British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a small grouping of approximately fifty islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are believed an easy sailing area as the islands are within sight of one another to ensure 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, to not be missed, are often contained 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 popular 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 location offers a dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.Boat rental ibiza
An additional beach in the region, 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.
Spend some time exploring the location, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and white sand. Snorkeling is excellent, however more for the marine life, than coral, as this is not a reef area. Due to the various inlets and pools created by the landscape, marine life is caught within the pools with each tidal change. Make sure to focus on the safety flags as certain weather may cause currents with heavy undertows in this area. However, even if swimming is cautioned against, you can 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 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 traditional bar and cottages existed clinging to the point of land on the north end of North Sound, that was a destination designed for adventurous sailors. The Hokins Family arrived, fell in deep love with the location, 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 an attractive anchorage, made more attractive by shoreside establishments just 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 has been 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 made 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 if you have not tried a grilled Caribbean lobster, basted with butter, this is the time and area 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 made from the Tortola local rum called Pusser's Rum was created at the planet famous yachtsman's bar named "Foxy's", named after Foxy, the long time Owner of the bar and restaurant.
Perhaps Foxy's is best called 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 kind of tradition, that it's wise to access Great Harbor each day beforehand 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 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, came to be 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 on the bar stools are often 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 a hilltop. Or visit the bubbling pot at the East End, where 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, the right castaway island for your own personel 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 pier that's employed by ferries and yachtsmen alike. Over the harbor from the customs clearance office, on another 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 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 creating a sense of a conventional Caribbean marketplace. Browse the shops for artwork, crafts and jewelry made 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 initial 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 dual tot of rum issued just ahead of 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 called 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. The corporation 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 percentage of the arises from each bottle sold now go to the Royal British Navy Sailors Fund, known commonly while the Tots Fund. Soon after 1980, the now infamous drink, The Painkiller came to be, only properly created using 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 the Pusser's Painkiller is ordered by number based on how many shots of rum poured in each drink.
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