit to this magical nether kingdom with a tank of oxygen strapped to your back.

The real way to visit the BVI's is by boat, preferably cruising on a nice big catamaran so you can access all the shallowest coves as well as the deep water harbours. I didn't have that opportunity yet (this was sort of a recon trip to convince some friends to cruise with me in the future), so I opted to spend my time mostly on Virgin Gorda. For more details on the specific islands I visited, please see pages for Virgin Gorda, Beef Island, and Tortola.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Amost everything you imagine perfect Caribbean islands to be
Cons:Sand fleas on the beaches around dawn & dusk, they are voracious
In a nutshell:Thanks to the friendly people of the BVI's for making this such a wonderful experience!

Last visit to British Virgin Islands: Dec 2005
Intro Updated Dec 21, 2005
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Reviews (18)

Day sailor cruising in to anchor at the Baths, VG - British Virgin Islands

Day cruisin' Things to Do (8)

For those of us who aren't on a cruising vacation, there's always the option of taking a few day cruises, often... more travel advice

Critters at home in the coral reefs - British Virgin Islands

Fragile Reefs Warnings Or Dangers (1)

When playing in the water, whether windsurfing or diving or snorkeling or just swimming around, please remember that... more travel advice

Almost tame tortoise, Little Dix Bay - British Virgin Islands

And the snorkeling is fabulous too Things to Do (8)

The islands have all kinds of wonderful snorkeling opportunities to offer, and many dive outfits and sailng outfits will... more travel advice

Beautiful Elkhorn Coral - British Virgin Islands

Dive-dive-dive!!! Things to Do (8)

The BVI's are known not only as a sailor's paradise, but they've also become quite the diver's mecca. Sailors are... more travel advice

Comments (13)

RAJASTHANBYCAR Dec 25, 2007 at 3:07 AM Report Abuse

Dear Friend Wendy, May you always be well, happy, peaceful and free... Best wishes for success in all your endeavors, and good health for yourself and Family. Happy New Year 2008!!! Blessings, Mahavir Yadav http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1771035613
Gillybob Oct 31, 2007 at 4:56 AM Report Abuse

I'm hoping to get to the Caribbean next February/March but still decided on where exactly. Gillybob greetings
diocletianvs Jul 21, 2007 at 11:00 PM Report Abuse

Fantastic colors and fantastic photos Wendy. I love the local custom of saying hello to everyone on the street.
VeronicaG Feb 8, 2007 at 2:47 PM Report Abuse

You've whet my appetite for the BVI's--I hope someday we'll be traveling there. Very good tips and beautiful pictures!!!!!
iandsmith Jan 26, 2007 at 1:47 PM Report Abuse

Useful tips with nice pics, thanks for sharing.
BeatChick Nov 8, 2006 at 9:51 AM Report Abuse

Wendy, my daughter wants to someday visit islands with water that is so clear (in order to see the jellyfish, y'know - just like me - LOL!) and I told her about the VI. Now I have to show her your pics as I think yours are gorgeous!!
tiabunna Apr 3, 2006 at 5:46 AM Report Abuse

Hmmm, "pieces of eight" - I see from your page why the Caribbean was so popular with pirates!
Tourtech Mar 22, 2006 at 8:35 PM Report Abuse

We love the BVI... Our favourite island in the Caribbean. We were looking at getting married there, but chose Cyprus instead. Can't wait to go back though... safe travels.
tpangelinan Mar 5, 2006 at 5:41 PM Report Abuse

Great water shots. We live to be on an island! You know how to have fun!
richiecdisc Jan 1, 2006 at 4:01 AM Report Abuse

Looks like a great trip, Wendy. I can taste that roti now. Will remember the mozzie tip, D is a real magnet when it comes to biting insects! Happy New Year.