If you're in search of a laid-back boating getaway where the snorkeling's fine and most of the time "dress for dinner" means putting on a clean T-shirt, then head to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a collection of 60 islands and uninhabited cays that stretch for a radius of 80 nautical kilometers. Most family vacationers head to three islands: Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. The largest of the BVI, Tortola, which means "land of the turtle doves," has a population nearing 24,000 people and is home to Road Town, the capital. Fewer than 4,000 people inhabit Virgin Gorda, and only 200 islanders reside on Jost Van Dyke, a favorite of yachties. Despite the low population, you will find crowds at popular attractions when the cruise ships dock. On those days, it's best to stay put at your resort.
Some family vacationers also take a boat trip to Anegada, as much for the day on the water as for the white, sandy beaches and snorkeling. Peter, Necker and Guana islands each host an exclusive, not particularly family-friendly resort. Families wishing to stay on land instead of chartering a boat should consider properties on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Between the two lines of islands, the Sir Francis Drake Channel provides safe passage for vessels. With so many bays and secluded coves, the British Virgin Islands have always attracted sailors, including pirates.
Ever sing "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum" on a long family car ride? Legend has it that the song refers to the notorious scalawag Blackbeard, who marooned 15 of his fellow pirates on the BVI's Deadman's Bay with just one sword and a single bottle of rum. Supposedly, Captain Kidd sailed the BVI, and Robert Louis Stevenson based his novel "Treasure Island" on the BVI's Norman Island.
Getting on the water, whether for a day outing or with a week-long charter, is an essential BVI experience. Sail to good snorkeling and diving spots, as well as to off-the-beaten path inlets with slivers of beach.
Part of the islands' charm arises from their relative lack of mass tourism. Without mega-size hotels, the British Virgin Islands offer a slice of Caribbean life as it used to be, when sailboats ruled and the next adventure was wherever the wind blows. The total population of the British Virgin Islands hovers around 29,000 people.
British Virgin Islands Family Vacations
British Virgin Islands Family Vacations
Families will love:
- Perfect slice of laid-back Caribbean life
- Boating is an essential BVI experience
- White, sandy beaches and snorkeling in Anegada
Written by Candyce H. Stapen
Read more about British Virgin Islands Attractions
Latest British Virgin Islands Member Review
wickedbeth - 2011-04-15
Who would have thought beyond the mammoth boulders would be paradise? We were a bit skeptical to think that traveling between the boulders would ...
Read more British Virgin Islands Reviews
Best British Virgin Islands Family Hotels
© Copyright 2012. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
- Independent Traveler independenttraveler.com
- Cruise Critic cruisecritic.com
-
FREE Family Travel Newsletter -
Family Travel Tips (10 New)
– Family Planning and Tips
- Sure, free drinks and complimentary Wi-Fi rank high on the lists of most desirable hotel perks among travelers in general, but when it comes to visiting with kids in tow, which hotel amenities are most revered by families? From onsite airline check-in to in-room babysitting and kid concierges, con...
Favorite family biking locales in North America combine stunning scenery with a relatively easy grid of bike trails and uncongested backcountry roads. All of these locales offer exhilarating rides, guaranteed to inspire all ages to travel on two wheels. Many of the cities on the list, like San Anton...
1. Celebrate a Historic Anniversary. Boston's historic Fenway Park celebrates its 100th anniversary this year -- the perfect time to take in a ballgame while enjoying the history of America throughout the city. Give your school-aged children an up-close and personal history lesson by visiting some ...
The unofficial start to summer is nearly here, and this May 25 to 28 weekend is filled with enticing deals for families. Get out there and start your summer!
Broadmoor Resort, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Escape to the Colorado mountains for a two-night Memorial Day Family Escape at the Broadmoor. ...
There are few rites of passage as exciting as taking a child on his or her first camping trip. Families bond while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, making shadow animals on the tent wall, chasing after fireflies and inhaling fragrant whiffs of pine. Whether you are an experienced camper from pre-...
1. The National Mall
There's no question that the National Mall, the two-mile strip of wide-open green stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol and surrounded by Smithsonian museums and national monuments, is a must-see destination for kids. "The Mall," chock full of our nation'...
1. gogo Kidz Travelmate
If you're traveling with a child weighing less than 50 pounds, you won't want to leave home without this ingenious contraption that in seconds lets parents convert most car seats into a stroller. With the gogo Kidz Travelmate, there's no more lugging both a heavy car seat ...
On a recent ski vacation, my family of five traveled with five cellphones, three laptops, three iPads, two iPods and just for good measure, a GPS! Given the prevalence of electronic devices in our daily lives and our somewhat compulsive reliance upon them, taking a true vacation feels almost imposs...
The 1969 film, "If It's Tuesday, This Must be Belgium," depicted a funny, but sometimes all too true, look at a tour group of Americans traveling through Europe so quickly they barely knew where they were and what they were seeing.
Today, tour groups are quickly becoming an attractive option for ...
When you think of an all-inclusive vacation, your mind goes straight to the Caribbean, doesn't it? But you don't need to leave the country to get an all-in-one vacation -- resorts in the U.S. also provide all-inclusive getaways with accommodations, meals, and activities all packaged in one easy pric...