The British Virgin Islands, Pristine Islands Of Paradise

Are you ready to escape the hustle and bustle of life for a vacation? Then why not try The British Virgin Islands? They are located in the Caribbean Sea with about 60 islands, although most of those aren't inhabited. A vacation to the British Virgin Islands will be one that is hard to forget. There are four main islands called Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Tortola. The terrain is very different from island to island so you will get fabulous scenery if you travel around. The island of Tortola is mountainous, and Anegada is only 27 ft. above sea level. They haven't ruined the Islands too much with tourism. It is balanced well with modern conveniences while maintaining a true island feel.

The climate is always warm and tropical. That is how the locals tend to like it. Tourism is very important to these places, so there is plenty places to find good hotel accommodations and it's very easy to make online travel reservations. If you choose an all-inclusive resort, then you will usually find ultimate luxury. There are plenty of resorts to choose from in the Virgin Islands. Each of them provides a tranquil atmosphere with the ultimate relaxation available. So book your hotel accommodations soon because the sooner you do it, the sooner you'll be able to enjoy the spas, restaurants, and entertainment that these resorts provide. But which island should you visit?

The Island Virgin Gorda is a good place to rest and relax. Try the Baths, a unique beach you will find there. There are huge boulders across the beaches that make up the pools for swimmers to discover. There are also plenty of places to snorkel through the rooms and caves that the boulders form.

The smallest of the islands is Jost Van Dyke. It has a population of around 200. It is very small, but offers a fun trip to Diamond Cay National Park. This is a bird sanctuary that has thousands of kinds of birds. There are reefs to snorkel here as well and the trails to hike.

The largest island is Tortola. This one has the most tourism and adventure to experience than any other of the islands. The Long Bay Resort takes up a whole 52 acres of the island. Besides all of the shopping, restaurants, and fitness centers that the resort offers, there are some great historical attractions to check out. Try the historic forts of Burt or the Callwood rum distillery.

You won't find any commercialism on the island of Anegada. It is a small island that is a real flat tropical paradise. While, there aren't any resorts, there are plenty of locals to meet to get a real feel for the culture. The island is only 10 miles by 2 ½ miles large.

Now that you know a little about each of the main islands, when is the best time to go to the British Virgin Islands? The most popular times to go are the winter months, for those who are sick of the snow and long for some tropical weather. But, that is when all of the other tourists go, so it will be busier and the hotel accommodations will be more expensive. Always make sure to book your hotel accommodations ahead of time though! Otherwise, you may not have a place to stay. During the off-season (Easter to December), the hotels will cost up to 1/3 less so they will be a lot cheaper. And you may wish to avoid hurricane season, which is from mid-summer to early November. People still vacation during this time, but they just prepare in case they need to leave quickly.

If you aren't sure what the local currency is, it is conveniently U.S. dollars that they accept. So, there is no confusing money exchange when you get there. Their policy for tipping isn't any different then here. It is 10-15 percent. But, some resorts will automatically charge for service in the initial price that you pay to stay there. So, you won't need to do any tipping if there is a service charge. It's always a good idea to tip scuba instructors or anyone like that though.

The best way to really see the sites in the Virgin Islands is to either get a rental car for the day or find a driver you can hire. Rental cars are usually expensive and there's the added cost of buying a driving permit called a BVI, which is $10. But you do get the freedom of going wherever you want and not being tied down by a tour. One thing to be careful about is that they drive on the left side of the road. This is a British island. But, there isn't too much traffic to worry about while you get used to driving on the left side. Sailing around the islands is a popular way to see the best of islands.

If you plan to snorkel a lot in the British Virgin Islands then you'll probably want to bring your own mask. This way, if you buy your own, you'll have one that actually fits your face as opposed to using the ones that the resort provides. Also, fins aren't necessary, but some like to have them. Just don't waste space in your baggage by bringing them with you. Rent them if possible while there. And a snorkeling suit would be helpful too. Some only swim in their swimsuits or a t-shirt, but that will not protect your body from the sharp coral. You don't need an expensive suit, just one that covers your body. The water is warm, as it reaches up to 86 degrees in August and September. You'll want to use plenty of suntan lotion when you go. The Caribbean sun is very HOT! Be sure to bring some hats and lotion. Just don't forget to actually use them! You don't want to ruin the trip for yourself and get burnt just the first day.

So check out the British Virgin Islands for a true island experience, but don't forget to book your hotel accommodations ahead of time! Read more at http://www.voyagemonkey.com.

About the Author

Peter Diaz is president of VoyageMonkey.com Online Travel Booking and author of various published travel articles.

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