The Virgin
Islands
Location and
Geography
Known
as “the land that time forgot,” the British Virgin Islands remains an
undeveloped haven for natural treasures; what the destination lacks is
its greatest asset -- no high-rise hotels, no casinos and no crowds.
Mystical, lush and inspiring with 60 storied islands, the destination
lures adventurers, romantics and escapists with verdant hillsides
covered in ancient mahogany trees and cacti, pristine beaches kissed by
Technicolor tides, a colourful aquarium of the world’s most diverse sea
life, extensive coral reefs responsible for claiming renowned wrecks,
vast outbacks and wildlife sanctuaries sheltering endangered species.
Situated
between the deep waters of the Atlantic and the glittering Caribbean
Sea, just east of Puerto Rico. Other nearby neighbours include the
United States Virgin Islands, located to the immediate south west of
the BVI.
Map of the British Virgin Islands
Most
islands lay in a distinct formation flanked around the Sir Frances
Drake Channel -- including the main island of Tortola creating the
backbone of the Channel, Virgin Gorda stretching to form the eastern
border, Jost Van Dyke lingering in the west, Anegada dangling remotely
north in the Atlantic and a series of smaller islands speckled in the
south.
Rising majestically out of
the Caribbean Sea, the islands, nearly all mountainous with lush
elevations, envelope visitors in the relaxing embrace of Caribbean
lifestyle.
Undisputed Sailing
Capital of the World. Home to the Caribbean’s Best Wreck, the
Wreck of the – Rhone. No building is taller than the highest
palm
tree.
The
US Virgin Islands may not be as large in number but are just as
majestic in beauty. St. Thomas is the commercial center of
the
USVI and is quite easy to access from most major citiies in the US.
St. John is two thirds national park. There are
numerous
bays and anchorages to be explored around both islands with beautiful
sand beaches and great snorkeling and diving. There are also
lots
of things to do on the islands as well. Their little sister,
St.
Croix is located about 35 miles south of these two, just a beautiful
day sail away. Although the three main islands are part of
the US
territory you'll still know that you are in islands with Caribbean
cultural influences all around. Map of the US Virgin Islands
The Spanish
Virgin Islands of Culebra and Vieques are a part of Puerto Rico with
Culebra only 25 miles and an easy day sail from St. Thomas.
Known
as Puerto Rico's best kept secret these islands are the up and coming
destinations with lots of seculed locations to really enjoy nature at
its finest. Map of the Spanish Virgin Islands
Weather
Perfect
Atmosphere Year-round. Constant trade winds with average
temperatures of 27-32°C (80-90°F). Lots of sunshine with
occasional short rain showers.
Documentation:
Valid
passport is the principal requirement for entry into the BVI and you
are required to have a valid passport to enter the US. Your
passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return
date. Current time for renewing passports is approximately
10-12
weeks (expedited service is available at additional costs).
Since
the USVI and Spanish VI are in the US no passport and no customs and
immigrations hassles are needed for arriving US Citizens!
Airport Security:
For
international flights it is recommended that you plan to arrive at the
airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. Allow additional
time for parking your car. See the TSA Security
Guidelines for further details.
General
Information:
Attire
is casual. Shorts, t-shirts, short sleeved shirts, boat
shoes,
flip-flops and sandals. The evenings can sometimes get a
little
cool and/or breezy for which a light jacket or sweatshirt might come in
handy.
The VI are in the
Atlantic time zone but do not observe daylight savings time.
English
is the official language througout the VI although Spanish is
heavily used in the Spanish VI. And the US dollar is the official
Currency - even in the British VI.
Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the islands.
Electricity
is the 220 volt UK standard on shore in the BVI and 110 volt US
standard on shore in the USVI and Spanish VI. Everything on
the
yacht is
12 volt running off the batteries. There are two 12 volt
outlets
which can be used with car lighter adapters to power/charge such things
as iPods, MP3 players and small DVD players.
The tap water is good but
bottled water is readily available throughout the islands.
There is a hospital on
Tortola and St. Thomas with additional clinics in various locations.
Remember
to bring your prescription medications, cameras, sunscreen lotion,
swimsuit, cover-up, comfortable walking shoes, and insect
repellent. There isn’t any particular insect
problem BUT
mosquitoes and sand flys/fleas, also known as “no see-ums” can be found
throughout the Caribbean. So be prepared. Insect
repellents
with deet work well as well as Avon’s Skin So Soft diluted 50%.
For additional information:
www.bvitourism.com
www.visitthevi.com
www.spanishvirginislands.com
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