A Brief Guide to the British Virgin Islands

When considering typical holiday destinations, the British Virgin Islands wouldn’t normally be at the top of anybody’s list. Not because it isn’t a fine choice, but because many people couldn’t even point to it on a map.

But the British Virgin Islands are an excellent idea for a getaway. With beautiful scenery, incredible beaches and a warm and welcoming community – you’ll find it difficult to locate a better spot. Here, we’re going to give you a brief introduction to this region and the wonderful opportunities it presents.

Basic Information

The BVI is a group of islands based in the Caribbean, close by to Puerto Rico, and is officially an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The official language is English and they use the US dollar as currency, so the place might seem familiar on some levels.

As it isn’t a particularly popular destination you will have some difficulty getting there. The best thing would be to get a flight to Antigua first, before taking the VI Airlink service to Tortola. If you plan on sailing, then the best winds tend to come between November and May.

Things to do

As you can imagine, the British Virgin Islands has a number of high-profile attractions that many visitors enjoy every year. Here are a few of our favourites:

·         The Baths National Park – One of the most photographed areas within the BVI, and it’s easy to see why. The government declared this a national park in 1990 in order to preserve its beauty, which consists of boulders scattered around a bay, creating small pools that are perfect for exploring.

·         Sage Mountain National Park – Although most Caribbean nations are aligned with the sun, sea and sand – there is still place in the British Virgin Islands for a forest sanctuary full of fascinating trees of various kinds, and wildlife such as hummingbirds, kestrels and martins.

·         White Bay Beach – The most popular beach in Jost Van Dyke (which is the smallest of the four main islands in the BVI), White Bay Beach has a lot to offer. What makes it so unique is the barrier reef that prevents waves from entering, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

·         Road Town – The nation’s capital, ideal if you’re looking for something that resembles the rest of civilisation more than anywhere else. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and the harbour is often busy with yachts and ferries (with the occasional cruise ship).

As you can see, there are plenty of amazing sights for you to visit and experience, that all make the British Virgin Islands an excellent holiday destination.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your visit, check out Necker Island – owned by Sir Richard Branson.