BVI06 TOURIST DIRECTORY - Experience The British Virgin Islands

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Welcome to the British Virgin Islands When you think of the British Virgin Islands, your mind may drift to a scene of a picture-perfect beach with aquamarine waters and majestic palms gently swaying in the warm breeze. It’s true that you’ll find that this fantasy is a reality in the BVI, but the even better news is that there’s a whole lot more to discover in these stunning islands, free of the glitter, glamour and crowds one might find elsewhere in the Caribbean. In fact, these magical isles are steeped in rich history and culture just waiting to be discovered. The BVI is located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico between latitude 18.25 degrees north and longitude 64.37 degrees west, and 15 miles from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each of the 12 inhabited islands has its own captivating charm, and together they’re home to more than 25,000 warm and friendly people. Tortola is the largest and most populated island, and it’s more or less the centre of commerce. Road Town, its capital, is a quaint and charming blend of West Indian traditions and modern aspirations. History enthusiasts are right at home here. There is a lot to enjoy on Virgin Gorda, the second most populated of the islands. Today, the island caters to affluent tourists who frequent its upscale resorts. However, its early history was much different. The original capital of the BVI was Spanish Town in the area known as The Valley. Numerous ruins from the plantation era can still be found overgrown by forest on the hillsides. Anegada is the most remote and unspoiled, isolated and undeveloped island in the British Virgin Islands, but it may also be the most charming. It’s a flat, limestone island very different from the rest of the archipelago. The isolation and lack of protected natural harbours has left most of the island undisturbed and in its natural state. Thus, Mother Nature provides most of the attractions. 8 TOURISM DIRECTORY 2007 Jost Van Dyke, despite being one of the smaller, less populated islands, has a lot to offer visitors. Whether travelling by boat or by car, you’ll find everything easily accessible on this island known for its beautiful beaches and rich history. Other islands, such as Guana Island, Cooper Island, Peter Island, Norman Island and Marina Cay are home to hotels and restaurants and are wonderful choices for those who want to “get away from it all.” Most of the other islands are either private or uninhabited.
A Glimpse at BVI History No history of the British Virgin Islands can begin without acknowledging the presence of the preColumbian, nomadic Amerindians. These Indians, often referred to as peaceful Arawaks and fierce Caribs, would voyage in canoes up and down the length of the eastern Caribbean from a home base in the Orinoco delta and make temporary shore-side camps on the islands. Many archaeological sites identifying Indian settlements have been found in the BVI, particularly in Tortola. The European discovery of the BVI is attributed to Columbus, who sailed through the waters of the archipelago in mid-November 1493. He named the group Las Vírgenes (The Virgins) for two reasons. First, St. Ursula’s Day had been celebrated recently, and the legend of her sainthood describes her and 11,000 virgins resisting the advances of “ravaging Huns.” Secondly, there were so many beautiful islands, islets and cays in the group that the name seemed appropriate. For almost a century after their discovery by Columbus, the islands lay quietly undisturbed. Sir Francis Drake is known to have sailed through the islands on a foray against the Spaniards in 1595, and the channel through the islands is named for him. For many years, the islands and cays provided a haven for privateers, pirates and buccaneers. Captain Kid, Sam Bellamy and Blackbeard are just a few of the many rascals who reputedly cut a wake through The Virgins, and there is solid evidence of a huge pirate treasure that was buried on Norman Island. Eventually the islands were settled, and there was some jockeying for supremacy between the English and Dutch, until the former finally prevailed. By the mid-1700s, the islands began to see the beginning of the plantation era. Slavery became largely responsible for the big profits made from exported items like sugar, BY JULIAN PUTLEY molasses, rum and cotton, which, instead of benefiting the islanders, enriched those in Liverpool, Bristol and London. The British abolished the slave trade in 1807, but emancipation did not come until August 1834 when a proclamation was read at the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town freeing all slaves. Along with the rise in prosperity came the threat of attack from envious neighbours, and wars in Europe were mirrored by wars in the islands. Remnants of several forts around the island of Tortola can still be seen today and Fort Burt, overlooking Road Harbour and now a hotel, commands a panoramic view. The advent of a more modern BVI began in the late 1960s. The islands’ infrastructure was improved with updated telephone service and electricity supply. A small airport was built at Beef Island and tourism businesses began to spring up. Large and luxurious charter yachts from St. Thomas began to frequent the islands, and The Moorings — the world’s most prestigious yacht chartering company — hoisted its first sail at its small dock in Road Harbour at the end of the decade. The luxurious Little Dix Resort on Virgin Gorda, the brainchild of Laurence Rockefeller, opened its doors in 1964. In 1984, after a double taxation treaty with the United States had expired, a law permitting the formation of tax-free international business corporations passed in the House of Representatives. This led to what has become a flourishing offshore financial destination. Tourism and offshore finance are often appropriately described as the “twin pillars” of the BVI’s economy. Today, the British Virgin Islands has one of the best standards of living in the Caribbean with a thriving and robust economy. With friendly people, a warm climate and pristine islands in a tropical sea, the success story looks set to continue. BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS 9
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Page 4 and 5: Table of Contents 4 TOURISM DIRECTO
Page 6 and 7: 6 TOURISM DIRECTORY 2007 Useful Inf
Page 10 and 11: Fun in the Sun Sightseeing in the B
Page 12 and 13: Beauty and the Beaches One of the m
Page 14 and 15: BVI Tourist Board Offices GEORGIA 1
Page 16 and 17: Car Rentals 16 TOURISM DIRECTORY 20
Page 18 and 19: 18 TOURISM DIRECTORY 2007 ROAD TOWN
Page 22 and 23: Virgin Gorda 22 TOURISM DIRECTORY 2
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Page 32 and 33: Tantalizing Treats BY JULIAN PUTLEY
Page 34 and 35: Mountain View, Sage Mountain. Tel:
Page 36 and 37: Hiking There are several good hikes
Page 38: Offshore Finance: Sun, Sand and Sen

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