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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
The 60-plus islands, rocks and cays of the British Virgin Islands, only 16 of which are inhabited, make up the larger part of an archipelago forming the northern extremity of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. They are situated approximately 100km (62 miles) east of Puerto Rico, adjoining the US Virgin Islands. The islands are volcanic in origin, with the exception of Anegada, which is formed of coral and limestone and is the lowest lying. The topography is otherwise mountainous, the highest point being Tortola’s Sage Mountain, which rises to 550m (1800ft). There are remnants of a primeval rainforest on Tortola.
Some may be aware that Norman Island, one of 36 idyllic islands that constitute the archipelago of the British Virgin Islands, was supposedly the location that Robert Lewis Stevenson based Treasure Island on. Today, you might not stumble across swashbuckling pirates or half-concealed troves of treasure, but what you will find – throughout the British Virgin Islands – is a highly prized booty of soft sand and gentle, teal waters.
The British Virgin Islands comprise sloping hills of green and the impressive Mount Sage National Park, but are really renowned for the nautical
thrills on offer. Year-round winds provide exceptional conditions for sailing, and the British Virgin Islands happily celebrate this asset by staging frequent regattas and fairs. In addition, extensive coral reefs and famous shipwrecks are enough to entice anyone into the waters for a dive, and novices will be pleased to know that there is tuition here for those that seek it. Even if you just want to watch the sea rather than get into it, there is the breathtaking chance of spotting dolphins and whales criss-crossing the surface.
'Paradise' does come at a cost. Overall, the British Virgin Islands are quite an expensive destination. But, for some, this is the necessary price of saving a Caribbean gem from over-commercialization. If this is the intention, the British Virgin Islands are – for now – a resounding success.
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