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By Jane Bakewell
Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous pirate tale, Treasure Island, was reportedly inspired by the mysterious caves on Norman Island, which is now a treasure trove of fish and coral, sans the gold doubloons. However, there are still many treasures to be found on the four principal islands of the BVI: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. A little pirate curiosity and a map will get you started on collecting some of your own glittery loot — be it jewellery, arts and crafts, or a hand-painted silk dress to wear whilst walking on a moonlit beach.
Tortola
Arts and Crafts: The most populated island, Tortola, has some of the most prized shopping spots. A start at the Crafts Alive Village next to the ferry dock is a way to get immersed in Caribbean culture and to find several authentic, handcrafted items to pick up as well. Traditional baskets, woven hats, handmade dolls and even some local liquor are easy gifts to stash in your travel bag. Just a hop away you can casually stroll down the old Main Street, where trendy boutiques are interspersed with art galleries such as The Gallery, which features paintings and prints by Caribbean and BVI artists. Just around the bend is the Allamanda Gallery, where stunning photographs of island landscapes and seascapes are the work of photographer Amanda Baker. Also in this historic area is the Old Customs House, now refurbished as Hucksters, an eclectic shop of home furnishings, Caribbean artwork and historic maps, with a second gift shop located at Soper’s Hole.
Clothing: Warm trade winds and an ever-present sun make dressing down the delight of travelling in the tropics. The boutiques along Main Street offer several choices, or you can drive west for delightful shopping waterside at Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina. Shops such as Pusser’s Landing and Latitude 18 have Caribbean-style clothing in lightweight fabrics. Located next to Myett’s Garden Inn and Grille in Cane Garden Bay, Olivia’s Corner Store has an array of swimwear, tank tops, shirts, wraps and colourful dresses.
Jewellery: For those shopping for bargains on brand-name watches and gemstones, Road Town features the high-end jewellery shops Colombian Emeralds and Little Switzerland. However, many shoppers want a locally crafted piece; and Samarkand Jewellers offers many unique settings featuring the aqua-blue Larimar stone found only in the Caribbean. Its sister shop, Caribbean Jewellers, is tucked away at the colourful Soper’s Hole Marina and carries many of the same items, including silver necklaces fashioned from shipwreck coins.
Other Treasures: Some unique items are found at Arawak, an eclectic interior furnishings store featuring crafts and gifts from around the world. Located in Road Town, Arawak also has two other gift shop locations in Nanny Cay and Soper’s Hole. Locally made pottery can be found at Bamboushay on Main Street and a second location at Soper’s Hole. Their distinctive blue glaze pottery is fashioned into everything from bowls and mugs to large platters and vases. Sunny Caribbee, also on Main Street, showcases the spices of the islands delightfully packaged as gifts ready to go.
Virgin Gorda
This island attracts the upscale tourist with all-inclusive resorts and gorgeous villas perched on cliffs. If not ensconced in a resort with boutique shops, head to Spanish Town, where the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour is a shopper’s dream.
Arts and Crafts: The Virgin Gorda Craft Shop carries everything you need to make your own beach jewellery, including beads and threads. These can be fashioned with tie-dye T-shirts and hand-painted tops from Island Silhouette right on the beach at The Baths.
Clothing: Sports enthusiasts can gear up in watersports attire from the Dive BVI shop at the VG Yacht Harbour, or grab some beach togs at the Blue Banana. The BVI Apparel Outlet has polo shirts and T-shirts in many colours and designs. There is another small complex with some fun boutique shops at the Top of The Baths Restaurant and Lounge.
Jewellery: Thee Artistic Gallery is the destination for works of art, souvenirs and fine-crafted jewellery, including pieces with tanzanite and opal. Here you will also find the Virgin Gorda destination bracelet in silver with a “VG” initials clasp. Thee Nautical Gallery carries jewellery designs in gold and silver, as well as Caribbean art.
Jost Van Dyke
Accessible only by boat, Jost Van Dyke is a sailor’s haven; but a few shopping treasures can be found. Check out The Foxhole Boutique for some unique beachwear items, wraps, T-shirts and bags. This is also a place for some fun jewellery made from local materials. Its sister store, TabooTique, on Diamond Cay, carries a similar collection. White Bay also has some seaside kiosks with colourful wraps and beachwear.
Anegada
The furthest island out in the BVI chain surrounded by a coral reef, this is where you can really “chill.” Gift boutiques with tropical wear and island jewellery are located at Setting Point, where you arrive by ferry. Check out Pat’s Pottery & Art on the way to Loblolly Bay for delightful plates and mugs featuring beach scenes complete with scampering crabs.
Bamboushay Pottery
Nanny Cay and Road Town
Tel: 494-0393
Fax: 494-0393
E-mail: bamboushay@surfbvi.com
Web: www.bamboushay.com
The Nanny Cay studio is the design and production facility for a wide variety of high-quality handcrafted ceramic pieces. Long known for their sconces and hanging lights, Bamboushay also creates glazed and hand-painted vases, bowls, candle lanterns, platters, dishes and mugs. The Gallery in Road Town complements the Bamboushay ceramics with locally made note cards and postcards, jewellery and handbags as well as soaps from Dominica and candles from Jamaica.
Olivia's Corner Store
Myett’s Garden Inn and Grille
Cane Garden Bay
Tel: 495-9649
Fax: 495-9579
E-mail: myettent@surfbvi.com
Web: www.myettent.com
In this well-appointed store, you’ll find unique and unusual gifts; local arts and crafts; Caribbean music, books and cards; camera acessories; sunglasses and reading glasses; skin-care products; jewellery; toys; men’s, women’s and children’s tropical clothing; Cuban cigars and more.
Samarkand
Main Street, Road Town
Tel: 494-6415
Caribbean Jewellers
Soper’s Hole Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 495-4137
E-mail: office@samarkandjewellers.com
Samarkand and Caribbean Jewellers have been handcrafting tropical designs since 1971. Specialising in unique Caribbean gemstones, Larimar and exclusive BVI Virgin Jasper, this eclectic range also includes pink conch shells, sunken treasure coins and charms. Internet access at West End branch.
Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 494-0740
Fax: 495-4560
E-mail: erin@surfbvi.com
Web: www.sopershole.com
Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina is Tortola’s premier shopping, dining and marine centre. This centre is a unique and architecturally colourful collection of buildings housing many boutiques, shops and Pusser’s Landing Restaurant.
Furnishings With a Past
By Jane Bakewell
Today what's considered modern and trendy in home furnishings often has a bit of the past quietly lurking somewhere. The colourful and eclectic showroom at Arawak Interiors on the edge of Road Town has a delightful blend of form and function with a quirky twist thanks to owner Roy Keegan, who is enthusiastic about an industry that has sprung up following the principle "recycle, rebuild, reuse." Keegan got excited a few years ago on a trip to Bali when he spotted some furniture made from old Balinese fishing boats. Once they were fashioned into a chair or table, the rainbow planks of wood, although faded and chipped after years at sea, were transformed into a functional piece he was sure would compliment a Caribbean lifestyle. His hunch proved right, as some of these custom-designed pieces are part of the recently renovated Cooper Island Beach Club.
"We are constantly looking for new lines in our home furnishings and also do a lot of custom designing in our Asian workshops so our clients get just what they want no matter how unusual," Keegan says. Another nontraditional use of a material is using synthetic rattan with an aluminium frame for deck furniture guaranteed not to fade, get brittle or rust, all whilst looking as tropically elegant as the real thing. Turning recycled plastic into rugs, which are versatile indoors or out, is another trend Keegan has embraced. From custom teak beds to bamboo utensils and bowls, Arawak Interiors is an emporium of contemporary and Caribbean furnishings with a one-of-a-kind feel.
Take me shopping in the British Virgin Islands.
Need to rent a car in the BVI? Hop a plane for an inter-island flight or catch a ferry? Here's help with schedules and reservations information.
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Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous pirate tale, Treasure Island, was reportedly inspired by the mysterious caves on Norman Island, which is now a treasure trove of fish and coral, sans the gold doubloons. However, there are still many treasures to be found on the four principal islands of the BVI: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. A little pirate curiosity and a map will get you started on collecting some of your own glittery loot — be it jewellery, arts and crafts, or a hand-painted silk dress to wear whilst walking on a moonlit beach.
Arts and Crafts: The most populated island, Tortola, has some of the most prized shopping spots. A start at the Crafts Alive Village next to the ferry dock is a way to get immersed in Caribbean culture and to find several authentic, handcrafted items to pick up as well. Traditional baskets, woven hats, handmade dolls and even some local liquor are easy gifts to stash in your travel bag. Just a hop away you can casually stroll down the old Main Street, where trendy boutiques are interspersed with art galleries such as The Gallery, which features paintings and prints by Caribbean and BVI artists. Just around the bend is the Allamanda Gallery, where stunning photographs of island landscapes and seascapes are the work of photographer Amanda Baker. Also in this historic area is the Old Customs House, now refurbished as Hucksters, an eclectic shop of home furnishings, Caribbean artwork and historic maps, with a second gift shop located at Soper’s Hole.
Jewellery: For those shopping for bargains on brand-name watches and gemstones, Road Town features the high-end jewellery shops Colombian Emeralds and Little Switzerland. However, many shoppers want a locally crafted piece; and Samarkand Jewellers offers many unique settings featuring the aqua-blue Larimar stone found only in the Caribbean. Its sister shop, Caribbean Jewellers, is tucked away at the colourful Soper’s Hole Marina and carries many of the same items, including silver necklaces fashioned from shipwreck coins.
This island attracts the upscale tourist with all-inclusive resorts and gorgeous villas perched on cliffs. If not ensconced in a resort with boutique shops, head to Spanish Town, where the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour is a shopper’s dream. 
Accessible only by boat, Jost Van Dyke is a sailor’s haven; but a few shopping treasures can be found. Check out The Foxhole Boutique for some unique beachwear items, wraps, T-shirts and bags. This is also a place for some fun jewellery made from local materials. Its sister store, TabooTique, on Diamond Cay, carries a similar collection. White Bay also has some seaside kiosks with colourful wraps and beachwear.
Olivia's Corner Store 
Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina 
Today what's considered modern and trendy in home furnishings often has a bit of the past quietly lurking somewhere. The colourful and eclectic showroom at Arawak Interiors on the edge of Road Town has a delightful blend of form and function with a quirky twist thanks to owner Roy Keegan, who is enthusiastic about an industry that has sprung up following the principle "recycle, rebuild, reuse." Keegan got excited a few years ago on a trip to Bali when he spotted some furniture made from old Balinese fishing boats. Once they were fashioned into a chair or table, the rainbow planks of wood, although faded and chipped after years at sea, were transformed into a functional piece he was sure would compliment a Caribbean lifestyle. His hunch proved right, as some of these custom-designed pieces are part of the recently renovated Cooper Island Beach Club.