Once you step foot onto the silky sands of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), you’ll understand why this Caribbean territory is a popular vacation destination. Clamber over boulders and duck under palm trees to reach enchanting beaches, watch surfers ride the waves while relaxing at a beach bar, and head inland to examine British colonial architecture.
The British Virgin Islands are composed of four major islands and dozens of smaller ones that make up the larger Virgin Islands archipelago. As a British territory, the governor is appointed by the Queen and all British Virgin Islanders are considered British nationals.
Road Town, the capital of BVI, is located on the largest island of Tortola and is home to the J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens. Wander among tropical plants and sit for a moment in the peaceful orchid house. To learn more about the island’s British ties, visit the Government House to see furniture and artifacts from the island’s colonial past.
On the island of Virgin Gorda sits one of the British Virgin Islands’ most popular attractions: the Baths. Here, a collection of towering boulders have created grottos that make for incredible swimming and snorkeling. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a trek to Devil’s Bay. Cross boulders and tidal pools en route until you emerge from a narrow passage onto a sparkling beach.
Don’t miss the smallest of the main islands, Jost Van Dyke. Here, indulge in local cuisine such as grilled lobster and flying fish sandwiches, and head to the stunning Grand Harbour to see folks partying on yachts late into the evening.
The easiest way to fly into the British Virgin Islands is to connect through another Caribbean airport, before touching down at Terrance B. Lettsome Airport. Once you land, take the efficient inter-island ferries to your final destination. Car rentals are also popular and drivers with a valid license from their home country can drive here for up to 30 days.
For fun and relaxation in a tropical paradise setting, the British Virgin Islands are hard to beat.