Whether you are planning your next family excursion or romantic getaway, the BVI is the place to be with beautiful sandy beaches and crystal clear water. The BVI is waiting for you to discover this paradise.  The BVI is comprised of  a chain of sixty islands, cays and islets, located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. The main islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, but there is much more to explore.  You can find more details under the section islands. The BVI is a crown colony of the United Kingdom but uses US currency.  A passport is required to travel to the British Virgin Islands.

In 1493 Christopher Columbus made his second voyage and discovered the British Virgin Islands, which he named " Las Once Mil Las Vigines" after the legendary St. Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins. Truth to be told, there was an Amerindian tribe that migrated from Venezuela that lived here before Christopher Columbus . The Dutch was the first to settle on the western side of Tortola in the mid 17th Century.

The early settlers built cotton and sugar plantations and soon started to export large quantities of rum molasses to England. In 1834 slavery was abolished, which made a decline in plantation.  The yatching industry became popular to the islands in the 1970s and has continued to grow the ecomony along with the international financial industry.

Travel to Tortola, British Virgin Islands:

• Book a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); then take a connecting flight to the Beef Island, Tortola (EIS).
• Book a Flight to St. Thomas , US Virgin Islands; then take a ferry to Road Town or West End, Tortola. Some ferries that have daily services to Road Town and West End, Tortola daily are Native Son, Smith's ferry and RoadTown Fast ferry.

Other islands that you must see are:

Little and Great Camanoes - Camanoes are very private islands where you will be surrounded by relaxation, privacy, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, and fabulous scuba diving.

Peter Island - The largest private island in the British Virgin Islands-- it is an oasis for those wishing to truly get away and distance themselves from everyday concerns.

Norman Island – It is said that the “Treasure Islands” story by Robert Louis is based on this island.

Saba Rock - A breezy waterfront magnet for the yachting crowd.

Necker Island - Totally private, Necker has only one residence: a magnificent villa of breathtaking design.

Little Thatch - Indulge in a remote island vacation miles away from the hectic world and stresses of the everyday world. It is a unique and breathtakingly beautiful destination that is the perfect paradigm of private islands.

Cooper Island - Tiny and unspoiled, it is free from roads, nightclubs, shopping malls and crowds and providing the perfect escape from the stress of everyday life.

Salt Island - Salt Island, living up to its name, is an island with salt harvesting.

There is much more to explore like cays, beaches and bays waiting to be explored by sea: Dead Man's Chest, The Indians, The Dog Islands, Moskito Island, Prickly Pear, Eustatia, Great Thatch, Great Tobago, Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay and Green Cay.

Enjoy a USVI excursion for one day.