A wide variety of landscapes
The BVI consists of about 60 islands with Tortola as the main island. The landscapes are varied. From the mythical granite boulders of the Baths, reminiscent of the Seychelles with its intimate seawater pools, to the long sandy beaches of Anegada in the heart of its coral atoll known for its abundance of lobsters. In Les Vierges, you will have the right to the volcanic rocks falling into the water or the white sand island just topped by a palm tree of Jost Van Dyke. No two anchorages are the same!
A paradise for sailing
Les Vierges is a paradise for sailing and motoring. With a central island (Tortola) and more than 60 islands and islets all around, it is the perfect place to wander around by boat. Navigation consists of tracing star-shaped routes connecting Tortola and the other islands. The passage between the islands takes no more than a few hours. It is thus possible to change anchorages 3 times in the same day!
Wind but no sea
As far as the weather is concerned, the Virgins are in the trade winds. An established, steady, but not too strong wind. Always coming from the East, it does not rise from the sea, the body of water remaining protected by the archipelago of islands that surrounds it. For sailors, it's ideal to always have wind. If you sail with the engine, don't worry either, the sea remains flat.
Sail all year round
While the best period - the so-called dry season - is from mid-October to the end of April, the wetter season from May to July is also pleasant. The sky is sometimes more veiled and it often rains several times a day, but never continuously. The rain falls in the form of squalls that always give way to a beautiful sky afterwards. Only the months of August and September (cyclone period) are not recommended. Rental companies cease their activity at this time of the year.
All the major rental companies are present
The quality of the sailing area has led to the establishment of large rental companies in the Virgin Islands. The Moorings, Dream Yacht Charter, Sunsail, Catlante Catamarans... are present to offer a fleet of quality sailing and motor boats. All forms of charter are also possible with or without skipper, with a hostess for service, in the cabin or by privatizing the boat . Depending on your navigation mode, you will be able to enjoy these extraordinary landscapes.
The passage of cyclone IRMA at the end of 2017 devastated the rental fleet. Now totally rebuilt, this terrible event had the merit of renewing the boats. At BVI, you are almost certain to rent a new boat!
Today the archipelago has fully recovered and even the famous beach bars destroyed by the waves have reopened by Christmas 2017. Sailors can enjoy rum cocktails in the legendary Foxy's or at the Soggy Dollar on the island of Jost Van Dyke.
And for navigation, the mooring buoys are still in place and the seabed as well as the natural cavities of Norman Island (site of inspiration for Louis Stevenson in "Treasure Island") have not moved.
Regular air links
Access to the BVI is via St. Martin. This island currently has direct connections with Paris (Air France and Air Carïbes) and flights to Amsterdam via KLM. The connections between Sint Maarten and Tortola (45 minutes flight) are made with the company Winair, InterCaraibbean and LIAT. Coming from the USA, the ideal is to transit through the neighboring island of Puerto Rico.
