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By Jane Bakewell
Although the adage "No shirt, no shoes, no service" may apply to the financial and commercial centre of Road Town, for the most part the clothing rule here is "go lite." Much of life in the BVI is lived outdoors, whether it's tanning and sailing simultaneously aboard a yacht, dining outside at a local fish fry or strolling the sandy beaches with a tropical drink in hand. In one of the few places where a weatherman finds himself repeating the same forecast day after day, the fact is year-round outdoor activities are a way of life in the islands.
Biking
Biking is an increasingly popular sport in the BVI. On any given morning during the BVI Cycling Federation's racing season, you'll see groups of bikers whizzing along coastal roads in their black bike shorts, logo-covered Lycra shirts and flame-coloured helmets. These are serious bikers following a Lance Armstrong-style workout tradition.
However, biking isn't limited to those training for fierce competition. Coastal roads can offer some fabulous scenic vistas and areas to pull off to the side and take in the beauty. Last Stop Sports in Purcell offers both road and mountain bikes for rental by the day or week. A helmet and water bottle are included along with a map, but it's a good idea if you're out for the day to pack a light backpack with suntan lotion, a bathing suit and towel, and possibly some energy bars.
Two routes that are often recommended (depending on your biking fitness) lead either to the west or east end of Tortola. The coastal road hugs the rocky shoreline from Road Town west along a curvy but fairly flat route. The first climb is at Zion Hill where you ascend up and over to Apple Bay, followed by a series of steep ups and downs as you explore the north-side beaches, ending up in Cane Garden Bay. Another route involves going up Fort Hill (also steep) to the Ridge Road and heading east with spectacular vistas of Trunk Bay, Josiah's Bay and, on a clear day, all the way to Anegada.
For off-road bikers, Sage Mountain offers some scenic trails in the cool of the semi-rainforest with breathtaking views looking west toward St. John and St. Croix. Thinking flat might be nice? Anegada, an all-coral atoll only 28 feet at its highest point, also has bikes for rent. A warning, though: only portions of the island's roads are paved, and soft sandy roads can be a bit gruelling on the rider. Whether you choose mountain vistas or coastal views, getting out and exercising on a bike is both rewarding and fun.
Hiking
The BVI is blessed with a wonderful year-round climate not varying more than 10 degrees, which makes outdoor exploration enjoyable in any season. There are protected marine and land parks maintained by the BVI National Parks Trust, and these "forever-wild" areas make for great day adventures. Serious hikers have two peaks to add to their climbing bragging rights: Sage Mountain on Tortola and Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda.
Sage Mountain National Park encompasses 92 acres of what is considered a semi-rainforest characterized by vegetation that is both lush and tropical. Markers along the well-maintained trails help to identify the plant life. The Central Trail leads down along the ridge of the mountain, and hikers can choose to veer off to either the North or South Trails. On the North Trail (considered the wetter path) one encounters rocks carpeted with sea moss and the giant elephant ear vine. The drier South Trail offers views of towering mahogany trees and BVI's national tree, the white cedar, which was historically used in boat building. The Mahogany Forest Trail leads up to 1,716-foot Mount Sage, the BVI's highest peak. Although there are no chattering monkeys or parrots here, the natural musical accompaniment is usually supplied by the Bo Peep tree frog, found only in the BVI.
Gorda Peak National Park is home to the second-highest point in the BVI, soaring some 1,370 feet above sea level. This park encompasses 265 acres of dry forest and has some of the most rare plants in the Virgin Islands, as well as the world's smallest lizard, the Virgin Gorda gecko. An easily accessible trail off the road to North Sound leads up to a wooden lookout tower offering a spectacular panoramic view of the islands in the North Sound and southeast toward St. Croix.
However, one doesn't have to scale peaks for some great hikes around the BVI. On Jost Van Dyke, a short 30-minute hike from Great Harbour will take you over the hill to White Bay, where a refreshing swim and cool libation await at one of the many beach bars. Anegada offers some fantastic beach hikes along the north shore following Loblolly Bay east to Table Bay and Cooper Rock, or you can explore westward to Jack Bay and Soldier Point. Along this windswept north side are a myriad of crabs, bleached coral formations and interesting flotsam carried to the shore from far away.
Horseback Riding
For those who appreciate seeing some of the beautiful BVI scenery at a more leisurely pace and a less physically exhausting toll, there is horseback riding. Shadow, a well-known local farmer of fresh herbs, has a stable located on the Ridge Road and horses for hire. He leads tours that vary from Sage Mountain trails with spectacular vistas to sunset beach rides with the surf splashing around you.
The Little A Race Track in Sea Cows Bay is the place to be for weekend horse races that take place throughout the year. The BVI proudly boasts a famous locally owned equine star named Actspectation, who has wowed crowds with an unbroken winning streak against BVI and USVI competitors.
Motorcycles and ATVs
Another way to explore the islands is via motorcycle or guided ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) tour. Several motorcycle rental businesses are now scattered across the islands, and helmeted tourists can be seen whizzing through the roundabout in Road Town on the way to a day of sightseeing. Jost Van Dyke hosts the only ATV operator in the islands, and these sturdy four-wheeled vehicles are able to go off-road, ascending some of the higher hills that offer stunning panoramic views. Two to a vehicle make this a fun family excursion.
Tennis
Most of the BVI's tennis courts are part of resort properties with the exception of the Tortola Sports Club in Road Town, which offers a guest pass for court use at a very reasonable price. Many resorts provide this service to non-guests, and you can inquire about fees through the activity centres of the various resorts. There are also night courts available with lights, which enable tennis aficionados to enjoy their sport in cooler temperatures.
Fitness Centres
Many who visit the islands have an established fitness routine and are anxious to visit a well-equipped gym to keep up strength or aerobic training. Most of the larger hotels have fitness centres on the premises, and there are fitness centres on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda that offer day passes for everything from equipment use to ongoing exercise classes. Both Pilates and yoga are popular in the islands, and some classes are held in spectacular outdoor settings.
National Parks
These BVI parks were established in 1961 to preserve the natural beauty of the islands. They include 736 hectares and span both land and sea:
Sage Mountain National Park - Tortola
Mount Healthy National Park
J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens
Queen Elizabeth II National Park
Shark Bay at Brewer’s Bay
Gorda Peak National Park - Virgin Gorda
The Baths National Park
Devil’s Bay National Park
The Copper Mine
Spring Bay
Little Fort National Park
Diamond Cay - Jost Van Dyke
Rhone Marine Park - Salt Island
Cam Bay National Park - Great Camanoe
Dead Chest National Park - Dead Chest
Fallen Jerusalem national Park - Fallen Jerusalem
Little Tobago/Great Tobago Park - Great Tobago
Prickly Pear National Park - Prickly Pear
West Dog National Park - West Dog
Find special sporting event dates in our Events section.
Show me a list of contact info for activities.
What would make your BVI vacation complete? Whether its boating, biking, hiking, team sports, horseback, surfing, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, kite boarding, sailing, fishing — get the 411 on who to contact right here.
Learn more about each island of the BVI and its beautiful pristine beaches, here.
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Biking is an increasingly popular sport in the BVI. On any given morning during the BVI Cycling Federation's racing season, you'll see groups of bikers whizzing along coastal roads in their black bike shorts, logo-covered Lycra shirts and flame-coloured helmets. These are serious bikers following a Lance Armstrong-style workout tradition.
Two routes that are often recommended (depending on your biking fitness) lead either to the west or east end of Tortola. The coastal road hugs the rocky shoreline from Road Town west along a curvy but fairly flat route. The first climb is at Zion Hill where you ascend up and over to Apple Bay, followed by a series of steep ups and downs as you explore the north-side beaches, ending up in Cane Garden Bay. Another route involves going up Fort Hill (also steep) to the Ridge Road and heading east with spectacular vistas of Trunk Bay, Josiah's Bay and, on a clear day, all the way to Anegada.
The BVI is blessed with a wonderful year-round climate not varying more than 10 degrees, which makes outdoor exploration enjoyable in any season. There are protected marine and land parks maintained by the BVI National Parks Trust, and these "forever-wild" areas make for great day adventures. Serious hikers have two peaks to add to their climbing bragging rights: Sage Mountain on Tortola and Gorda Peak on Virgin Gorda.
For those who appreciate seeing some of the beautiful BVI scenery at a more leisurely pace and a less physically exhausting toll, there is horseback riding. Shadow, a well-known local farmer of fresh herbs, has a stable located on the Ridge Road and horses for hire. He leads tours that vary from Sage Mountain trails with spectacular vistas to sunset beach rides with the surf splashing around you.
Another way to explore the islands is via motorcycle or guided ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) tour. Several motorcycle rental businesses are now scattered across the islands, and helmeted tourists can be seen whizzing through the roundabout in Road Town on the way to a day of sightseeing. Jost Van Dyke hosts the only ATV operator in the islands, and these sturdy four-wheeled vehicles are able to go off-road, ascending some of the higher hills that offer stunning panoramic views. Two to a vehicle make this a fun family excursion.
Most of the BVI's tennis courts are part of resort properties with the exception of the Tortola Sports Club in Road Town, which offers a guest pass for court use at a very reasonable price. Many resorts provide this service to non-guests, and you can inquire about fees through the activity centres of the various resorts. There are also night courts available with lights, which enable tennis aficionados to enjoy their sport in cooler temperatures.
Many who visit the islands have an established fitness routine and are anxious to visit a well-equipped gym to keep up strength or aerobic training. Most of the larger hotels have fitness centres on the premises, and there are fitness centres on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda that offer day passes for everything from equipment use to ongoing exercise classes. Both Pilates and yoga are popular in the islands, and some classes are held in spectacular outdoor settings.
