Spotlight Tortola - Sailing

The BVI are among the world's most popular sailing destinations. They're clustered together and surrounded by calm waters, so it's fairly easy to sail from one anchorage to the next. Most of the Caribbean's biggest sailboat charter companies have operations in Tortola. If you know how to sail, you can charter a bareboat (perhaps for your entire vacation); if you're unschooled, you can hire a boat with a captain. Prices vary depending on the type and size of the boat you wish to charter. In season, a weekly charter runs from $1,500 to $35,000. Book early to make sure you get the boat that fits you best. Most of Tortola's marinas have hotels, which give you a convenient place to spend the nights before and after your charter.

If a day sail to some secluded anchorage is more your spot of tea, the BVI have numerous boats of various sizes and styles that leave from many points around Tortola. Prices start at around $80 per person for a full-day sail, including lunch and snorkeling equipment.

Aristocat Charters. This company's 48-foot catamaran sets sail daily to Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, and other small islands. West End, VG1130. 284/499-1249.www.aristocatcharters.com.

BVI Yacht Charters. The 31- to 52-foot sailboats for charter here come with or without a captain and crew, whichever you prefer. Port Purcell, Road Town, VG1110. 284/494-4289 or 888/615-4006. www.bviyachtcharters.com.

Catamaran Charters. The catamarans here come with or without a captain. Village Cay Marina, Hodge's Creek, Road Town, VG1130. 284/494-6661 or 800/262-0308.www.catamarans.com.

Moorings. One of the world's best bareboat operations, The Moorings has a large fleet of monohulls and catamarans. Hire a captain or sail the boat yourself. Wickham's Cay II, Road Town,VG1110. 284/494-2332 or 800/535-7289. www.moorings.com.

Regency Yacht Vacations. If you prefer a powerboat, call Regency Yacht Vacations. It handles both bareboat and captained sail and powerboat charters. Wickham's Cay I, Road Town, VG1110. 284/495-1970 or 800/524-7676.www.regencyvacations.com.

Sunsail. A full fleet of boats to charter with or without a captain is available here. Wickham's Cay II, Road Town, VG1120.284/495-4740 or 800/327-2276. www.sunsail.com.

Voyage Charters. Voyage has a variety of sailboats for charter, with or without a captain and crew. Soper's Hole Marina,West End, VG1130. 284/494-0740 or 888/869-2436.www.voyagecharters.com.

White Squall II. This 80-foot schooner has regularly scheduled day sails to The Baths at Virgin Gorda, Cooper, the Indians, and the Caves at Norman Island. Village Cay Marina, Road Town,VG1110. 284/494-2564. www.whitesquall2.com.

Spotlight Tortola - Smugglers Cove Beach

A beautiful, palm-fringed beach, Smuggler's Cove is down a pothole-filled dirt road. After bouncing your way down, you'll feel as if you've found a hidden piece of the island. You probably won't be alone on weekends, though, when the beach fills with snorkelers and sunbathers. There's a fine view of Jost Van Dyke from the shore. The beach is popular with Long Bay Resort guests who want a change of scenery, but there are no amenities other than vendors selling food and drink during the winter season. Follow Long Bay Road past Long Bay Resort, keeping to the roads nearest the water until you reach the beach. It's about a mile past the resort. Amenities: food and drink (in winter season). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Contact Information

• Address: Long Bay Rd., Tortola, VG1130 | Map It
• Location: West End

Spotlight Tortola - Fishing

Most of the boats that take you deep-sea fishing for bluefish, wahoo, swordfish, and shark leave from nearby St. Thomas, but local anglers like to fish the shallower water for bonefish. A half day runs about $480, a full day around $850. Wading trips are $325.

Caribbean Fly Fishing (Nanny Cay, VG1130. 284/494-4797.www.caribflyfishing.com.)

Spotlight Tortola - Samarkand

The charming jewelry sold here includes gold-and-silver pendants, earrings, bracelets, and pins, many with island themes such as seashells, lizards, pelicans, and palm trees. There are also reproduction Spanish pieces of eight (old Spanish coins) similar to those found on sunken galleons.

Contact Information

• Address: Main St., Road Town, VG1110
• Phone: 284/494-6415
• Location: Road Town and Environs

Spotlight Tortola - Snorkeling and Diving

Clear waters and numerous reefs afford some wonderful opportunities for underwater exploration. In some spots visibility reaches 100 feet, but colorful reefs teeming with fish are often just a few feet below the sea surface. The BVI's system of marine parks means the underwater life visible through your mask will stay protected.

There are several popular dive spots around the islands. Alice in Wonderland is a deep dive south of Ginger Island, with a wall that slopes gently from 15 feet to 100 feet. It's an area overrun with huge mushroom-shape coral, hence its name. Crabs, lobsters, and shimmering fan corals make their homes in the tunnels, ledges, and overhangs of Blonde Rock, a pinnacle that goes from 15 feet below the surface to 60 feet deep. It's between Dead Chest and Salt Island. When the currents aren't too strong, Brewers Bay Pinnacle (20 to 90 feet down) teems with sea life. At the Indians, near Pelican Island, colorful corals decorate canyons and grottoes created by four large, jagged pinnacles that rise 50 feet from the ocean floor. The Painted Walls is a shallow dive site where corals and sponges create a kaleidoscope of colors on the walls of four long gullies. It's northeast of Dead Chest.

The Chikuzen, sunk northwest of Brewers Bay in 1981, is a 246-foot vessel in 75 feet of water; it's home to thousands of fish, colorful corals, and big rays. In 1867 the RMS Rhone, a 310-foot royal mail steamer, split in two when it sank in a devastating hurricane. It's so well preserved that it was used as an underwater prop in the movie The Deep. You can see the crow's nest and bowsprit, the cargo hold in the bow, and the engine and enormous propeller shaft in the stern. Its four parts are at various depths from 30 to 80 feet. Get yourself some snorkeling gear and hop aboard a dive boat to this wreck near Salt Island (across the channel from Road Town). Every dive outfit in the BVI runs scuba and snorkel tours to this part of the BVI National Parks Trust; if you only have time for one trip, make it this one. Rates start at around $70 for a one-tank dive and $100 for a two-tank dive.

Recommended Dive Operators

Blue Waters Divers. If you're chartering a sailboat, Blue Waters Divers' boat will meet yours at Peter, Salt, Norman, or Cooper Island for a rendezvous dive. The company teaches resort, open-water, rescue, and advanced diving courses, and also makes daily dive trips. Rates include all equipment as well as instruction. Reserve two days in advance. Nanny Cay,VG1130. 284/494-2847. www.bluewaterdiversbvi.com. Soper's Hole, West End, VG1130. 284/495-1200.www.bluewaterdiversbvi.com.

Spotlight Tortola - Jolly Roger

This casual, open-air restaurant near the ferry terminal is as popular with locals as it is with visitors. The menu includes burgers and rib-eye steaks as well as the island favorite, local lobster. Try the savory fritters filled with tender local conch and herbs for a good start to your dinner. End it with a slice of sweet key lime pie.

Contact Information

• Address: West End, Tortola, VG1130
• Phone: 284/495-4559
• Website: www.jollyrogerbvi.com
• Location: West End

Spotlight Tortola - Pusser's Landing

Yachters navigate their way to this waterfront restaurant. Downstairs, from late morning to well into the evening, you can belly up to the outdoor mahogany bar or sit downstairs for sandwiches, fish-and-chips, and pizzas. At dinnertime head upstairs for a harbor view and a quiet alfresco meal of grilled steak or fresh fish.

There is also their company store located here, as well.

Contact Information

• Address: Soper's Hole, Tortola, VG1130
• Phone: 284/495-4554
• Website: www.pussers.com
• Location: West End