NORMAN ISLAND AND THE INDIANS $79/ day
Norman Island has calm, protected waters which are perfect for snorkeling and a very rich history – one filled with pirates and hidden treasure. It is one of a number of islands reputed to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic novel, Treasure Island and the caves are instrumental to the story. THE CAVES – Norman Island has 3 water-level caves at the base of cliffs just outside the western edge of The Bight. You can swim right into them. Each one is distinctly different. The walls are covered in purple sponge and orange cup coral. The far Northernmost cave stretches 70ft back into the island. Bring an underwater flashlight to see the wonderful purples, rusts and deep veins of the above water walls. It is an incredible snorkeling adventure with lots of orange cup coral and red sponge covering the cave walls. PRIVATEER BAY is also a place where we usually see turtles eating on the sea grass close to the shoreline, but since Irma there seem to be more angel fish. KELLY’S COVE is just outside the Bight, where the water is crystal clear. Beneath the surface the rocks are covered in very colorful reef. Snorkelers will see an abundance of yellow tails, blue tangs and Sergent majors. THE BIGHT is just around the corner from the Caves and is a great stop for lunch and a snorkel. On shore is Pirates Bight restaurant and gift shop. It’s a great place to grab up a souvenir. The beach is amazing, especially for younger children who can enjoy snorkeling from the shoreline, find shells and enjoy the fish. THE INDIANS. It’s made up of four rock formations which resemble an Indian headdress. It is a protected marine park and also an amazing underwater garden which is filled with so much color. The Indians will satisfy both the novice and expert snorkelers due to areas which are shallow and deep.
THE BATHS $79/ day
There are few places on earth that are quite so stunningly beautiful, quite so awe inspiring as The Baths on Virgin Gorda’s south-west point. The Baths are situated about 1.2 miles south off the main town at the southern tip of the island between Spring Bay and Devil’s Bay. The Baths are an area of unique geologic formations and one of the BVI’s major tourist destinations.
WILLY T $79/ day
One of the places not to miss while visiting the British Virgin Islands is Norman Island, located just to the South of Tortola. On Peter Island in Great Harbour is the Willie "T", virtually a floating restaurant and bar. The naming of the Willie T has a bit of unique history about it. The Willie T is short for William Thornton, born on Jost Van Dyke, just to the South of Tortola, in 1759, schooled in Scotland to be a physician, but rarely practiced. His love was to be an architect, which he was self-taught. Dr. Thornton was chosen to design the Capitol building in Washington D.C., with the approval from George Washington. For his services, Dr. Thornton was awarded $500 and a lot in the Capitol City. The history of the floating restaurant and bar started in 1989 when the Willie T made its way into Norman Island, and set anchor. That was the beginning of a tradition in the British Virgin Islands. Yachts would sail into to the Bight to lay overnight or stay to explore all of the great snorkeling and scuba diving sites nearby.
SOGGY DOLLAR BAR $79/ day
Mountainous and sparsely populated, this island hide-away is just a short ferry ride from Tortola’s west end. It offers one pristine white beach, appropriately name White Bay. This is the home of the Soggy Dollar Bar and where the painkiller drink originated. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar is in Great Harbour. SANDY CAY, about a mile to the south, has the character of an ideal tropical isle, dotted with palm trees on wide, gently sloping beaches. It offers several diverse snorkeling sites, including Green Cay. This idyllic island is not only a favorite watering hole, but a place for underwater marine enthusiasts as well.