I put together an email to a friend recently with advice on things to do/see in the BVI's recently and thought I'd share it here. I doubt it has much new info for those who have been but I've seen questions on the BVI's before and thought I'd toss in my two cents.

I've been 3 times on a chartered sail boat and I recommend moving around if you can. The BVI's are best spent relaxing on various beaches, snorkeling, enjoying seafood, and touring the various bars. Obviously you'll need your passport but they take American dollars so no problem there.

Tortola

If there is a full moon occuring while you are in the BVI"s, go to the Bomba Shack at Cappoons Bay for a Full Moon Party. The shack is a interesting bar to go to at any time though.

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/bombas_shack.html

Cane Garden Bay is a beautiful curving white beach with several bearch front restaurants/bars. These are good places to get some conch fritters and a pina colada.

There is also a traditional rum distillery there that is over 200 years old (it looks like it too) and it makes pure cane rum. You can get a bottle of Arundel's Rum for about 4 dollars.

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/cgb_callwood_distillery.html

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/map_cane_garden_bay.html

Pusser's in Road Town

Pusser's is another rum brand that was famous for being the official rum of the British Navy. They have outposts through out the islands and if you visit all of them and get a painkiller, you earn some sort of membership. Their pub overlooking Road Harbor is worth a visit and has nickel beers on Wednesdays I think.

http://www.pussers.com/t-road-town-pub.aspx

I have been told there is a rain forest high up on Tortola but I haven't managed to visit it yet.

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda is worth several days just to hang out and relax at The Baths. The Baths are massive boulders strewn across a white sand beach and they are wonderful to explore and enjoy the scenery. You'll often run into photo shoots taking place here.

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/virgin_gorda_the_baths.html

You can also go to the Bitter End Yacht Club for a great meal and very nice accomodations. It's also the only place that celebrates the 4th of July in the BVI's.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147360-d147877-Reviews-Bitter_End_Yacht_Club-North_Sound_Virgin_Gorda_British_Virgin_Islands.html

http://www.beyc.com/

Jost Van Dyke

If you go to Little Harbor in Jost Van Dyke, you can eat dinner at Harris' Place or Sydney's Peace & Love. Both places are known for serving fresh lobster dinners at pretty reasonable prices.

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/jvd_little_harbour.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g580449-d1046065-Reviews-Sidney_s_Peace_and_Love-Jost_Van_Dyke_British_Virgin_Islands.html

Foxy's is another good bar on a different part of Jost Van Dyke that is fun to hang out at and they also brew their own beer.

http://www.foxysbar.com/home.html

Norman Island

This is a fun island to visit by boat for the day. It is famous for being suspected of inspiring Treasure Island because treasure was found on caves on the island and people still try to dig on it. You can snorkel around The Indians which is fascinating because you go from a lagoon side to open ocean on the other side of the islands. There is a small underwater cave that connects the two but I recommend just swimming around. There is a floating bar in the bay at Norman Island that usually has a fun night life as well.

You can also snorkel at nearby Pelican Island.

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/norman_island_willy_t.html

http://www.bareboatsbvi.com/bareboat_sailing_itinerary.html

http://www.paradise-islands.org/bvi/pelican-island.htm

Marina Cay

This is a great little island for snorkeling and has a good restaurant/bar run by Pussers. It is also known as the Republic of Cuervo Gold which is a pseudo country within the BVI's.

http://www.pussers.com/t-marina-cay.aspx

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/12/business/media-business-advertising-cuervo-republic-will-have-constitution-but-no-18th.html

The Rhone Wreck:

A British mail ship that sank off of Salt Island in the 1860's in a hurricane. You can snorkel above and if you hold your breathe and don't mind a little pain in the ears, you can dive down and touch the propeller. That's entertaining because you can waive at the divers as you do so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Rhone

Non-drowsy dramamine is worth bringing if you will be spending any significant time on a boat.

Great info. Sticky this in the table of contents

Thanks for the writeup....