British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a group of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are thought an easy sailing area as the hawaiian islands are within sight of each other in order that navigation can be achieved by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which in right in the middle of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this information, to not be missed, can be contained in a 1 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 most well-known 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.Yacht rental ibiza Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the location supplies a dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.
A second beach in the region, called Devil's Bay, is reached through a maze-like passage through the boulders and shallower grottos. The trail is lined with ladders and ropes to ease the hike along steeper rocks.
Spend time exploring the location, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is excellent, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is not a reef area. Due to the various inlets and pools created by the landscape, marine life is caught here in the pools with each tidal change. Be sure to focus on the safety flags as certain weather could cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even though swimming is cautioned against, there are 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 the house of the well-known 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 intended for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell in deep love with the location, 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 is still an attractive anchorage, made more appealing by shoreside establishments just like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Within the anchorage, make the most of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, including 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 a huge selection of yachts and yacht clubs from all around the world. These flags flutter gently from the rafters in the breeze created from the numerous ceiling paddle fans, evoking a colonial Caribbean feel. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille buffet is well known for homemade soups, and breads, and if you have not tried a grilled Caribbean lobster, basted with butter, this would be the time and area for this uniquely Caribbean treat.
Spot #3: Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is a four mile-long barefoot paradise known for its casual lifestyle, fine beaches and beachfront restaurants and bars. The Painkiller, a drink created from the Tortola local rum called Pusser's Rum was created at the entire world famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the long time Owner of this bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is best 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. It has now become such a tradition, that it's wise to get at Great Harbor each day ahead of time for a great spot to anchor. Because 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 beneath 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 born on nearby Little Jost.
Great Harbour is sheltered by small mountains and offers moorings. In White Bay, just nearby from Great Harbour, is 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 usually are dripping wet, including, as you almost certainly guessed, the profit 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 a hilltop. Or go to the bubbling pot at the East End, where the foaming sea forms an all natural Jacuzzi. And you are able to stop by Foxy's newest watering hole, Foxy's Taboo, on Diamond Cay, at East End. You can walk across to Little Jost or take the dinghy to deserted Sandy Cay, the perfect castaway island for your own beach barbeque.
Stop #4: Soper's Hole
Saved, on the western tip of Tortola, is Soper's Hole and Soper's Hole Marina. This area, also known as the West End, is home as well to a British Virgin Islands customs clearance office with a dock that is utilized 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 offered by the deep cut of the anchorage in to the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is a nice spot to avoid while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as exactly 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 making a sense of a normal Caribbean marketplace. Browse the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry created from a stone local to the British Virgin Islands, or stop for a mouthful 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 on board a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, every day with a dual tot of rum issued just prior to battle. The on board Royal Navy rum was doled out by the Purser on board, 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 blend of 5 different West Indian rums was sold privately to the Owner of Pusser's Ltd. This provider was established in Tortola and exactly the same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has now been sold to the general public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a well liked of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A percentage of the proceeds from each bottle sold now go to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly as the Tots Fund. Soon after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was born, only properly made out of Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller is now served in many different locations in the BVI's. The very best Painkillers, however, are claimed to be served at the Pusser's restaurants, including Pusser's Landing Restaurant in Soper's Hole, where the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number according to the number of shots of rum poured in each drink.
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