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Climate
The climate in the British Virgin Islands is tropical, hot throughout the year, and also influenced by the trade winds, with a more pleasant period, from December to March, when the daily average temperature is around 24/25 °C (75/77 °F), and a hotter and sultry period, from May to October, when the daily averages are around 28 °C (82 °F). The British Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea, in the Lesser Antilles. The main islands are Tortola, Anegada and Virgin Gorda.
As regards the rainfall, there is a relatively dry season from January to April, and a rainy season from May to December, the latter having a relative decrease in June and July. The least rainy months, are February and March. From June to November these islands can be affected by hurricanes and tropical storms, as happens throughout the Antilles. Apart from hurricanes, which can bring strong winds and torrential rains but fortunately occur rarely, normally the weather is nice or variable, interrupted by brief showers and thunderstorms, more likely and more intense during the rainy season, which means that in any case the sun shines all year round.
The best time to visit the British Virgin Islands runs from December to April, being the least rainy and the least muggy. Within this period, the months of January, February and March are the driest and the least hot of all. In summer, June and July are generally less rainy than August and September, and have also a lower risk of tropical storms and hurricanes, which are most likely between August and October, that is, when the sea is warmer.
Getting Here
Terrence B Lettsome (UVF) for international flights (formally Beef Island Airport)
Charter flights available for domestic travel between islands
Official ports of entry in Tortola are Road Town & West End
Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke
St Thomas Bay and Gun Creek in Virgin Gorda
Good to know
ISLAND HOPPING
As the BVI know that their country is best explored through a bit of island hopping, you will find many different ways to do so. Visitors wishing to sail around the island without the expense of renting their own boat will find that the country has a good network of ferry routes to help them do so on a controlled budget, and in a minimum time. For those who do not want to rent their own boat but wish to get a bit more flexibility in terms of routes and schedule, water taxis are also available. If island hopping sounds good, but you’d rather spend more time enjoying yourself than travelling, consider using the country’s many inter-islands chartered flight networks.
SAILING
If you’re planning on gathering your own crew and venture the BVI waters on your own private boat, you’ll find a system of over 200 mooring buoys specifically installed by the BVI National Parks Trust to not harm the natural environment of the islands (many being protected and used as wildlife reserves), marking many of the country’s dive sites and usable during the daytime only. If you’re looking to get the state-of-the-art marinas in the BVI, you’re more likely to find them on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, where the facilities are shaped to accommodate long-term regulars, transients, mega-yachts, as well as live-aboards. Expect to find water and fuel stations, boat yards, haul-out facilities, chandleries, as well as some great yacht clubs.
CAR
Renting a car during your stay may be the perfect solution to remain flexible with your plans and not have to rely on public services or going through the hassle of finding a taxi. Visitors who stay in the country for less than 30 days are not required to purchase a BVI temporary license, providing they’re able to provide a valid driving license from their country.
TAXI
If you’re planning on going around the islands but would prefer to not commit to a car rental, taxi services are widely available around the country, and can be a great solution to remain flexible whilst keeping control of your budget, only paying for ad hoc trips, where and when you need it.
History of the British Virgin Islands
It was Christopher Columbus in 1493 who came across the whole string of Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World, and named the many isles and cays after the 11,000 virgin followers of Saint Ursula. The Spanish arrived and left pretty swiftly after they were unable to find gold.