By Clive Petrovic

While there are only four major inhabited islands in the BVI, there are nearly 60 smaller islands, cays and rocks scattered throughout the archipelago. The best way to see these sights is by boat. Thus, a great part of any vacation is an island tour, on your own, by boat.

You can rent a small powerboat for the day in Road Town, Nanny Cay, West End and several other locations. Some experience driving a powerboat and basic chart-reading skills are useful to ensure you have a pleasurable day.

A great trip might be to leave from Road Town or Nanny Cay and head south across Sir Francis Drake Channel to Peter Island. You can tie up to the dock in Sprat Bay or anchor off the beach in Deadman's Bay and swim ashore. Visitors are welcome in the public areas, the boutique and the beach grill. Who knows, you may be tempted to return and be pampered in the spa or have dinner in the elegant restaurant.

From Peter Island, it's a short boat ride to Norman Island. This is Robert Louis Stevenson's legendary Treasure Island, and comes complete with stories of pirates and buried chests of gold. Today, the island is uninhabited except for a restaurant on the beach in the Bight. Anchored in the bay is the William Thornton, affectionately known as the Willy T, a trading vessel converted to a bar and restaurant. It's a great stop for a little "pirate" ambience. On holiday weekends, it can become a definite "adults only" venue.

Just outside the bay are the Caves. These are more like grottoes and a real snorkeller's delight. Tie up to one of the National Park moorings and swim in. Colourful tropical fish will swim alongside you, looking for a handout. Please, resist the temptation to feed them. Human food is not healthy for the fish and may do them great harm.

After snorkelling at the Caves, take a short boat ride to The Indians. These rock outcrops are the size of houses and full of nesting seabirds in the summer. The waters around the rocks are teeming with fish of every shape and colour imaginable. Floating among the fish, corals and sea fans will make you feel like Peter Pan flying through an enchanted forest.

Another wonderful day trip might include a visit to Salt Island. Tie up to the dock and walk around the abandoned houses to the salt pond, where sea salt is still harvested. Afterwards, take the boat around the corner to the wreck of the HMS Rhone, the BVI's first underwater park. Snorkel over the wreck and try to imagine what it looked like before it sank in 1867.

After some snorkelling, cruise east to Cooper Island. Accessible only by boat, this island has a few rental homes and a tiny resort that's the image of a tropical paradise. Have lunch at the restaurant and pick up a souvenir in the boutique.

There are many possible itineraries for a day trip by boat. You can go fast by powerboat or slower by sailboat. Whichever you choose, it will certainly be the highlight of your visit to the BVI.

Find boat and air transportation to the surrounding islands.

Check out our sightseeing suggestions for British Virgin Islands, island-by-island using the links above.

To get to the BVI's call American Airlines at 1-800-433-7300, book your trip on aa.com, or for travel information, visit www.EagleLatitudes.com.

Book your stay direct and save - using our BVI hotel guide.