BVI Ranked In US News 9 Most Relaxing Beaches

The many British Virgin Islands boast quiet beaches, or “bays,” as they’re commonly known in the area. Standouts include Brewer’s Bay or Long Bay on Tortola and Mahoe Bay or Savannah Bay on Virgin Gorda. But the truth is, just about any BVI stretch of sand will bolster the “get away from it all” mentality.  http://travel.usnews.com/British_Virgin_Islands/

The British Virgin Islands, or BVI for short, are some of the most exclusive and least developed islands of the Caribbean, but this only adds to their appeal. The resorts, villas, restaurants and other tourist attractions on this paradisiacal tax haven are known to emphasize spare luxury over sprawling expansion, and they attract travelers with deep pockets and a love for sailing and seclusion. Many travelers who visit come by ferry boat from another Caribbean isle, especially as some find opulent exile too hard to enjoy for longer than a day or two. And some say it’s more ideal to split your time between here, the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands and Anguilla to the east.

Others find more than enough to keep them exclusively anchored by these 60 islands and cays. On Tortola you’ll find mountainous cliffs and bone white beaches, characterized by changing tides and calm easterly winds. A brief sail away, sleepy Jost Van Dyke offers delicious Caribbean food and drink, one of the region’s best New Year’s Eve parties, as well as a few outdoor excursions like diving and fishing. On Virgin Gorda you’ll find The Baths, perhaps the most picturesque shore in the British Virgin Islands, and with good reason: It offers unique grottoes amidst gigantic granite boulders (just be mindful of the daytripping crowds). For supreme seclusion, try Anegada; its slow pace, flat terrain and sparkling sand lies almost overlooked in Caribbean Sea.

The Baths, BVI – one of 8 natural wonders of the Caribbean

If you are thinking about cruising around the amazing islands of the Caribbean there are some natural wonders which will simply take your breath away when you encounter them. The beautiful blue waters of the sea with its islands dotted here and there, is an exquisite setting which has to be seen to be believed. http://caribbeantl.com/natural-wonders-of-the-caribbean

The Baths – British Virgin Islands

The Baths in the British Virgin Islands is considered to be one of the best places in the Caribbean to enjoy snorkelling. With grottos and caves which stretch along the coast of Virgin Gorda people can wallow in the tranquil sheltered waters as they lap gently on the shores after discovering and exploring the rocky formations found along it. Diving into these clear blue waters and paddling in the hidden pools will make you think you have found Paradise.

Soufriere Hills Volcano – Montserrat

Soufriere Hills Volcano in Montserrat has kept the islanders aware of the power and magnificence of nature for a very long time. Tourists flock to the island to witness this active volcano and see the devastation that it caused to the island in 1995 when it erupted and buried the southern half of Montserrat under tons of its volcanic ash. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory closely watches over the volcano and monitors every tiny seismic movement that occurs. Tourists can visit the observatory and get a birds’ eye view of the beautiful island from on high.

Bioluminescent Bay – Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a popular destination and one of the reasons for this is Bioluminescent Bay. This unique bay is rich in bacteria and the shallow waters are the ideal environment for very particular micro organisms which use bio luminosity as a defence weapon against predators. On a moonlit evening as you swim in these calm waters you disturb these minute creatures and they reward you with a light show all around you. You will truly feel like you are swimming among the stars. The best way to reach the bay is to kayak down the river which leads down to the bay.

The Pitons – St. Lucia

After the island of Montserrat and its magnificent volcano there is nothing more splendid in the Caribbean than the twin volcanic peak of the Pitons on St Lucia. These peaks rise dramatically out of the seas and are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are active hot springs and tropical forests inland and amazing coral reefs off the shores of this unique island which is why so many visitors take up the challenge and hike to the top of Gros Piton which is 2,619 feet above sea level. The smaller Petit Piton is off limits to climbers, but the view from Gros Piton has to be seen to be believed.

Bonaire National Marine Park – Dutch Antilles

For the true enthusiast of scuba diving the Bonaire National Marine Park is the ideal destination to enjoy some of the best diving in the world. This marine park literally surrounds the entire island and boasts of the one of the best protected reef systems in the Caribbean. For a truly amazing time diving, kayaking, windsurfing or just lazily swimming and snorkelling in the bluest of blue waters you will feel like you have found one of the most peaceful places on earth.

Pitch Lake – Trinidad

Pitch Lake in Trinidad although it could not be considered as one of the most beautiful of places to visit in the Caribbean is without a doubt the most unique. This 100 acre lake of liquid asphalt is the largest in the entire world and is 350 feet deep. The surfaces of some parts of the lake are so hard that you can actually walk across it, if you can stand the bubbling and rather strong smell that hovers in the air around you. It is worth taking a guided tour so you can be shown how the lake moves constantly, swallowing some things up and spitting out others. It is truly an incredible sight as an estimated six million tons of asphalt lies before your eyes.

El Yunque – Puerto Rico

The famous and beautiful rain forest in El Yunque is a designated US National Park with 28,000 acres of natural forest which is home to thousands of native plants and hundreds of wondrous species of animals. Over 600,000 visitors descend on this exquisite area to have an experience of a lifetime. For those who want to really immerse themselves in the experience it is possible to hike, fish and enjoy camping in a truly natural environment.

Dominica’s Boiling Lake

Reachable only after an arduous mountainous hike, Dominca’s Boiling Lake is the world’s second largest body of naturally hot water.  The heated water is sourced from thermal springs that result from the on-going volcanic activity in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park.  The trail to view the lake is not for the faint-hearted or the unfit. It’s 7 miles of simply stunning scenery that takes you from Laudat village through forests to the lake. The route includes Titou Gorge where brave souls can swim in the plunge pool of the waterfall, Breakfast River, Panorama viewpoint and the Valley of Desolation where you can see steam escaping from the vents that feed the lake. It’s well worth 3 hours of anyone’s time to take the trail to the Boiling Lake – not only one of the Caribbean’s amazing natural feature’s but the world’s.

So now you know, the beauty of the Caribbean isn’t just embodied in sublime palm fringed white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. Mother Nature has painted the Caribbean with her very best brush.

BVI artist to make biggest Fire Ball sculpture in the world

Aragorn, who will be carrying a BVI flag and a message of greetings to the Mayor of Changchun from the BVI Tourist Board director Ms Hadassa Ward, will be in China for six weeks to complete the sculpture.

“It is a great honour to have been invited by the Changchun Municipal Government to take part in this prestigious International Sculpture Symposium,” said Aragorn. “I am excited at the prospect of making such a large Fire Ball and proud to be representing the Virgin Islands at this international event. Taking my art from one of the smallest countries in the world to the largest country in the world is certainly a great privilege and it is a very positive step for the BVI to be present at the frontier of global sculpture development.”

The Fire Ball has become Aragorn’s signature work of art. The large outdoor sculptures are made from steel spheres varying in size from 1 foot to 5 feet, from which Aragorn then cuts out intricate designs of human figures, animals, symbols and patterns. The images and scenes have their full impact when a fire is lit inside the Fire Balls, silhouetting the designs against the fire, bringing them to life and entrancing the viewer. When placed on water the impact is amplified by the contrasting elements and reflections.

The 2011 China Changchun International Sculpture Symposium will be the twelfth held since the completion of the Changchun World Sculpture Park in 1997. The park is the largest of its kind in the world displaying works from 130 countries by over 400 artists. From late July to early September invited sculptors will participate in the Symposium and create their works of art to be exhibited in the park.  All participants will be provided with a studio, all the necessary equipment, an assistant and a translator.

For more information visit: www.aragornbvi.com

BVI Music Festival

This year’s music festival is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday May 28, 29 & 30, on the beach in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola BVI. This year, the festival comes alive celebrating 10 years of the event in the BVI.

With all the excitement and anxiety bursting at the seams, the official public launch will begin at 8pm and run until 10pm. After 10, the doors will open with music by Tortola’s top disc jockeys – DJ Riquo and DJ Bertram – at a cover cost of 10 dollars.

Powered by platinum sponsor LIME, the launch will create the excitement around this year’s amazing line-up.

Have you ever been three feet away from a Grammy Award Winner? Have you shaken the hands of the hottest reggae artist in the Caribbean?  Well, if you are ready to be taken on a musical ride with amazing artists, then you cannot miss the launch on April 16 at Quito’s.

“You don’t want to be told about this launch as we have a surprise that will leave the average person speechless,” the committee said in a press release.

This year’s festival is also brought to you with the support of the Government of the Virgin Islands, recognizing the contribution the event makes to the BVI’s economy.