| Tourist Interests:
BEACHES:
On Anegada, you will find miles of
untouched and isolated coral sand beaches like Loblolly Bay. There are two beach
bars which provide sun shelters and hammocks within the sea grape trees. If peace
and tranquillity is your goal, then this is the place to come
Brewers Bay on the island of Tortola was once the site of several
sugar plantations and distilleries. There is a camp ground nested alone the coastline
which is home to an interesting group of travellers who return year after year.
Cane Garden Bay is centrally located on the north coast of Tortola.
This is a favourite among residents and boaters. Tourist will find every conceivable
activity within the bay such as boating, wind surfing, water-skiing and swimming.
Some of the island's most popular bar and restaurants line the beach. Island music
can be heard at many of these spots most nights of the week. Savannah
Bay lies along the north central part of Virgin Gorda. It is a beautiful long
curving stretch of white sandy beach which is an idyllic spot to work on a tan
or to watch the setting sun in the evenings. NATIONAL PARKS:
Mount Healthy is located on Tortola and features the intact
remains of a thickly walled stone windmill, which was once part of an 18th century
sugar plantation. This is the only such windmill on Tortola.
The Coppermine is located on the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda. The
stone buildings are reminiscent of Cornwall mines. Sage Mountain National
Park, located on Tortola is the remaining evidence of the forests that once
covered much of the island's ridges. At 1,716 feet, it is the B.V.I.'s highest
point, and although it is not a rain forest in the true sense, it possesses many
of the characteristics of one. The Baths, located on Virgin Gorda
is a series of small sea pools lying beneath a canopy of giant granite boulders. WATER
ACTIVITIES: The British Virgin Islands is a
major charter boat center and is known to be the largest concentration of bareboats
in the world. Sailing the waters of the B.V.I. is the most popular activity you
will find.
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Water Sports:
Diving
- The Virgin Islands are recognized as one of the top diving destinations
in the world.
- Both diving and snorkeling near the coral reefs surrounding the
islands are popular.
Here are some dive outfits that operate in the area:
LAST STOP SPORTS
BLUE WATER DIVERS
UBS DIVE CENTER
SAIL CARIBBEAN DIVERS
- Cooper Island, BVI
- Tel: 284-495-1675
WENDELL'S WORLD
- Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
- Tel: 284-495-9969
PARADISE WATERSPORTS
- Peter Island Resort
- Tel: 284-495-2000
BLUE WATER DIVERS
*All dive companies monitor VHF 16 and will rendezvous
to provide Resort and Padi qualifying dive courses
If the client asks about "must sees" here are three popular
suggestions:
1. The Rhone - RMS Rhone is a famous wrecked ship, 310 feet in
length.
2. The Indians - This dive site is comprised of 4 large rock formations.
They are approximately 90 feet in height.
3. Cooper Island. This island has a dive site called Markoe Point
- a wall that is some 70 feet in height from the bottom of the ocean
floor.
Dinghy Rental
Island Time
Phone 284-495-9993
Rentals for larger dinghies and higher HP engines
Fishing
There are several types of fishing outlined below. Each has different
requirements. Read carefully.
- Rental equipment/tackle is available through Last Stop Sports
on the Moorings Dock, www.laststopsports.com.
In addition, Last Stop Sports can help you obtain the required fishing
permit.
- Anyone wishing to fish in the BVI is required to have a recreational
fishing permit, except persons age 18 and under. Fines range to
6 figures, plus the possibility of confiscation of fishing equipment
and the boat.
Last Stop Sports (LSS) can process the application for the client
before their arrival in Tortola for a $10 pp fee. Clients must send
all required documents to LSS at least one week in advance. For
last minute bookings, if they start on the weekend, the deadline
is Thursday 9 A.M. The license will be valid for 1 month and cost
$45. A photocopy of a valid photo ID must accompany the application.
Even if the client hasn't rented the equipment through LSS, they
can still process the licensing request(s) on behalf of the client
and the client can pick up the license(s) from LSS upon arrival
at the base. Clients can also obtain this license directly from
the Department of Conservation and Fisheries Administration building
in Road Town. The government office closes early on Friday afternoons
and doesn’t reopen until Monday morning (closed weekend and public
holidays). Call the Fisheries Division at 284 494-3429 for more
information.
- APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS (www.laststopsports.com/Fishing%20licence.pdf):
Please note that one application form per person must be completed.
The $45 application fee and the $10 application fee is per person
- not per boat. You will notice that the application form has a
field to add the name of the vessel as well as the registration
number, etc. Advise clients that the boat name is not required to
complete the application. See further instructions below: Name of
vessel: Write the boat type (i.e. Moorings 51.5) - leave the name
blank. Description of vessel: Enter the charter company name (Moorings,
Sunsail, Footloose) Registration number of vessel: Enter “N/A” Port
of registration: Enter “N/A” Type and description of gear to be
used in fishing: Enter “spinning and trolling rods” - CREDIT CARD
AUTHORIZATION FORM INSTRUCTIONS (www.laststopsports.com/Fishing%20License_charge.htm):
One authorization form is needed per credit card. If one credit
card will pay for all applications only one form needs to be completed
for the full amount.
- Ciguatera also
known as tropical fish poisoning, does occur in the BVI.
- Spearfishing is absolutely illegal and there are heavy penalties
for non-residents caught doing this.
For clients wanting to fly fish in the BVI:
Caribbean Fly Fishing
Tel/Fax: 284-494-4797
website: http://www.bviwelcome.com/caribbeanflyfishing
BVI Fishing Season:
The Closed Season schedule in the Virgin Islands is as follows:
(During this time no person shall catch, sell, offer for sale or buy)
- Margate - January 1 to March 31
- Red Hind - January 1 to March 31
- Nassau Grouper - March 1 to May 31
- Turtles - April 1 to November 30
- Lobster - July 31 to October 31
- Conch - August 15 to October 31
- Whelk - August 15 to October 31
Kayaking
Last Stop Sports - Sailboards and Kayaks
- On site at Moorings Base
- Road Town, Tortola
- Can be booked via the AS400. See AS400 for options and pricing
because there is a range of wind surfing equipment available and
either a 1 or 2-man kayak.
- Boat/Beach Floats, Bodyboards, Surfboards, Snorkel Boards, Towables,
and other water-sports equipment are also available for rent (not
through the AS400).
- E-mail: LSSBIKES@SURFBVI.COM.
- Web site: http://www.laststopsports.com
Waterskiing/Para-sailing
- Leverick Bay Watersports offers water-skiing and parasailing.
Tel. 284-495-7376
Renport
Provides "All The Comforts of Home And More At Sea"
Contact Info:
Wickham’s Cay II
Tel: (284) 494-9354
Fax: (284) 494-9355
Palmer P. Stoutt
Renport (BVI) Limited
E-mail: palmerstoutt@renport.com
Website: www.renport.com
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