Juneau Alaska
 
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
by Rachelle Dragani
Photos courtesy of The British Vifgin Islands Tourist Board, Anagada Reef Hotel, Blue Escapes Villas & Sandcastle Villas
 

LAY OF THE LAND
Tortola is the main island in the
archipelago and the center of commerce.
Road Town, the capitol, is located on this
island. While bustling, it is a bit more
touristy and less laid-back that some of
the other islands. Honeymooners might
flock to Anegada for its quiet, pristine
beaches and unparalleled nature trails
through beautiful fauna. Jost Van Dyke
Island is the perfect place to sip a rum
concoction and munch on fresh lobster
after a day in the sun or at sea. Other,
smaller islands make up the rest of the
land and are accessible by boats that
can be rented or chartered.

marina

TOP MUST-SEE'S MUST-DO'S
Go Sailing

Steady trade winds and picture-perfect
scenery make the British Virgin Islands
a hands-down, number one sailing
destination. Whether you are a seasoned
pro who wants to rent or a couple
looking for lessons, there are plenty of
options to hit the sea. Some companies
offer chartered boats to hop from island
to island or go deep-sea fishing, others
offer smaller crafts that you can take for
a romantic sunset sail. Whatever your
level of expertise, don’t let your time in
the British Virgin Islands pass without
a sail.

swim

Scuba Dive

Just like sailing, you don’t need to be
a pro to appreciate the excellent diving
that can be done in these islands.
There are opportunities to see stunning
underwater views and wildlife in the
clear waters off most of the islands.
If you’ve dived before, you can rent
gear and get going, otherwise there are
trained instructors ready to guide you
on your first dive.

virgin_islands_beach
Sandcastle Hotel Beach

Hit the Beach

You couldn’t miss the beach if you tried
during your stay in the British Virgin
Islands, but don’t forget to jump off that
swinging hammock or beach towel for
awhile, too. Almost all the white sand
beaches have romantic nature trails
throughout lovely sections of the dense
island flowers and fauna where you’ll
see colors and patterns you never even
knew existed.

WHERE TO STAY:

anagada_hotel

Anegada Reef Hotel

This hotel offers a one-stop shop for everything you’d want to do on the island of Anegada. Deep-sea fishing excursions, snorkeling, and romantic nature walks specifically designed for honeymooners are just a few of the attractions here. Dining is great, here, too, with fresh seafood and other local delights available at the casual
restaurant.


Blue Escapes Seagrape Cottage Interior

Blue Escapes Villas

For a private villa in Tortola, make sure
to check out what Blue Escapes has to
offer. If you’d like the combination of
being in the center of action in Tortola
while managing to maintain some
privacy, a secluded villa in Tortola is
the perfect escape. With Blue Escapes,
you can search through different options
to find one that matches your needs.

Sandcastle Hotel
If you’re looking for a truly tropical, care-free place to spend your days, head over to the island of Jost Van Dyke and stay at the Sandcastle Hotel. The white sand beach, swinging hammocks and the beachside bar make this the perfect spot for honeymooners just looking to unwind.

hammockSandcastle Hotel

HERE TO EAT
:
Quito’s Gazebo
Located on the beach at Cane
Garden Bay, Quito’s Gazebo is open
for lunch and dinner Tuesday through
Sunday and features a Wednesday night
Fish Fry. You’ll be served a taste of the
local flavor along with your meal at this
restaurant set up on stilts at the water’s
edge. Watch the sunset, listen to live
local music and dine on fresh seafood
and other mouth-watering entrees at
this restaurant that is full of character.
Be sure to visit on a night with live
entertainment by singer/songwriter
Quito Rymer.

tropical_dining
Destination weddings at Bitter End Yacht Club. Enjoy dinner under the stars and dance to steel drums in true Caribbean style!

Most restaurants on the British
Virgin Islands are similar – nestled into
the water, you can swim or sail right up
to many of them and order a drink or
some fried seafood. Don’t expect fine dining experiences or to get dressed
up for your meals, but the food will
be delicious and the atmosphere even
finer.

tropical_swim


details



CLIMATE

The islands enjoy a subtropical climate and although there is high humidity, the trade winds keep the temperatures comfortable. Temperatures range from 72 – 88 degrees. Rainfall is light.

LANGUAGE
You may hear some Spanish or French Creole on the islands, but English is the primary language and there should be no language barriers.

TIME ZONE
The British Virgin Islands are in Time Zone Q and do not operate under Daylight Savings Time.

ELECTRICITY
The primary voltage is 110-120 volts, the same as the US and Canada, so you do not need an adapter.


THE DETAILS

CURRENCY
The US Dollar is used throughout the islands. Road Town has many popular banks, but if you’re going outside the capital be prepared with enough cash or
credit cards.

TIPPING
At restaurants, a 10% tip will probably be added automatically to your bill, but if the service is good it is customary to add another 5%. Similarly, hotels will likely add a ‘service charge’ anywhere from 5 – 15%. You may want to check ahead of time if this is something that will be added at the end of your stay. When riding in a cab, a 5% tip is customary for good service.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
If you’d like to plan a destination wedding in the British Virgin Islands, you must get there at least three days before the wedding will take place. To apply for a marriage license, you must go to Road Town on the island Tortola. A license will cost $110 if you are there three days in advance; if you stay for more than 15 days in advance, the price drops to $50. You will need passports and birth certificates for the license. After applying for the license, you will need to go to the Registrar General’s Office in Road Town to set up an appointment for the ceremony. If you would like to have a religious official and not the Registrar perform the wedding, you will need to make separate arrangements.

island_massage

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