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By Jane Bakewell
Shopping in the BVI is a lot like sampling the local cuisine — there is a little something for every variation of taste, but you have to know where to find it. There are well-known shopping areas and some hidden treasures. Whether it's indigenous local crafts or glitzy high-end jewellery, your only decision is in which direction to take off first.
There are central shopping areas on the four major islands. On Tortola, they include Road Town, the capital and business hub; Nanny Cay Marina; Soper's Hole on the West End; Trellis Bay, near the airport on the eastern tip; and Cane Garden Bay, with several nice shops tucked under a palm canopy. Virgin Gorda, known for its luxury resorts and fashionable boutiques, also has a diverse shopping area at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, whilst Jost Van Dyke offers a sandy promenade at Great Harbour, lined with colourful beach shops.
Tortola
A great way to immerse yourself in the island culture is to start a day of shopping by visiting the Crafts Alive Village next to the ferry dock. These brightly painted wood shops, although new, are fashioned in the traditional West Indian architectural style. Here, amidst the walkways and open doors with bright fabrics dancing like flags in the wind you can find authentic basketry, hats, Caribbean dolls and locally made lotions and soaps. A local gallery with an artist-in-residence often working on a painting is an added bonus, as well as a shop with some potent rum and guavaberry wine concoctions.
Just a few yards east of this local crafts market is Colombian Emeralds International, one of the largest duty-free jewellers in the world. With its 40-year reputation for quality, service and value, Colombian Emeralds International features a full range of fine jewellery and brand-name watches, as well as their exclusive AMORO jewellery. So stop by the store and pick up a gift for yourself or that special someone and celebrate life's memorable moments.
Connected through a short breezeway, the Tourneau watch shop has dazzling timepieces from every big-name designer, with prices ranging from easily affordable to a one-time dream purchase.
The other shopping area not to be missed is historic Main Street, which parallels Waterfront Drive but hides seductively behind it. Shoppers and cars vie for primacy on this tiny winding road that has coffee shops, bookstores and clothing boutiques, elbow to elbow with galleries, restaurants and local businesses. The Allamanda Gallery is a one-woman show of some of the finest photography documenting island life. You can select stunning nature views or charming portraits of everyday life, matted or framed and ready to go. Picturesque images are also available as cards or on small magnets that make fun gifts.
Pottery is also very reflective of an island's culture, and Bamboushay (which is a word for a Caribbean-style dance), a small stylish shop, features shelves of plates, bowls, mugs and candleholders — all with a distinctive blue glaze that is the company's trademark. The Caribbean's local larimar stone can be seen at Samarkand Jewellers, just down the road, where in-house craftsmen create custom gold and silver jewellery around this light blue stone, as well as the subtle pink conch shell. Nautical-themed jewellery and replicas of old coins are also favourites.
Virgin Gorda
Upscale resort boutiques are just some of the shopping experiences on Virgin Gorda. The Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour offers several varieties of shops in an open-air, verandah-style setting that's pleasant in the heat of the day. A French baguette shop with wines and cheeses shares common grounds with a dive shop, stylish boutiques and a garden restaurant. Blue Banana offers an eclectic mix of tropical clothing and gifts, as well as accessories and home decor that will bring the casual lifestyle of the Caribbean back to your own living room or kitchen. Thee Artistic Gallery features collectible coins and maps, which are popular keepsakes, as well as a line of Caribbean jewellery.
Jost Van Dyke
Great Harbour offers a laid-back flavour where "no shoes and no shirt" doesn't mean you won't get service. The Foxhole is the signature shop of Foxy's Restaurant and Tamarind Bar. Artfully jam-packed with trendy tropical wear, T-shirts, hats and sandals, many of the Foxy brand clothing products have the well-known musician's logo on the front. Just over the hill on Diamond Cay, Foxy's Taboo-tique carries a similar line of items for the boating crowd.
Anegada
All boats lead to Setting Point, the main ferry dock and port of call for visiting yachtsmen. Two island boutiques in this area, one part of the Anegada Reef Hotel, have a fine selection of tropical clothing and jewellery, along with island gifts and knickknacks. Along the road to Loblolly Bay are pottery and gift shops featuring locally made plates, mugs and bowls with island designs, as well as tourist mementos and colourful sarongs.
Bamboushay Pottery
Nanny Cay and Road Town
Tel: 494-0393
Fax: 494-0393
E-mail: bamboushay@surfbvi.com
Website: www.bamboushay.com
The Nanny Cay studio is the design and production facility for a wide variety of high-quality handcrafted ceramic pieces. Long known for their sconces and hanging lights, Bamboushay also creates glazed and hand-painted vases, bowls, candle lanterns, platters, dishes and mugs. The Gallery in Road Town complements the Bamboushay ceramics with locally made note cards and postcards, jewellery and handbags as well as soaps from Dominica and candles from Jamaica.
Colombian Emeralds International
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: 494-7477
Fax: 494-3585
Website: www.dutyfree.com
Colombian Emeralds International has been in the islands for over 40 years and was voted the "Best Duty-Free Retailer" for five consecutive years. This jewellery store specialises in top gem-set jewellery and now features exclusively the most romantic collections appropriately named AMORO. Certified Appraisals, International Guarantees, Instant Credit and a U.S. Service Centre.
Olivia's Corner Store
Myett's Garden and Grille
Cane Garden Bay
Tel: 495-9649
Fax: 495-9579
E-mail: myettent@surfbvi.com
Website: www.myettent.com
In this well-appointed store, you'll find unique and unusual gifts; local arts and crafts; Caribbean music, books and cards; camera acessories; sun- and reading glasses; skin-care products; jewellery; toys; men's, women's and children's tropical clothing; Cuban cigars; and more.
Samarkand
Main Street, Road Town
Tel: 494-6415 Caribbean Jewellers
Soper's Hole Marina, West End, Tortola
Tel: 495-4137
E-mail: office@samarkandjewellers.com
Samarkand and Caribbean Jewellers have been handcrafting tropical designs since 1971. Specialising in unique Caribbean gemstones, larimar and exclusive BVI Virgin Jasper, this eclectic range also includes pink conch shells, sunken treasure coins and charms. Internet access at West End branch.
Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 494-0740
Fax: 495-4560
E-mail: erin@surfbvi.com
Website: www.sopershole.com
Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina is Tortola's premier shopping, dining and marine centre. This centre is a unique and architecturally colourful collection of buildings housing many boutiques, shops and Pusser's Landing Restaurant.
Shopping in the BVI is a lot like sampling the local cuisine — there is a little something for every variation of taste, but you have to know where to find it. There are well-known shopping areas and some hidden treasures. Whether it's indigenous local crafts or glitzy high-end jewellery, your only decision is in which direction to take off first.
Just a few yards east of this local crafts market is Colombian Emeralds International, one of the largest duty-free jewellers in the world. With its 40-year reputation for quality, service and value, Colombian Emeralds International features a full range of fine jewellery and brand-name watches, as well as their exclusive AMORO jewellery. So stop by the store and pick up a gift for yourself or that special someone and celebrate life's memorable moments. 
The other shopping area not to be missed is historic Main Street, which parallels Waterfront Drive but hides seductively behind it. Shoppers and cars vie for primacy on this tiny winding road that has coffee shops, bookstores and clothing boutiques, elbow to elbow with galleries, restaurants and local businesses. The Allamanda Gallery is a one-woman show of some of the finest photography documenting island life. You can select stunning nature views or charming portraits of everyday life, matted or framed and ready to go. Picturesque images are also available as cards or on small magnets that make fun gifts.
Upscale resort boutiques are just some of the shopping experiences on Virgin Gorda. The Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour offers several varieties of shops in an open-air, verandah-style setting that's pleasant in the heat of the day. A French baguette shop with wines and cheeses shares common grounds with a dive shop, stylish boutiques and a garden restaurant. Blue Banana offers an eclectic mix of tropical clothing and gifts, as well as accessories and home decor that will bring the casual lifestyle of the Caribbean back to your own living room or kitchen. Thee Artistic Gallery features collectible coins and maps, which are popular keepsakes, as well as a line of Caribbean jewellery.
Colombian Emeralds International
Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina 