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British Virgin Islands
The Sailing Capital of the world |
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The natural world of the Virgin Islands is one of its greatest draws.
The islands are mostly volcanic in origin, although they have been extinct
for millenia, and are fringed with limestone from eons of coral growth.
Most islands have quite dramatic landscapes, the larger islands with peaks
over 1000 feet (300 m), the highest point being Sage Mountain on Tortola
which is 1780 feet (594 m).
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Sunset between St. John and Tortola
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The Virgin Islands offer a
marvellous nature and crystal clear waters, where you can swim from the
yacht anytime. The pristine beaches in the Virgin Islands are all open to
the public.
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Aside from the islands' stunning
beauty as you sail past, a closer look will reveal a multitude of
subtropical ecosystems including mangrove swamps, coastal dry forests and
even small patches of rainforest. Despite centuries of deforestation for
agriculture, these ecosystems support a wide variety of tropical flora
including numerous flowering plants and trees such as the gumbo limbo,
mahogany, flamboyance and many cultivated fruit and shade trees. |
Jost van Dyke
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Deadmans Bay |
Peter Island |
Sandy Spit |
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The islands' fauna or animal life
includes a handful of mammals (mostly introduced), some reptiles including
anole and gecko lizards and the famous 6 foot long rock iguanas of
Anegada, and birds. Over 200 species of birds have been accounted for in
the Virgin Islands including songbirds, migratory waterfowl, seabirds and
the ubiquitous bannaquit or 'yellow bird'. Most of the Virgin Islands'
animal life however is found beneath the surface of the water, most
notable are the coral reefs that fringe each island. The clarity of the
water and the shallow depth of many of the reefs provides world class
opportunities for viewing this extraordinary ecosystem by snorkeling or
scuba diving. In addition to the numerous reef species and tropical fish
you will inevitably have a chance to view, not uncommon are sightings of
manta rays, angelfish, parrotfish, octopuses, moray eels and a several
species of endangered sea turtles.
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Rainforest, Tortola
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The Baths, Virgin Gorda
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© Marolanga - Caribbean Catamaran Charters
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