British Virgin Islands

Between islands, diving along coral reefs, swimming in turquoise waters, walks in tropical forests, protected anchorages, an air of paradise.

In brief

The British Virgin Islands is an archipelago in the West Indies and an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Between Puerto Rico and Anguilla, it comprises some 50 islands. The main inhabited islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island and Salt Island. Tortola is home to Road Town, the territorial capital. The islands are all of volcanic origin, except for Anegada, which is made of coral and limestone.

It's a veritable tropical paradise, undulating between white sandy beaches, mangroves and lush tropical forests. Biodiversity is rich, with species endemic to the islands such as the cyclure or land iguana of Anegada island, or the adorable gecko. You may also come across lizards, turtles, iguanas, mongooses, bats, agoutis - a whole incredible fauna.

The islands are also a mecca for scuba divers, considered to be among the best in the Caribbean. Between wrecks, seamounts, coral gardens and sandy bottoms, there are plenty of places to observe.

For the pleasure of yachtsmen, the stories and pirate attacks commanded by the famous Blackbeard have given way to a Caribbean lifestyle in the heart of a paradise setting.

Sunset, Cooper Island Beach, British Virgin Islands

Information before you leave

When to go?

Prepare your cruise

History of the archipelago

Formalities

Passport valid 6 months after return date and return ticket for French citizens. For other nationals, please refer to the relevant authorities.
You should preferably have a passport with the required or sufficient number of blank pages (usually 3, with 2 facing each other).

If you're traveling with your children, you should be aware that minors of all ages are now also required to have an individual passport.

Visitors from certain countries may also need a visa to enter the country. If in doubt, please contact the BVI Immigration Department.

Administrative formalities France Côte d'Azur

Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are an excellent sailing area thanks to their climate and steady winds.

Ideal for coastal sailing, distances between two anchorages rarely exceed two hours. At night, however, it's not advisable to sail, as there are hardly any lights.

Most catamaran departure bases are on the main island of Tortola.

Boating license

No sailing license is required for cruising in the British Virgin Islands. However, in the event of a customs or police check, we advise you to carry papers certifying that you are fit to sail.

In any case, if you hire without a skipper, a nautical CV will be requested at the time of booking.

Day mooring permits in national parks:
If you wish to moor, snorkel or dive in one of the BVI's national parks, a mooring permit is required. The cost depends on the number of passengers and will be communicated in your quotation. The permit is issued on arrival at the base.

There is also a government tax for sailing in the British Virgin Islands, which will be indicated in your quotation.

To know more

Currency and exchange rate: USD

- Please note that euros can only be exchanged at certain banks in Road Town.

- Cash is easily withdrawn from ATMs. You'll find them at the airport, on Tortola, and at the Spanish Town yacht harbor on Virgin Gorda. For all other islands, bring cash!

- Visa, MasterCard and, to a lesser extent, American Express are also accepted.

- Always carry bills for tips.

Time zone difference: British Virgin Islands is GMT-4 :

- in summer, there is a 6-hour time difference with France (when it is 12:00 in Paris, it is 6:00 in Road Town);

- in winter, there's a 5-hour time difference (when it's 12:00 in Paris, it's 7:00 in Road Town).

Important contacts: Police 311 / Medical emergencies 911

Language: The official language is English, but English Creole, specific to the British Virgin Islands, is spoken by 60% of the population. Spanish is also spoken, as is Anguillan Creole. English as a mother tongue is spoken by 10% of the population. The rest of the population uses other Creoles.

To know more

Electricity:
The power supply is 12V. To use your personal electronic equipment on 220V, you'll need a 12V/220V converter with a cigarette-lighter plug.

Getting to the British Virgin Islands: There are no direct flights to the British Virgin Islands. All flights are via the airport of another Caribbean island (such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua or St. Martin).

The main airports are :

on the island of Tortola: Terrence B Lettsome aiport
on the island of Anegada: Auguste George airport
on Virgin Gorda Island: Taddy bay aiport

From France you can reach the British Virgin Islands via the island of Saint Martin with Air France or Air Caraïbes.

The British Virgin Islands in pictures

Copper Mine Ruins, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

The Baths, Flowers, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Ilots Des Indiens, British Virgin Islands

View From Marina Cay To Camanoe Island And Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Common Iguana, Peter Island, British Virgin Islands

The itineraries and anchorages we suggest are given for information only.

They can be adapted to suit your desires, weather and anchorage conditions (crowds, accessibility) and your departure base.

In the case of a skippered charter, the skipper, who is responsible for the smooth running of your cruise, will decide on the best navigation options in exchange with you.