Your Useful Information to the British Virgin Islands (BVIs)

Lovers of Islands of journey, I’ve an ideal vacation spot for you – the British Virgin Islands! Located within the Caribbean simply east of Puerto Rico, the BVIs are simply accessible from america. Let me break down all the small print for you – the place to remain, tips on how to get there, what do, and what to eat. I’ll share some essential details about sustainability on the islands too and tips on how to defend this lovely nation.

British Virgin Islands 101

Geography

The BVIs are a British abroad territory made up of round 60 islands or islets. There are 4 primary islands which are public the place many of the residents stay: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada. The remainder of the islands are largely uninhabited or privately owned by the like of Richard Branson and Larry Paige, the CEO of Google. 

• Tortola is the biggest island by inhabitants, measurement, and growth – you’ll almost certainly fly or ferry in to Tortola earlier than you progress on. 
• We spent every week on Virgin Gorda, which I might personally advocate if we had been to go to once more. It’s smaller in inhabitants than Tortola and has a quieter vibe however nonetheless gives lots of selection. 
• Jost van Dyke, named after a Dutch pirate, is a superb day journey or place to base  if you wish to dive into water sports activities. 
• Anegada, furthest away from the opposite primary islands, is famend for excellent fishing and diving, and is like least populous of the principle 4.

Different standard islands embrace Moskito Island, Necker Island, Saba Rock Resort, and Eustatia off the north aspect of Virgin Gorda, the Canine Islands, the Sister Islands, and Scrub, Beef & Guana Islands off the northeast of Tortola.

A short, temporary historical past of the BVIs

The BVIs had been first settled by the Dutch, after which by the British within the 17 and 1800s, the place they launched the slave commerce. The islands are nonetheless a part of the British monarchy, and their proximity to america makes it a preferred trip vacation spot for US Individuals. This historic background has led to a tradition the place Carribean, European, West African, and American affect can been seen in delicacies, dialect, faith, and past.

Two current occasions have affected the BVIs in main methods – Hurricane Irma, and COVID-19.

Hurrican Irma swept immediately over the islands in 2017 and precipitated huge destruction which continues to be evident in lots of locations. Locals informed us that almost each roof on the island was blown off. Practically 6 months glided by earlier than public electrical energy was restored, and many of the buildings are renovated, new, or left in abandonment after the shop.

 After we visited in February of 2022, COVID restrictions had severely impacted the economic system too. Like most island nations, the BVIs depend on tourism for almost 40% of their economic system and so they had been hit laborious by restrictions that restricted tourism, particularly the pause within the cruise ship trade.

The place to remain on the British Virgin Islands

I like to recommend staying on Virgin Gorda. As I discussed earlier than, it’s a bit quieter than Tortola, however massive sufficient to supply loads to do and discover. It’s proximity to the opposite islands makes it a simple place to discover from as effectively – yow will discover ferries fairly simply to the encircling islands. The views driving all through the island are breathtaking, and yow will discover pristine seashores, hikes with spectacular views, native eating, and water sports activities and marina life multi functional place.

We stayed in Leverick Bay on the Tamarind Villa as a result of our group of six was on the lookout for an opulent keep that supplied a spot for us to cook dinner a few of our personal meals. It was tremendous handy, with all of the facilities we wanted, and a few luxurious touches we didn’t want however beloved, like snorkeling gear and a pool that had been improbable. You can find their facebook page here.

In case you are in search of a brilliant quiet week filled with fishing and diving, you would possibly take into account Anegada.

Tortola is an effective alternative should you plan to do lots of day journeys – it’s fairly central amongst all of the islands, and because the largest of the principle islands, they provide a couple of ferries to different islands which you can’t entry from Anegada or Virgin Gorda.

Jost van Dyke is a enjoyable island that gives a novel mixture of water sports activities and marina life on one aspect, and quieter nature on the opposite – a results of the impacts of the hurricane and the redevelopment that has been very sluggish within the making.  From my expertise, I’d advocate this extra as a day journey than a base – there aren’t as many eating places or shops to select from so that you would possibly end up consuming on the identical spot day by day or requiring a ferry to discover.

When you have a giant funds and also you need to ball out for a elaborate trip, take into account renting out Necker Island for a pleasant $38,000 per night time and sharing area with Richard Branson! Visiting the islands throughout Christmas, you’ll have a superb likelihood of operating into him or Mr. Jeff Bezos on their tremendous yachts. 

Methods to get to the BVIs

Through the USVIs (Flight to St. John, Ferry to Tortola)

Tortola has an airport, however it’s fairly doubtless that you just’ll fly into St. John, a part of the US Virgin Islands about an hour ferry journey away. Because the USVI and BVI are completely different nations, you’ll should undergo customs whenever you land on St. John, after which once more whenever you land on Tortola. 

We flew Indiana to Miami, and Miami to St. John – each flights about 2.5 hours. After our flight to St. John, we hopped on a ferry to Street City, Tortola on one of many 3 primary worldwide ferry suppliers: Speedy’s Ferry’s, Smith’s Ferry’s, and Native Sons. It was about an hour journey and price $60 per individual and $10 per bag, with some reductions for seniors and kids. The costs are the identical for every ferry firm and often break up the schedule so who you select will depend upon what time you need to go away. 

After we had been there, the worldwide ferries left Street City at 7:30am, 11:30am, and a couple of:30pm most days.

There are a couple of ferry terminals on Tortola, Street City, West Finish, and Trellis Bay being the principle ones. In case your ferry doesn’t depart from Street City, take a taxi to your ferry terminal. There are taxis standing in entrance of the Street City ferry terminal so it’s simple to get a journey. Deliver money and anticipate to pay round $12 per journey on Tortola, and one other $3 or so per bag, plus tip. 

Direct Flight to BVIs, Ferry to particular island

In case you do fly immediately into the BVIs, you’ll doubtless land on the Terrance B Lettsome Airport on Beef Island. If Tortola is your base, take a taxi to your lodge.

In case you’re staying on one other island, seize a ferry to your closing vacation spot. 

On the day we arrived, there have been no ferries to Virgin Gorda from Street City, Tortola. We took a taxi to the Trellis Bay Marina the place we caught a ferry to Spanish City, Virgin Gorda, a couple of 20 minute journey. On the day we left, there have been ferries immediately from Spanish City to Street City, so we didn’t want the taxi journey in between.

Anegada and Virgin Gorda even have airports (Captain August George Airport, and Virgin Gorda Airport respectively) although there aren’t fairly as many flight choices.

Journey On the islands

Spanish City gives some taxis, however we selected to hire a automotive for the week. The rental automotive proprietor, named Puck, introduced the automotive to us at Spanish City, particularly the Virgin Gorda ferry dock, and we drove to our rental property from there. 

Attending to the smaller islands means you’ll most likely take planes, ferries, and taxis to get to your closing vacation spot. Pack mild, deliver snacks, and benefit from the journey! 

What to do on the BVIs

There isn’t any scarcity of leisure on the islands. Listed below are a number of the finest issues to get pleasure from throughout your go to:

• Snorkeling
  • When you have your individual gear, you are able to do this nearly wherever there’s a seaside. 
• Scuba
  • There are a couple of shipwrecks all through the island chains that make for thrilling dive websites. The water wildlife gives some thrilling dives too. 
• Mountaineering
  • On Virgin Gorda there are two primary hikes that deliver you up the mountains to view factors that overlook the encircling islands. Search for Gorda Peak in your maps.
  • On Tortola, Mount Wholesome Nationwide Park and Sage Mountain Nationwide Park supply climbing adventures for individuals who want a break from the seaside
• Satan’s Bay nationwide Park (The Baths)
  • An iconic park on Virgin Gorda proper alongside the seaside with huge granite boulders, carved and chiseled from cooled lava over 1000’s of years. This can be a standard cease for cruise ships after they’re working and the park can get tremendous crowded, so plan a go to for the early morning or later afternoon when the crowds die down. You’ll be able to swim and snorkel round right here too – however thoughts the rocks! The waves can get form of intense and it wouldn’t be tough to knock your head whereas snorkeling or swimming. Train warning when climbing across the rocks too – there are many shells and crustaceans connected to the rocks and the water makes them slippery. Most of our group left with a couple of cuts or scratches, and we had been glad to have introduced a primary support package.
  • There’s a restaurant on the high of the park with superb views – test it out even should you don’t stick round to eat.
• Meals 
  • Eat your manner by the islands, however don’t miss a number of the smaller native spots. That’s the place you’ll discover essentially the most genuine, and least costly meals. 
• Seaside walks at sundown
  • On Virgin Gorda, Savannah Bay is a improbable alternative with a mile-long stretch of pristine seaside to get pleasure from
• Island hopping
  • Irrespective of the place you keep, island-hopping is an effective way to discover the opposite sides of the BVI’s and get to know this glorious place. 
  • Jost Van Dyke boasts the well-known Soggy Greenback Bar the place the island drink, the PainKiller, was invented. Positively a high suggestion.
  • Saba Rock Resort is an island that’s solely a resort and restaurant. You’ll be able to attain it from the Bitter Finish Yacht Membership on the northern aspect of Virgin Gorda.
• Water Sports activities – crusing, waverunners, dingy leases
  • In each marina, you’ll see quite a lot of sail boats – these islands are a sailor’s paradise and most of the island’s company have arrived by their very own boat. Boat watching is an pleasing pastime in itself
  • Many of the marinas supply water sports activities for hire. We rented a Hobie Cat sail boat for 2 hours (about $150) on the Bitter Finish Yacht Membership, and one other day we rented a dinghy to boat ourselves from Leverick Bay to a quiet seaside on Cow Bay. We didn’t get to hire a waverunner however it was undoubtedly an possibility.

Able to journey? I’m prepared to assist!

I’m a journey advisor who helps busy, eco-conscious folks have once-in-a-lifetime adventures in breathtaking areas like Norway, Scotland, the British Virgin Islands, and Uganda.

I deal with the whole lot from daydreaming to departure and solely work with tour firms who respect the planet and locals, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from your getaway understanding you’re having a optimistic affect.

Schedule a complimentary vacation planning session and let’s speak about your subsequent journey.

What to eat on the BVIS

Meals within the BVIS is closely influenced by West African delicacies because of the slave commerce that reached it’s peak on the islands below British management within the 17 and 1800s. Contact with different Carribbean nations, in addition to america, is straightforward to hint by the favored meals on the island. As an island nation, you’ll discover seafood in all places.

The nationwide dish is fish & fungi (foon-gee), which I didn’t really see within the eating places we visited on Virgin Gorda and Tortola, however it’s a polenta-like dumpling constructed from cornmeal, servied with fish. This stems again to Daniish rule when salt herring and cornmeal had been widespread base elements for a bunch of meals.

Conch fritters, sea snails which are battered & fried into deliciouis little balls, are served as appetizers all around the island and are undoubtedly value a attempt.

On Virgin Gorda, the Anegada Lobster attracts crowds for the lobster festivals, value it should you can splurge for a elaborate meal.

You’ll see plenty of pasta dishes with shrimp or fish, fish sandwiches, and loads of imported fish with carribean twists, like salmon salads with mango or tuna salads with johnny desserts.

Johnny Desserts are a baked good you’ll discover all around the islands, with Indo-Tridinidadian origins. These fried pancakes developed from the title “journey desserts” way back, when women and men who labored on plantations ate their early morning meal on their journey to the fields, and was typically full of a filling meat or fish. 

Rotis are one other dish you’ll see throughout Virgin Gorda and the islands with Indo-Trinidadian origins. The phrase “roti” itself sometimes refers to a flat, tortilla like bread. Right here, you’ll discover a roti to imply the roti bread full of curried potatoes, veggies, and your alternative of fish or hen. It’s filling, scrumptious, and higher from a locally-owned restaurant or stand than the touristy eating places.

To high all of it off, you’ll be able to’t miss the PainKiller, a drink made with Pussers Darkish Rum, cream of cocount, pineapple & orange juice, and nutmeg. It was invented on the Soggy Greenback bar on Jost Van Dyke, however you’ll discover them at each restaurant or bar all through the islands. They’re simple sufficient to make your self too whenever you’re uninterested in blowing your funds on drinks.

BEST VIRGIN GORDA RESTAURANTS:

For native meals attempt these great spots:

• Rada’s – serving West Indian rotis, curries, and seafood dishes. Rada, the proprietor, even allow us to behind the bar to pour our personal drinks each occasions we visited!
• Pablos Place – serving great seafood meals (that is the place we indulged on Anegada lobster and grilled Mahi-Mahi)
• Hog’s Heaven – come for the ribs and potato salad, keep for the unimaginable views
• Bath & Turtle – an excellent alternative for breakfast or a brunch piña colada

For a fancier meal:

• The Restaurant at Leverick Bay – watch the boats come out and in on the marina. There may be an upstairs restaurant that’s extra upscale, and a restaurant downstairs with sandwiches, quesadillas, salads, and the like
• SugarCane – a preferred alternative by vacationers the place you’ll be able to dig your toes within the sand whereas eating on seafood pastas and nice wine
• Bitter End Yacht Club – don’t miss the coconut crusted fish sandwich! They’ve yummy pizzas and a pleasant bar simply toes from the seaside
• Top of the Baths – a handy alternative after a day spent at Satan’s Bay Nationwide Park
• Cocomaya – extremely rated asian fusion with scrumptious seafood
• Rosewood Little Dix Bay – this 5 star lodge gives three completely different eating places, however you could want reservations to go to should you’re not a lodge visitor

Learn this subsequent: Eleuthera Travel Guide: 8 Must Know Tips for a Perfect Trip

Cash on the islands

The foreign money on the BVIs is the US Greenback. Bank cards are accepted most eating places and outlets, however there will certainly be occasions that you just’ll want money – particularly for suggestions for taxi/ferry drivers, porters, and different service staff all through the islands.

Lots of the locals within the service trade may even have Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, Cashapp, or one other comparable cost app, so ask about that should you’re brief on money. We had been capable of pay for a couple of taxi rides by way of Venmo, which was tremendous handy.

There are only a few ATMs all through the islands, often solely in primary cities close to the ferry terminals/airports. In case you see one and also you want money, don’t cross up the chance! It’s finest to deliver hundred {dollars} or so in 10s for ease.

COVID Necessities

On the time we visited in February 2022, vaccination was not required, however a detrimental take a look at was required for each Vaccinated and Unvaccinated vacationers. We additionally needed to present proof of journey insurance coverage for our journey, which was the primary time I’d seen that. As a result of we had been coming by the USVI, we additionally needed to meet the necessities to get on to St. John, which concerned finishing their on-line portal type.

Right here had been the steps we needed to take to get in to the BVIS:

Verify the BVI’s government website for the freshest info. In case you don’t get your detrimental take a look at throughout the time required by the BVI’s, you’ll be required to get examined upon arrival.

Everyone seems to be required to get examined once more earlier than leaving, which value $50 per individual. We had been capable of get our take a look at the day earlier than we left on the Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda. They had been open 9-4pm after we visited, and appointments weren’t required. Deliver a telephone so you’ll be able to full the COVID on-line type on the clinic. A wifi code is offered.

Sustainability within the BVIs

The BVIs face most of the identical sustainability considerations as different island nations. The marine ecology on which the islands are extremely dependent are very fragile. Waste administration can be a problem resulting from restricted area, and we noticed trash being burned at one facility day by day.

The islands definitely perceive the significance of defending the setting although, and there are many issues you are able to do to help them!

1. Defend the setting! In case you are snorkeling or scuba diving (or doing every other water sport) be very cautious of the coral reefs. Decide up any waste you see, and don’t go away any of your individual.
2. Many of the eating places we visited offered paper straws, however it’s at all times a good suggestion to have your individual straws readily available and it’s not a nasty thought to deliver a container for takeout you probably have leftovers.
3. Assist native companies. In case you can hire your automotive or airbnb from locals, go to native eating places, and tip those that work within the service trade pretty, you are able to do rather a lot to help the native economic system.
4. It’s laborious to get to and discover the island with out flights & ferries. Take into account carbon offsetting your journey. One web site that I belief for that is atmosfair.

Richard Branson’s owns Necker Island, the place he has invested rather a lot into sustainable tourism and animal conservation. Necker Island is prioritizing mangrove restoration too, after Hurricane Irma destroyed nearly 90% of the crimson mangroves on the island. A keep on Necker Island is out of funds for all however essentially the most prosperous – an evening at his resort begin within the 1000’s with a 7-night minimal. You’ll be able to e-book a day tour on the island by Gumption Tours, restricted to 12 company a day in an effort to attenuate the affect on the island! A way more inexpensive possibility.

Branson additionally not too long ago purchased Moskito Island too and has plans to create what he calls “the world’s most eco-friendly resort” by using wind generators and photo voltaic panels to seize renewable vitality, amongst different eco-plans. He hopes to introduce seaside buggies that run on biofuels, and inventory the resort restaurant with domestically grown produce.

Able to journey? I’m prepared to assist!

I’m a journey advisor who helps busy, eco-conscious folks have once-in-a-lifetime adventures in breathtaking areas like Norway, Scotland, the British Virgin Islands, and Uganda.

I deal with the whole lot from daydreaming to departure and solely work with tour firms who respect the planet and locals, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from your getaway understanding you’re having a optimistic affect.

Schedule a complimentary vacation planning session and let’s speak about your subsequent journey.

Like this put up? Reserve it and share it!