The 50 islands, islets, and cays that make up the British Virgin Islands are situated only 5 miles off the coast of St. Johns in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island and Norman Island are all volcanic in nature and are extremely mountainous and lush. The other inhabited island is Anageda which is 30 miles north of Tortola and is basically a flat coral and limestone atoll.

The thrust of tourism in the British Virgin Islands(BVI) is very different than in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The bulk of USVI tourists come via airlines if they are staying in the islands or by cruise ships for a day trip. The BVI seek tourists who want to spend their vacation on the water, either aboard sailboats or power craft. Although there are many hotels and resorts on the islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, most people who visit this area plan to spend most of their time aboard ship and usually dock in the waters off the coast of these islands.

The islands offer white sand beaches and mountains which offer panoramic vistas with views of multiple islands in every direction. Life is centered on and under the water with snorkeling and diving opportunities everywhere. There is also a special feature on Virgin Gorda called The Baths which are huge boulders that border one of the beaches beckoning you to dive or snorkel around or set up a picnic site. If you come to stay at one of the hotels or resorts, you are still able to island-hop to other islands either in the BVI or the USVI by means of water taxis or catamarans.

Sparse population and low-rise building allow the BVI to maintain their tropical splendor. Whether you want to spend your vacation at a beautiful Caribbean resort or glide through the pristine waters by boat through this yachting paradise, the British Virgin Islands will give you azure blue dreams to remember your vacation.