An Exclusive Jewel In The Caribbean Sea: British Virgin Islands

In the eastern Caribbean Sea, lie the British treasures known as the British Virgin Islands. Along with the likes of Jamaica, Bahamas and Barbados, the British Virgin Islands is made up of four large islands and 32 smaller islands. The islands are home to luxurious getaways and beautiful destinations. Unlike other Caribbean islands, the British Virgin Islands are less crowded and busy. The islands get their name from the legend of Saint Ursula and the story of 11,000 virgins. When Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands he was reminded of the tale and since then they were called the Virgin Islands. The archipelago is shared with the United States Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands, which you can visit too. These islands are a hub for sailing, surfing, scuba diving, and other such activities that attract hordes of tourists through the years.

Also Read: 13 Fun Facts About The Caribbean

How To Reach The British Virgin Islands?

The British Virgin Islands have diverse kinds of land with barrier beaches, harbours, lagoons, coral reefs, hilly and low mountains. This allows different activities to be tried on the islands. The four major islands are Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. There is no direct flight to the British Virgin Islands, so you will need to make connections through other Caribbean islands like St Thomas, Puerto Rico or Antigua. As you land in one of the main islands you can take a ferry or charter a yacht and sail to the islands. The views you encounter en route are spectacular. If you want to travel around the islands, you can hop on a ferry or a yacht. On the larger islands, you have the option of taking a taxi or hiring a car. If you are travelling on a budget, renting a car is more feasible and recommended. 

What Is The Weather Like: The Best Time To Visit These Isles

The best time to visit the British Virgin Islands is between June and November. The islands have a tropical climate and despite the humidity, the weather is warm throughout the year. The average temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius and the evenings from December to April are cooler. For activities like diving and snorkelling, that involve higher visibility underwater, winter and spring are ideal times. Sailing is also a prominent activity on the coast, so March is a good month to soak up all the sun in the middle of the sea. Do check the weather before you plan your trip, because July to November is also hurricane season. Storms most occur from September onwards. 

All You Can See: The Best Places To Visit In The British Virgin Isles

The Baths in Virgin Gorda are one of the best places to visit in the British Virgin Islands. The place has fascinating grottos and pools formed within giant volcanic boulders. Devil’s Bay is the most visited beach on the island. The grey boulders along with crystal-clear waters make for beautiful sights. Tortola in the British Virgin Islands is a centre for sailing and has the most visited white sand beaches like Smuggler’s Cove. Cane Garden Bay in Tortola is always lively. The beach has some of the best party spots, restaurants, and bars. Anegada has great diving opportunities and secluded beaches for you to find peace. Jost Van Dyke also has beaches that are laid back as well as ones with great nightlife. 

All You Can Do: Island Activities

The British Virgin Islands offer a variety of activities. Scuba diving and snorkelling are must-dos in Anegada. Along with beautiful coral reefs, the island is home to almost 300 wrecks. You can dive and explore these shipwrecks and sometimes go inside them too. The strong winds of Sandy Spit, which lie between Jost van Dyke and Tortola, make sure that kiters and windsurfers stay here. If you want to hit the main shopping spots, then Soper’s Hole in Tortola is your destination. The British Virgin Islands are also popular as a sailing destination. There are many sailing, yachting and boat tours available, and one of the best ways to explore the islands is through the water. You can also paddleboard or kayak on the clear waters and take in the beauty of the locations. 

Delicacies At The Bay: Food

Seafood is a major part of the islanders’ diet. Scallops, yellowfin tuna, lobster and mahi-mahi are the main meats. At Tortola, you can find diverse cuisines like continental, West Indian, Chinese, and Italian. For authentic Caribbean cuisine, visit Sugar Mill Restaurant, and for a little fusion visit the BananaKeet Café. Jost Van Dyke and Anegada are the best places to party with their many bars and nightclubs. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant at Jost Van Dyke is known for throwing the best New Year’s Eve parties. Virgin Gorda has cafés and restaurants with outdoor and open-air settings that serve casual food like burgers and pizza. Many beachfront restaurants like CocoMaya Restaurant and Fat Virgin’s Café serve scrumptious seafood delicacies.

Exclusive Events: Culture At The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Isles’ culture has multiple influences—European, African, and Caribbean. English is the predominantly spoken language and is influenced by the vernacular Virgin Islands Creole English. Most of the citizens of the British Virgin Islands are descendants of African slaves, but there is also a small population of European descendants. You can also enjoy a lot of cultural events that take place on the British Virgin Isles, like the Emancipation Celebrations. Commemorating independence from colonial rule, the British Virgin Islands celebrate their freedom every year from 28 July 2020 to 10 August 2020 with events and parades. Further, you can also attend the annual British Virgin Islands Music Festival which is celebrated for three days. Since sailing is an important activity on the islands, they have the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival that will be held from 22-25 October this year.

The Vacation You Deserve

Enjoy both the calm and fun that the British Virgin Isles offer. If you like adventure and water sports, then you must make these islands your next destination. Keep in mind that these islands’ official currency is the US Dollar despite being British territory. If you’re on a budget the best way to cut costs is through transportation. Make sure to take shared cabs or carpool, but make your safety the priority. Try visiting different islands for fascinating views and experiences.