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British Virgin Islands Holidays

Overview

This lovely archipelago of 60 hilly islands and cays (half of them unpopulated) is a world within a world. Here land and sea meet in a beautiful giant mosaic of greens and blues garlanded with the soft coral hues of some of the Caribbean’s best beaches. Yachtsmen worldwide make a beeline for the ‘BVI’ – but don’t worry if your boat won’t fit in your suitcase. Vessels large and small and just about every other kind of watersport are available locally.

If you’re a pirate fan then you’ll recall a major scene in Pirates of the Caribbean that was based on what happened on the BVI islet of Dead Chest – where legend says Blackbeard marooned 15 rebel pirates with a survival kit of just a cutlass and a keg of rotgut rum.

Island Adventure

Explore tranquil Tortola’s winding mountain roads for their breathtaking views. Some of the finest beaches in the entire island chain are here; ‘Nature’s little paradise’ - 60 idyllic islands once the hideaway for pirates and smugglers, today offers seclusion for those in search of a romantic retreat.

Nightlife & Party with Locals

Though Tortola has several North Shore and Road Town restaurants serving both West Indian and international fare, neither it nor Peter Island are exactly alive with hot local nightlife (there are a few small clubs in Road Town and some island beach bars).

World's Best Scuba Dive Sites

Dives off the Sir Francis Drake Channel islands delivers sinkholes and ledges as well as a wide repertoire of caves and canyons. Superb coral formations and an abundance of tropical fish call the Blonde Rock and Painted Walls their home. Most famous of local wrecks is the RMS Rhone dating from 1867 - one of the best scuba diving spots in the Caribbean. The wreck is that of a Royal Mail Steamer which sunk during the hurricane of 1867 with 125 persons on board. At 310 feet long and 40 feet wide, the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer lies in two main parts in waters between 30 and 90 feet deep. Much of it is still intact and visible, including the decking, parts of the rigging, the steam engine, and propeller.

Sightseeing & Activities

Claimed as the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson’s swashbuckling pirate world of ‘Treasure Island’, the BVI have replaced images of buried treasure chests with today’s equally prized booty of stunning tropical island beaches and matchless sailing and diving. Come on in – the water really is lovely . . .

WHAT TO SEE

Virgin Gorda Peak National Park

Whatever you do, don’t miss the views from this 265-acre dry forest park, with the island's highest point, at 1,359 feet, and well worth the short hike for its spectacular panoramas. Another ‘must’ are The Baths, part of a National Parks Trust Protected Area and a renowned - and extraordinary - sight. Enormous granite boulders are balanced along the shore forming dimly-lit grottoes and shallow pools of sea water. At the ruins of The Copper Mine, first mined by Amerindians, you can still see remains of a mine buildings and shafts from the 1800s. Take a boat to nearby Fallen Jerusalem Island and the Dog Islands – both with beguiling seductive beaches and superb snorkelling. Spanish Town is Virgin Gorda's tiny and very peaceful main settlement.

Peter Island

Be sure to see – and relax on – some of the six quite beaches and 20 secluded coves edged by turquoise seas – guaranteeing discerning guests perfect peace and pampered escapism - that Peter Island packs into its 1,800 private acres. Stylish yet informal, this acclaimed resort is among the élite of Caribbean luxury beach havens.

Tortola

You can easily visit Tortola from either Virgin Gorda or Peter Island – a chance to explore the Sage Mountain National Park, Cane Garden Bay, the J R O’Neal Botanic Gardens and more! Powdery white-sand beaches, lush green mountains, and a sheltered yacht-filled harbour characterise the island of Tortola.

WHAT TO DO

Sports

You can enjoy all the key watersports in the BVI - from windsurfing and sunfish sailing to waterskiing and parasailing, while the many reefs draw snorkellers and scuba-divers (see At a Glance section for more information on scuba-diving). Above all, it’s the islands’ wonderful sailing conditions that make them a mecca for yachtsmen worldwide. Take an afternoon, day sail or evening sail to explore one of the countless islets. Yachts, catamarans, schooners or power boats (all crewed, if desired) are easily chartered. Sportfishing is another major pastime, with half-day and full-day deep-sea trips available to test your angling skill. On land exploring by mountain bike or on horse-back are great fun.

Bird-Watching & Turtle-Watching

Resident birdlife is prolific here and watching pelicans, brown bobbies and other seabirds will tell you when there’s a school of fish in the area. Migrant species are normally seen between April and September. Night-time turtle-watching to watch these magnificent creatures come ashore to lay their eggs on the beach is a magical experience.

Sightseeing Tours

Easily arranged at your hotel, these offer a great day out. You can get right of the beaten track on visits by boat to the delightful ‘out-islands’ of Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Cooper Island. Or go yet further afield by helicopter to enjoy a gourmet French lunch in St Barths or some shopping or golfing in the US Virgin Islands.

Shopping

Resort wear, Caribbean arts and crafts and jewellery are among the items to shop for at the many shops dotted around Virgin Gorda and on Main Street in Tortola’s Road Town.

Nightlife

Music, dancing and trading sailing yarns set the tone in the bars, pubs and clubs (some offering live bands) on Virgin Gorda and Tortola. On Peter Island all entertainment activity is concentrated on the resort itself.

Events

Rich in history and tradition, the British Virgin Islands have a number of calendar dates that provide an excuse for an event or festival or two, especially regattas and fairs. Most offer a colourful visual experience, enhanced by the aromas of Caribbean culinary delicacies and a background of music.

February

Early February sees the popular annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean and Classic Yachts Regatta on Tortola.

March

The Dark & Stormy Regatta is held on the island of Anegada, a three-day event in early March. Don’t be deceived by the title – it’s named after the drink! Later in the month comes Tortola’s BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival – a week of fun with both racing and entertainment.

April

The month opens with the Spanish Town Fisherman’s Jamboree & Annual Wahoo Fishing Tournament on Tortola - with food, music and beach fun all on the agenda. The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival is a weekend filled with activities; including a ‘Calypso Monarch’ competition, parade, Festival Queen Show and nightly village entertainments.

May

Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta takes place on Jost Van Dyke Island in late-May and is a major area event. As the crowds prove, you won’t have to own a wooden boat to enjoy a good party and watch a great race! Late-May also sees the BVI Music Festival on Tortola, with entertainment by some famous artists at this beachfront venue.

June

Tortola holds its splendidly-named Firecracker 500 Race & Chili Cook-Off at the month-end. Hot stuff on land and sea!

July

HIHO at Village Cay, Tortola, is a week of Caribbean fun dedicated to great windsurfing, watersports and parties as the HIHO flotilla charts a course through the BVI, with hundreds of windsurfers covering over 150 miles as they race eight times from one island to another. Tortola is also the venue of the BVI’s biggest event of the year (extending from late-July into August) – the Emancipation Festival, also known as August Festival. It’s the Islands’ premier cultural showcase with an array of activities, events, including the freedom march, emancipation service, Calypso Monarch competition, boat races, rise and shine tramps, August Monday Parade and much more.

October

Foxy’s ‘Cat Fight’ Jost Van Dyke Island at the end of October has become an established catamaran regatta and a major Halloween racing event.

December

Old Year’s Night on Jost Van Dyke Island is a leading Caribbean New Year’s Eve venue – when this yachtsman’s haven welcomes visitors from all over with food, beverages and entertainment in abundance.

Weather

British Virgin Islands Holidays

British Virgin Islands Hotels

Biras Creek Resort

Peter Island Resort