British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is several approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are considered a straightforward sailing area as the hawaiian islands are typical within sight of one another so that navigation can be achieved by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which in right in the center of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this short article, never to be missed, are often included in 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 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 region provides a dramatic and lovely spot to swim, snorkel and explore.
An additional beach in the area, called Devil's Bay, is reached via a maze-like passage through the boulders and shallower grottos. The path is lined with ladders and ropes to help ease the hike along steeper rocks.
Spending some time exploring the region, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is fantastic, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this isn't a reef area. As a result of various inlets and pools produced by the landscape, marine life is caught here in the pools with each tidal change. Make sure to look closely at the safety flags as certain weather could cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even when swimming is cautioned against, you will 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 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 first 60's, a rustic bar and cottages existed clinging to the level of land on the north end of North Sound, that was a destination intended for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell in deep 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 is still a stylish anchorage, made more desirable 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, including a marina, pool, beach, water sports, restaurants and bars, and a spa. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille is a yachting landmark for years. This open air restaurant sports the burgees from countless yachts and yacht clubs from all over 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 place for this uniquely Caribbean treat.
Spot #3: Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is just 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 here at the entire world famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the number of years Owner of 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. It's now become this type of tradition, that it's wise to access Great Harbor each 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 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 born on nearby Little Jost.
Great Harbour is sheltered by small mountains and offers moorings. In White Bay, just nearby from Great Harbour, may 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 are usually dripping wet, including, as you almost certainly guessed, the money in 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 actuality 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, the perfect castaway island for 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's employed by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Throughout the harbor from the customs clearance office, on the 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 to the surrounding hills, the harbor allows yachts to anchor with good weather protection. Soper's Hole is just a nice spot to avoid while on charter in the British Virgin Islands as the 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 conventional Caribbean marketplace. See the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry created from a rock 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 original rum of the British royal Navy and for over 300 years, the seamen aboard a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, every day with a double tot of rum issued just just before 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. This provider was established in Tortola and the same rum served for over 300 years to the British Royal Navy was bottled and has now 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 share of the proceeds from each bottle sold now visit the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly whilst the Tots Fund. Soon after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was born, only properly created using Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller is currently served in a number of 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 in actuality the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number in accordance with the amount of shots of rum poured in each drink.
