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© 2003
Prestbury Travel Group
27 Park Lane
Poynton
Cheshire
SK12 1RD
Tel: 01625 858158
Fax: 01625 858258
Although peopled by some of the friendliest faces in the Caribbean, the little known Virgin Islands have yet to be discovered by the travelling masses, and can still claim to live up to their name a ‘virgin’ holiday territory. Hiding away in the eastern Caribbean, between Puerto Rico and Antigua, the fifty or so islands, islets and cays that make up the BVI’s are a watersports paradise.
These mainly volcanic islands are surrounded by clear blue seas which make for incredible scenery both above and below the water line. Soft gentle breezes keep the temperature at a steady 80-90ºF and the sailing idyllic. With only a handful inhabited, the BVI’s can offer miles and miles of clear white sandy beaches, uncorrupted by heavy commercial tourism. The most famous beach being ‘The Baths’ on the second largest island, Virgin Gorda, so named for the huge granite boulders forming a natural sculptured display.
Like a chameleon, the Virgin Islands can be anything to anybody. Quiet and unassuming, they offer a peaceful antidote to stressful city life. After a couple of days of relaxation, most visitors take to the water in one way or another. There are abundant watersports facilities, from gentle snorkeling, to exciting deep sea scuba looking over the plethora of wrecks that line the bottom of the ocean, or exhilarating windsurfing and water-skiing for the more energetic. The sailing is renowned – some say the best in the world – both bareboat and crewed charter are available depending on whether you like you sailing to be participation or observation!
Royalty and film stars have long known that in the BVI’s they can get away from prying eyes, staying in luxurious villas in magnificent surroundings sometimes even on their own private islands.
Efficient ferry or light aircraft services can take visitors all around the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jest Van Dyke, the magical remote coral atoll of Anegada or even the US Virgin Islands of St. John and St. Thomas.
Life on the BVI’s is relaxed and fun, whilst retaining some British formality in terms of dignity and manners. Crime is rare, nudity is not encouraged, and visitors are asked to respect the residents wishes by covering up in town and dressing appropriately in bars and restaurants.
There are no casinos, high rise hotels or apartment blocks. No crowded beaches or swimming pools and no fighting for deckchairs or hammocks! The pace is slow, the people are friendly and the mood relaxed – nature’s little secrets waiting to be discovered.
An island ranging in scenery from jagged mountain peaks covered with scrub and bougainvillea in the south to long palm fringed sandy beaches in the north, Tortola is the largest of the Virgin Islands. With a population of 12,000, bustling Road Town is the capital of the BVI’s and the administrative and business centre of the territory. Good watersports and yacht hire are available, excellent restaurants are to be found and, from Road Town, ferries will take visitors to the other islands within the BVI’s and to the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix.
On the Northern Coastline of Virgin Gorda, Leverick Bay looks out across the North Sound and boasts a marina, beach, pool and the Purser’s Company store, bar and restaurant. Leverick Bay has its own Scuba diving school and offers Hobie Cat, Laser and windsurfer hire. For the less experienced, nearby Bitter End Yacht Club offers windsurfing and dinghy sailing with or without lessons. We recommend the hire of a car in order to reach the beaches of Devil’s Bay, Pond Bay, Savannah Bay and if you wish to dine at any other restaurants further afield, whilst the ferry from Gun Creek will take you to Biras Creek and Bitter End. All our properties on Virgin Gorda include maid services 6 days a week.