The BVI offers diverse shopping opportunities in delightful settings.

By Jane Bakewell

Shops around the islands are located in areas close to the water with beautiful vistas and always a palm or two overhead. The weather is temperate, and there is no mall burnout or “shop till you drop” syndrome here. Rather, shop until you find a cool café with an ocean breeze, enjoy a tasty respite and then continue exploring the unique gift and jewellery stores dotted across the islands. Call it the island way of shopping.

Tortola

Road Town, the administrative centre and business hub of Tortola, boasts some of the finest retail shops — all within walking distance of the downtown area. A great place to start is the Crafts Alive Village, a colourful cluster of traditional West Indian buildings, just a five-minute walk from the cruise pier. Here, one can find locally made crafts, soaps and lotions, homemade liquor and rum concoctions, and occasionally a steel pan group belting out upbeat calypso rhythms.

Rubbing elbows next door to this cultural enclave is the classy Colombian Emeralds International building, a glitzy jewel-filled mecca that offers exquisite emeralds, fine jewellery and brand-name watches. If you’re feeling romantic or want the perfect anniversary gift, Colombian Emeralds features an exclusive jewellery line called AMORO (a combination of the Spanish words for love and gold). Fine design, superb quality and attention to all-important refinements make AMORO jewellery the perfect gift. Gold pieces set with semiprecious stones carry the signature line’s tiny diamonds and stardust. Within this line are island-themed jewellery favourites such as Caribbean Blue, fine crafted pieces with blue topaz and diamonds; Calypso, multicoloured sapphire pendants and bracelets; and Sea Treasures, featuring sand dollars, sea turtles, palms and flip-flops in yellow gold set with semiprecious stones.

While in this upscale shopping mode, connected in this corner shopping complex are Rolex, with its top-of-the-line timepieces; Image BVI, a perfume and cologne emporium with name-brand scents; and Ganzee, offering island wear and quality souvenirs. Just down the road across from the Administrative Complex is Jewels, another jewellery store carrying fine brand-name jewellery and timepieces.

Shopping in the historic section of town starts on Main Street, with an entrance just down from the brightly coloured Pusser’s Pub and Clothing Store carrying nautical wear, souvenirs and Pusser’s Rum. A winding, narrow one-way street passes cafČs, art galleries and historic buildings dating back to the 1800s. Locally made jewellery can be found at Samarkand, which also features the Caribbean larimar stone, and The Jewellery Box, with custom-designed gold and silver pieces. The work of BVI artists is showcased on the walls of The Gallery, a quaint historic building overflowing with prints depicting colourful landscapes and island life. And just across the way is Sweet Things, a candy shop offering fine chocolates, jellybeans in assorted flavours, trail mix and nuts. A specialty of the shop is homemade hard candy called “sugar cake” with ginger, coconut or peppermint flavour.

As Main Street takes its first bend, there is Bamboushay, a pottery store with handmade pots and ornamental pieces featuring the signature blue-green glaze. Just across the street on the corner is Latitude 18, a colourful island wear shop with brand-name sunglasses, sandals and bags. Decorative home accessories and West Indian maps and prints can be found at Hucksters. And next door is Sunny Caribbee, offering an array of seasonings, lotions and fragrances, as well as West Indian arts and crafts. For photography lovers, the Allamanda Gallery sells excellent photographic prints of BVI landscapes and life in unusual custom frames, note cards and other photo-related gifts. And a bit farther down the street is Serendipity bookstore, featuring island authors in addition to bestsellers, with an upstairs cyber cafČ offering specialty coffee drinks, pastries and wraps.

A hop over to the West End of Tortola brings you to another shopping village on the water called Soper’s Hole Marina. The Harbour View Market carries gourmet provisions, deli sandwiches, fine wines and coffees, as well as art prints and gifts. One-of-a-kind jewellery pieces can be found at Caribbean Jewellers, and Zenaida carries fine artefacts from around the world.

A drive to Cane Garden Bay is worth the trip through winding hills for the beauty of the beach and the wonderful restaurants and shops that line it. Olivia’s Corner at Myett’s offers breezy island clothing, bathing suits, bags and sportswear.

Jost Van Dyke

A ferry ride over to Jost Van Dyke will bring you to gift shops featuring sarongs, bags and T-shirts that line the sandy walkway on Great Harbour. A signature shop of the famous Foxy’s is the Foxhole, with the latest in trendy tropical clothing, sandals, hats, colourful T-shirts and island-style jewellery. Taboo-tique at Foxy’s Taboo on Diamond Cay also has casual wear and a unique line of gifts and Foxy memorabilia.

Anegada

Anegada is known for the mouth-watering Anegada lobster featured in the many seaside restaurants — but shoppers, do not despair: There are a few island gems here as well. Pat’s Pottery and Henny’s Souvenir shop on the road to Loblolly Bay offer handmade pottery and locally made artwork. Sue’s Purple Turtle Boutique and the Anegada Reef Hotel gift shop both offer a wide selection of tropical wear, jewellery and fine gift items with that special Anegada imprint.

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda’s main shopping area is right at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour in Spanish Town. An outdoor courtyard setting is lined with gift shops, a market, restaurants and a dive shop. Thee Artistic Gallery is a place to find crystal, collectable coins and maps, as well as Caribbean jewellery and other gift items. Blue Banana features tropical clothing, home accessories and unique gift items.

There are many more stores throughout the islands in which to shop to your heart's content. Wherever you go, you're sure to find something that will make for a lifetime of BVI memories: some fun, some sentimental, all unforgettable.

Colombian Emeralds International
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: 494-7477
Fax: 494-3585
Website: www.dutyfree.com
Colombian Emeralds International has been in the islands for over 40 years and was voted the "Best Duty-Free Retailer" for five consecutive years. This jewellery store specialises in top gem-set jewellery and now features exclusively the most romantic collections appropriately named AMORO. Certified Appraisals, International Guarantees, Instant Credit and a U.S. Service Centre.

Foxy's Tamarind Bar
Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
Tel: 495-9258
Fax: 495-9892
E-mail: beverly@foxysbar.com

Foxy's Taboo
Diamond Cay, Jost Van Dyke
Tel: 495-0218
VHF: Ch. 16
Both Foxy’s & Foxy’s Taboo have well-stocked boutiques showcasing an array of their own name-brand products, as well as simple and sophisticated swimwear and after-swimwear, toney cover-ups, sandals, hats, bags and jewellery to combine for daytime and nightlife in the tropics. A veritable Pandora’s Box for the warm-weather shopper — something for everyone in the family, and not to be missed!

Harbour Market
Soper's Hole Marina
West End
Tel: 495-4541
Fax: 495-4423
E-mail: info@harbourmarket.com
Website: www.harbourmarket.com
Located in Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina, Harbour Market provides visitors and residents service seven days a week with a great selection of international foods, liquors, freshly baked breads and pastries, fresh vegetables, meats, fish and souvenirs.

JEWELS
Wickhams Cay, Road Town, Tortola
Toll free from US: 888-527-4473
Website: www.azurabyjewels.com
Jewels, established in 1991, is known for its unparalleled array of distinctive designer jewelry and luxury Swiss watch brands presented in an elegant shopping environment. Professionally trained sales staff is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and product expertise. To maintain Jewels' distinction as a leader in luxury retailing, the buyers at Jewels travel the world in search of new and exciting designer jewelry lines and the finest timepiece manufacturers.

Olivia's Corner Store
Myett's Garden and Grille, Cane Garden Bay
Tel: 495-9649
Fax: 495-9579
E-mail: myettent@surfbvi.com
Website: 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; sun- and reading glasses; skin-care products; jewellery; toys; men's, women's and children’s tropical clothing; Cuban cigars; and more.

Riteway Food Markets
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: 494-2263
Fax: 494-2222
E-mail: info@rtwbvi.com
Website: www.rtwbvi.com
Riteway Food Markets are the BVI’s premier chain of retail stores. We offer the widest range of American and international products and a consistent supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. Our liquors, wines and cigarettes are attractively priced and comparable to those offered at well-known duty-free stores. No sales tax. Free delivery to your boat, hotel or villa.

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.

Serendipity
151 Main Street
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: (284) 494-5865
Bookstore offering wide range of titles. Stop in for homemade cakes and snacks and relax at the coffee bar.

Soper's Hole Wharf & Marina
West End, Tortola
Tel: 494-0740
Fax: 495-4560
E-mail: erin@surfbvi.com
Website: 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.

Tourneau
Romasco Place
Road Town
Tel: 494-8661
Website: www.tourneau.com
Tourneau is the world's largest watch store since 1900. Watches at tax-free and duty-free prices. Some of the well-known brands include Omega, Ebel, TAG Heuer, Longines, Zenith, Rado, Tissot, Citizen and Seiko. They also offer certified pre-owned and vintage timepieces. U.S.-based Customer Service Centre.

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.