Caribbean (Fodor's, 2011) - Fodor's Travel Publications [2]
Both Tortola and Virgin Gorda have a number of car-rental agencies. Although taxi service is good, you may wish to rent a car to explore farther afield or try many different beaches (you may need to if you are staying at an isolated resort). On Anegada it’s possible to rent a car, but most people rely on taxis for transportation. Jost Van Dyke has a single road, and visitors travel on foot or by local taxi.
Tortola ContactsAvis (Opposite Police Station, Road Town, Tortola VG1110 | 284/494–3322). D&D (West End Rd., West End, Tortola VG1130 | 284/495–4765). Hertz (West End, Tortola VG1130 | 284/495–4405 | Airport, Tortola VG1120 | 284/495–6600 | Road Town, Tortola VG1110 | 284/494–6228). Itgo Car Rental (Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, Tortola VG1110 | 284/494–2639).
Virgin Gorda ContactsL&S Jeep Rental (South Valley, Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5297 | www.landsjeeprentals.com). Mahogany Rentals & Taxi Service (Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5469 | mahoganyrentals.puzzlepiece.net). Speedy’s Car Rentals (The Valley, Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5240 | www.speedysbvi.com).
Taxis: Taxi rates aren’t set in the BVI, so you should negotiate the fare with your driver before you start your trip. Fares are per destination, not per person here, so it’s cheaper to travel in groups. The taxi number is always on the license plate.
On Tortola the BVI Taxi Association (Near Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola VG1110 | 284/494–3942) has stands in Road Town near Wickham’s Cay I. The Waterfront Taxi Association (Ferry dock, Road Town VG1110 | 284/494–6362) picks up passengers from the Road Town ferry dock. The Beef Island Taxi Association (Beef Island Airport, Tortola VG1120 | 284/495–1982) operates at the Beef Island–Tortola airport. You can also usually find a West End Taxi Association (West End ferry terminal, Tortola VG1130 | 284/495–4934) taxi at the West End ferry dock.
Andy’s Taxi & Jeep Rental
(The Valley, Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5252) offers service from one end of Virgin Gorda to the other. Mahogany Rentals & Taxi Service (The Valley, Virgin Gorda VG1150 | 284/495–5469) provides taxi service all over Virgin Gorda.
ISLAND ACTIVITIES
The BVI sailing scene is one of the best in the world, with Tortola as one of the major charter-yacht centers of the Caribbean. It’s no wonder that sailing is so popular; most of the best BVI beaches are on deserted islands and are accessible only by boat. The most famous beach in the chain is the Baths on Virgin Gorda, which is lined with giant, round boulders that provide for great off-the-beach snorkeling. Tortola also has its share of beautiful strands, including the beaches at Cane Garden Bay. Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay beach is also excellent.
The nightlife center of the region is actually a series of simple beach bars on Jost Van Dyke, but yachties in the know are happy to bop over for a drink and to hear Foxy Callwood sing at his eponymous bar and restaurant. Diving—especially the wreck of the Rhone and the reefs around Anegada—make the BVI a major dive destination.Snorkelers appreciate the many opportunities to snorkel right off the beach, though some better shallow reefs can be reached on a day sail. And game fishing in these waters is also good, as participants in the summer sportfishing tournament will attest.
FAST FACTS
Banks. The currency in the BVI is the U.S. dollar, so there’s never a need to change money. ATMs are common in Road Town, Tortola, and around Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour.
Electricity. 110 volts, the same as in North America, so American appliances work just fine.
Emergencies. In an emergency, dial | 999.
Passport Requirements. All travelers going to the British Virgin Islands need to have a valid passport, even if they are traveling by private yacht.
Weddings. You must apply