BVI_Tortola_Views.jpg Comprised of 60 islands and cays, dotted around 59 square miles, in the Caribbean, about 80 kilo meters 960 miles east of Puerto Rico, north of the Leeward Islands, and adjacent to the U.S. Virgin Islands; principal islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Among the most frequently visited of the BVI's handful of inhabited islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Beef Island, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Peter, Mosquito, and Guana Islands. All of these lilting place names reflect idyllic sites for unwinding, wriggling your toes in the sand, and absorbing the tranquil pleasures of sunshine and sapphire seas. The British Virgin Islands are among the world's loveliest cruising grounds. There are around 40 islands. Of these 40 British islands, 16 are inhabited. The population of all the islands is around 17,000. Tortola is the largest island with an area of 21 square miles. The other larger islands are Anegada -15 square miles, Virgin Gorda - 8 square miles, Jost Van Dyke - 3 square miles. Smaller islands include Great Tobago, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Guana, Beef, Great Thatch and Marina Cay. Scuba diving is popular around sunken reefs and wrecks. Among wreck dives, RMS Rhone is reckoned to be the best in the Western hemisphere. Once the pride of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, the Rhone hit Salt Island in a storm in 1867 and sank. It is now an official marine park. Snorkelers should visit the four caves at Norman Island, said to be the setting for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Windsurfers benefit from steady winds and calm water. Throughout the islands, beaches are splendid and the beach bars exceptional. Gourmet cuisine can be found, along with background music from steel pans and guitars. But don't expect early-hours entertainment - except at summer festival time, when parades and parties rule Tortola. The beaches of The British Virgin Islands are peppered throughout the entire archipelago of 60 islands and cays. Some we have discovered and others are just waiting to be. Not only do they possess such natural beauty and character not seen elsewhere in the world, but also allow you to be a part of a captivating marriage of the Caribbean Sea and the northern Atlantic Ocean. Tortola, the largest island and the primary center of Caribbean yachting...Virgin Gorda, an isle of natural wonders and home to The Baths...Picturesque Jost Van Dyke - The Caribbean as it used to be...Isolated Anegada, a coral atoll with miles of deserted Caribbean beaches. Sampling some of our local dishes is a fantastic way to experience our culture, savour some "home food" and get a chance to mingle with the locals. Here's what the locals recommend - fish and fungi, conch or roti - try some! BVI-Tortola-House BVI House Don't Miss: Roti: A flavourful East Indian flat bread filled with a meat or vegetables. Paté: Not to be mistaken with liver pâté, this West Indian dish is a baked/grilled style pita bread filled with spiced meat, seafood or vegetables. Fungi: No way related to the mushroom, this delight is made from cornmeal and okra and is usually served with seafood dishes. Very similar to Italian polenta. Whelks: A seasonal seafood delicacy that is quite similar to escargot. Conch: Another seasonal seafood delicacy - try it in fritters, paté, soup, salad, or as a main entrée. Anegada Lobster: The ultimate in BVI seafood delicacy - reputed to be the best in the Caribbean. Fresh local fruits: Most of which are seasonal like soursop, papaya, mango, pineapple, guava, sugar apple, passion fruit and tamarind. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/British_Virgin_Islands/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:41:24 EST The British Virgin Islands are located in The Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico - 18 30N, 64 30W. The British Virgin Islands are comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada. Tortola, is the largest, most populated and most developed island. Virgin Gorda, the second largest of the BVI is world famous for 'The Baths'. Other smaller islands and cayes include Jost Van Dyke, Anegda, Peter Island, Norman and many more isles. Smaller islands with accommodations include Marina Cay, Necker Island or Saba Rock. Total area: 150 square kilometers (including the island of Anegada). The highest point is Mount Sage, 521 meters. There are no direct flights to the British Virgin Islands from either the US or Canada. The only access by plane is via San Juan in Puerto Rico or St Thomas or St Croix on the US Virgin Islands. The most direct way to arrive to The BVI is via San Juan, Puerto Rico. Frequent connecting service is offered by American Eagle, Liat and Cape Air with occasional service by other airlines and charter flights. Good map resource: http://www.bvitourism.com/maps http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/British_Virgin_Islands/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:41:24 EST Subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds. January - June: 69.52 degrees F July - December: 85.39 degrees F Lying just over 1000 miles from the equator, the British Virgin Islands enjoy a balmy, sub-tropical climate, plied by variable trade winds. Temperatures rarely drop below 77ºF (25ºC) in the winter or rise above 90ºF (32ºC) in the summer, with the average temperature normalizing at around 83ºF (28ºC), with slight variations between seasons. Tropical weather found between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn is different from other patterns on the globe; therefore, our seasons do not have the sharp changes in climatic conditions as weather found in other areas. Seasons in the BVI fall into a harmonious balance with nature that has always led, in the past, to an agrarian lifestyle. There is a deviation of only two hours of daylight between the June, or summer half of the year, and December, the winter half. Sunrise from the autumn equinox through the spring equinox normally occurs at approximately 6:00 am, with sunset at approximately 5:50 pm. During the spring to autumn equinox, the daylight hours lengthen a bit bringing summer sunrises at approximately 5:00 am, with sunsets at around 7:00 pm. Rainfall in the BVI averages at 40 inches per year with 60% - 70% falling during the months of April through October. Rainfall 48.38 mm in (1999); the wettest months are from September to December; February to April are the driest. Winter Season - December through March While North America and most of Europe are locked in the icy grip of winter, the BVI enjoys airy trade winds and plentiful sunshine. During the winter, temperatures in the BVI will range between 72°F (22°C) and 82°F (28°C). Located at a latitude of 18 degrees north and a longitude of 65 degrees west, our islands are subject to easterly trade winds named for the direction from which they begin. These winds are called "trades" because originally they brought clipper ships filled with goods from Europe and Africa to the BVI and other areas of the Caribbean and North America. In the winter our stable weather pattern is broken when depressions move across the southern United States and exit on the Eastern Florida coast into the Northern Atlantic. These depressions do not normally enter the Caribbean directly, but have a trailing cold front that reaches as far east as the BVI and occasionally, well beyond. When strong high-pressure centres are located in the North Atlantic, they cause what sailors call the "Christmas Winds" and windy gusts can reach over 20 knots. Later, winter and spring winds will then ease back into trade winds with an ESE or SE direction and blow between 15 and 20 knots with seasonal gusts. Spring Season - April through June From the middle of April through the remainder of the year, the winter trade winds begin to moderate and we experience a slow increase in daytime temperatures. Daytime highs range from 90°F (32°C), with night time temperatures varying only ten degrees lower at approximately 80F (27°C) with a 20% chance of brief showers. At this time, the these islands take on a fresh green lushness that announces the arrival of a new season. Spring represents an excellent time for snorkelling and diving as the wave action is greatly reduced from the "Christmas Winds" occurring in winter. Summer Season - July through September During the summer, daytime temperatures usually range between 80°F (27°C) and 95°F (32°C). The nights are typically cooler with temperature ranging usually in the low 80s F (27°C). July to December is the wet season when the territory gets most of its average monthly rainfall of 4" (110 mm). Summer winds move in an ESE direction at approximately 10 -12 knots. It is from these gentle breezes during the non-winter seasons, that the Sir Francis Drake Channel gets its nickname of "The Bathtub" - meaning gentle winds for sailors. Autumn Season - September through November September is among the warmest of months when the day temperatures can average in the 90s F (32-38°C) dropping to 75 - 80°F (25-27°C) at night. As the warmest time of year, daytime highs can reach 95°F (35°C) and over but nights normally remain comfortable. Winds during this season will average 10 - 20 knots, from an easterly direction, providing excellent sailing conditions and cool night ventilation. Short localized rain showers may pass over but they rarely last for more than 30 minutes. The peak tourist season is December to May, but this has more to do with the weather in North America and Europe than it does with the reliably balmy Virgin Islands weather. It's therefore best to visit outside this period, when you can expect room rates to be about two-thirds of those charged during the busier months. An additional draw is that the calmer weather between April and August tends to keep the waters clearer for diving. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/British_Virgin_Islands/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:41:24 EST The British Virgin Islands uses the British System (go figure): Drive on the left! You will need a driving permit available at your rental car agency for $10 along with your valid license from another country. Taxis are readily availabe and you can get a taxi to drive you to most places. On Anegada, most people rely on taxis for transportation. Jost Van Dyke has a single road, and many travel on foot or by taxi. The other BVI islands offer minimal or no roads. There are car rental companies on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. Most agencies offer both four-wheel drive vehicles and other types of cars. Tortola's main roads are paved, for the most part, but there are very steep hills and hair-pin curves so keep your eyes on the road. A single primary road circles the island and several roads criss-cross it. These cross roads are almost always through hilly/mountainous terrain. Virgin Gorda has a smaller road system and a single, steep road links the north and south ends of Virgin Gorda. Anegada's roads are little more than sandy lanes and dirt roads. Speed limits, which seem to be rarely enforced, are 20 mph in town and 35 mph outside town. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/British_Virgin_Islands/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:41:24 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/British_Virgin_Islands/ Mon, 9 Nov 2009 05:41:24 EST