British Virgin Islands: an archipelago of 60 islands and islets, considered ideal for sailing due to its excellent climatic and maritime conditions, calm waters and good winds.
The paradise is one of the best island hopping destinations in the world. The experience of sailing from island to island encompasses a diversity of natural landscapes in a single trip and offers visitors stops at gastronomic and cultural attractions, diving spots and national parks.
Sounds lovely, right? And not only does it sound lovely, it is in fact wonderful and surprising! If your curiosity to know all the details about these splendid islands is here to stay, follow the rest of this text and discover everything they have to offer you in a personalized travel itinerary!
Curiosities about the British Virgin Islands
There are hotels and villas for tourists looking for peace and quiet
The fabulous hotels and villas of the British Virgin Islands are spread over different islands. The BVI - short for British Virgin Islands - are ideal for those wishing to escape mass tourism and for families, honeymooners, adventurers, divers and incentive tourism.
They are an autonomous territory of the United Kingdom
The islands have been an autonomous overseas territory of the United Kingdom since 1967. Interestingly, the official currency is the US dollar and the Caribbean influence and customs can be seen in the music, the tasty recipes with fresh fish and the joy of the Virginians.
Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, the small islands - only 16 of which are inhabited - were occupied by the British in 1672. Today, they have the status of a British overseas territory. In the same geological area are the US Virgin Islands (Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John). The largest (and main) islands are Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Tortola: the basis of local tourism.
They blend the cultures of the United Kingdom, the United States and Puerto Rico
As the islands are part of the United Kingdom, but are next to the United States and very close to Puerto Rico, the culture is multifaceted. Traffic follows British law, with cars traveling on the left, but the vehicles are American and drive on the left.
The gastronomy translates into dishes that are a combination of a lot of pepper and typically American sauces, and their English is also a mixture of accents.
They make it easy to get around the islands
You can travel around the British Virgin Islands by boat alone, or you can mix up your stay - part by boat and part by staying in the many charming villas and boutique hotels scattered around the islands.
Accommodation tips in the British Virgin Islands
Below, we'll give you our top tips on some of the most incredible places to stay on land in the BVI. Check them out!
Where to stay on Guana Island
One of the few private islands in the world, Guana remains the most unspoiled jewel in the British Virgin Islands. Its 850 acres, seven beaches, mountains, gardens, organic orchard, dozens of hiking trails and even its flock of flamingos are the exclusive domain of a handful of guests during their stay.
There is no public bar, marina or any other commercial facility on the island. Guana's discreet elegance and absolute privacy (only registered guests are allowed) have made it a haven for celebrities from the world of art, literature, politics and industry.
White Bay Beach - often cited as the best beach in BVI - is a half-mile stretch of white sand. Six other pristine beaches offer even more privacy. Diving opportunities abound, especially at the northern end of Guana, a protected fishing area.
https://www.bvitourism.com/sites/default/files/styles/387×302/public/whitebaybeach.jpg?itok=KyKDZe32
Guana Boutique Hotel
The luxurious Guana Boutique Hotel, founded in 1934, was built with native stone and coral on the foundations of an 18th century Quaker estate. Spread along a panoramic ridge and refreshed by gentle trade winds, each of the 18 exclusive rooms and villas offers impressive views of the Caribbean Atlantic.
Guana's internationally trained chefs create exquisite farm-to-table cuisine, enhanced by produce from the organic orchard itself, as well as breads and muffins made in local ovens. All meals and wines, as well as snacks including tropical fruit and freshly baked cookies, are included in the daily rate.
A fleet of beach toys, such as stand-up paddle boards, pedal boats, kayaks, Sunfish & Hobie Cat, diving equipment and tennis equipment, is at guests' disposal. Other adventures include water skiing, kitesurfing, local and deep-sea fishing, wakeboarding and scuba diving. For those who prefer something less strenuous, the intimate Hibiscus Spa offers massages and beauty treatments by the water.
Accepting guests in the British Virgin Islands for almost a century, Guana has been a welcoming retreat for families and couples, writers, actors and musicians, as well as global leaders in business and politics. Over the decades, it has provided the locations for notable cultural productions, from the classic 1958 film Virgin Island, starring Sidney Poitier and John Cassavetes, to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. The "Queen's Terrace", named after the Queen Mother for her visit to Guana on March 19, 1964, is where guests still gather to wait for the elusive "green flash".
Where to stay on Necker Island
On Necker Island, you can rent the entire island for you and your family and friends, or individual rooms during the year-round Celebration Weeks. By booking a single room, you share the island, getting together at mealtimes and enjoying some of the fantastic water sports facilities and activities on offer. But don't worry if you're the shy type: the island is 32 hectares, so there's plenty of space for a quiet sunbathe or a relaxing dip in one of the pools.
But if you prefer, you can have the whole island, with the place comfortably accommodating 40 people in 20 rooms, consisting of 11 in the Great House, including the Master Suite, as well as 9 more villas scattered around the island, each with its own specificities to suit various guest profiles.
For even larger groups, accommodation can be arranged on nearby Moskito Island for up to 16 additional guests.
https://www.virginlimitededition.com/media/pages/necker-island/gallery/2651025965-1584012963/master_suite.jpg
Moskito Island
https://www.virginlimitededition.com/media/pages/moskito-island/the-island/4277319845-1584012963/02-seared-tuna-salad.jpg
Moskito Island is situated very close to Necker. It features private luxury properties as well as a recreational area and white sandy beaches, providing the perfect balance of a "home away from home" feel combined with a full range of services you would expect from a luxury resort.
Moskito Island has been designed to cater to all tastes and is made up of a collection of luxury private villas, which can be rented by guests looking for the ultimate island retreat with exceptional service, as you would expect from a five-star hotel.
With constant trade winds, warm turquoise waters, beautiful trails and two tennis courts, Moskito Island is the perfect playground for dozens of activities on land or in the water, of course. The Moskito Island team will be happy to organize or facilitate any of the activities you'd like to try. As a rule, if the activity involves leaving the island or if a motorboat is required, a fee will apply.
The shared leisure area on the east side of the island is where you can enjoy a wide range of activities around the Beach House, such as the infinity pool and bar, tennis pavilion, dining pavilions and water sports center.
Exquisite food is the highlight of any guest's stay on Moskito Island, and the options are endless. In the leisure area, meals can be formal or informal, indoor or outdoor, themed or traditional, by the beach or pool, or even under the stars. All meals and events can be organized by the team on the island. The Beach House kitchen is next to a terrace and outdoor dining area with barbecue and pizza oven, which seats up to 26 people.
Cooper Island
Welcome to Cooper Island Beach Club - a family-owned eco-resort on the island's sandy northwest coast. Unique eco-luxury experiences with sustainable tourism practices incorporated into daily operations, without neglecting comfort or modern amenities.
Manchioneel Bay's sandy beach and abundant marine life offer excellent conditions for swimming and snorkeling, and it is also a stopping point for sailing ships and yachts that dock here for meals, drinks and shopping at the Sea Grape Boutique.
Enjoy a Happy Hour cocktail, beer brewed in the in-house microbrewery or try the delicious menus featuring local ingredients in the beachfront restaurant. Whether you're looking for a beach vacation, family reunion, diving adventure or simply relaxing in the British Virgin Islands after your boat charter, Cooper Island Beach Club's bright and elegant rooms offer the perfect place to indulge.
There are eight beachfront rooms nestled among palm trees and tropical flowers, with recycled teak furniture and fabulous views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the islands beyond. The rooms have a duplex design with a connecting door on the balcony, which can be opened to create a two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite. All are fan-cooled, have no air-conditioning and all doors and windows are screened to let in the sea breeze.
Other options for staying in the British Virgin Islands
- Frenchmans, Tortola Buckets and Spades in Tortola.
- Peter Island Resort & Spa - private island and great beaches.
- Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda - where it all began.
In a part of the world full of beautiful beaches, there can be none more impressive than this one: 800 meters of blinding white sand; the buildings behind it all hidden from view, just as Rockefeller planned. The Little Dix, 50 years old in 2021, is still one of the loveliest hotels in the Caribbean, elegant but not especially sophisticated, with good food and a great spa and an ideal environment for children.
There are no room keys, no gaudy colors, no notes of any kind, except perhaps for the mugs and Styrofoam cups at teatime - this being something of an institution at Little Dix. Some of the staff have been here for 40 years or more, and Michael, the boatman, has been in Virgin Gorda for 26 years, although in all that time he has never been to Guana, a 20-minute boat ride away. Curiosity will never kill this cat.
- Oil Nut Bayin Virgin Gorda.
Oil Nut Bay, by American developer David Johnson, a 300-acre community of 88 homes on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda, is accessible only by boat or helicopter and offers housekeeping and butler services. The one-bedroom suites have plunge pools and Fendi Casa interiors. Sustainability and preservation of the region is a concern of the hotel, which uses solar energy and the sauteed snapper with pepperonata and orzo with herbs is not to be missed!
- Scrub Island Resort Marriottsophisticated spa and all the water sports.
Where to eat in the BVI
Saba Rock Bar & Restaurant
Saba Rock - the heart and soul of the Caribbean - is an iconic spot in the middle of the Virgin Islands that attracts sailors, adventurers, travelers, yachtsmen, divers, kitesurfers and tourists alike. The island's relaxed atmosphere and sophisticated cuisine will delight all fans of good food and drink. As the locals say, "there's no better place to party in the whole Caribbean".
A visit to the new Saba Rock is not complete without a stay in the resort's elegant and luxurious accommodation. The resort's facilities include seven elegant rooms and two suites - all with incredible views!
- Cocomaya restaurant - Asian-inspired menu, the best food on the island. Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda.
- Hog Heaven - Piña Coladas, barbecue, fantastic views. Nail Bay Road, Virgin Gorda.
- Roti Palace - Plastic tablecloths, fake flowers, wonderful roti. Main Street, Road Town, Tortola.
- The Dove - Steamed mussels, beef carpaccio, grilled ahi tuna - for when you need a break from burgers and jerk chicken. Main Street, Road Town, Tortola.
Tours and attractions in the British Virgin Islands
https://www.virginlimitededition.com/media/pages/vle/gallery/369227230-1584012963/necker-island-1-aerial.jpg
How to get to the British Virgin Islands
From Brazil, the best options are to disembark in this paradise:
- via Panama, with a stopover in St. Maarten and from there a short flight to Tortola (the archipelago's main island);
- via Miami, with a stop in St. Thomas, and then take a ferry or seaplane to Tortola or Virgin Gorda (the island with the highest concentration of hotels). If you don't want to get too tired, you could stay a few days in Miami or Panama City.
As we've seen, all the options for leisure, relaxation, fun and gastronomy that the British Virgin Islands have to offer are magnificent, aren't they? We hope you've enjoyed this "trip" as you've read, seen some beautiful images and discovered some of the charms of this region.
And if just thinking about being there is wonderful enough, imagine experiencing it all live and in color! So how about planning your next trip to this paradise destination? The BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS are the destination of our 1st Episode of TASTE PRIME, which is already live for registered members. Join for free and let's taste the world together!
