Page 224 - The Virgin Islands
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BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS FACTS: in England. Casual dress, no beach nudity, no beach wear away from
Discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus Columbus saw so many beach. Electricity is 110VAC, as in the US.
islands that it reminded him of the tale of St. Ursula and her 11,000 Climate: Tropical hot sun & trade winds. Water temp. is 780 F (25.5
virgins, and so he called them the “Virgin Islands” and St. Ursula be- 0C) in Winter, 840F (290C) in Summer.
came the patron saint. ISLAND FERRIES:
Tortola is named for the turtle dove in Spanish. BITTER END (284) 494-2746 Gun Creek to Bitter End
Virgin Gorda is Spanish for Fat Virgin. SPEEDY’S (284) 495-5240; (284) 495-5235; or (284) 495-5779
Blackbeard pirated ships here and based at Trellis Bay on the north Virgin Gorda to Road Town
side of Beef Island. Dead Chest was used as a prisoner of war camp for Charlotte Amalie to Road Town to Virgin Gorda
captured sailors. The Pirates of the Caribbean song, “Iyo ho, yo ho and PUSSER’S MARINA CAY FERRY (284) 495-2174
a bottle of rum, fifteen men on a Dead Man’s Chest” originated here. Marina Cay to Beef Island
Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, Treasure Island, was set at Norman INTER-ISLAND BOAT SERVICES
Island, with its caves storing the treasure. Tortola: (284) 495-4166; Cruz Bay: (340) 776-6597
Tortola was formally annexed in 1672 by the Governor of the Leeward Cruz Bay to Road Town
Islands, Col. Stapleton. Cruz Bay to Jost Van Dyke
Cruz Bay to Virgin Gorda
The islands are a British Dependent Territory, but are self-governed. SMITH’S FERRY SERVICES (284) 495-4495 or (284) 495-4454
Getting Here: From North America fly via San Juan, Puerto Rico to Road Town to Red Hook to Charlotte Amalie
Beef Island, or from St. Thomas, USVI. From Europe via US mainland, West End to Cruz Bay & Red Hook
Antigua or Puerto Rico. Charlotte Amalie & Red Hook to Road Town
Currency: US Dollar, Traveler’s Checks, Credit Cards. Road Town to Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda to Cruz Bay
Entry Requirements: Proof of Citizenship. Passport is best (driver’s
license not sufficient). Return ticket also required. $10 departure tax.
Misc.: Cars have left-side steering, but are driven on the left side, as
