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The Moorings Village Opens in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Your DisplayName here! — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:28:17 GMT

The Moorings, yacht charter specialists, proudly opened the new Moorings Village at the end of January as part of their $15 million expansion of their flagship base in Road Town, Tortola in the BVI. Their commitment to the environment and preserving the cruising grounds they operate in show extensively with this expansion. From a desalination plant, which provides 60,000 gallons of water daily, to a laundry operation that recycles treated water to save 12,000 gallons on a daily basis and a pump-assisted flow through breakwater in the new marina that can circulate over 50 million gallons of water weekly. They have already greatly improved water quality in the Road Town harbor.

The new Moorings Village is nothing short of a luxurious treat. The staff greets you and takes your bags directly to your yacht while you're welcomed in the reception area with a tasty island drink. Venture into the plaza where you will be delighted to find island pastries, ice cream and gourmet coffee. A full service spa for the latest relaxing treatments, business center and free WI-FI internet access rounds out your vacation experience.

For more information see www.moorings.com

Nanny Cay Resort and Marina is the New Host Marina for the Caribbean 1500

Your DisplayName here! — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 18:51:48 GMT

The Cruising Rally Association has just announced that Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, BVI's flagship marina, will be the Caribbean Host Marina for its sailing events. Cruising Rally Association's first event to be hosted by Nanny Cay will be the Atlantic Cup Rally on May 3, 2009. The rally will be departing from the Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, and finishing in Bermuda 4-5 days later. The Atlantic Cup Rally is the companion to November's Caribbean 1500. Pre-start festivities and skipper briefings will begin on May 1 at Nanny Cay.

In response to becoming the Caribbean Host Marina for the Cruising Rally Association, Miles Sutherland-Pilch, general manager of Nanny Cay said, "We are very pleased to be part of the Cruising Rally Association events. The fact that we are attracting high quality events shows that we are creating a world-class marina here in the British Virgin Islands. We're extremely well suited to attend to the needs of the skippers, crew and guests associated with these events."

"Nanny Cay, with its marina, hotel and boatyard offers a broad range of facilities, services and amenities that will be popular with our Atlantic Cup and Caribbean 1500 participants. This will be the 20th year of the Caribbean 1500 and we believe that Nanny Cay will be a particularly fine place to celebrate," said Steve Black.

Located between Road Town and West End on Tortola, Nanny Cay Resort and Marina is a fully equipped marina and boat repair facility which has berths for 180 motor cruisers and yachts and two boatlifts of 50 and 70 tons capacity. Also included is a 40-room hotel and new waterfront townhouses for purchase and rental, two restaurants, a chandlery, a small supermarket, shops and boutiques, a dive shop, a water sports center, free WiFi service, a gym and spa.

For full information on future Cruising Rally Association events, visit www.carib1500.com.

Smugglers Cove – Paradise lost?

Your DisplayName here! — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:15:58 GMT

Smugglers Cove
Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Situated at the western end of Tortola is Smugglers Cove, one of the most treasured places on the island. Smugglers is a very special place for many, many people, locals and tourists alike. Local families flock to the beach to hold barbeques, swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters along with vacationers. In October 2006 the BVI Government granted a development company the rights to purchase a rather large portion of Smugglers Cove, after their development plans have been approved.

Late January 2007 a meeting was held at the west end community center where the government planning department chaired the meeting and spelled out the process with which the government goes about approving such a development. The second presentation was by the developer who showed a slide show of where the land to be utilized was located and showed photos of a development that they have in Nevis, www.villaparadisonevis.com mentioning what this development would be patterned after. Residents of the area were allowed to air their views on the development, made the third presentation.

Smugglers Cove Beach
The definition of "Paradise"

Needless to say the residents views were pretty much against the development stating that it was way too large for such a small area. Environmental issues as well as artifacts from the early inhabitants and archeology diggings that take place in the area would be totally disrupted. As of this date, it is still unclear to the people of the BVI what is going to happen to Smugglers Cove, but the people are calling out for the area be purchased by the government and be declared a National Park. The government in 2001 and in 2005 was in the process of studying this possibility but has since changed its tune. Time will tell what happens, the people have voiced their opinions, and the government has theirs so we will have to see who prevails. Residents have formed a non-profit organization called the BVI Heritage Conservation Group www.bvihcg.com.

Whatever happens, we can only hope that this beautiful and magical place that holds "Natures Little Secrets", will be preserved for generations to come. Will paradise be lost?

For more information on Smugglers Cove, see our article "History Of Smugglers Cove".

Underwater Exploration Technology in the British Virgin Islands

Your DisplayName here! — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:41:25 GMT

Andy and Chris
Caribbean Undersea Adventures

The British Virgin Islands welcomes the new high technology underwater company Caribbean Undersea Adventures (CUA). The newly formed company utilizes a diving ROV (Remotely operated underwater vehicle) that is deployed from their 47' custom-built power catamaran by trained operators with many years of experience. A great way to explore the waters of the BVI, as the ROV transmits live video feeds up to the ship providing on screen viewing for those onboard to enjoy.

The British Virgin Islands is one of the premier diving venues in the world, and Caribbean Undersea Adventures is proud to be part of diving operations in the BVI, opening up the underwater world to those that haven't been able to view the beauty of the underwater world surrounding the British Virgin Islands before with such ease.

Based in Nanny Cay, Tortola, Caribbean Undersea Adventures is poised to provide a service to the local population through educational programs in the BVI as well as the tourist industry, also lending their services to rescue and marine salvage operations. The Caribbean Undersea Adventure team is just another great up and coming company that is complimenting the diversity and beauty of the British Virgin Islands, sharing natures little secrets for all to enjoy.

To read the full article go to:
Caribbean Undersea Adventures