BVI06 TOURIST DIRECTORY - Experience The British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda
10. Yacht Harbour is where most of the island’s commercial activity
takes place. Here you’ll find a BVI Tourist Board office, two banks, a
grocery store and several charter companies. A nearby shopping centre
has several stores to suit your needs. Ferries to and from Tortola
head to nearby docks in St. Thomas Bay.
11. West of the Copper Mine are enormous boulder fields. Gigantic
granite boulders are found inland, along the beach and immediately
offshore. This area known as The Baths is one of the premier attractions
of the BVI. Be sure to visit this site and wander on the trails exploring the
grottos, ledges and boulders, many of which are larger than houses and
can be viewed underwater while snorkelling. It’s one of the most
picturesque locations on Virgin Gorda. There is a $3 admission fee.
12. Perhaps the best-known ruins on the island are at the Copper Mine,
where copper ore was once extracted from the ground. The mine had
several periods of activity during its 400-year history. Today, it’s part of the
National Parks Trust and there are plans for its restoration. While there,
carefully scan the ground for the greenish rocks that contain veins of
copper ore.
13. Those who enjoy walking on nature trails should be sure to visit
Gorda Peak National Park, which occupies the highest point on the
island. The peak towers more than 1,200 feet above sea level and is
sometimes hidden in the clouds. Tropical flowers and wildlife are
abundant. The elevation makes for cool temperatures and pleasant
hiking, and the views along the trails are stunning.
14. From the higher elevations you can experience the incredible
panorama of North Sound. The large, nearly enclosed bay that was
once a hideout for pirates and swashbucklers is now a haven for
today’s modern sailing enthusiasts.
Other Islands
15. Anegada, the most distant island in the archipelago, boasts miles
of pristine beaches and is a haven for ecotourists. The public dock at
the Settlement, where you may see local fishermen returning with their
catch, is worth a stop. Just offshore you can see large “islands” of
conch shells. After harvesting the meat, fishermen have been
depositing the shells on the mounds for centuries. In fact, the
Amerindians did the same in pre-Columbian times. As part of your
island tour, make sure to visit the north side beaches.
Beachside restaurants and bars can be found at Cow Wreck
Beach and Loblolly. All offer lovely views and great snorkelling
on shallow reefs.
16. Despite being one of the smaller, less populated islands, Jost Van
Dyke has a lot to offer. While there, don’t miss a refreshing dip in the
“bubbling pool” on the eastern tip, a short walk from the famous
Foxy’s Taboo restaurant in Great Harbour. When conditions are right,
it is like sitting in a giant natural Jacuzzi. On the way, you’ll pass a salt
pond. For nature lovers, this pond alone would be worth the trip, since
it’s home to ducks, egrets and many shorebirds. White Bay, just
around the bend from Great Harbour, is a picture-postcard beach with
little bars with real island ambience.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 11