British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a small grouping of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are believed an easy sailing area as the islands are typical within sight of each other to ensure 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 information, to not be missed, are often included in a one 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 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.Yacht rental ibiza Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the region offers a dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.
A second beach in the area, called Devil's Bay, is reached by way of 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.
Spending some time exploring the region, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is great, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this isn't a reef area. Because of the various inlets and pools developed by the landscape, marine life is caught here in the pools with each tidal change. Be sure to pay attention to 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 remote quiet anchorage, rarely visited for centuries. In early 60's, a traditional bar and cottages existed clinging to the stage of land on the north end of North Sound, which was a destination created for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell deeply in love with the region, and built the resort into what it's 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 a nice-looking anchorage, made more appealing by shoreside establishments just like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Whilst in 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 hundreds 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 when you yourself have not tried a grilled Caribbean lobster, basted with butter, this will 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 glass or two created from the Tortola local rum called Pusser's Rum was created at the 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 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. It has now become such a tradition, that it's wise to access Great Harbor each day in advance for a good spot to anchor. Whilst 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 underneath 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 place of 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, could be 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 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 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 could walk across to Little Jost or take the dinghy to deserted Sandy Cay, an ideal castaway island for your own personel 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 referred to as the West End, is home as well to a British Virgin Islands customs clearance office with a pier that is utilized 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 to the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is a nice spot to prevent while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as exactly the same protection and calm anchorage that made Soper's Hole appealing to Blackbeard, is appealing to yachtsmen today.
Surrounding the dock area are a series of brightly painted Caribbean style buildings developing a sense of a normal Caribbean marketplace. Look at shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry created 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, each day with a double tot of rum issued just ahead of battle. The aboard Royal Navy rum was doled out by the Purser aboard, 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 been sold to the general public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a favorite of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A portion of the arises from each bottle sold now go to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly while the Tots Fund. Immediately after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was created, only properly made with Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller is currently served in a variety of 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 the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number according to how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
