Recovery and Resilience in The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are lined with sugary beaches and surrounded by some of the clearest water you’ll find anywhere. Both Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney sing songs about this place. It’s beautiful.

The Baths National Park and Virgin Gorda. Courtesy of BVI Tourist Board

THE SETTLEMENT, British Virgin Islands—We’re a long way from the land—like a really long way—the sea forming a cyclorama of azure all around us, our catamaran coasting along somewhere halfway between the islands of Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. Slowing, and then stopping, we ready ourselves. Together with a small group of fellow travelers, we gather on the back deck, ready in bathing suits and towels.

And then, we all jump in.