An update to our most popular blog post ever. Our 2022 BVI Travel Guide is here!
The British Virgin Islands are…. Known as the some of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and really the World. Known for great sailing the islands close proximity is a boaters paradise.
First time visiting?…. The sailing is excellent. The BVI also offers great snorkeling, surfing and board sports, like wing foiling and kite surfing. Or just relax on one of our beautiful beaches. Grab a cold beer or a rum drink and find a coconut tree.
Casual & easy going…. The BVI vibe is casual and easy going. Shorts and T-shirts rule and linen is a great option to dress up a bit. Shop our HIHO linen styles online here. You may need a light sweater in the winter when nighttime temps drop below 80 degrees!
Surf or SUP…. Tortola and some of the outer islands feature some of the Caribbean best waves for surfing. Cane Garden Bay is a World class point break! If you like to SUP then there are plenty of wonderful spots- our favourites include Little Jost Van Dyke and the South side of Beef Island. Wing foiling is the new hot Watersport and we offer lots of windy and flat water venues to choose from. Our UPF50 Shirts are perfect for all day sun protection, shop here online.
Honeymooners…. Nothing better than spending a week in a small private villa or aboard your own yacht. There are lots of private anchorages and plenty of deserted islands you can call your own. Check out the tiny beach on the North West corner of Fallen Jerusalem, which is a stone’s throw from the tip of Virgin Gorda.
Best Island Cocktail…. Check out a Painkiller at Hendo’s Hideout on White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. Or mix your own rum punch- 1 part lime and OJ; 2-parts combined white and dark rum; 3/4 part of simple syrup; generous dash of Angostura bitters. Shake and enjoy. If you let this sit overnight it tastes even better!
Best Sunset vantage…. Watch the sun go down from the beach bar at the Anegada Reef Hotel. It’s priceless!
A perfect day is…. Sail down the Sur Francis Drake Channel and across to Sandy Spit. Rig you Wingfoil gear and island hop down to White Bay (with your yacht following you…). Have a Painkiller at Hendo’s Hideout. Stay for dinner, or Scott back up to Great Harbour and eat at Foxy’s.
Best Shopping… The BVI are not really known for great shopping, but check out the Beach House Boutique at Rosewood Little Dix Resort on Virgin Gorda. It has the best collection of casual and elegant island apparel and gifts. Treat yourself to a sumptuous meal at the Sugar Mill restaurant, which is located a stone’s throw from the boutique.
Secret Spot…. Stay at one of Long Bay Beach Resorts new beach front rooms. Take long walks down the powdery sand beach and enjoy their Thai curry’s for a quiet and romantic meal.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are located to the East of Puerto Rico. Collectively there are over 60 islands, cays and rocks that comprise the territory which is still a part of Great Britain. Year round weather is very agreeable with temperature ranging from the mid-70's in the Winter to low-90's in the Summer. English is the official language and the currency is the US Dollar. The best way to get here is to fly to St Thomas (in the US Virgin Islands) and come across by ferry. We hope you visit soon!
Shop our BVI gear for your next visit here.
Ryan and Crystal Van Denabeele (@caribbeancastaways and formerly RumShopRyan and Castaway Crystal) have, even by our jaded standards, a dream life. Together they run the Caribbean Castaways blog and podcast, a burgeoning portal to all things Caribbean. This husband and wife team travel throughout the region often, helping to inspire and inform people on the best the Caribbean has to offer. We know the islands pretty well, and so do they, so it's nice to get their occasional take on what makes the different islands special or different.
In a country comprised of so many islands, it not surprising that there are a number of floating businesses. Here are some of our favorites that should be on your radar for your next visit!
Ocean Spa – Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Floating on the translucent water at the top of White Bay on Jost Van Dyke is the Ocean Spa. Made entirely from material collected after hurricane Irma, the Ocean Spa offers all kinds of massages. You can swim, dinghy or paddle over to the Ocean Spa and enjoy a relaxing massage as you sway ever so slightly with the rhythm of the sea. More info at www.oceanspabvi.com
Willy-T – Norman Island, BVI
The mother of all floating bars, and one of the fun and wildest party destinations in the Caribbean, the famed Willy-T is bigger and better than ever. A must-visit stop for any BVI charter and a destination for day charter boats and island residents the Willy T is relocating to their usual spot in The Bight, Norman Island. The bar serves great drinks plus all kinds of shots. Here’s a tip- the fidd on the Willy-T isn’t bad either.
Pizza Pi – Christmas Cove, USVI
The originator of the food boat revolution, Pizza Pi offers New York Style pizza served off of a sailboat moored in beautiful Christmas Cove on St James island, off St Thomas. Featuring a full pizza kitchen in the back of the boat, Pizza Pi customers can order ahead and collect their meal by coming alongside or having it handed through a large window at the back of the boat. A super-cool restaurant, and great pizza too!
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The thing about Aruba is the great weather and the location out of the hurricane belt. It is also one of the easiest islands to get to with direct flights from many US cities. This “One Happy Island” is a sunny and beautiful destination with something for everyone. Beautiful white sand beaches are the perfect setting for a relaxing vacation but there are lots of activities on the water and in the desert. When you are on Aruba you get a sense of the Dutch influence with the unique architecture all over the island.
What to do:
Venture outside of the usual tourist spots and visit Boca Grandi for windsurfing, which is located on Aruba’s southern tip. Boca Grandi is a scenic stretch of white sandy Aruba Beach where steady trade winds provide challenging conditions for advanced windsurfers. On the west coast, just north of the Ritz Carlton, there is a great place for windsurfing lessons and rentals, for all levels of experience and it’s run by a company called Windsurfing Aruba. Learn more about rentals & lessons here.
Check out Wacky Wahoo’s for a fresh catch of the day and one of highest rated restaurants on the island and family run - it is off the beaten path but walking distance from most of the high rise hotels - book your reservation in advance, here is their website. Quinta del Carmen is a one of kind experience – located inside a building from the 1920’s which was originally a hospital, the building has been renovated and has some of the best fine dining on the island. To take a look at their menu and to contact them for reservations, visit their website here.
Where to Stay:
Amsterdam Manor is a charming low rise property along Eagle Beach – more of a low key experience, great service and easy going vibe. Take a look at their website here. The Boardwalk is another great boutique style property named by USA Today as a Hidden Gem Hotel. There are many high-rise style resort options as well on Aruba, we would recommend the Ritz Carlton, Hyatt or Marriott, all located along Palm Beach. But most of the hotels are located right along the beach and you can’t go wrong with the location of any resort! And you must visit the Ritz Carlton Gift Shop where you can buy our custom HIHO Caribbean “One Happy Island” shirts featuring the Aruban Flag. For more information about the Ritz Carlton Aruba, visit their website here.
