The major BVI Islands - Chartering to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke and Peter Island
Tortola | Virgin Gorda | Jost Van Dyke | Anegada | Peter Island | Norman Island | Google Map of the BVI | Nautical Charts of the BVI
The following is a quick overview of the individual Islands of the BVI. Each has a more complete description in a linked page.
Tortola
Tortola is the largest and most populated island in the BVI archipelago. It is a mountainous, volcanic island 12 miles (19 km) long and 3 miles (5 km). The main town is Road Town, where most of the boats are moored, and the population of the Island is about 25,000. Access to Road Town is either by ferry from the neighboring US Virgin Islands, or by bridge from the airport on Beef Island.
Aside from Road Town, the other main port on Tortola is Soper's Hole, a clean and pretty colonial port town brimming with charm. The marina offers 20 moorings, 45 slips, fuel, ice, showers and complete provisioning facilities. The famous Pussers Landing Restaurant and Bar two floors of dining, dancing and fun.
Tortola has some excellent beaches. The nicest are located along the north side of the island, where quiet coves and bays are fringed with soft, white sands. You'll enjoy the picturesque Cane Garden Bay, or Long Bay, with its mile-long beach. North of Road Town you'll find Trunk Bay beach, probably the most deserted on the island.
Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda (derived from Spanish "Fat Virgin" as named by Columbus) is the third-largest (after Tortola and Anegada) of the islands comprising the BVI. Virgin Gorda's major attraction is "The Baths" located on the southern end of the island. The Baths are a number of huge granite boulders strewn on the beach, forming scenic caves that are open to the sea. Swimming and snorkeling are the main attractions here. The major resort on the island is Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor, formerly the Rockefeller Resort of Little Dix Bay.
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is a relaxed island known worldwide for its casual lifestyle, protected anchorages, fine beaches, lobster feasts and beachfront restaurants and bars. It is home to Foxy's, a beach bar and restaurant renowned for its beach parties (especially on New Year's Eve), and the Soggy Dollar Bar. Great Harbor (where you'll find Foxy's) is a large, if sometimes difficult holding, anchorage. It has moorings as well as an easy entrance do in the center, but avoid the large reef that extends 300 yards from the beach. White Bay, home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, is a gorgeous white Sandy Beach that hosts beach parties during the day and is very quiet at night.
Anegada
Anegada is the second largest of the British Virgin Islands, but quite different because it is coral, not volcanic in origin. The highest point is only 26 feet above sea level, and it is difficult to approach because of all the coral reefs. It is an island that is worth visiting for its beaches, relaxed style (there are almost no inhabitants) and its lobster barbecues on the beach.
The island has a history of shipwrecks on the reefs and offers wildlife including turtles, pelicans, the endangered Anegada iguana, flamingoes, and of course, lobsters. It is definitely worth a trip if you're looking for a relaxed beach day, with a few pina coladas at a beach bar, and a big lobster roast at night!
Peter Island
Peter Island, directly south of Tortola, is beautiful and nearly undisturbed except for the famous Peter Island resort. The island offers one of the most romantic beaches in the world at Deadmans Bay, abundant sea turtles, and excellent beaches. Worth a stop on any itinerary!
Norman Island
Norman Island is reputed to be the Robert Louis Stevenson's inspiration for Treasure Island, and given the caves and remote anchorages it's easy to imagine why. The island is uninhabited and lies just south of Tortola and east of St Johns, USVI. Norman island is best known for an excellent anchorage called "the Bight" and "the Caves" one of the best snorkelling areas in the BVI.
Google Map of the Virgin Islands
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Nautical Chart of the Virgin Islands
Use the view controls at the bottom to navigate around the british virgin islands
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