Things Not to Miss

• Don’t miss a chance to float with the crew at Double D’s. Think private charters, specialized attention,  and the most knowledgeable of staff. Make sure to ask for Caryn, one of the best in the group, and she’ll  take you to some of her favorite dive spots, such as “The Indians,” and then lunch at Willy T’s.

• Don’t miss the Bath and Turtle Restaurant on Wednesday night. You’ll want to catch their “Jump Up,” a local treat with live music and freely flowing drinks. Go early for a seat.

• Don’t miss one of the most romantic and hidden beaches in BVI, Dead Man’s Bay, an unbeatable swatch of beach located on Peter Island.

• Don’t miss a massage on the beach from the posh Little Dix Bay Resort (ldbhotel@surfbvi.com, or 284-495-5555).

• Don’t miss an opportunity to watch Mocko Jumbies, or Sky Dancers, perched atop heavy wooden stilts. Often entertaining a crowd along Waterfront Drive in Road Town, Mocko Jumbies are a hit with children and adults alike.

• Don’t miss parasailing out of Soper’s Hole, Tortola (284-495-4967, VHF Channel 71) or Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda (284-495-7376).

• Don’t miss a chance to stay, or at least take a stroll, along White Bay. Boasting a long white sand beach, the area is as popular with sunbathers and beachcombers as it is with boaters who flock to the bay due to its protective reefs. White Bay is also home to the Sandcastle (284-495-9888), a small hideaway resort with a handful of cottages and rooms.

• Don’t miss the thrill of riding along the tiny road going over Gorda Peak towards The Valley. With its airplane-like vantage point, you’ll get a view of all the nearby islands. Take your camera!

• Don’t miss callaloo—a well-seasoned West Indian soup that contains fresh ingredients such as okra, chili peppers, and sometimes crab.

• Don’t miss a plane ride with Warren, owner of Caribbean Wings. Warren is a retired airline pilot who  now runs a private charter business, shuttling wide-eyed tourists to and from Virgin Gorda’s tiny landing strip. With a bird’s-eye view of the island, Warren will point out sugar mill ruins, rock formations, and a number of excellent flats for bonefishing just before an always smooth landing.

• Don’t miss an opportunity to gawk at Roseate Flamingos, the beautiful shorebird found near the salt ponds on the western half of Anegada.

• Don’t miss a chance to try your hand at the best windsurfing in BVI—seek out Pomato Point or Setting Point. For another option, give Cane Garden Bay—inside its reef—a chance as well.

• Don’t miss the BVI Grand Festival Parade in Road Town. Music and dance, along with endless supplies of local food and drink, make this lively festival the perfect time to delve into island culture.

• Don’t miss tasting an authentic Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, the birthplace of BVI’s most famous tropical concoction.

• Don’t miss a diving experience with Dive BVI (dbvi@caribsurf.com, or 284-495-5513), as they’re the best in all the islands. These folks are also quick to provide dive equipment sales and rentals.