July 4, 2008

BVI Sailing Fair Winds and Following Seas

by Barry Monteiro

If you’ve ever considered a British Virgin Islands vacation, you probably have heard it called the Caribbean’s sailing capitol. There are many excellent reasons for this name, from the weather to the communities on the islands.

There are very good reasons the British Virgin Islands are so perfect for sailing. First, the weather is warm year-round, with excellent trade winds blowing nearly constantly up to 25 knots, and a little stronger in winter - perfect for catching in sails. The islands are pocked with little bays and small anchorage points ideal for anchoring and snorkeling, swimming, or just enjoying the views of the closely-placed islands. Because the archipelago is so dense with islands, the waters stay exceptionally smooth, even where the channels run deep - this is great not just for sailing, but also for protecting the many beautiful reefs scattered throughout.

Chartering a private yacht in the British Virgin Islands is the ideal way to explore this unique archipelago. You have the freedom to move from island to island, enjoying each perfect beach, snorkeling in crystal waters off coral reefs sprinkled with anemone and colorful tropical fauna. If this sounds ideal to you, you’ll be glad to know that there are more charter yachts located in the British Virgin Islands than anywhere in the world.

It’s a good thing you can rent a yacht, too; most of the fifty islands that make up the BVI are inaccessible except by water. Both Windward and Leeward islands offer a remarkable variety of ecosystems for you to explore, from the mountainous terrain of Treasure Island to the flat sands of Dead Chest Cay, from sea caves to thick jungle.

Those mountains and valleys and beaches of the British Virgin Islands are nearly unspoilt. Unlike many of the islands in the Caribbean, the BVI aren’t touristy or built up with casinos and tall hotels. Often, you’ll find the towns and villages here lack even traffic lights and the traffic to justify them. Instead, you’ll find islands filled with peace and beauty, quiet glorious sunsets and the symphony of jungle birds drifting to the beaches nearby. You can hear yourself think on the British Virgin Islands, a rare treat in today’s world.

All this natural beauty doesn’t come easily. The British Virgin Islands are recognized all over the world for the efforts they’ve taken to protect their ecosystem above and below the water. The BVI’s National Parks Trust protects the coral reefs and underwater beauty of the Islands, creating a perfect snorkeling habitat for you to explore or for scientists to investigate. Since so many snorkeling spots and other BVI locations are inaccessible other than via water, that yacht charter is the ideal way to explore all the parts of the islands. Imagine it: skimming over the water, exploring beaches and caves and corals during the day, watching the perfect sunsets at night, and then dinner at one of the softly lit restaurants on shore, looking back at your yacht as it awaits your return for the evening. It’s a life away from the one you normally live.

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