British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is several approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are considered a simple sailing area as the islands are typical within sight of one another so that navigation can be carried out by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which in right in the midst of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this article, not to be missed, are typically a part of a one 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 popular and popular landmarks to go to in the BVI's. Gigantic granite boulders and half submerged rocks line the southern seashore of Virgin Gorda, creating grottos, tunnels, and arches.Boat rental ibiza Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the region supplies a dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.
An additional beach in the area, called Devil's Bay, is reached via a maze-like passage through the boulders and shallower grottos. The road is lined with ladders and ropes to help ease the hike along steeper rocks.
Spending some time exploring the region, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is excellent, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is simply not a reef area. Because of the various inlets and pools produced by the landscape, marine life is caught within the pools with each tidal change. Make sure to 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, you can find 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 popular Bitter End Yacht Club.
The North Sound, once home to pirates Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, was a distant quiet anchorage, rarely visited for centuries. In the early 60's, a rustic 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 love with the region, and built the resort into what it is 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 continues to be an attractive anchorage, made more attractive by shoreside establishments just like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Whilst in the anchorage, make the most of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, such as a marina, pool, beach, water sports, restaurants and bars, and even a spa. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille is a huge yachting landmark for years. This open air restaurant sports the burgees from countless yachts and yacht clubs from throughout the world. These flags flutter gently from the rafters in the breeze made 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 is the time and area 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 drink made from the Tortola local rum called Pusser's Rum was created here at the world famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the number of years Owner of the bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is most beneficial called the location to celebrate New Year's Eve. Yachtsmen started congregating in Great Harbor several decades ago to ring in the New Year at Foxy's. This has now become such a tradition, it is wise to get at Great Harbor each day beforehand for a good spot to anchor. Since the New Year draws near, the harbor erupts with activity and the buzz of dinghies heading here and there, throughout the harbor, as everyone visits friends, and ultimately heads ashore for Foxy's, to hail in the newest year, dancing on the beach underneath the stars.
Although Jost measures just four by three miles, the island is rich in 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 through to the bar stools are often dripping wet, including, as you most likely guessed, the money in 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 the hilltop. Or look at the bubbling pot at the East End, where in actuality the foaming sea forms an all natural Jacuzzi. And you can 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 right 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 called the West End, is home as well to a British Virgin Islands customs clearance office with a dock that's employed by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Over the harbor from the customs clearance office, on one other side of a small 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 provided by the deep cut of the anchorage into the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is a nice spot to prevent while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as the 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. Look at shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry made from a rock local to the British Virgin Islands, or stop for a bite to eat at the Pusser's Landing Restaurant and store.
Pusser's Rum was the initial 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, every day with a dual 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 called 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 provider was established in Tortola and the same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has been sold to people since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a well liked of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A percentage of the arises from each bottle sold now visit the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly since the Tots Fund. Right after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was created, only properly created using Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller is now served in many different locations in the BVI's. The most effective Painkillers, however, are claimed to be served at the Pusser's restaurants, including Pusser's Landing Restaurant in Soper's Hole, where in actuality the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number based on how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
