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The British Virgin Islands Virgin Gorda

December 12, 2009

Temperature in the BVI
80 degrees
Temperature in North Carolina
36 degrees

Need I say more?

If you want a trip to beach paradise, you will increase your chances of a fantastic vacation by choosing the British Virgin Islands. It has unfortunately been a while since I've been, but the memories still linger and I am positive another trip to the BVI is in my future. Hopefully a visit to this beautiful beach area will be in your future as well.

Take a good look at the picture above. Can you feel the serenity? Imagine the quiet of the day? Notice the lack of crowds and automobiles? This is the British Virgin Islands and this IS a daily scene.

I won't try to recreate the entire chain of islands for you here. For full information on the various islands and their amenities, visit The British Virgin Islands Tourism web site. You'll find you have a few important choices to make since the islands here have a variety of surroundings and accommodation. The problem will be trying to decide - but these islands are easy to navigate so plan on visiting as many as time will allow.

I spent the majority of my time in the BVI on the island of Tortola and on Virgin Gorda, making almost daily trips to visit the other islands. I had a friend living on Great Camanoe (images), just north of Tortola, who had a boat, but inter-island trips are easy even without a local contact.

Quick tips about travel to the BVI

#1. Pets are allowed entry into the Territory, but only after an import permit is issued by the Department of Agriculture. So if you have a pet that goes everywhere with you - they can enjoy a trip to the BVI as long as you get the permit. Contact the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax: (284) 495-1269.

#2. Smoking in public places has been banned in the BVI as a result of a law passed by the Legislative Council. The law bans smoking in public places including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, airports, offices, and sports facilities. It also bans smoking within 50 feet of any public space.

#3. Electricity: Voltage in the BVI is 110/220v. Visitors can use American appliances without an adaptor.

#4. No fishing without a recreational permit. The removal of any marine organism from British Virgin Islands waters is illegal for non-BVIslanders withoutone. Contact The Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour, Tel: (284) 468-3701 ext. 2147 for information.

Check with BVI Tourism regarding entry documentation requirements.

NOTE: And in the meantime, don't miss Pusser's East, East End, Tortola. Located on the water at Hodge's Creek. Pusser's East offers open air dining on the balcony. Menu features Ribs, Jerk Chicken, Lobster, Steak and some local favourites, while you enjoy a Pusser's special rum cocktail. (Don't miss this one!)

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Getting There

Since I was coming from the Washington, DC area, I caught a flight out of BWI Aiport in Baltimore, Maryland direct to San Juan, Puerto Rico. A slight layover there and it was off to St. Thomas. Off the plane at St. Thomas - in the US portion of the Virgin Islands, and I was totally disappointed and discouraged.

There were two cruise ships docked when I got to town. People were everywhere and I could not even find a seat in any of the local bars to sit and have a cold drink. I needed one by now because the change in climate from cold Maryland to 92 degrees in St. Thomas was a shock. This was not the way I wanted to spend my quiet, peaceful vacation. I could get this kind of activity and density at home.

Fortunately I was not in St. Thomas very long. My flight left for Tortola almost immediately and there, at the Beef Island airport I heard...almost nothing. There were all of 20 other people on my flight and they seemed to disperse as soon as the plane touched the tarmac. I was picked up at the airport and was soon on a boat to my island destination - Virgin Gorda.

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Sanctuary

It is hard to describe unless you have seen it, but Virgin Gorda is almost too beautiful a location to believed. Named by Christopher Columbus due to it's reclining shape, Virgin Gorda or, the "Fat Virgin" is the third largest island of the BVI, measuring eight and a half square miles.

Yacht clubs, quiet coves, safe anchorages, and luxury resorts. On the North Sound, the Bitter End Yacht Club, accessible only by water, offers relaxation in an extraordinary, secluded environment. Little Dix Bay Resort designed by Laurance S. Rockefeller, is utopia for the soul.

If a quiet beach and some level of privacy is as important to you as it is to me, it will be guaranteed at one of Virgin Gorda's nearly deserted pristine beaches, such as Savannah Bay, Pond Bay, Devil's Bay, Mahoe Bay and Spring Bay. As if this weren't enough...there are The Baths, where huge granite boulders create mysterious grottos, saltwater pools and a connecting trail. Time for you to explore, hike, and snorkel

Explore more of Virgin Gorda on the rugged trails that run throughout the island, and see the huge variety of unique indigenous plants that thrive in the national parks at Gorda Peak, Devil's Bay, Spring Bay and the North Sound. At the nature sanctuary at Little Fort National Park, marvel at the exotic birds as they swoop over the hills and ocean.

Once you've finished hiking and exploring, take your well-deserved appetite and experience the island's exquisite cuisine, a wonderful combination of all its influences, and explore the variety of shops offering local arts and crafts, as well as gifts, resort wear and souvenirs.

Virgin Gorda can also be easily experienced on a day trip. Spanish Town has its own airport, with regular ferries from Road Town, Tortola. You can also peacefully float along as another ferry takes passengers from Trellis Bay on Beef Island to Leverick Bay, the Bitter End Yacht Club and Biras Creek.

I guess you can tell I fell in love with the place. After the "city" feel of St. Thomas, I was relieved to find the "country" atmosphere of the BVI and Virgin Gorda. Linked below are two incredible deals Luxury Link has for a visit to the BVI - some up to 40% off and/or on auction right now. Just click on the Luxury Link Logos below and search for "British Virgin Islands." Your perfect vacation package may be at auction right now! Go directly to Luxury Link "Auctions" page by clicking on the image linked above. You may be able to find a great deal on your BVI vacation and bid on it today.

Get all the resort specifics at Luxury Link - one of my first stops in researching and booking perfect vacations at great prices.

Bitter End Yacht Club - Sailing, snorkeling and much, much more...

The 7-night package for 2 includes:

• 7 nights in choice of Beachfront Villa or North Sound Suite
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner for two each day
• 3-hour "Introduction to Sailing" course
• Snorkeling excursions and full-day Blue Water Excursions
• Sunday regatta and party
• Guest cocktail party on one day of your stay
• Sunset sails and champagne cruises
• Unlimited use of boats in Club fleet

Biras Creek - Secluded Sanctuary you'll never forget...

This 7-night package for 2 includes:

• 7 nights in an Ocean Suite with private veranda and unobstructed ocean view
• Roundtrip transfers between Tortola Airport (EIS) or Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) and the resort
• Chilled bottle of champagne in suite upon arrival
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner for two each day
• Afternoon tea for two each day
• Unlimited use of bicycles and non-motorized water sports equipment
• Taxes & service charges