PACKING for the bvi

There is no reason to over pack for this trip. It is a long day of travel and you will not want to be lugging around more than you need. Tortola is a very relaxed place and the regulars are all relaxed too. If you are over dressed, you kind of look like you don’t have the inside track, so relax and pack just what you will need. Most restaurants have people sitting with feet in the sand or just plain sandy feet. No worries. Nobody cares. Actually, the more confident you are in your “beach presence”, the more you will enjoy not giving a shit. ; ) You’ll know when cleaning your feet is appropriate!

Pack ONLY What You Know You’ll Wear + use

Bring only tried and true favorites that you know will be comfortable and practical. You will wear these repeatedly and ignore everything else in your suitcase.

Use a Small CARRY-On

Bring a small suitcase, you’ll naturally be mindful of what you pack, they fit in the overhead and are cheaper on the ferry. 

avoid waiting for baggage

It takes 15-20 minutes sometimes for luggage to come out in St. Thomas, so a great way to beat the crowd to the taxi is to pack light and zip outside of the airport to your ferry ($) or water taxi ($$$). You can enjoy a cold drink and bite to eat at The Petite Pump Room above the ferry in Charlotte Amalie or one of the nearby restaurants after you check in with your passport and tag your bags for the ferry with “The Bagman”. Tip him well. Remove any valuable items from your carry on. I usually take my laptop out and drag it with me, just to be sure. Sometimes they throw the bags onto the ferry. Avoid well-loved objects and electronics leaving your sight, just to avoid loss or issue. Keep them with you. Common sense for all travel.

WHEN in Doubt, Leave it Out

If there are items that you’re not sure about, don’t pack them. Likely, you won’t miss them. You don’t really need warm clothes or more than one sweatshirt. If you always wear a few outfits because of ease and comfort…those go in first. It is hot there, so fabrics that show sweat or make you hot, think twice. Most villas have washer and dryers. Definitely book one with. Beach towels and your fave items will need a washing after a bit, so consider having a W/D a must.

BASICS items for a bvi trip

Here are some items everyone will want to have on hand.

SPF shirt: At least one long sleeved SPF shirt,  just in case. The sun is harsh and I always pack one.

Bring Ziploc Bags: I usually bring 4 large bags and about 6 quart bags. You will need them for all kinds of things. You can order them with your grocery items too, but expensive to just use a few. They are also great for making flat ice packets for the cooler and to put any wet clothing in for the trip home. I stash a few in my back pack or beach bag as well. You will use them!

2-4 Bathing Suits: A must for a 7-10 day beach vacation. That way, you’ll have one to wear while the other is drying.

Workout/walking/hiking Outfit: If you’d like to exercise, you’ll want to take along a workout outfit so you can use the gym in your hotel or participate in a session of beach yoga. This outfit can double as casual wear.

1 Hoodie, Pashmina, Sarong or Sweater: This is nice to have to layer, especially at night or lounging. A sarong can be used on the plane to keep you warm, as a wrap from the sun or cool nights, or a coverup for the beach. I bring a small one and a big one and use them all the time, and also can complete an outfit or disguise one you wore yesterday. 

Light Windbreaker: It does rain on and off, so if you can pack a light windbreaker in your bag, why not? Not a must. Most villas have umbrellas to use too. We never take them.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses with UV protection are a must when it comes to your eyes. You will be uncomfortable without them.

Hat: Hats will protect your skin and eyes from the sun, even when your sunblock wears off. 

2-3 Tanks or Tees: Tanks and tees are staples.

2-3 Pairs of Shorts: Shorts are cool, comfy, and will work as the base of a casual daytime outfit. If you like rompers or jumpsuits, you can use them to replace shorts/tee sets.

Shoes: Shoes can be bulky and heavy, but having the footwear you’ll need will help you get the most out of your trip. Fly in a pair of sneakers, and pack in your bag a pair of comfortable, lightweight sandals for the town and beach. If I can fit one back up pair, I bring in case something happens. The last think you want to do is run around looking for shoes. There is not much shopping on Tortola, although you can find small boutiques here and there.

Sleeping: Minimalist tip: a couple of extra comfy T-shirts and shorts can be worn to sleep and double as casual wear.

Under things: Undergarments are another necessity. When packing them, think about the cuts and fabrics of the outfits you will be wearing to ensure the underwear work with your outfits. Pro tip: Try them out before you pack. 

Socks: I usually pack one extra pair than the one I am wearing. Pack more if you are going to be wearing sneakers or running, etc. We are usually barefoot or in flip flops. Most villas have washer/dryer, but not all. If you are by the water, a lot of things will not dry all the way either, so make sure you leave in the sun and secure. Breezy days send things flying.

Accessories: Keep accessories to a minimum, taking only those you know you’re going to wear. It is hot and why fuss? Most people are earthy surfer types and folks that are over dressed look out of place. This is a casual, surfy vibe. While getting a little cleaned up for dinner in a nice sun dress and dress shirt is nice, most places you can roll in off the beach. If it’s after happy hour, you may want to do a “rinse and hold”. 

Jewelry: Avoid bringing any pricey jewelry while beaching in case of loss. Also, we never bring expensive watches or anything with us. No need.

Water bottle: A must for your daily drinking water.

Gear: I pack some first aid and pharmacy items in a bag, including Bacitracin, Band-aids, Immodium, Tums, Advil, Excedrin, Tissues and I keep a little roll of TP, because you never know when you will be out and about and it will be needed.

WATER usage on the island

Conserve water at all times. Tortola’s only water source is the rain and desalinated sea water. Conserve and take only 5 minute showers, lovingly referred to by our Chapman friends as “rinse and hold”. What you do before happy hour if your villa is down low.

Buy big jugs of bottled water to fill our water bottles and avoid lots of small water bottle waste. All trash is your responsibility to sort and bring to the trash pick up areas. The visitor guides in the villa usually tell you where they are. For West End, there is one on Zion Hill Road near the ball field.

Trash

As a rule, we empty trash every day if there are food remaining in it at the villa. It is an island and lots of critters are attracted to trash and fruit. Never leave any food out at all. Nothing. Open bag of chips—-secure tightly and put it in a ziplock bag. Be sure to wipe counters and floors of crumbs and anything sweet.

Ladies

2 Cover Ups: On a beach vacation, you just may be wearing a coverup more than any other item of clothing (except perhaps your bathing suit). Take along one or two that are fashionable enough to pass as dresses so you can walk around town in them if you’d like.

Dressy Outfits: Simple dresses are perfect and easy for a beach vacation. Maxis or long skirts are nice but it can be very hot there even at night, but they do pack a punch and are perfect for day or night. A couple dressy outfit are nice for dinners at restaurants, like Brandywine, Bananakeet, or The Sugar Mill or Long Bay’s 1748.

guys

2-3 SPF Shirts: If you are concerned with sun exposure, long sleeved spf shirts are a must. You will see many people wearing them everywhere. Protect yourself from UV rays.

2-3 Button Ups: A button-up may be considered the masculine equivalent of feminine bathing suit cover-ups. You can easily throw one on with a bathing suit when going to and from the beach. It will also come in handy for semi-formal occasions.

2-3 Shorts: A few nice pairs of shorts to wear pre or post beach out to breakfast or to happy hour and dinner. Most men wear dress shorts out to dinner, even at nicer restaurants. 

5-6 T-shirts: Easy peasy.

A Pair of khaki or Prana-like, or linen Pants: Having the versatility to throw on a pair of light weight beach pants if you’d like to is always nice, especially for nice dinners.

ESSENTIALS

Forgetting anything causes a lot of snafu once you arrive. Wasting vacation hours driving around looking for things is very annoying, especially for your designated drivers. Many essentials from home are not available on Tortola. Don’t spend your vacation running around looking for shit you forgot or just thought you would purchase there. There really are only 3-5 full groceries on the island and they are all 20-50 minutes away. If you forget anything, be a champ and call a taxi —take initiative o go out and track it down instead of putting your whole group out.

• Cash is needed everywhere and the few ATMs do not always work. Nanny Cay, Cane Garden Bay, Road Town have ATMs. Bring $1000 cash and separate it into 3 different places in your baggage. Never check a bag with cash in it or anything you want to keep as a rule when traveling anywhere. This includes laptops, cameras or any electronics or jewelry. Just don’t do it, ever.

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste (easily found but stores are 20 min away, so easily an hour trek)

• Reef Safe Sunblock - help protect the marine life (easily found)

• Deodorant (easily found)

• Razor *very hard to find

• UV protective Lip balm (easily found)

• Shampoo/Conditioner (easily found)

• Moisturizer is hard to find. Coconut oil to moisturize: coconut oil can be picked up at the grocery store.

• Nail polish and remover are impossible to find, so bring a little bit if you think you will need them.

• There is one cosmetic store, Hazem Beauty Supply in Road Town hidden behind the Rite Way on Flemming Street. It is pretty urban and carries a few American drug store brands, but do not expect to find any high end cosmetics anywhere.

• BRING your own feminine products. Hard to find and you will not find your brands.

Tech 

• remote battery pack 

• phone + charger 

• laptop/tablet + charger

• plugs are US plugs