Caribbean (Fodor's, 2011) - Fodor's Travel Publications [1]
Beaches
Long Bay, Beef Island
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Restaurants
1 The Rock Café | 2 Top of the Baths | 3 Mine Shaft Café | 4 Fischer’s Cove Restaurant | 5 LSL Restaurant | 6 Chez Bamboo | 7 Bath and Turtle | 8 Little Dix Bay Pavilion
Hotels
1 Guavaberry Spring Bay Vacation Homes | 2 Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel | 3 Rosewood Little Dix Bay | 4 Olde Yard Village
Beaches
Savannah Bay | Spring Bay Beach | The Baths
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Restaurants
9 Restaurant at Leverick Bay | 10 The Clubhouse | 11 Fat Virgin’s Cafe | 12 Biras Creek
Hotels
5 Mango Bay Resort | 6 Nail Bay Resort | 7 Leverick Bay Resort & Marina | 8 Saba Rock Resort | 9 Bitter End Yacht Club | 10 Biras Creek Resort
Beaches
Nail Bay
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Beaches
Sandy Cay | White Bay
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THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PLANNER
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DRIVING TIPS
Tortola’s main roads are well paved, for the most part, but there are exceptionally steep hills and sharp curves; driving demands your complete attention. Virgin Gorda has a small road system, and a single, very steep road links the north and south ends of the island.
Road Town’s traffic and parking can be horrific. Try to avoid driving along the Waterfront Drive at morning and afternoon rush hours. It’s longer, but often quicker, to take a route through the hills above Road Town. Parking can be very difficult in Road Town, particularly during the busy winter season. There’s parking along the waterfront and on the inland side on the eastern end of downtown.
FERRY TIPS
The ferry situation is mind-boggling for newcomers. Ferries on Tortola depart from Road Town, West End, and Beef Island, so make sure you get to the right place at the correct time. Schedules are not always convenient for making quick connections and can change at the drop of a hat. And not all ferry routes are covered very day or at convenient times.
GETTING TO THE BVI
Hassle Factor: Medium to high.
Nonstops: None from the United States.
Air Travel: Most travelers connect in San Juan or St. Thomas. You can fly to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, or Anegada but only on a small plane. Several airlines have regularly scheduled service to either Tortola or Virgin Gorda. Although it may be cheaper to fly to Puerto Rico, the connections are better through St. Thomas on Air Sunshine (800/327–8900, 800/435–8900 in Florida | www.airsunshine.com). If you have seven or more people in your party, you can also charter a plane from St. Thomas or San Juan; Fly BVI (284/495–1747 | www.bviaircharters.com) is one of the local charter services.
Airlines: American Airlines/American Eagle (800/433–7300 | www.aa.com). Cape Air (800/352–0714 | www.flycapeair.com). LIAT (888/844–5428, 866/549–5428 in USVI | www.liat.com).
Airport Transfers Beef Island Taxi Association (Beef Island Airport, Tortola VG1120 | 284/495–1982). Mahogany Rentals & Taxi Service (Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5469).
Airports: Tortola (TOC), Virgin Gorda (VIJ), and Anegada (no code).
Ferries: Frequent daily ferries connect Tortola with St. Thomas (both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook) and St. John. Ferries also link Tortola with Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, and Virgin Gorda. Tortola has two ferry terminals—one at West End and one in Road Town. Schedules vary, and not all companies make daily trips. All Red Hook–bound ferries stop in Cruz Bay to clear customs and immigration.
Ferries also connect Virgin Gorda with St. Thomas (both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook) and St. John, but not daily. All Red Hook–bound ferries stop in Cruz Bay to clear customs and immigration. Ferries to Virgin Gorda land in Spanish Town. Schedules vary by day, and not all companies make daily trips.
The BVI Tourist Board Web site | www.bvitourism.com has links to all the ferry companies, and these sites are the best sources for specific routes and schedules.
GETTING AROUND THE BVI
Driving. Driving in