British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a small grouping of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are thought a straightforward sailing area as the islands are within sight of one another so that navigation can be carried out 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, never to be missed, are typically 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 very popular 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 archesYacht rental ibiza. Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the location offers a dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.
A second beach in the region, 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 ease the hike along steeper rocks.
Spending some time exploring the location, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is very good, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is simply not a reef area. Because of the various inlets and pools produced by the landscape, marine life is caught in the pools with each tidal change. Make sure to look closely at the safety flags as certain weather can cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even when 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 home of the popular 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 level of land on the north end of North Sound, that has been a destination intended for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell in 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 continues to be an attractive anchorage, made more attractive by shoreside establishments like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Within the anchorage, make the most of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, such as a marina, pool, beach, water sports, restaurants and bars, and a good 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 established fact for homemade soups, and breads, and if you 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 really 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 only at the world 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 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's now become such a tradition, that it's wise to get at Great Harbor per day in advance for an excellent spot to anchor. As 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 brand new year, dancing on the beach underneath 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 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 up on the bar stools are usually dripping wet, including, as you probably 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 the hilltop. Or go to the bubbling pot at the East End, where the foaming sea forms an all-natural Jacuzzi. And you can 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 known as 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. Throughout the harbor from the customs clearance office, on the other side of a tiny 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 provided 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 really a nice spot to avoid while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as the exact same protection and calm anchorage that made Soper's Hole appealing to Blackbeard, is appealing to yachtsmen today.
Surrounding the dock area are some brightly painted Caribbean style buildings creating a sense of a traditional Caribbean marketplace. Look at shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry created from a stone local to the British Virgin Islands, or stop for a mouthful 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 on board a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, each day with a double tot of rum issued just just before 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 mixture of 5 different West Indian rums was sold privately to the Owner of Pusser's Ltd. This provider was established in Tortola and the exact same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has been sold to people since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a well liked of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A portion of the arises from each bottle sold now head to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly because the Tots Fund. Soon after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was created, only properly created using Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller has become served in a number 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 in accordance with the amount of shots of rum poured in each drink.
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