British Virgin Islands (BVI)

Government Overseas British Territory Capital Road Town Currency US$ Area 153km2 Population (2005) 22,016 Language English Islands 15 inhabited Economy Offshore banking (55%) & tourism (45%) GDP per Capita $38,500 (23rd worldwide) [2008 Data] Links CIA Factbook, Wikipedia Page, Tourism Portal

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The BVI is an amazing destination for boating. It is home to the largest charter fleet in the world and the conditions are optimal for easy sailing - ideal trade winds year-round, sheltered waters including the famous Sir Francis Drake Channel, easy line-of-sight sailing with numerous destinations available within a short sail or motoring distance. Most anchorages have mooring balls and restaurants/bars ashore. Numerous beautiful beaches and year-round warm climate (hurricanes excepted, of course) round out the package. This is a destination for those who aren't looking for secluded anchorages (while they can be found, one really needs to look for them). It is easy to reach from USA via Puerto Rico or St. Thomas and only somewhat more difficult from Europe via Antigua or St. Martin .

I have spent far too much time here, idling from one anchorage to another over several trips and even stayed on Virgin Gorda for about 2 months at one stretch while waiting for a new rudder for Solitaire to arrive from France. One reason that I remained in the BVI is that the next leg is towards St. Martin / Sint Maarten and is almost always directly upwind and against the waves - an uncomfortable sail of 80nm at the best of times. Usually it is best to wait for a significant northerly wind component and even then it is best to just motor sail and get it over with.

While it is hard to select my favourite pictures from among the many that I have, I've posted some of them below.

For a map with clickable pictures from this site displayed geographically please click here

Looking down at Cane Garden Bay [18°25'0.89"N 64°39'58.21"W (facing NE)] Cane Garden Bay Vista	Sandy Cay Crab [18°26'6.94"N 64°42'37.07"W ] Sandy Cay Crab	Loblolly Beach [18°44'35.25"N 64°18'50.17"W (facing W)] Anegada Loblolly Beach vista	View down to the North Sound (2009-01-19 21:03:01 DSC-N2 [f/8.0, 10/4000s] ISO 160) North Sound view	Rainbow in the North Sound [18°30'11.93"N 64°21'36.93"W (facing SW)] Rainbow off Saba Rock
Before going snorkeling we needed to fortify ourselves at the Pirate's restaurant and bar. Jen had to leave the shaded comfort and sit in the sun. Later that night she could have used the table in the picture as camouflage, but, unlike me, she didn't burn and was ready for more the next day. [18°19'4.58"N 64°36'47.78"W (facing W)] Pirates at Norman Island Bight	Consuming enough calories and maintaining proper hydration is extremely important in survival conditions such as these. [18°26'7.31"N 64°42'38.67"W (facing E)] Sandy Cay Carib beers	Virgin Gorda Baths [18°25'47.4"N 64°26'45.24"W (facing E)] The Baths seen from the water	Napua and I headed to the far side of Prickly pear and were alone on this beach. [18°30'23.69"N 64°21'54.77"W (facing NW)] Napua on Prickly Pear Island	Trellis Bay beach [18°26'43.45"N 64°32'5.82"W (facing SE)] Trellis Bay beach promenade