A variety of landscapes
The BVI are made up of about sixty islands with Tortola as the main island. The landscapes are varied. From the mythical granite blocks of the Baths, which remind us 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. To the virgins, you will have the right to volcanic rocks that fall into the water or to the islet of white sand just surmounted by a palm tree of Jost Van Dyke. No anchorage is like the previous one!
A paradise for sailing
Les Vierges is a paradise for sailing. With a central island (Tortola) and more than 60 islands and islets all around, it is the perfect place to wander by boat. Navigation consists of plotting star-shaped roads linking Tortola and the other islands. The passage between the islands does not take more than a few hours. It is thus possible to change anchorages 3 times in the same day. Three new landscapes to discover each time.
Wind but no sea
As for the weather, the Virgins are under the trade winds regime. An established, regular wind, but not too strong. Still coming from the East, it does not rise from the sea, the lake remaining protected by the archipelago of islands. For the sailor, it is ideal to always have wind. If you sail with the engine, no problem either, the sea remains flat.
Sail all year round
While the most beautiful period - called the dry season - is from mid-October to the end of April, the more humid season from May to July is also pleasant. The sky is sometimes more veiled and it often rains several times a day, but never without interruption. The rain is in the form of grains that always give way to a beautiful dragging sky afterwards. Only August and September (cyclone period) are not recommended. Rental companies cease their activity at this time of year.
An archipelago under reconstruction
The end of 2017 was difficult for the BVI. On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma ravaged the islands with winds recorded at over 270 km/h. For the nautical part, it is carnage with sailboats turning over, dismasting or running aground. For urbanized areas, it is also a massacre with roofs torn off. At the beginning of 2018, these islands are in the process of being rebuilt. And while some sequelae are still visible (especially in urban areas), roads, electricity and communications are fully restored.
Even the famous beach bars destroyed by the waves are now being reopened. 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 position and the seabed and natural cavities on Norman Island (the inspiration site for Louis Stevenson in "L'île au trésor") have not moved.
A renewed offer
For the rental companies, the cyclone at the end of 2017 was a major blow. Many boats were destroyed. A financial blow, but one that had the merit of seeing the rental boat fleet renewed. Today the boats are much newer than before. Renting in the Virgin Islands is almost the assurance of sailing on a new boat..
The three largest rental companies are present in the British Virgin Islands. Moorings SI HUGO A R?VÉ SON ÉCUME DE MER POUR PARTIR EN GRANDE CROISIÈRE, CELA NE L'EMPÊCHE PAS DE NAVIGUER SUR D'AUTRES VOILIERS. IL NOUS FAIT VIVRE AUJOURD'HUI DANS CET ÉPISODE, LA PARTICIPATION AUX VOILES DE SAINT-BARTH. POUR CELA IL INTÈGRE UN ÉQUIPAGE QUI PARTICIPE SUR UN J/122 (UN VOILIER DE COURSE-CROISIÈRE DE 12 M). Sunsail and Dream Yacht Charter also announced a partnership with the catamaran shipyard of the Grand Large group, Outremer Yachting for its Dream Yacht Sabbatical offer. Here again, the choice to partner with a new manufacturer corresponds to the intended use. The Swiss Urs Rothacher, who initiated the long-term rental offer for Dream Yacht, sailed for several sabbatical years, some of which were spent on board an Outremer 5X. The Grande-Motte shipyard, a specialist in long-distance travel, has thus found its first entry into the world of rental, thanks to a new use of pleasure craft corresponding to its know-how. have done everything and managed to get their base back on track for this 2018 season.
Regular air links
Access to the BVI is via Saint-Martin. This island currently has flights to Paris (Air France and Air Caribbean) and flights to Amsterdam via KLM. 45-minute flights between Saint-Martin and Tortola are operated by Winair, InterCaraibbean and LIAT. Coming from the USA, the ideal is to transit through the neighbouring island of Puerto Rico.
A nautical event in 2018
From March 26 to April 1, 2018, the 48th edition of the BVI Spring Regatta will bring together 18 boat classes on 3 courses. New in 2018, the "Full Moon Race": a night course during the full moon on 27 March. No less than "64 islands to cross in the moonlight" during the 165 mile course.
