Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FOR THE island hopper
If you'd like to island hop, seeing as
many of the different British Virgins as
you can in a week, your best bet is to
base yourself in Tortola and take day
trips from there. Tortola offers the most
convenient network of planes and boats
for getting from one island to another.
After a couple of days spent explor-
ing Tortola, its beaches, and nearby
accessible islets, you can either fly or
take the ferry over to the second-most-
intriguing island of the B.V.I., Virgin
Gorda, which many visitors find even
more charming than Tortola. Speedy's
Fantasy (see below), a ferry service,
arrives on Virgin Gorda in time to spend
a day at its fabulous Baths and returns
to Tortola in the evening. A round-trip
costs $30 for adults or $20 for seniors
and children ages 5 to 15.
On yet another day, you can set out
to explore the rugged, small, and
remote island of Jost Van Dyke, taking
the New Horizons Ferry Service
( &   284/495-9278 ) from Tortola, a
25-minute trip. Spend the day at the
6
beach and lunch at one of the local eat-
eries, such as Foxy's, before returning to
Tortola.
The final island that merits a trip is
Anegada, the most northerly of the Vir-
gins, lying 48km (30 miles) east of Tor-
tola. Once on the island, you can visit a
bird sanctuary, indulge in uncrowded
beaches, and have a lobster lunch at
Cow Wreck Beach Bar & Grill (p. 242).
Instead of a ferry service (there isn't
any), go by private boat or take a short
flight with Fly BVI ( &   284/495-1747;
www.fly-bvi.com), winging to the island
from the Tortola airport.
Of course, you could spend months
exploring other hidden islets and tiny
islands in the B.V.I. Many of these are
accessible only by a private yacht or
rented boat. Don't despair if you're
boatless or don't have the budget to
rent a yacht—if you've seen Tortola, Vir-
gin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada,
you will have experienced the very best
of the B.V.I.
The bar at the Moorings/Mariner Inn, Wickham's Cay II (p. 197; &   284/494-
2333; www.bvimarinerinnhotel.com), is the preferred watering hole for upscale
yacht owners. Interestingly, drink prices are low. Open to a view of its own marina,
and bathed in a dim and flattering light, this place has a relaxed atmosphere.
Adjacent to the previously recommended Spaghetti Junction, and run by the same
people, the Bat Cave Bar ( &   284/494-4880; www.spaghettijunction.net/batcave.
htm) is located at Baughers Bay and has a 93-sq.-m. (1,000-sq.-ft.) disco.
Other places worth a stop on a barhopping jaunt include the Jolly Roger, West
End (p. 207; &   284/495-4559; www.jollyrogerbvi.com), where you can hear local
or sometimes American bands playing everything from reggae to blues. In the same
area, visit Stanley's Welcome Bar, Cane Garden Bay ( &   284/495-9424 ), where
a rowdy frat-boy crowd gathers to drink, talk, and drink some more. Finally, check out
Sebastian's, Apple Bay (p.  214; &   284/495-4212 ), especially on Sunday, when
you can dance to live music under the stars, at least in winter.
Rhymer's, on the popular stretch of beach at Cane Garden Bay (p.  208;
&   284/495-4639 ), serves up cold beer or tropical rum concoctions, along with a
casual menu of ribs, conch chowder, and more. The beach bar and restaurant is open
daily 8am to 9pm.
222
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search