British Virgin Islands

Location: The British Virgin Islands are known for their sheltered, clear blue sailing waters and the stunning beauty of her mountains, the British Virgin Islands - Nature's Little Secrets - lie some 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. Although there are 50 islands, rocks and cays dotting our sparkling blue sea, many of them are uninhabited. Chiefly volcanic in origin, with the exception of Anegada, which is a coral and limestone atoll, most of the islands are grouped around the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

Because of the difference in rainfall, soil and exposure, our islands have a wide variety of vegetation. There are lush areas where palms and tropical fruit trees thrive, as well as hills spotted with cactus, loblolly, frangipani and wild tamarind. In the valleys, there are brilliant tropical blooms, including hibiscus, bougainvillea and flamboyant. Along the seashores, it is not uncommon to see mangrove and sea grape trees sculpted by the wind.

Road Town , located on the southern shore, is the busy capital of the B.V.I., as well as the central administrative and business centre of the Territory. Here are the shops, banks, administration buildings, the hospital and Government House. The beautiful 4-acre J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens feature a lush array of indigenous and exotic plants.

Beef Island is the site of the BVI's main airport and is connected to Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. Mangroves line the shores beneath the bridge, and an excellent beach, Long Bay is on the island's northern shore.

HOW TO GET THERE

Airports:

BY SEA:

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passports are recommended for all, however, US and Canadian citizens require proof of citizenship-passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate with a photo ID and also a return or ongoing ticket. Some European countries require visas in addition to the above-check with your travel agent for a current list.

GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES

GETTING AROUND

Transportation:

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

One reason that The BVI has remained one of 'Nature's Little Secrets' is that there are no direct flights from the USA, Canada, Europe or South America to the main airport - so separate travel plans are necessary to get there.

The CKIM Group Inc., Caribbean Luxury Vacations - 800-649-5701 (US and Canada toll-free), 321-777-1707, 321-985-0244 - Fax
www.ckimgroup.com,

MONEY/BUSINESS GUIDE

BANKS:
Banco Popular, Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank, Development Bank of the Virgin Islands, First Bank.

BANKING HOURS:
Monday to Thursday 0900 - 1500. Friday 0900 - 1700.

BUSINESS HOURS:
Government offices 0830 - 1630. Private firms 0900 - 1700.

BUSINESS DRESS:
proper attire (no bare chests or midriffs) in residential and commercial areas. Formal business attire is tie, casual clothing.

CURRENCY:
The currency of The British Virgin Islands is the $US dollar. Major credit cards are accepted in many- but not all establishments. There is a 10¢ stamp duty on all cheques and travel cheques.

TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES:
Sales Tax: There is no Sales Tax. Departure tax: Air $10.00, sea $5.00, cruise ship tax: $7.00, Room tax: 7%, service charge: 15%.

COUNTRY PROFILE

GEOGRAPHY:
Latitude - 18.5 N. Longitude – 64.8 W. Highest point above sea level is Sage Mountain 1,780 ft. The British Virgin Islands is an archipelago of about 50 islands, cays and rocks spread over 59 sq mls. All the islands but one are volcanic in origin; most are mountainous and green, scalloped coastlines of small coves and white sand beaches. The BVl, as they are known locally, are 60 mls east of Puerto Rico, neighboring the U.S. Virgin Islands. They nestle protectively along both sides of the Sir Francis Drake Channel, slightly west of the Anegada Passage, a major northeast corridor between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, that separates the Greater and Lesser Antilles.

TIME:
GMT – 4, EST + 1.

CLIMATE:
Average annual temperatures: Summer 90 degrees F, Winter 85 degrees. Average annual rainfall is 52”. Approximate Sunrise: 0545, Winter 0610. Approximate sunset: Summer 1930 –2030, Winter 1700 -1730.

LANGUAGE:
English

POPULATION:
19,000 inhabitants

COMMUNICATIONS

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

The British Virgin Islands offer such a variety for any traveler, that it is often hard to pick just one favorite. Check out some of your neighboring islands to create the whole experience:

Tortola: The largest of The BVI has a charming and relaxed atmosphere that is garnished with lovely, uncrowded beaches for swimming to SCUBA.

Virgin Gorda: The idyllic retreat for island connoisseurs. Less developed and slower-paced than Tortola, Virgin Gorda has a mountainous, dry terrain dotted with cactus.

Jost Van Dyke: Sports a lifestyle of a Caribbean Gilligan's Island. This rustic and laid back isle is a wonderful beach odyssey. Its casual beach bars, mountainous terrain and awesome beaches are spectacular with the fusion of great local nightly entertainment with friendly ambience. Foxy's is not only an island landmark but also Foxy himself is a great world known entertainer who keeps his guests enthralled with his musical folklore.

Anegada: Is an island of coral sand and its beaches are the loveliest in the Caribbean. They're so deserted, chances are you won't see another set of footsteps on the sand.

Dreaming about having your vacation on your own private island? Then come to Guana Island, Little Thatch or Necker Island. These are just a few of our little islands off Tortola that can be yours. If that doesn't capture your fantasy, you can still have the life of luxury in the exquisite resort of Peter Island - utter luxury for that vacation of a lifetime!

DINING:
The British Virgin Islands have a restaurant to satisfy every palate, mood and budget. Some restaurants are on the beach, others can be found along the islands' dramatic ridges offering breathtaking views of the sea. Some are located in historic sugar mills, surfside shacks and fragrant tropical gardens. With hundreds of restaurants throughout our islands, whatever your mood, the variety is endless and the dining is delicious!
Roti: A flavourful East Indian flat bread filled with a meat or vegetables.
Paté: Not to be mistaken with liver pâté, this West Indian dish is a baked/grilled style pita bread filled with spiced meat, seafood or vegetables.
Fungi: No way related to the mushroom, this delight is made from cornmeal and okra and is usually served with seafood dishes. Very similar to Italian polenta.
Whelks: A seasonal seafood delicacy that is quite similar to escargot.
Conch: Another seasonal seafood delicacy - try it in fritters, paté, soup, salad, or as a main entrée.
Anegada Lobster: The ultimate in BVI seafood delicacy - reputed to be the best in the Caribbean.
Fresh local fruits: Most of which are seasonal like soursop, papaya, mango, pineapple, guava, sugar apple, passion fruit and tamarind.

SIGHTSEEING:
Tortola: Sage Mountain National Park, J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens, Mount Healthy Windmill, Shark Bay at Brewer's Bay,
Virgin Gorda: The Baths Protected Area, The Baths Devil's Bay, Spring Bay, Coppermine, rum distilleries, Botanical Gardens, Wreck of the Rhone,
Little Fort: Gorda Peak, The Copper Mine,
Other National Parks: West Dog, Great Tobago, Little Tobago and Diamond Cay. Prickly Pear Island, Great Camanoe,
Two additional parks are Dead Chest located off Peter Island and Fallen Jerusalem near Virgin Gorda. National Marine Park at Salt Island, The Wreck of the Rhone Marine Park.

DIVING:
Scuba diving is popular around sunken reefs and wrecks. Among wreck dives, RMS Rhone is reckoned to be the best in the Western hemisphere. Once the pride of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, the Rhone hit Salt Island in a storm in 1867 and sunk. It is now an official marine park. The waters of The British Virgin Islands offer a fascinating world of underwater marine life - colorful, exotic fish, rare coral reefs, mysterious remains of sunken ships, including The Wreck of the Rhone II, voted best shipwreck in the Caribbean by Skin Diver Magazine.

WATER ACTIVITIES:

WHILE ON LAND:

SPORTS:

NIGHTLIFE:

USEFUL INFORMATION

ELECTRICITY:
Electricity is 110 volts, with converters available in hotels.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS:
For information regarding requirements on getting married in the Territory, contact: Registrar's Office, P.O. Box 418, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands or phone (284) 468-3701 ext. 5001or (284) 494-3492. Couples are required to be in the territory three (3) days before you get married. You can apply for a license the same day of your arrival at the Attorney General's Office, situated on the second floor of the Central Administration Complex. Road Town, Tortola.

MEDICAL FACILITIES:
Pharmaceutical services are available throughout the island, with 24 hour casualty departments, hospital, and public or private clinics. Peebles Hospital has surgical, x-ray and laboratory facilities; there is a private plastic surgery clinic as well several private medical centres.

PET REGULATIONS:
Pets are allowed entry into the Territory only after an import permit is issued by the Department of Agriculture. For regulations governing animal importation, contact the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax: (284) 495-1269.

RELIGION/CHURCHES:
The Churches are: Methodist, Anglican (Episcopal), Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Church of God, Jehovah's Witness, Pentecostal, Church of Christ, Mormon and Baha'i. For further information, see Churches in the yellow pages of The British Virgin Islands Telephone Directory.

RESORTS:

VILLAS:

PRIVATE ISLANDS: