More than 30 islands are a part of the British Virgin islands, located in the north-eastern point of the Caribbean archipelago. These islands are known as personifications of beautiful beaches, splendid diving and snorkelling and out-of-this-world sailing. Tortola is part of British overseas territory and one of the British Virgin Islands, or BVI for short. The BVI are made up of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and more than thirty smaller isles, of which most are uninhabited. These include Great Tobago, Salt, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Guana, Beef, Great Thatch, Little Thatch and many more. Since it is the biggest isle in the BVI archipelago, Tortola and its capital Road Town are loaded with sandy beaches, lush vegetation, rich animal life, volcanic terrain, coral reefs and much more. Tortola dazzles all sailors with natural beauties and buzzing aquatic activity that turns every sailing vacation into a sequence of unforgettable days, each trumping the previous one in terms of mesmerising experiences.
Why choose Road Town?
Road Town, located in Tortola, was built in the south coast of the island, because of the natural advantages the horse-shoe bay provided for harbouring boats and yachts. Recently, a developmental project under the name of Wichakm`s Cay made Road Town into heaven for nautical tourism, because of the numerous maritime services it provides, including bareboat and skippered chartering and yacht rentals. Sailing around these waters is not a new idea: before modern chartering services, the Dutch and English pirates used Tortola island and Road Town as bases for plundering nearby trade shipping lanes. Today, Road Town is considered to be the capital of sailing in the BVI. In comparison with the other islands in the BVI archipelago, Tortola and Road Town is relatively low-key and a good place to find some peace and quiet, away from the more active Caribbean islands. The lowlands of Tortola are cowered with tropical rainforests with lagoons on the coastline, filled with the bluest sea you have ever seen and a network of big and small coral and barrier reefs. Road Town is unique in a way that mixes cultural elements borrowed from European, African and Caribbean influences. The Arawak Indians were the original inhabitants of the BVI and were expelled by aggressive Caribs. A hundred years after Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean, almost all of the Caribs have fled or have been killed by the Spaniards, or by buccaneers and pirates.
What to do and see on your yacht charter in Road Town, BVI?
In Road Town there is plenty to see and to experience. The most popular choices for sightseeing are the ruins of Fort Burt, constructed by the English in 1776 and the Callwood Rum Distillery, still functioning and producing the finest of the Caribbean rums. Walking down Road Town's Main Street, one can see the Angelican Church of St. George and the oldest building in Road Town, HM Prison from the second half of the 18th century. Not to miss is the J.R. O'Neal Botanic garden in the centre of Road Town. The garden features a variety of exotic and indigenous sub-tropical flora as well as a variety of bird species, waterfalls and lily ponds. Other sights include numerous parks, squares and plazas, like the Positive Action Movement Park and the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Situated perfectly to be used as a base for some Caribbean exploration, Road Town is an ideal stepping stone to other islands of the BVI archipelago, like the Baths beach on Virgin Gorda's north shore or the marvellous sandy shoreline of Anegada. Lastly, in Tortola's Prospect Reef, visitors can enjoy unique encounters with dolphins, either swimming or marvel at their tricks.
Sailing season - When to charter in Road Town, BVI?
The entire the British Virgin Islands enjoy a tropical climate, particularly the island of Tortola and Road Town. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. In Road Town, daily air temperatures change around 32 degrees Celsius in the summer and 29 degrees Celsius in the winter. Rain is variable and the months with the highest chance of rainfall are February and March. Humidity is low throughout the year, but water shortages are sometimes a problem. The highly erratic rainfall does produce positive outcomes in forms of lush tropical vegetation. Poinciana trees, mangoes, soursop, coconut palms, cacao and wild orchids are to be found in the hills, whilst cacti and sugarcane flourish in the lowlands. Moderate winds do not change gear unless it is hurricane season, which starts in between June and August and ends in around October to November.