With its calm and protected waters, abundant safe anchorages and year-round average temperatures in the early 30os, it is no wonder the British Virgin Islands play host to sailing events heralded as some of the best in the world.

The 2014 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival will open on 31st March. The festival will include an International Yacht Club Challenge, with yacht clubs from around the world invited to compete in a unique race. With 18 sailing classes competing, the International Yacht Club Challenge caters for sailors of all abilities and levels, offering something for everyone from experienced captains to beginners at sea. www.bvispringregatta.org

All the racing is complemented by a host of famous Caribbean parties. The Nanny Cay Resort and Marina provides live music, starry night skies and the finest rums throughout the festival, which now attracts over 3,500 visitors to the islands over the course of six days, and is recognised amongst the sailing community as a 'must-do'.

In addition, the Royal BVI Yacht Club hosts the 2014 BVI Dinghy Championships Regatta on May 17-18 2014. This event is for Opti, Laser, 420, Bic and IC24 Sailboats and is renowned as an event for many sailors' bucket list.

The BVIs are also the ideal place to learn to sail.  Nautilus offers Virgin Sailing.  No experience is required, you pick up a bareboat yacht charter and an instructor, who stays on board with you and your family for five nights. Your instructor will teach you and your family how to sail, during which time you'll become a qualified bareboat skipper.  www.nautilusyachting.com 

A BVI sailing holiday provides an exceptional mix of calm and protected crystal-clear waters, Caribbean charm and natural beauty. Wherever you're sailing, you are within easy contact of marine support crews and islands are close enough to navigate by sight. There are hundreds of ports and marinas where you can charter a yacht, to help make organizing your sailing holiday effortless. A sailor's paradise, the islands benefit from consistent trade winds to fill your main sail, clear blue water and sunshine every day.

The white sandy beaches and deserted shores offer excellent swimming locations, and sea caves for snorkelling. Once ashore, enjoy the many other unforgettable experiences of the BVI - watch the sunset over Jost Van Dyke and the US Virgin Islands at the Bananakeet Café; savour fine dining at Drakes Point in Road Town, Tortola, with stunning views over the channel and harbour, it's the oldest restaurant in the BVI; enjoy a barbeque at Elm's Beach Bar in Cane Garden Bay; or listen to the waves crash at Sebastian's Seaside Grill.

To extend a sailing holiday stay on in one of the BVI's jewel properties - delightful hotels, guest houses, inns and villas run by independent proprietors, offering carefree comfort and authentic style - a unique and affordable vacation at an intimate escape.  On Tortola try the Sugar Mill Hotel and Treasure Isle.

The Bitter End Yacht Club is one of the most family-friendly resorts. From children aged five to grandparents, the Club provides for the whole family, recently adding stand up paddle-boarding to its endless list of thrilling activities.

Complete your BVI experience at Trellis Bay on Beef Island, for one of its famous Fireball Full Moon Parties, when the island comes to life with steel drums, Moko Jumbies (dancers on stilts), reggae bands, Caribbean buffet and the spectacular fireballs.

For further information on the British Virgin Islands, visit www.bvitourism.co.uk.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact Eloise Jakeman or Chrissie Williams at ADPR +44 (0) 1460 241641 or email Chrissie@adpr.co.uk or Eloise@adpr.co.uk.
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