British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a group of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are believed a simple sailing area as the 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 middle of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this information, to not be missed, can be 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 most well known and popular landmarks to visit in the BVI's. Gigantic granite boulders and half submerged rocks line the southern seashore of Virgin Gorda, creating grottos, tunnels, and arches.Boat rental ibiza Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the area offers a dramatic and lovely destination for a 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 path is lined with ladders and ropes to help relieve the hike along steeper rocks.
Spending some time exploring the area, 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 you 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 your 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 the early 60's, a rustic bar and cottages existed clinging to the stage 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 area, 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 continues to be a stylish anchorage, made more appealing by shoreside establishments like the Bitter End Yacht Club. Within the anchorage, take advantage of the shoreside services offered at the Bitter End Yacht Club, such as a marina, pool, beach, water sports, restaurants and bars, and 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 throughout 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 yourself have not tried a grilled Caribbean lobster, basted with butter, this would 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 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 only at the world famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the number of years Owner of the bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is best known 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 such a tradition, that it's wise to get at Great Harbor a day ahead of time for a good spot to anchor. While the New Year draws near, the harbor erupts with activity and the buzz of dinghies heading here and there, through the harbor, as everyone visits friends, and ultimately heads ashore for Foxy's, to hail in the newest year, dancing on the beach under the stars.
Although Jost measures just four by three miles, the island is full of 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 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 up on the bar stools are generally 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 the hilltop. Or go to the bubbling pot at the East End, where in actuality 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 could walk across to Little Jost or take the dinghy to deserted Sandy Cay, the right 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 called 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 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" because of 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 just 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 attractive to Blackbeard, is attractive to yachtsmen today.
Surrounding the dock area are some brightly painted Caribbean style buildings creating a sense of a conventional Caribbean marketplace. Browse the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry made from a stone local to the British Virgin Islands, or stop for a bite 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 aboard a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, daily 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 known 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 business 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 public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a popular 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. Right after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was born, only properly made with Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller has become served in a variety 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 based on the amount of shots of rum poured in each drink.
