From the pen of Alexander Britell and Guy Britton…..

A little more than a year ago, the leisure boats and charter yachts pulled away from Jost Van Dyke on an afternoon not unlike this one, sipping their last painkillers, their last Firewater, savoring their last conch fritters for what would be a very long goodbye.

“Adios to Jost,” wrote the Virgin Islands’ most famous musical ambassador, Kenny Chesney, in “It’s That Time of Day,” singing years ago of the late afternoon departure ritual on White Bay.

But this was not a goodbye.

Because now, after months of struggle, grief, rebuild and recovery, Jost Van Dyke is back again.

The hills are green, the turquoise shimmering, the trees rising. The white of White Bay is just as blindingly bright.

And, yes, the dollars are soggy again.

Thursday marks one year since the savage storm bent the British Virgin Islands, but this chain of infinitely strong islands did not break.  Read more here and please read right to the end – it’s a wonderful story so full of positivity and determination.

I would just like to quash the myth that there is not a lot to do in the BVI except lie on the beautiful beaches and swim in the turqouise waters.  In fact, there is a lot to do and this is only a small example of what you can do in the British Virgin Islands.

For the active water sports people, there is a wide choice of activities such as kite-boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, snuba, stand up paddle-boarding, windsurfing and surfing (yes surfing between October and April, small boat sailing on a variety of dinghies and Hobie-cats, fly-boarding to give you that adrenaline rush or just a relaxing day sail on a catamaran or monohull with lunch included.

If you are a confirmed land-lubber you can hike up Sage Mountain on Tortola, visit the Botanical Gardens, take the “Original Virgin Canopy Tour” which is similar to a zipline but safer and much quieter affording spectacular views over Road Town, take an island tour of Tortola or Virgin Gorda, hike to the top of Gorda Peak or simply relax on one of the many beautiful and stunning white sand beaches.

The BVI is welcoming back the tourists and would love to see YOU!

Call me to book your next holiday to the British Virgin Islands.

I just wanted to share this with you from the owner of Bitter End Yacht Club.  Things are moving and Bitter End will be back!  Read on….

A Message from the BEYC Crew!

Greetings from the Bitter End team. We hope you’re all having a great summer on, in and off the water, wherever you may be. It soon will be a year since Hurricane Irma scored her direct hit on North Sound, with her sister, Maria, visiting a handful of days later.  As most of you know, their unladylike behavior left virtually every structure at Bitter End smashed beyond repair and wrecked most of BEYC’s large and small boats.

As I write this from Bitter End, we’re in the midst of Phase 2 of the clean-up project, which is focused on dismantling structures and disposing of debris. There are 60+ workers on property, supported by heavy equipment and dump trucks. We have acquired a low-emissions, environmentally-friendly incinerator to dispose of organic debris, mostly wood; and we will remove other debris for appropriate offsite disposal.

There’s no doubt that it’s a daunting task to clear our 64 acres of an estimated 3,000 tons of debris from the nearly 70 shattered buildings; to prepare the property for new construction; and to get Bitter End back up and running. But, for us, it’s a very special and exciting opportunity that the entire team is tackling with enthusiasm and optimism. We are working with our architect, Matthew Falkiner of Simplemente Madera, to make sure “BEYC 2.0” will reflect its 50-year legacy of laid back fun and that it will personify the welcoming and friendly energy, vibe, spirit and respect for the natural environment that always has been Bitter End’s lifeblood.

We’re focused on having our mooring field, marina and harbour-front operations, including food, beverage and retail, in full swing by spring, 2019. By then, we will be on our way to building out the rest of Bitter End’s Village center as well as planning and mobilizing for follow-up phases across our 64 acres and along our mile of shoreline. Each day’s progress brings us closer to welcoming you ashore at Bitter End once more.

Bitter End 2.0 will continue its commitment to the Virgin Gorda community, which remains very much in need of support.  Aided by the generosity that our guests and friends have shown over the past year we have been able to:

–Respond, within 48 hours of Hurricane Irma’s passage, to the acute needs of Virgin Gordians for emergency evacuations, food, water, medical and other critical supplies. This only was possible through the kindness and generosity of friends in Puerto Rico and North Sound.
–Bring timely and sustained post-hurricane emergency financial assistance directly to Bitter End’s 170+ employees.
–Sponsor a Holiday Party featuring Santa and toys for the local Virgin Gorda Community.
–Continue our support of “VISAR” (Virgin Islands Search and Rescue).
–Contribute meaningfully to the BVI Tech Ed Project, which through a grant in partnership with other BVI hospitality industry participants, has facilitated donation of 650 Chromebooks to the Ministry of Education & Culture of the British Virgin Islands; and has resulted in a follow-on grant for additional Chromebooks that will ensure that BVI high school students in private and parochial schools have access to this technology as well.
–Conduct, along with Sunchaser Scuba, World Oceans Day shoreline and seabed clean-up in North Sound.
–Sponsor the non-profit Saira Hospitality School’s training initiatives for Virgin Gorda and other BVI residents.

Your support and generosity continue to be instrumental in making possible these and future initiatives to assist our community. Fundraising and support for the community will remain a key feature as we ramp up BEYC 2.0. We continue to be amazed by the Bitter End community’s inexhaustible compassion and the persistent energy, strength, support and generosity that reinforces our resolve every day to turn this challenge into the exciting opportunity of bending on new sails and continuing with the remarkable voyage that has been and will continue to be Bitter End.

So please stay tuned! During the runup to BEYC 2.0, please help us at #BringBackBitterEnd by getting out your favorite Bitter End gear, wearing it and using it on the water this summer. Then share the fun with us on Facebook and check for updates there on Bitter End’s resurgence, including some exciting new things that we’ll share with you very soon.

Thanks to every one of our treasured Bitter End friends for your incredible support and your devotion to Bitter End and the BVI over its 50-year history and especially during the past tough ten months.

The BVI are making great strides forward in lots of avenues – feet are NOT being dragged!   Think about this island paradise for your next holiday and call BVI Holidays today.

Bitter End will be back!

It’s beautiful, it’s quirky, it’s historic, it’s scenic and … it reopened on the 1^st of August.

Guana Island is one of the leading hotels in the BVI and they welcomed their first guests since the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, on the 1^st August.

This private island getaway, home to 18 suites and 4 villas, is renowned for its natural beauty, its commitment to local and organic sourcing and its pristine beaches.

Guana, has completed a significant restoration project that included refreshing all 18 suites; cleaning and restoring the landscaping, including its famous organic orchard; adding a new water filtration system and running all of its vital infrastructure below ground.  It has been a huge project.

The orchard on Guana Island has also added three new greenhouses (including removable roofs) and even 100 new chickens who supply eggs to the Guana kitchen.

For the walkers amongst you, Guana has 12 miles of hiking trails – some can be quite challenging – An ascent of Sugarloaf Mountain’s 806-foot summit will be rewarded with a stunning view of the surrounding British Virgin Islands, or…..you can just relax on the beach with a cocktail and a good book.

If you would like to spend some time on beautiful Guana Island, call BVI Holidays – we would love to arrange this for you.

Your hammock awaits….

Anegada (meaning drowned island) is the northernmost island in the British Virgin Islands and about a 5 hour sail from Beef Island where the airport is.  It lies approximately 15 miles north of Virgin Gorda and is the only inhabited island in the BVI formed from coral and limestone rather than being of volcanic origin.  It is also the second largest BV Island but only has a population of around 300.

Unlike the other islands in the BVI, Anegada is flat and low with it’s highest point being about 28 feet.

Anegada has miles of stunning white sand beaches and the 18-mile long Horseshoe Reef, the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean, and the fourth largest on earth.  The reef makes navigation to Anegada difficult and has caused hundreds of shipwrecks over the years. The sailing companies in the BVI ban sailors from taking their yachts to Anegada in case they run aground on the reef unless of course the skipper is very highly qualified.

Fishing is a substantial business on Anegada, with local fishermen providing the majority of the fresh fish and lobster catch for the rest of the British Virgin Islands, hence the famous “Anegada Lobster” offered on almost every lunch and dinner menu.  Its miles of south shore flats has a large population of Bonefish making Anegada a popular destination for fly fishing.  You do need a permit, but these are easy to obtain.

The Anegada Beach Club is located on one of the stunning beaches and has recently added brand new Beachfront Palapas Retreats which are truly amazing.  Great kite-surfing here too!

If you prefer to do your own thing and have a small villa, look no further – the Big Bamboo Cottages on beautiful Loblolly Beach are definitely the place to be and……right next door to the Big Bamboo Beach Bar and Restaurant, if you don’t fancy cooking.

The snorkelling off the Anegada beaches is second to none and you might even be lucky enough to see this little fellow or one of his brothers or sisters.

Two or three centres can be arranged to include Anegada and any of the other British Virgin Islands.  Call me to discuss and book your next holiday!

SNUBA (Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus) is an amazing underwater adventure which is perfect for couples, families, children and seniors. Learning to SNUBA in the BVI is easy and does not require any Scuba diving certification or previous experience; if you can breathe, look and kick your legs then you can SNUBA. It is also a terrific way for certified divers to introduce non-certified partners and family members to the beauty of the underwater world in the British Virgin Islands, many of whom then go on to become certified divers.

SNUBA allows you to explore a three-dimensional world you cannot experience while snorkelling. Swim side by side with turtles and fish along the brightly coloured coral reef. Breathe through a simple to use regulator while your air supply floats on a comforting support raft at the surface.

Enjoy SNUBA at any depth – 2 feet, 10 feet or 20 feet. SNUBA is experienced at your own level of comfort and your BVI SNUBA guide will be with you throughout your entire tour.

One of the greatest features of SNUBA is that guests do NOT have a tank strapped to their back.  SNUBA guests breathe though a standard regulator system and mouthpiece. Air is delivered through a positively buoyant (floating) 20 foot air-line that is connected to the compressed air tanks in the SNUBA raft on the surface. The air-line allows guests to dive to whatever depth they feel most comfortable, up to a maximum depth of 20 feet. You can “power snorkel” at the surface or go down to 2 feet, 5 feet, 10 feet or to the max at 20 feet.

Guests are also trained how to use the air-line for a “hand-over-hand” controlled ascent and descent as well as using it to maintain their vertical control over fragile coral in the British Virgin Islands.

You can learn to SNUBA in the BVI in 3 easy steps……

1.  Participate in a 15 minute safety briefing and learn all about using the SNUBA equipment and what to expect during your guided experience
2. Get geared up for your BVI SNUBA experience with your mask, fins and weight belt.
3. Swim, breathe and explore the amazing underwater world of the British Virgin Islands at your comfort level guided by a highly skilled and trained SNUBA professional. 

I have recently returned from the British Virgin Islands – my first visit since Hurricane Irma struck last September.

I was very encouraged by what I saw.  I visited many properties – hotels, villas, yacht companies and also the odd beach bar….research, honestly!

Everyone has been pulling out all the stops to rebuild and restore their properties to their former glory and make them even better.  Some of the hotels have re-opened and many villas and apartments are also up and running and look amazing.

One of the villas I visited was the beautiful Sunset House which has been completely restored, renewed and has been welcoming guests since 1^st June.  It is a beautiful 5 bedroom villa with pool overlooking stunning Long Bay Beach on Tortola.  It’s fairly unique as breakfast is included in the rate and the villa comes with the services of a maid and a cook who will also cook dinner for the guests – you just pay for the ingredients.

Sunset House has 5 bedrooms but if there are less people, you will only be charged for the bedrooms that you actually use.  It’s great for a family or a group of friends and has many repeat clients.

The rates start at a very reasonable £700.00 per person for 7 nights based on 10 people sharing and including continental breakfast.  It really is excellent value for money.  Flights additional.

I also visited Sebastian’s on the Beach at Little Apple Bay which was very close to completion.  They had already installed brand new windows, doors, furniture and lovely new soft furnishings were waiting, ready to be unwrapped.

Sebastian’s re-opened their Beachfront rooms on 1^st July and they are even more amazing than before and…..what a view!

Prices start at £560.00 per person on room only basis.  Flights additional.

There are many beautiful properties throughout the BVI that have been restored to their former glory…….just waiting for YOU!

The sailing is still amazing and has been fully up and running since January – take your pick from monohulls, catamarans, power cats and motor yachts – the choice is yours.

Do pick up the phone, I would love to hear from you.

Since Hurricane Irma paid an unwelcome visit to the beautiful BVI last September, everyone has been busy rebuilding hotels, beach bars and restaurants.  Many have already opened and are welcoming their guests.  The Paradise Club on Cane Garden Bay, Tortola is back up and running and serving cold beer and great food.  Neptune’s Treasure on Anegada has taken the opportunity to build a bigger and better Tiki bar and assure you that “your jungle juice and fresh seafood are waiting!”

Captain Mulligans Sports Bar at Nanny Cay on Tortola re-opened last October and is showing the big games and serving, sandwiches, pizza, burgers, quesadillas and lots more.

Coco Maya on Virgin Gorda is back to serving amazing food and drinks in a great atmosphere – such a stunning place to hang out.

The painkillers are flowing again at the Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay on Jost van Dyke and….it’s even better than before!

Pirates Bight restaurant on Norman Island – fabulous to see the yachts back and people enjoying themselves relaxing and having fun.

Pusser’s BVI recently released a “6 Month Hurricane Irma Update” with details regarding all of their properties including Pusser’s Road Town Pub on Tortola, Pusser’s Landing in Soper’s Hole on Tortola, Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda and Marina Cay….a tiny island close to the airport.  Of particular interest is the announcement that the clean-up and rebuilding of Marina Cay has started.  The future for Marina Cay is good because the island is so naturally beautiful and popular with visiting yachties.

The clean-up was a massive job and took about 50 people more than 2 weeks, and barge load after barge load to haul away the huge amount of flotsam and jetsam that was strewn everywhere.  The most exciting announcement was that they located the old red telephone box lying buried on the seabed, but at quite a distance from the dock.  It’s solid cast iron, and must weigh at least 1500 pounds.  Nobody can figure out how it came to rest where it did. Soon, it will be raised and placed back on the dock where it belongs.

They are also going to open a new small restaurant in the patio that was outside of the store and a small Pusser’s Store will be opening in the Robb White House on the summit of Marina Cay.

All exciting stuff!

The iconic red phone box is back!

The British Virgin Islands will be represented by ten athletes in two sports at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the east coast of Australia from 04-15 April, 2018.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance in the national and international arena:

Track and Field athletes include Ashley Kelly (400m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles).

Squash players include Joe Chapman (Squash Singles and Doubles), and Neville Sorrentino (Squash Singles and Doubles).

Commending the athletes on their selection, CGA President, Ephraim Penn said that, the Commonwealth Games is one of the five main international sporting events that VI athletes aspire to compete in and it’s not easy to be selected.

“We have a restriction on the number of athletes that can take part in the Games and the selected sports men and women should be justifiably proud that their hard work and commitment has paid off. We are excited to be heading off with what is perhaps one of the largest and strongest teams to represent the territory at these Games.”

Noting further that Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the BVI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said they recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes and their families.

“And not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels. The CGA highly commends and congratulates all those selected and looks forward to the positive impact a successful Games will have on the morale of all our athletes and the territory.”

He added, “Australia is a long-haul trip and many of our athletes will begin their journey in a few weeks so that they can settle in, acclimatize and get on with their training regime ahead of their events.
The GC2018 opening ceremony will kick off when the Queen’s Baton Relay – the pre-cursor to the Commonwealth Games which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials expected from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents to come together to participate in the Friendly Games, organisers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

Photo from BVI Platinum News

Talk about flying in the face of adversity!  I say “very well done” to these young people and their coaches who have had a very difficult few months, but have chosen to rise above everything that has happened and get on with their lives with grit and determination.  Good luck to them all!