The British Virgin Islands: Sailor’s Paradise
If you’ve ever considered a British Virgin Islands vacation, you probably have heard it called the Caribbean’s sailing capitol. There are many excellent reasons for this name, from the weather to the communities on the islands.
The geography of the BVI’s is remarkable. The weather throughout the islands is very stable, varying only a little with the seasons. The wind is perfect for sailing and other water sports, a Caribbean trade wind of ten to twenty-five knots or just a little more from December through February. Partly because of this stable weather, the temperature of the water is almost always swimmable, hovering within five degrees of 80 all year. Because the islands are so tightly packed, the water remains calm in most areas, making sailing here very easy - ideal for a beginner - and also providing plenty of anchorage and great places to stop for dinner or exploring.
Chartering a private yacht in the British Virgin Islands is the ideal way to explore this unique archipelago. You have the freedom to move from island to island, enjoying each perfect beach, snorkeling in crystal waters off coral reefs sprinkled with anemone and colorful tropical fauna. If this sounds ideal to you, you’ll be glad to know that there are more charter yachts located in the British Virgin Islands than anywhere in the world.
Looking to get here The BVI are located at the mouth of the Caribbean Sea, south of the Bahamas and only sixty miles east of Puerto Rico. There are 50 islands and cays making up the group, and each is a little different, some covered with mountains and jungle-filled valleys, others bare white sand beaches, and several with dozens of coves pocketing the coast, each with a unique beach. There are two primary island groupings here, the Windward and Leeward (leeward meaning the region that does not catch the wind).
Those mountains and valleys and beaches of the British Virgin Islands are nearly unspoilt. Unlike many of the islands in the Caribbean, the BVI aren’t touristy or built up with casinos and tall hotels. Often, you’ll find the towns and villages here lack even traffic lights and the traffic to justify them. Instead, you’ll find islands filled with peace and beauty, quiet glorious sunsets and the symphony of jungle birds drifting to the beaches nearby. You can hear yourself think on the British Virgin Islands, a rare treat in today’s world.
The BVI government has done a great deal to preserve its beauty. They’ve earned worldwide applause with innovations like the National Parks Trust, a government agency that protects and maintains the underwater ecosystems and the natural jungle of the islands. Because they’ve done such an outstanding job, you can’t find better snorkeling anywhere in the world; underwater parks are dotted throughout the Islands. Think about it: you charter a boat, sail from island to island, and stop your leisurely journey only long enough to explore the underwater canyons and little shore restaurants that are found all over the island. Can you imagine a better vacation than a chartered yacht in the British Virgin Islands?
Tags: bareboat, British Virgin Islands, BVI's, chartering, luxury charters, Sailing, Tortola Sailing, yacht chartersBarry Monteiro has spent over 35 traveling in the Caribbean. Tortola has become one of his favorite places to go. He enjoys writing about his favorite subjects http://www.tortola-beaches.com and Tortola Yacht Charters
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