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The BVI's prime location amidst a vast network of crystalline waters, gentle trade winds and year-round temperate climates creates a dream destination for watersports enthusiasts.
By Jane Bakewell
The British Virgin Islands form an arc of 60 islands and cays nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The BVI's prime location amidst a vast network of crystalline waters, gentle trade winds and year-round temperate climates creates a dream destination for watersports enthusiasts.
The BVI is home to one of the largest charter yacht businesses in the world. Tall masts crisscross the Sir Francis Drake Channel, flying burgees from countries as far away as South Africa and Australia. But don't be fooled into thinking this is the only watersport available in the islands. Pristine dive and snorkel sites wait to be explored, kayaks and kiteboards skim across the waters, and sportfishermen angle for the perfect catch.
Sailing
There's a reason the BVI has garnered an impressive reputation as "The Sailing Capital of the World." With balmy sailing days gradually giving way to star-studded nights in a quiet harbour or bay, this is a sailing destination that tops many people's list. The world-renowned BVI Sailing Regatta is held here each spring, and yacht clubs hold racing tournaments throughout the high season, which extends from December through April.
Vacationers on the East Coast of the United States are usually able to catch a flight that arrives within a few short hours, leaving enough time to head out on the high seas before sunset. One way to make this transition a little easier is to use the many charter-provisioning services available and have a fully stocked boat waiting for you at the dock.
For those who prefer to truly relax on their sailing trip and leave the hands-on-deck work to the captain and crew and the cooking to gourmet chefs, a luxury crewed charter is the best option. Enjoying the warm splash of sea spray from your foredeck trampoline (on a catamaran) or dining under the stars "restaurant-style," having your every need catered to, often justifies spending a bit more. Bareboat or crewed yacht charters offer the same ideal cruising location, with charming volcanic islands or an all-coral atoll within a day's sail.
Windsurfing
“Another form of sailing in these islands that takes a slightly different form is windsurfing. This involves a board, a sail, a harness rig and some proper instruction. The BVI offers experienced staff at watersports centres, where learning the basic skills and going out on a test sail can be accomplished in a few hours. Some popular locations for this fun-filled sport include Nanny Cay Marina and Trellis Bay on Tortola, and the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda.
The annual Highland Spring HIHO competition is the biggest event for windsurfing in the BVI and is held over the last week of June. This challenging and fun-filled regatta has now passed its 25th year, and organizers say it continues to grow as a main attraction in the BVI. This event combines windsurfing and sailing in a weeklong island-to-island course, with the fan party close behind on captained catamarans. Although a high-adventure sport, windsurfing seems to cross over generational lines, and you're likely to see a father and son compete to "harness the wind" in the same tournament. Evenings after the event are followed by delicious local barbecue and musical entertainment.
Kiteboarding
A distant cousin to windsurfing and relatively new addition to the world of "extreme sports," kiteboarding is now a recognized sporting event with international competitions. This watersport will challenge the daredevil in you, but once mastered, it allows the combined experience of wakeboarding and kite flying. On the cautionary side, a skilled professional teacher is strongly recommended, as once airborne, the next feat involves landing safely back on the water with your wakeboard.
The North Sound of Virgin Gorda offers a wide protected area and calm waters to experience this exhilarating sport. Lesson packages are available at the Bitter End Yacht Club; novices will need a few sessions to master the skills required. Kiteboarding is a thrilling sport to watch as well, and seeing the sport enthusiasts doing their gymnastics some 40 feet up in the air is quite exciting.
Snorkelling
This is a watersport that's accessible to the whole family and requires the least amount of equipment and training. Many visitors will travel to the islands with their masks, snorkels and fins in tow; but if you didn't bring any along, there are many rental facilities available, mostly centred around dive shops. Some of the popular reefs that can be accessed from the beach are Brewer's Bay and Smuggler's Cove off the north shore of Tortola, and White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. Unquestionably, one of the top destinations is The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Approached from either Spring Bay or Devil's Bay and separated by a series of humongous crater-like boulders with a trail in between, you can snorkel out to see juvenile fish and their larger counterparts swimming languidly in and out of the rock pools and caves.
Some of the best snorkelling sites are accessed only by boat, with many day charter operators offering trips to two or three exciting reefs in a day. The Indians, three rock pinnacles that drop down 40 feet to the ocean floor, have stunning coral-lined walls and schools of blue tang that float by in a cloud. A little farther to the west is Norman Island, the site of The Caves, a series of three rock grottos with a vibrant reef in front which is home to schools of parrot fish, yellowtail snappers and one curious barracuda known as George. For the adventurous, a trip to Anegada for the day is well worth the snorkelling experience off Loblolly Bay.
Kayaking
Considered a "soft adventure sport" for its non-invasive character, kayaking is a gentle and eco-friendly way to explore the BVI's coastal areas. Sea kayaks have durable hard plastic shells, are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around. They come fashioned as single or double kayaks, with removable seat backs and oars balanced by paddles on each end. Generally on a double, the stronger kayaker sits to the rear to help propel and steer the boat by adjusting the oar in the water.
Several watersports centres around the islands offer kayaks to rent, and many yacht charter operators offer kayak equipment as part of the sail package experience. The open waters around the islands can be rough, and kayakers are encouraged to stick close to shore in their explorations. Popular kayak excursions include Trellis Bay and the mangrove areas surrounding Beef Island, the shorelines of Jost Van Dyke and the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. A fun day's adventure may include packing a picnic lunch and finding a remote beach to pull ashore and enjoy the quiet simplicity.
Scuba Diving
A major watersport in the BVI, scuba diving brings enthusiastic reef and wreck explorers from all over the world. Because of the many fine dive sites, healthy reefs and clear visibility of the waters, dive shops have cropped up on almost every major island in the BVI. On Tortola, Blue Water Divers offers one- and two-tank dive packages, as well as a beginner's resort course. This course enables a novice to enjoy a shallow-water dive with minimal instruction. With locations at Leverick Bay and Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda and Marina Cay, Dive BVI offers several dive packages and full PADI certification.
One of the most famous wreck sites in the world lies in two pieces 70 feet underwater off Salt Island, in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The RMS Rhone is a British mail ship steamer that suffered a fatal blow during an unpredicted hurricane in 1867. The captain misjudged what he thought was a squall and left Salt Island attempting to get ahead of the winds, but ended up instead at the bottom of "Davey Jones' Locker." Now encrusted with colourful coral and home to many species of fish, this is considered a premier dive site and is under the protective umbrella of the National Parks Trust. Other prime dive sites have colourful names like Painted Walls, Alice in Wonderland and Blonde Rock.
Surfing
Tortola's north shore is known throughout the international surfing community. When the famous winter swells are up, eager surfers hear through the "coconut vine" which bay is offering up the most challenging surf, toss their boards on top of a Jeep and head to Apple Bay, Cane Garden Bay or Josiah's Bay. Depending upon conditions, colour-coded flags will be hoisted at the various beaches signalling caution for swimmers, and several north shore beaches now have lifeguards on duty.
Watersports centres scattered around the islands offer surfboard rentals. Island Surf and Sail at Nanny Cay offers surf lessons as well, with an experienced trainer ready to teach you how to paddle, catch and stand on a wave. If a custom surfboard to take back with you is your surfin' dream, Cane Garden Bay Surf Company creates custom boards in a variety of styles, and also has a well-stocked surf shop in Road Town. As most surfers are aware, this is a seasonal sport, with the most wave action occurring from December through April.
Fishing
The BVI's waters are familiar to two very different types of fishermen: those after a deep-sea catch like tuna, swordfish or marlin, and those after the shallow-water catches like permit, jacks and tarpons. Both deep-sea fishing and fly-fishing are the emerging marine businesses in the islands. Speedy's (also the ferry company) offers full- and half-day deep-sea fishing charters out of Virgin Gorda. Its fleet includes a 31-foot Bertram and other larger vessels fully equipped to handle a day at sea. A popular fishing area is the North Drop, a shelf that descends 200 feet off the east side of Virgin Gorda.
Fly-fishing uses a fly-fishing skiff — a flat-bottom boat propelled by a pole in shallow waters that skims closely over areas called "flats" near the coastal mangroves. A guide is the best way to enjoy this experience, and fly-fishing charters can be arranged on both Tortola and Anegada, two of the most popular spots. In Anegada the prized catch is bonefish, a hard fish to hook and an equally hard one to land. Permits for reef fishing off the shore or by pleasure boat can be obtained from the Conservation and Fisheries Department.
Find special sporting event dates in our Events section.
Blue Water Divers
Nanny Cay Marina & Soper's Hole Marina
Tel: 494-2847; 495-1200
Fax: 494-0198; 495-1210
E-mail : bwdbvi@surfbvi.com
Website: www.bluewaterdiversbvi.com
Come dive the fabulous "Blue Water" of the British Virgin Islands! Let Blue Water Divers BVI make your scuba diving vacation a truly memorable experience!
Deep Sea Fishing with Speedy's
Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda
Tel: 495-5235, 495-5240
E-mail: speedysbvi@surfbvi.com
Choose from our custom-designed fishing boats: our 31-foot Bertram, Speedy's Adventure; or our 44-foot Southern Cross, Speedy's Unbelievable, for the more seriously adventurous and comfort-inclined fisherman. Both full- and half-day charters are available.
Dive BVI
Dive BVI Spanish Town , Tel: 495-5513
Dive BVI at Leverick Bay, Tel: 495-7328
Dive BVI at Scrub Island, Tel: 495-9363
Toll-free: 1-800-848-7078
E-mail: info@divebvi.com
Website: www.divebvi.com
Dive BVI has served the British Virgin Islands since 1975 with professional service standards and the friendliest staff in the Caribbean. With daily guided dives and snorkelling, island tours, Anegada Trips, Eco-Explorer, Kids' Aqua Camp and private charters, Dive BVI offers everything you need for a magical and memorable vacation!
Dolphin Discovery Tortola
Prospect Reef Resort
Tel: 494-7675
Fax: 494-7677
E-mail: tortola@dolphindiscovery.com
Website: www.dolphindiscovery.com
Make your dreams come true with this experience of a lifetime. The breathtaking and intimate discovery of swimming and playing with dolphins in the ocean is exhilarating. These amazing mammals exhibit unique behaviours, creating magical memories.
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.
Read unbiased opinions about BVI activities at TripAdvisor.
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The British Virgin Islands form an arc of 60 islands and cays nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The BVI's prime location amidst a vast network of crystalline waters, gentle trade winds and year-round temperate climates creates a dream destination for watersports enthusiasts.
There's a reason the BVI has garnered an impressive reputation as "The Sailing Capital of the World." With balmy sailing days gradually giving way to star-studded nights in a quiet harbour or bay, this is a sailing destination that tops many people's list. The world-renowned BVI Sailing Regatta is held here each spring, and yacht clubs hold racing tournaments throughout the high season, which extends from December through April.
“Another form of sailing in these islands that takes a slightly different form is windsurfing. This involves a board, a sail, a harness rig and some proper instruction. The BVI offers experienced staff at watersports centres, where learning the basic skills and going out on a test sail can be accomplished in a few hours. Some popular locations for this fun-filled sport include Nanny Cay Marina and Trellis Bay on Tortola, and the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda.
A distant cousin to windsurfing and relatively new addition to the world of "extreme sports," kiteboarding is now a recognized sporting event with international competitions. This watersport will challenge the daredevil in you, but once mastered, it allows the combined experience of wakeboarding and kite flying. On the cautionary side, a skilled professional teacher is strongly recommended, as once airborne, the next feat involves landing safely back on the water with your wakeboard.
This is a watersport that's accessible to the whole family and requires the least amount of equipment and training. Many visitors will travel to the islands with their masks, snorkels and fins in tow; but if you didn't bring any along, there are many rental facilities available, mostly centred around dive shops. Some of the popular reefs that can be accessed from the beach are Brewer's Bay and Smuggler's Cove off the north shore of Tortola, and White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. Unquestionably, one of the top destinations is The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Approached from either Spring Bay or Devil's Bay and separated by a series of humongous crater-like boulders with a trail in between, you can snorkel out to see juvenile fish and their larger counterparts swimming languidly in and out of the rock pools and caves.
Considered a "soft adventure sport" for its non-invasive character, kayaking is a gentle and eco-friendly way to explore the BVI's coastal areas. Sea kayaks have durable hard plastic shells, are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around. They come fashioned as single or double kayaks, with removable seat backs and oars balanced by paddles on each end. Generally on a double, the stronger kayaker sits to the rear to help propel and steer the boat by adjusting the oar in the water.
A major watersport in the BVI, scuba diving brings enthusiastic reef and wreck explorers from all over the world. Because of the many fine dive sites, healthy reefs and clear visibility of the waters, dive shops have cropped up on almost every major island in the BVI. On Tortola, Blue Water Divers offers one- and two-tank dive packages, as well as a beginner's resort course. This course enables a novice to enjoy a shallow-water dive with minimal instruction. With locations at Leverick Bay and Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda and Marina Cay, Dive BVI offers several dive packages and full PADI certification.
Tortola's north shore is known throughout the international surfing community. When the famous winter swells are up, eager surfers hear through the "coconut vine" which bay is offering up the most challenging surf, toss their boards on top of a Jeep and head to Apple Bay, Cane Garden Bay or Josiah's Bay. Depending upon conditions, colour-coded flags will be hoisted at the various beaches signalling caution for swimmers, and several north shore beaches now have lifeguards on duty.
The BVI's waters are familiar to two very different types of fishermen: those after a deep-sea catch like tuna, swordfish or marlin, and those after the shallow-water catches like permit, jacks and tarpons. Both deep-sea fishing and fly-fishing are the emerging marine businesses in the islands. Speedy's (also the ferry company) offers full- and half-day deep-sea fishing charters out of Virgin Gorda. Its fleet includes a 31-foot Bertram and other larger vessels fully equipped to handle a day at sea. A popular fishing area is the North Drop, a shelf that descends 200 feet off the east side of Virgin Gorda.
Blue Water Divers
Dive BVI