|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
British Virgin Islands
BVI
|
|
BVI Overview
| Duration: |
7 Days |
| Package Type: |
One Week Tours |
| Avg Daily Swim: |
5km |
| Accommodation: |
Resort |
Made up of over 100 islands, cays, islets and reefs, the Virgin Islands contain some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the Caribbean. A true classic, this trip features some of our longest daily distance swims and also the once in a lifetime swim from Britain to America (BVI to USVI)!
We island hop through the pristine waters of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), making it a challenging and exciting week for all concerned. Besides island hops, we will have a chance to swim over reefs and down coasts to explore the superb underwater vista that this archipelago has to offer.
The trip also includes in-depth swim technique analysis and inspiring island and coastal walks. All up, there couldn’t be a better way to explore these historical and awe inspiring islands!
What's included?
Fully guided swim tour with full safety escort for the week, Boat Transport, Technique Analysis, Resort Accommodation, Breakfast and Lunch, Guided Walk of Gorda Peak.
What's not included?
The prices do not include:
- Travel to and from the start of the tour
- Evening meals
|
|
|
Day
1
We meet in the afternoon at the Leverick Bay Resort and after checking in we’ll head down to the Bay for a short training swim. In the evening we then meet for drinks and a pre-trip briefing where we discuss the plan for the week in detail.
Day
2
The first swim of the trip starts from right in front of the glorious Leverick Bay Resort where we initially swim along the Virgin Gorda coast and then out to Mosquito Island. On arrival at Mosquito we get a chance to swim along its Northern shore and admire the vast array of fish that call this island their home. Following lunch we take a walk across the island to the start point for our next swim to Prickly Pear Island. This swim will allow us to witness close up the vast array of marine life which exists in the spectacular Colquhon Reef. Later in the afternoon we then cross Dinghy Passage to Eustatia Island and on to the Biras Creek resort to enjoy a cold beer whilst watching the sun set on a spectacular opening day.
Day
3
After yesterday’s island hopping in the North Sound, today is time to swim down Virgin Gorda’s dramatic west coast from Long Bay to Savannah Bay after which we rest to enjoy a lunch right on the beach with a wonderful view of Tortola in front of us. After lunch we film you swimming, both above and below water to help you improve your stroke. The afternoon is taken up by walking to the summit of Gorda Peak, the highest point in the BVI, where we have spectacular views of the swims that await us for the rest of the week.
Day
4
This is the start of our big island crossings, where we swim from the world renowned baths at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda to the uninhabited Ginger Island. It’s one of the biggest crossings of the week. After a hearty lunch and some wonderful snorkelling on Ginger Patches reef, then we cross to Cooper Island to end a long but worthwhile day of exquisite swimming.
Day
5
In the morning we make our way to the dramatic Red Bluff on the southwest of Cooper Island and swim to Salt Island. Following lunch and an exploration of the old salt water ponds we swim to Dead Chest and Peter Islands. With a walk on Peter Island to admire the spectacular scenery, it is another full day.
Day
6
We take the boat direct to Peter Island where we begin our swim across to Benures Bay on Norman Island. After lunch it’s the final and most significant swim of the trip as we literally swim from Britain to the US by heading out from Norman and swimming towards Flanagan Island in the US.
Day
7
After an intense week of both swimming and walking its time for a bit of a rest. Maybe a relaxing bay swim in the morning, some more technique work with our experienced coaches or try some of the resorts water sports equipment prior to departing.
|
|
|
For obvious safety reasons we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out any crossings. As a consequence, open water swimming does require an inherent degree of on-trip flexibility, so required changes in the planned itinerary will not be uncommon and will undoubtedly add to the uniqueness of each tour.
|
|
|
|
|
Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience, but you need to be aware of certain marine life such as jellyfish, sea urchins and coral. These could be present during a swim, so in all cases we will work on minimising their occurrence. In the event you are stung by jellyfish, in most cases you can normally carry on swimming. However, if you do have a problem, we can assess/treat the affected area immediately on the escort boat. If this area continues to cause discomfort and/or becomes infected during or after the tour, you should seek medical attention immediately explaining the nature of the cause. Please ensure you contact us prior to booking if you suffer from Anaphylaxis.
|
|
|
|
Trip Schedule
| Start Point: |
Leverick Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda
(www.leverickbay.com / +1 284 495 7421) |
| Start Time: |
5pm on Day 1 |
| Finish Point: |
Leverick Bay Resort, Virgin Gorda |
| Finish Time: |
1pm on Day 7 |
Trip Information
Swimming Distances
| Swim |
Distances |
| Leverick - Mosquito |
2km |
| Mosquito - Prickly Pear |
2½km |
| Virgin Gorda Coast |
4km |
| Gorda - Ginger |
4km |
| Ginger - Cooper |
3km |
| Cooper - Salt |
1km |
| Salt - Peter |
4½km |
| Peter - Norman |
3km |
| Norman - USA |
3km |
Remember you can always miss out some of the crossings or jump onto the escort boat if you want to take a rest anytime.
N.B. The itinerary may vary depending on weather
Temperatures
| Month |
Water Temp (˚C) |
Air Temp (˚C) |
| March |
29 |
31 |
These temperatures are indicative only and can change on a daily/weekly basis
Walking
Most walks will be on recognised paths and tracks and on occasions there will be cases where we may walk over trails, scrub land or vegetation. Some of the trails may be tricky.
Equipment to bring along with you
In addition to “normal” daily clothes, you will need to bring the following:
- Swimming Costume (2 of)
- Swimming Goggles (2 of)*
- Towel
- Walking shoes
- Sun Hat
- Small Daypack
- Waterproof Sun Cream
- Waterproof jacket
- Aqua Shoes / Sandals (which you don’t mind getting wet!)
*It is advisable to have a pair of tinted goggles to cater for the sun’s glare off the sea during swims.
Swim Hats, Flippers, Rashvests and Wetsuits
Please note that SwimTrek will supply swim hats. We will have a limited supply/range of flippers, rashvests and wetsuits available on the trip, but we cannot guarantee sizes for all. If you have your own flippers, rashvest and wetsuit we would recommend you bring these with you in order to maximise your enjoyment of the trip.
Group Size
Up to a maximum of 15 people with at least 2 swimming guides and/or local boat pilots with motorised escorts.
Practical Information
Getting There
Leverick Bay Resort is based on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.
From North America & worldwide
The easiest way to Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands, the start point of our SwimTrek, is to take a scheduled airline from the US through San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. From either place, smaller airlines provide service direct to Virgin Gorda or to the neighboring island of Tortola. From Tortola, a ferry ride will get you to Virgin Gorda. From St. Thomas, ferries are also available to bring you to Virgin Gorda. Further information can be found at www.bvitourism.com
From Europe
- Take a flight to the US and change onto a flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico or St Thomas, USVI. See above information for further details.
- Fly to Antigua with an European airline and then catch a connecting flight to Tortola with the following carriers.
Schedules vary; please make arrangement ahead of time or contact our office for suggestions.
Accommodation
We stay in the excellent Leverick Bay Resort for the entire week. It is based upon twin share and en-suite facilities. (Single Supplement are limited)
Meals
All breakfasts and lunches are included. Dinners are not included, but this gives the ability to choose where, when and with who you would like to dine.
Extra Expenses
You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as entertainment, dinner, souvenirs, etc. The local currency is US $.
Passports and Visas
You require a full passport that should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected length of stay. Most nationalities including EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens do not require a visa to enter the BVI, but you may require a Visa when travelling through the USA. Visa regulations do change so please check!
Vaccinations
You do not require specific vaccinations to enter the BVI, but you should ensure that your tetanus and polio are up to date.
|
|
|
Arriving at Mosquito Island |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Relaxation time after a swim |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer Feedback
|
|
|
A stunning week
"A stunning week of sunshine and great group of people. This trip was above and beyond expectations made so by the guides. Their knowledge and expertise was coupled with kindness and fun. I would recommend to anyone who loves open water swimming."
Diana D, Scotland, April 2012.
|
|
|
Exceeded all my expectations
This was my first SwimTrek trip and it exceeded all my expectations to the full. I started planning my next trip as soon as I arrived home.
Mark W, UK, February 2012
|
|
|
Part of the joy of the SwimTrek trips is the adventure
The water was a lovely temperature, which is always a bonus. Part of the joy of the SwimTrek trips is the adventure in getting to the destination.
Hilary J, UK, April 2012
|
|
|
Accomplishment
"This was an amazing experience. The athletic accomplishment, the competent guides and the socialization among the swimmers made this a great and fun experience in so many ways"
Alan F, USA, April 2010,
|
|
|
Amazing Experience
"This experience allowed me to not only experience new highs in my own swimming and personal performance, it also allowed me to meet some truly extraordinary people and share a life-changing experience with them"
Tyler M, USA, March 2010,
|
|
|
Fantastic
"A fantastic way to visit these idyllic islands."
Andy, UK, 2011
|
|
|
Swim on and admire the view
"The great thing about Swimtrek holidays is that you meet lively, interesting people who share your enthusiasm for open water swimming. There is a fantastic sense of achievement when you have completed a challenging crossing, and everyone glows with satisfaction when they look back at the distance they have covered. The guides are hugely supportive and encouraging and knowing they are close by means you can just swim on and admire the view."
Frances and Humphrey, UK, March, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Island hopping in paradise.
Swimming in colourful reefs of vast proportions.
Seeing hawksbill turtles, tropical fish and an abundance of wildlife.
Walking through tropical forests.
|
|
6
Accommodation
|
|
56
Leverick Bay Resort
|
|
|
Leverick Bay Resort is situated in Virgin Gorda's North Sound, an ideal location for our BVI tour.
|
|
|
|
|
1
Guides
|
|
87
Gary Emich
|
|
|
‘Known as ‘Mr Alcatraz’ Gary has done the world famous ‘escape’ over 760 times. But he is not only limited to San Francisco. in the 21 years since he started open water swimming Gary has completed an incredible list of swims.
|
|
'Known as 'Mr Alcatraz' Gary has done the world famous 'escape' over 760 times. But he is not only limited to San Francisco, in the 21 years since he started open water swimming Gary has completed an incredible list of swims including
- The 12-mile Indian Ocean swim from Perth Australia to Rottnest Island
- The Amazon River (replete with piranhas)
- Peru's Lake Titicaca (the world's highest navigable lake at 12,500 feet)
- The peat black waters of Scotland's legendary Loch Ness
- Relay crossings of the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Santa Barbara Channel, the Strait of Gibraltar, Tampa Bay, Boston Harbor and the Bay of Naples, Italy
- Relay circumnavigations of Manhattan Island and Key West; the 10-mile San Francisco Bay to Breaker swim
- Inter island swims in Greece, Croatia, the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas
- Swims across numerous rivers in the U.S. including the muddy Mississippi and Washington DC's Potomac
Gary is an American Swimming Coaches Association coach (level 2), a USA Triathlon coach (level 1), a USA Triathlon race director and the co-author of Open Water Swimming: Lessons from Alcatraz.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|