Southern Islands (British Virgin Islands)

Introduction

The Southern lslands of the British Virgin Islands are uninhabited, but nonetheless oft visited by island hopping yachters. They are beautiful, and provide some of the best snorkeling and diving opportunities in the territory.

Included in the region from east to west are Ginger Island (uninhabited), Cooper Island (home to a small resort), Salt Island (uninhabited), Dead Chest Island (uninhabited) Peter Island (the biggest, with a small resort and some great hiking) and Norman Island, as well as a host of other tiny islets.

Sights and Activities

• Caves at Treasure Point. Located on the west side of Norman Island are a series of caves which are half in and half out of the water, are easily explored by snorkellers. Local legends of finding a treasure chest in one during the 1950s, together with the fact that Robert Louise Stephenson's Treasure Island was reputedly based upon Norman Island adds to the allure.
• Native American Culture. A collection of four pinnacles, said to vaguely resemble a Native American head dress, but much loved by both divers and snorkellers for superb coral and marine life.
• Diving. Those in Virgin Gorda might disagree, but many people feel that the best scuba diving in the BVI is located in the Southern Islands. In addition to the wrecks of the Rhone, the Fearless and Wreck Alley, premier sites such as Shark Point, Carrot Shoal, Alice in Wonderland, the Indians, Thumb Rock and Ginger Steps (amongst many, many others) are located in the southern islands. Sail Caribbean Divers have locations on both Cooper Island and Norman Island. Others service the area from Tortola.
• Oceans 7. A sort of mini water park located in Great Harbour, Peter Island

Weather

The Souther Islands have a very pleasant and tropical climate with generally warm and humid weather. The seabreeze makes things relatively mild though and water is never far away. Temperatures generally average around 30 °C during the day yearround and 23 °C at night. December to May is the dry season, where July to October is the rainy season, but this generally means some showers at the end of the day instead of days of rain on end. Hurricanes are possible though from August to October.

Getting There

There is but one mode of transport in this region, and it is boats, either private yachts or charters.

Eat/Drink

There are a number of options for eating in the Southern Islands if you no longer feel like spending time in the galley.

• Cooper Island, Cooper Island Beach Club has a bar and restaurant close to a plethora of mooring.
• Peter Island, Peter Island Resort has two restaurants, both expensive, but the slightly cheaper one is in Dead Man's Bay on the east side; the more expensive one is in the main complex on the north side.
• Norman Island, has two options. For the rowdy crowd, the Willy T is a converted barge which is a bar and restaurant, with the emphasis on bar. To make the point: Virgin Islands Search and Rescue estimates that half of its call-outs are for drunken accidents occurring on the Willy T. For families, Pirates is a beach bar and restaurant set on dry land. Both of them are located in the anchorage known as the "Bight".

There are at present no other eating establishments on the Southern Islands.

Sleep

• Peter Island Resort. A luxury resort with great facilities, food and service.

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