Caribbean (Fodor's, 2011) - Fodor's Travel Publications [14]
Clothes and Textiles
Arawak
(On dock, Nanny Cay VG1130 | 284/494–3983 | Soper’s Hole Marina, West End VG1130 | 284/495–4262) carries batik sundresses, sportswear, and resort wear for men and women. There’s also a selection of children’s clothing. Latitude 18° (Main St., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–6196 | Soper’s Hole Marina, West End VG1130 | 284/495–6196) sells Maui Jim, Smith, and Oakley sunglasses; Freestyle watches; and a fine collection of beach towels, sandals, Crocs, sundresses, and sarongs.
Pusser’s Company Store
(Main St. at Waterfront Rd., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–2467 | Soper’s Hole Marina, West End VG1130 | 284/495–4599) sells nautical memorabilia, ship models, and marine paintings. There’s also an entire line of clothing for both men and women, handsome decorator bottles of Pusser’s rum, and gift items bearing the Pusser’s logo. Zenaida’s of West End (Soper’s Hole Marina, West End VG1130 | 284/495–4867) displays the fabric finds of Argentine Vivian Jenik Helm, who travels through South America, Africa, and India in search of batiks, hand-painted and hand-blocked fabrics, and interesting weaves that can be made into pareus (women’s wraps) or wall hangings. The shop also sells unusual bags, belts, sarongs, scarves, and ethnic jewelry.
Food
Ample Hamper
(Inner Harbour Marina, Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–2494 | Frenchman’s Cay Marina, West End VG1130 | 284/495–4684 | www.amplehamper.com) has an outstanding collection of cheeses, wines, fresh fruits, and canned goods from the United Kingdom and the United States. The staff will stock your yacht or rental villa. Best of British (Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–3462) has lots of nifty British food you won’t find elsewhere. Shop here for Marmite, Vegemite, shortbread, frozen meat pies, and delightful Christmas crackers filled with surprises. RiteWay (Waterfront Dr. at Pasea Estate, Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–2263 | Fleming St., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–2263 | www.rtwbvi.com) carries a good selection of the usual supplies, but don’t expect an inventory like your hometown supermarket. RiteWay will stock villas and yachts.
Gifts
Bamboushay
(Nanny Cay Marina, Nanny Cay VG1130 | 284/494–0393) sells handcrafted Tortola-made pottery in shades that reflect the sea. In a brightly painted West Indian house, Sunny Caribbee (Main St., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–2178) packages its own herbs, teas, coffees, vinegars, hot sauces, soaps, skin and suntan lotions, and exotic concoctions—Arawak Love Potion and Island Hangover Cure, for example.
Jewelry
Colombian Emeralds International
(Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–7477), a Caribbean chain catering to the cruise-ship crowd, is the source for duty-free emeralds and other gems in gold and silver settings. Samarkand (Main St., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–6415) crafts charming gold-and-silver pendants, earrings, bracelets, and pins, many with island themes such as seashells, lizards, pelicans, and palm trees. There are also reproduction Spanish pieces of eight (old Spanish coins) that were found on sunken galleons.
Stamps
The BVI Post Office (Main St., Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–3701) is a philatelist’s dream. It has a worldwide reputation for exquisite stamps in all sorts of designs. Although the stamps carry U.S. monetary designations, they can be used for postage only in the BVI.
SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES
DIVING AND SNORKELING
Clear waters and numerous reefs afford some wonderful opportunities for underwater exploration. In some spots visibility reaches 100 feet, but colorful reefs teeming with fish are often just a few feet below the sea surface. The BVI’s system of marine parks means the underwater life visible through your mask will stay protected.
There are several popular dive spots around the islands. Alice in Wonderland is a deep dive south of Ginger Island with