Staying Close to Home

WORDS BY MORGANA TILLING, SMITHS GORE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SMITHS GORE & GROUNDSEA ADVENTURES

ALTHOUGH WE WERE devastated by two hurricanes in September 2017, things are starting to improve in the British Virgin Islands!

Homeowners are slowly but surely renovating their houses, and among these homes are many lovely properties that are available for short term rental.

There is plenty to explore with a Staycation in the British Virgin Islands.

The die-hard lovers of the BVI are flocking back to help rebuild the economy, as are first-time visitors to the Territory.

Closer to home, there is a growing trend for residents who do not currently have the time or finances to travel abroad as they are in the middle of a rebuild to consider spending time locally on one of the Sister Islands within the Virgin Islands archipelago.

As much as we need to make progress, it is important that we remember to take some time out to relax.

This is a marathon, not a sprint, and it is easy to devote all free time to the recovery effort.

Find a new secret spot and you may want to return, year after year.

But finding time for yourself and spending quality time with family and friends is also vital to our long-term recovery.

Getting away from it all and heading to New York to shop and see a Broadway show or trekking in Costa Rica are great escapes, but with limited funds and time you can still have a wonderful break from it all without leaving our beautiful islands.

Yes, even after two major hurricanes there are still places in the BVI that we can escape to where we can forget about the debris and broken buildings!

Book a luxury villa

You’re not far away from home, but the point of a staycation is to feel like you are away, and staying at a luxury villa on a different island with a different view can help you do that.

Whichever property you book, it should offer you the opportunity to feel pampered and relaxed. Why not indulge yourself with a spa treatment or a private chef who will cook for you in the privacy of your new hideaway?

If you’re not familiar with what properties are available to rent, before you book your staycation take a look at some of the real estate websites or contact the BVI Tourist Board for places to stay and things to do.

They will have the most updated list of things to see and what’s happening in the BVI. Ask about a local residents discount. Many landlords will offer a discount on rentals for people who live and work in the BVI Territory.

Explore a new island

Be a tourist in your own country! Since you’re not paying the cost of a flight, your staycation could be a good excuse to indulge in an experience that otherwise would be outside your budget.

Why not take a helicopter ride to the beautiful island of Anegada and experience Anegada lobster, fresh from the sea?

Take a private boat tour around the sister islands and have lunch at one of the many waterfront restaurants like Cooper Island Beach Club. There is a great ferry network that can also get you around without spending a great deal.

A day on White Bay on Jost Van Dyke could be just what the doctor ordered. We also forget how easy it is to get to the USVI.

The National Park on St. John is stunning. There is also great boutique shopping and restaurants available and it makes for a great day trip or long weekend.

Think out of the box

Do something fun and different! If there is something you’ve always wanted to do, now is a great time. Companies such as GroundSea Adventures run a number of tours that will transport you out of this world and into another.

Take a hike up one of our mountains or a paddleboard trip in the mangroves and see an array of wildlife. Pack up a picnic and stop off somewhere remote with a view and forget about your ‘to do’ list.

The point of a staycation is to feel like you’re far away, even though you’re close to home.

You can hire a bike and head off to explore another island; the ferries will let you bring it with you. Many of the spas are back up and running and offer great deals for relaxing treatments. Have you ever been tempted to learn how to scuba dive? Too far out of your comfort zone?

Try Snuba, the latest craze in the Virgin Islands which enables you to enjoy the wonders of the reefs without the depths. Sailing, surfing, painting, pottery, cooking, wine tasting, the list is endless. Try something new!

The BVI is a truly special place to call home. Get to see where you live from a different perspective, have a change of scenery, meet new people and hopefully make new friends.

You will return home feeling fresh and rejuvenated and ready to continue the recovery of these beautiful Virgin Islands! ■

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