Caribbean Getaways and Islands in the Sun
By A. Anthony Mastracchio & Rita Cook
Photos by By A. Anthony Mastracchio

It is a quiet strip of beach that we have been walking on, the surf and the sand commingling between our toes. A three mast schooner is sailing by about 300 yards from shore a solitary man in a captains cap standing on deck speaking to a bikini-clad young woman. A multi-colored conch shell lies exposed in the sand the occupant long since gone. We stop to pick it up. The sun is low on the horizon and the mid-afternoon is turning into a sunset of red and gold. In the distance is the US Virgin Island of St. John.

Where are we you ask? We are on Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, a Caribbean getaway known for quiet beaches and very few inhabitants. We arrived by Caribbean Air but some visitors also arrive by boat. Most of Tortola is undeveloped, which is part of its charm. It is nature the way nature intended.

We drive through Road Town on our way to Fort Recovery Beachfront Villas. Road Town is the capital of Tortola and about half way to Fort Recovery. The airport we learned is on Beef Island and a manmade causeway connects Beef Island to the actual island.

Fort Recovery was built around a 17th century Dutch fort and has its own private, small sandy beach. Other beaches on Tortola are Brewer’s Bay and Josiah’s Bay. On the way you will pass Bomba’s Surfside Shack at Little Apple Bay. Bomba’s is unique with its graffiti and a license plate from every state in the US. Bomba’s serves very cold beer, which makes this pit stop a must!

The owners of Fort Recovery Beachfront Resorts also own a property on the island of Bequia, which is part of St. Vincent and The Grenadines. St. Vincents is a lively, hopping place but Bequia is quiet and relaxing. Caribbean Air can get you from Tortola to St. Vincent and a ferryboat will get you to Bequia. If you decide to visit both Ft. Recovery properties a package deal may be had however, be aware that both Tortola and St. Vincent have departure taxes, which each run about $20 US.

In case the British Virgin Islands aren't to your liking then there is always the Bahamas. Grand Bahamas are located about 56 miles due east of Palm Beach, Florida. The capital and largest city on Grand Bahama Island is Freeport. Freeport is a quiet little town with a port for cruise ships and lots of little shops for tourist. Most people who spend time in Freeport come for the day and shop. If you plan to spend longer than a day there are many lovely little resort hotels and some fun water sport activities to occupy your time.
The activities include the usual suspects of diving, snorkeling and fishing.

A more interesting and informative adventure is the Dolphin Close Encounter or the Swim With Dolphins offered by UNEXSO in Port Lucaya. This adventure is fun for all ages. Dolphins are amazing and intelligent sea creatures needing to take in air and breath just like people. However, they can also hold their breath for up to 20 minutes at a time and swim like fish. Your close encounter or swim will involve close contact with these creatures where you will feel first hand their power and majesty.

We stayed at the Old Bahama Bay Resort, situated on 150 acres of oceanfront property located in the tiny village of West End -- approximately 25 miles from Freeport. In the 1950’s this property was known as Jack Tar Resort. It closed in the 1980’s. The property was purchased in 1997 and is now Old Bahama Bay, the first luxury, and residential marina and resort community on Grand Bahama Island.

Old Bahama Bay is set on a pristine tip of Grand Bahama Island. It offers privacy and relaxation. The Inn features 49 beachfront rooms, an oceanfront pool, two restaurants and two bars along with the usual fishing, boating, diving activities. We rode around the property on bikes, which was fun and healthy. Other leisure activities include tennis, golf and a fitness center.

The food at Old Bahama Bay is also very good. The Dockside Grill overlooks the marina and is more casual. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast sandwich is very good. At lunch try the fish sandwich and conch fritters, delicious. Aqua is a more formal dining restaurant and features an international continental menu. May we recommend the Caribbean lobster—it is out of this world!

Rita Cook is the editor-in-chief of Insider Magazine and enjoys spending her time traveling on freelance assignments as well. Living in Los Angeles, Cook is also a film producer who currently has a film in development, "The Kiss of the Vampire."