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 each other in order that navigation can be done by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which in right in the midst of these islands, is well protected for comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this information, never to be missed, are easily a part of 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 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. Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the area provides a dramatic and lovely destination for a swim, snorkel and explore.Boat rental ibiza
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 road is lined with ladders and ropes to help ease the hike along steeper rocks.
Spend some time exploring the area, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is great, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is simply not a reef area. Due to the various inlets and pools developed by the landscape, marine life is caught here 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 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 remote quiet anchorage, rarely visited for centuries. In the first 60's, a traditional bar and cottages existed clinging to the level of land on the north end of North Sound, which was a destination intended for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell deeply 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 remains an attractive anchorage, made more attractive by shoreside establishments such as the Bitter End Yacht Club. While 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 a good spa. The Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille has been a yachting landmark for years. This open air restaurant sports the burgees from a huge selection of yachts and yacht clubs from all around the world. These flags flutter gently from the rafters in the breeze produced 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 would be the time and place 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 drink produced 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 long time Owner of the bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is most beneficial 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 has now become such a tradition, that it is wise to access Great Harbor each 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 beneath 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 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 around the corner 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 often dripping wet, including, as you probably 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 visit the bubbling pot at the East End, where in fact the foaming sea forms a natural Jacuzzi. And you can stop by Foxy's newest watering hole, Foxy's Taboo, on Diamond Cay, at East End. You can 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
Saved, 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 utilized by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Across the harbor from the customs clearance office, on one 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 offered 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 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 attractive to Blackbeard, is attractive to yachtsmen today.
Surrounding the dock area are some brightly painted Caribbean style buildings developing a sense of a conventional Caribbean marketplace. Browse the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry produced from a stone 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 original rum of the British royal Navy and for over 300 years, the seamen up to speed a Royal Navy ship were issued a tot of rum, daily with a double tot of rum issued just prior to battle. The up to speed Royal Navy rum was doled out by the Purser up to speed, 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 blend 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 now been sold to the public since 1980
Pusser's Rum quickly became a favorite of visiting yachtsmen when cruising in the British Virgin Islands. A share of the proceeds from each bottle sold now head to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly as the Tots Fund. Right after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller was born, only properly made with Pusser's Rum. The Painkiller is now served in a number of locations in the BVI's. The most effective 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 in accordance with how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
