Answer….lots!

A visit to the British Virgin Islands is not all about lying on the stunning beaches, although of course you can do this too and….there are countless beautiful beaches to choose from.  Not everybody wants to do this all of the time and you are spoilt for choice from the many wonderful and different activities on offer in the beautiful BVI – here are just a few…..

1) The diving in the BVI is second to none and there are many excellent dive companies dotted around the islands all catering for various levels of divers. If you don’t dive but want to learn, the BVI is the perfect location.  Reef diving, wreck diving and night dives too.  The BVI has it all.

Painted Walls

This visually stunning site is perfect for beginners. This site is fun to explore because the colourful canyons create unique passageways for swimming. The sun helps keep visibility fairly high lighting up beautiful corals and all kinds of aquatic wildlife.

Wreck of the Rhone

This is the Royal Mail steamship which sank in a storm in the BVI in 1867. This is the most popular dive site in the BVI that, as an advanced diver, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss out on. RMS Rhone is rich in history and home to a significant number of artefacts from 1867.

2) The BVI is known as the sailing capital of the world and justifiably so.  If you want to charter a bareboat, choose from monohulls, catamarans or power boats.  If you can’t sail and would like a skipper, this can be arranged for you. If you would like to share aboard a luxury catamaran with like-minded people, BVI Holidays can arrange a By-the-Cabin charter.

If you don’t sail but would like to learn BVI Holidays works with an excellent sailing school on Tortola which offers courses from beginner level to Yachtsmaster and Coastal Navigation.

3) If kitesurfing is your thing, the Tommy Gaunt Kitesurfing School on Anegada offers lessons and equipment rental.

4) On Tortola a high flying trip with The Original Virgin Canopy Tour is a must.  It’s similar to zip-lining only safer and quieter and certainly exhilarating!

5) A day out on the water with Captain Patrick at Celtic Power Boats is not to be missed.  Captain Patrick will take you to places in the BVI that a lot of the locals don’t know exist!  There are also other companies offering day sails throughout the BVI.

6) If you like to kayak, you can either rent your own kayak or book a guided tour through the flats and mangroves with GroundSea Adventures. You can also do this on a paddleboard and really put your core to the test! BVI Holidays can put you in contact with them.

7) Blue Rush Watersports on Virgin Gorda provide clear bottom kayaks, sailing dinghys, windsurfers and paddleboards.  However, a really fun thing to do with them is Fly-boarding.  Josh will teach you how!

8) The Callwood Rum Distillery on Cane Garden Bay, Tortola is interesting, historic and the rum samples are excellent!

9) Road Town is the capital of the British Virgin Islands and home to the beautiful Botanical Gardens – another “must do” to add to your list.

10) If you are staying on Virgin Gorda or just spending the day, you may like to visit the Nail Bay Sports Club where you can play tennis, squash, table tennis, work out in the gym and finish with a dip in the pool and a fabulous meal at Sugarcane restaurant.

These are only 10 of many things you will find to do while holidaying in the beautiful BVI. If you would like more information, please do give us a call on 01279 871188 or drop us an e-mail.

The British Virgin Islands, or BVI for short, are located in the northern Caribbean, 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. The BVI is a British Overseas Territory and has its own democratically elected government with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.

The BVI consists of approximately 60 islands with Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost van Dyke being the main islands.  Tortola is home to Road Town, the capital of the BVI and the main banking hub for the islands.  Tortola however, has many beautiful white sand beaches and plenty of hotels, villas and apartments to choose from.

Virgin Gorda is only half an hour by ferry from Tortola but “sleepier” and smaller.  Virgin Gorda is home to 5 star hotels and luxury villas set on stunning beaches.

Anegada is the most northern island in the BVI and 45 minutes from Tortola by ferry or a quick 12 minute flight with VI Airlink or Island Birds.  Anegada is the original Robinson Crusoe island where you can wander barefoot all day and night if you wish.  Although Anegada is the second largest island in the BVI, it’s sparsely populated and you can stroll along the stunning beaches for miles and hardly see anyone else.

Anegada is home to two hotels – the Anegada Reef Hotel and the Anegada Beach Club and a few villas and apartments.  There are also lots of great bars and restaurants to choose from on Anegada.

How do you get to the BVI from the UK?  The best route is from Gatwick to Antigua with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, then onwards with inter-Caribbean Airways to Tortola.  Flights are almost daily with the flight to Antigua  only 8 hours and the onward flight 1 hour.  You will soon be on your balcony sipping a cocktail and enjoying the sunset over the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

This is a question that I am asked time and again and understandably so, but it’s like asking “how long is a piece of string?”.

It all depends when you go, how long you wish to stay for and what type of accommodation you require.  Do you want to stay in a small inexpensive beach apartment, or at a luxury villa with pool?  Perhaps you prefer to stay in a 5 star deluxe hotel or aboard a yacht or a combination of these.  There are so many options but I am going to give you a few examples of where you can stay in the beautiful British Virgin Islands and approximately how much it will cost.

Do please bear in mind that flights are in addition to the costs below and BVI Holidays can arrange these for you.

Tortola is the main island in the BVI and the Sugar Mill is a lovely boutique hotel with only 23 rooms.  If you have 7 nights at the Sugar Mill between April and December the cost will be £940.00 per person based on two people sharing the lead in category room. This cost includes the fabulous Sugar Mill breakfast every morning.  Sugar Mill also has an All Inclusive package which is one of the best I’ve seen.   If you would prefer a lovely typically Caribbean villa with pool look no further than Limeberry House which has three very different and lovely bedrooms.  The cost based on six people sharing will be a mere £500.00 per person for 7 nights.

Virgin Gorda is only half an hour on the ferry from Tortola but it is very different.  Rosewood Little Dix Bay is a stunning 5 star deluxe hotel with butler service set on a stunning beach.  Rates here start at £470.00 per person per night including breakfast but at various times throughout the year, they give free nights away – a deal not to be missed!  Another great option on Virgin Gorda is to have a one bedroom cottage on stilts at Guavaberry Spring Bay.  The cottages are set in tropical gardens and a short stroll through the grounds takes you to yet another fabulous white sand beach – Spring Bay.  7 nights here in low season – mid-April to mid-December will cost £680.00 per person (based on two people sharing).  This is based on self-catering and the cottages have very well equipped kitchens but there are plenty of restaurants on Virgin Gorda within a few minutes drive.

Anegada is the second largest island in the BVI but with a population of around 300.  Travelling to Anegada is either by ferry from Tortola or Virgin Gorda or a short very scenic flight from either island which takes less than 15 minutes.  The Anegada Beach Club is an amazing place on a fabulous beach.  The low season price for 4 nights here (based on two sharing) in one of their romantic beachfront Palapa Retreats will cost £725.00 per person on room only.  They do have less expensive rooms too, which are lovely costing £440.00 per person for 4 nights.  Another of my favourite spots on Anegada is the Big Bamboo on Loblolly beach where 4 nights in low season in one of their lovely one bedroom cottages will cost £500.00 per person.  This includes breakfast and again, the beach is stunning.

I’m going to give you just one more example of cost and that has to be Guana Island.  Guana is the most magical, special place with wonderful staff, fabulous service and stunning beaches.  This really is a place like no other.  The lead in price for 7 nights on Guana Island will be £2310.00 per person.  This includes all meals and wine with lunch and dinner, snacks at the beach, water sports, tennis courts with equipment provided, film nights with popcorn in their Garden of Eden and much, much more.  There is nowhere else on earth quite like Guana Island.

You can have a combination of islands and accommodation and/or yacht charter – bareboat, fully crewed or by-the-cabin charters.  You can even spend just one or two nights somewhere just to try it out for next time you visit the BVI!

Of course this is just a very small example just to give you an idea of costs.  BVI Holidays has by far, the largest choice of accommodation in the British Virgin Islands and we are the BVI experts. Our knowledge of the islands is unsurpassed.

If you want to find out more about the beautiful BVI or would like a quote for a different time of year, do call or email and we will be delighted to assist you.

The BVI awaits…..

The British Virgin Islands are made up of approximately 60 islands and lie to the east of Puerto Rico in the northern Caribbean.  The population of the BVI is approximately 30,000 which leaves plenty of room for discerning visitors.

Tortola which is the main island in the British Virgin Islands is home to approximately 24,000 residents and Virgin Gorda, which is half an hour by ferry from Tortola has a population of approximately 4,500.  Anegada on the other hand, although it is the second largest island in the BVI has only just over 300 residents.  That’s why you can walk along the white sand beaches for miles and hardly see another living soul.

Where should you stay on Tortola?  It all depends on how much you want to spend on your accommodation and if you prefer the seclusion of a villa with pool, a nice boutique hotel or an apartment in a stunning location.  Let’s say you would like a small boutique hotel right next to a beautiful beach, serving fabulous food and with a nice pool for cooling off at the end of the afternoon.  Look no further than the Sugar Mill Hotel with only 23 rooms the service and attention to detail is second to none.

Virgin Gorda in the BVI has many beautiful hotels and villas and one of my favourite villas is Beachcomber – a 5 bedroom villa sitting right on the sand at Mahoe Bay.  It doesn’t get any better than this. Beachcomber Villa is within a few minutes drive of great places to eat or you can have a chef come to cook you a delicious dinner.  The choice is yours.

Anegada is the kite-surfing capital of the BVI and you can do this at the Anegada Beach Club  Their thatched Palapa Retreat rooms on the beach are just amazing and one of them even has twin outdoor bath-tubs.

The British Virgin Islands remain unspoilt, uncrowded and under-populated.  Make sure you select the beautiful BVI for your 2021 holiday.  Call for a chat and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

The Government of the British Virgin Islands has announced that their borders will remain closed to visitors until the beginning of September 2020.  Three cases of Covid-19 were reported over the past few weeks and all of these people have recovered.  No new cases have been reported.

This is largely due to the quick action of the BVI Government earlier this year, as soon as it became apparent that this virus could pose a serious threat.  They banned all cruise ships and cancelled all the sailing regattas.  These actions undoubtedly saved many people from serious illness.

The BVI will of course be welcoming visitors as soon as their Government deem it safe to do so.

Why not think about booking your 2021 holiday to the beautiful BVI and you will have something to look forward to.

Dream now, travel later and make your dream a reality…….

Call or email BVI Holidays to book your BVI holiday for 2021.

Well – what an eventful couple of weeks this has been!  We’ve had the sad demise of Flybe and the escalation of the Coronavirus, forcing Italy into complete lockdown.

No country is immune of course but I am pleased to report that at the time of writing, the beautiful BVI remains coronavirus free but has procedures in place for immediate isolation should anyone become infected.

This is an excerpt from a statement issued by the BVI’s Minister for Health and Social Development the Hon Carvin Malone….

“While there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our Territory, we are keeping a high level of vigilance and monitoring the global spread of the virus.“

And another excerpt from a statement issued by British Airways……

ENHANCED AIRCRAFT CLEANING
The cleanliness of our aircraft is of utmost importance. We have reviewed and made changes to our cleaning programme for aircraft including increasing our cleaning teams and audit inspections. Our disinfectant cleaning fluids are used on every aircraft after each flight to thoroughly clean all hard surfaces in the cabins and lavatories.

All our aircraft are fitted with HEPA filters which remove particulate and bacterial contamination and provide passengers with clean air. They provide the same level of air filtration as hospital operating theatres.

Responsible and reassuring words indeed. In the past, we’ve had to deal with SARS, Swine Flu’, Bird Flu’,  to name but a few.  All of them came and all of them went. COVID-19 will be no exception.

Instead of allowing this to dominate all of our lives, I urge you to think of happier things…..swaying palm trees, sparkling turquoise waters, white sand beaches, boats bobbing around on the warm sea.…you know where this is going right?

Pick up the phone and talk to me about booking your next holiday to the beautiful BVI and…..this could be you

Virgin Gorda has a brand new sports club.

It is called the Nail Bay Sports Club and is set among beautiful gardens with a stunning coastal backdrop.

The Nail Bay Sports Club offers a floodlit tennis court with resident pro and two world class squash courts with a moveable partition to create a doubles court. Play this fast-hitting game with friends before a dip in the pool and a well-deserved drink at the bar. You might also benefit from tips on technique from the resident coach who is the former No. 10 in the world and a Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist.

The Nail Bay Sports Club also offers table tennis, a gym and a fabulous pool for cooling off in afterwards.

The Sugarcane Restaurant at the Sports Club serves delicious food and the views are spectacular.

Where else could you say “game, set and match” against a backdrop like this?

For more information about the Nail Bay Sports Club on Virgin Gorda, contact BVI Holidays on 01279 871188.

Lambert Beach Resort and Spa in the beautiful BVI has reopened.   The resort has the same Italian owners who have completely refurbished the property and added a fitness room, tennis court and spa.  It’s just beautiful.

Lambert Beach Resort is situated on a stunning beach at the Northeast of Tortola close to Beef Island airport.  They have a brand new chef offering many culinary delights, not only at the beachfront restaurant but at the poolside and swim-up bars too.

You can also combine a few nights at Lambert Beach Resort on Tortola with a few nights on beautiful Virgin Gorda or prior to, or after a yacht charter.  It’s all very flexible.

Call BVI Holidays to book your stay at Lambert Beach Resort and Spa.

You may or may not be aware that week commencing 6^th January was World Travel Week.  Back in December, I was approached and asked if I would be interested in promoting the BVI as the “go to” destination for 2020.  Of course I was, I didn’t need to be asked twice!  What an amazing opportunity to raise awareness for the beautiful BVI.

I went along to the recording studio in London on 8^th January and was interviewed by several radio stations including Sky and BBC Radio Norfolk – 16 interviews altogether!  I was extremely nervous but excited too.  It all went really well and it was a real pleasure speaking with so many different presenters in locations all over the UK.

Where is YOUR “go to” destination this year, or even next year?  I do hope it is the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

If you would rather be here doing this

then that’s absolutely fine, but if you would rather be doing this….

Please contact BVI Holidays and we look forward to hearing from you –  01279 871188.  We would be happy to assist in arranging a fabulous holiday to your very own little corner of paradise.

It might be black, dark and miserable where you are right now but why not plan a holiday to the golden beaches and turquoise seas of the beautiful BVI!

I am delighted to be able to offer you a whopping 25% discount off of any power cat or motor yacht in the Virgin Motor Yacht’s bareboat fleet.  Hurry though – this has to be booked by 5^th December 2019.  Offer is subject to availability and is not valid over the Christmas period.  It is valid however throughout 2020 (apart from Christmas).  If you do not sail yourself, BVI Holidays can organise a skipper for you.

Does this look tempting??   This could be you……

Call BVI Holidays to book your next holiday to the beautiful British Virgin Islands.