British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a group of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are considered an easy sailing area as the hawaiian islands are all within sight of each other in order that navigation can be done 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 informative article, never to be missed, are often a part of a seven days 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 well-known and popular landmarks to see in the BVI's. Gigantic granite boulders and half submerged rocks line the southern seashore of Virgin Gorda, creating grottos, tunnels, and arches. Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the region offers a dramatic and lovely spot to swim, snorkel and explore.Supercar rental dubai
A second 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.
Spend 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 isn't a reef area. As a result of various inlets and pools created by the landscape, marine life is caught in the pools with each tidal change. Be sure to look closely at the safety flags as certain weather may cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even though 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 the home of the well-known Bitter End Yacht Club.
The North Sound, once home to pirates Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins, was a remote quiet anchorage, rarely visited for centuries. In early 60's, a rustic bar and cottages existed clinging to the point of land on the north end of North Sound, that was a destination designed for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell deeply 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 remains an attractive anchorage, made more appealing by shoreside establishments such as the Bitter End Yacht Club. Whilst in the anchorage, make the most of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, which include 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 all around 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 when 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 really 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 planet famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the number of years Owner with this bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is better referred to as the spot 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 this type of tradition, that it is wise to access Great Harbor per day ahead of time for an excellent spot to anchor. Since the New Year draws near, the harbor erupts with activity and the buzz of dinghies heading here and there, through the entire 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 abundant with history. It's been home to Arawak Indians, Caribs, Dutch, Africans and English. Jost was the birth host to 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, is the Soggy Dollar Bar, so named as generally patrons must swim ashore for the cool Caribbean cocktails. All patrons lined on the bar stools are often dripping wet, including, as you most likely 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 look at the bubbling pot at the East End, where in fact the foaming sea forms a natural Jacuzzi. And you are able to stop by Foxy's newest watering hole, Foxy's Taboo, on Diamond Cay, at East End. You may walk across to Little Jost or take the dinghy to deserted Sandy Cay, an ideal castaway island on your own 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 is used by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Across the harbor from the customs clearance office, on another 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" due to the protection made available from the deep cut of the anchorage into the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is really 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 some brightly painted Caribbean style buildings developing 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 consume at the Pusser's Landing Restaurant and store.
Pusser's Rum was the first rum of the British royal Navy and for over 300 years, the seamen aboard a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, daily with a double tot of rum issued just prior to battle. The aboard Royal Navy rum was doled out by the Purser aboard, and so eventually the Purser's rum became referred to as 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. The corporation was established in Tortola and exactly the same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has been sold to the general public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a popular of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A percentage of the proceeds from each bottle sold now head to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly whilst the Tots Fund. Immediately after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was created, only properly created using Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller has become served in many different locations in the BVI's. The best Painkillers, however, are claimed to be served at the Pusser's restaurants, including Pusser's Landing Restaurant in Soper's Hole, where in fact the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number based on how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
