Beef Island is an island in the group of British Virgin Islands.
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| Beef Island | ||
| Overseas territory | British Virgin Islands | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | unknown | |
no value for residents on Wikidata:  | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
The island is 4½ km long and between 400 and 1,000 m wide. It got its name from the time when cattle were raised there, the meat of which was given to pirates as well as to every other buyer. In 2001/2002 the single-lane Queen Elizabeth II bridge between Tortola and Beef Island was demolished and replaced by a wider bridge. At the same time, the airfield's runway with 80,000 tons of rock was extended by 300 meters into Conch Bay, and a completely new terminal building was built by 2004.
At Long Bay there is a large salt lake that is without water in the dry season, but you should not enter it, as terns breed there. The Trellis Bay on the north side is about 800 m wide, in the middle is the small Bellamy Cay with a restaurant. Trellis Bay used to be an important sailing port with a large hotel and shipyard, both of which are now closed.
At the end of 2005 the government passed plans according to which the island should be built on on a large scale. Large-scale apartment houses and villa complexes, a hotel, a marina and a golf course are in the planning stage. There is considerable resistance from environmentalists, at least against parts of the construction plans. The planned construction work is entered on the map, but does not mean the final expansion status.
The shipwreck "Chikuzen" is about 10 km north of Beef Island. This 75 m long reefer ship sank in 1981 and is now in 23 m water depth.
beaches
- Long Bay is to the west near the airfield. The long sandy beach is usually not very crowded. Early risers can watch a beautiful sunrise there when the sun rises over the offshore Camanoe Island.
Other goals
Bellamy Cay
In the middle of Trellis Bay is the islet of Bellamy Cay. It is 275 meters from Beef Island. Originally Blanco Islet, it is named after the pirate Black Sam Bellamy, who lived there from 1716-1718. There is the Last Resort Club restaurant with bar and souvenir shop, guests are ferried over free of charge. At the Trellis Bay pier there is a "hotline" to order the water taxi. The restaurant offers, among other things, an English-style buffet.
- The Last Resort. Tel.: 495-2520, Fax: 495-2046. Open: Bar and souvenir shop open: daily from 11.30 a.m., restaurant open 6.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.
Marina Cay
This private island between Beef Island, Scrubb Island and Great Camanoe is only 2.4 hectares in size. It is exactly 2 km from the pier in Trellis Bay to Marina Cay. In 1936, the American author Robb White bought the island and built a house there. It was uninhabited between 1940 and 1960, when the hotel opened. Today the island is famous for the Pusser's store and restaurant. On the north side there is a safe anchorage which is used by up to 50 yachts a day.
- Ferry: Daily boat service between Marina Cay and Trellis Bay Dock on Beef Island, travel time approx. 15 minutes. Marina Cay Ferry, Tel. 494-2174.
- Marina Cay: from 10.15 a.m., 11.15 a.m., 12.15 p.m., 2.45 p.m., 3.45 p.m., 4.45 p.m. and 5.45 p.m.
Shop:
- Marina Cay Boutique. Tel.: 495-9791. Souvenir.
Marina:
- Pusser's Marina Cay Marina. Tel.: 494-2174, Fax: 494-4775. VHF Canal 16. 30 berths, dock, showers, ice, fuel, laundry and water.
Hotel:
- Pusser's Marina Cay. Tel.: 494-2174, Fax: 494-4775. 4 rooms and 2 villas, beach, sailing, surfing, diving. No phone or TV!
getting there
By plane
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, IATA code - EIS, ICAO code - TUPJ, runway 07/25, 4,600 x 100 feet (1,500 x 30 m), asphalt.
This airport cannot be approached by intercontinental jet planes. It is only designed for fan guns with a maximum capacity of 70-80 passengers.
- Airport Authority. Tel.: 494-3437, Fax: 494-6493.
- Immigration authority. Tel.: 495-2318, Fax: 494-4399.
Charter flights
Airlines
- Cape Air. Tel.: (866) 227-3247, 495-2100.
- LIAT. Tel.: 495-1187-88.
Helicopter flights
In the street
There is only one road connection from Tortola Island to Beef Island. It used to be a rickety single-lane iron bridge. A modern, wide, two-lane bridge has been in existence since 2001.
By boat
- Marina Cay Ferry, Tel. 494-2174, Marina Cay. Daily departures at 10.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m. from the jetty at Trellis Bay, Beef Island to Marina Cay
- The North Sound Xpress (NSX) ferry, tel. 495-2138, runs from Trellis Bay to Virgin Gorda Island. From there you can continue to Road Town on Tortola Island. Departures from Trellis Bay daily at 8.15am, 11.15am, 1.45pm, 4.15pm, 6.00pm and 8.00pm.
- Trellis Bay to Spanish Town - The Valley on Virgin Gorda Island, 15 minutes drive.
- From Trellis Bay via Spanish Town - The Valley to the Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda Island, travel time 35 minutes.
- From Trellis Bay via Spanish Town - The Valley and Bitter End Yacht Club to Leverick Bay on Virgin Gorda Island, travel time 45 minutes.
mobility
Rental car
- National Car Rental, Airfield. Tel.: 495-2626, Fax: 494-4085. Open: Opening times: 7 a.m. - 10.30 p.m. daily.
Gas stations
taxi
- Beef Island Taxi Association, Airfield. Tel.: 495-1982.
activities
Boat charter
- Gli Gli. Tel.: 495-1849. Replica of a Carib Indian canoe, minimum 5 people.
surfing
Yacht charter
shop
- Aragorn's studio, at the pier, Trellis Bay. Tel.: 495-1849, Fax: 495-1849. Keepsakes, art gallery, t-shirts.
- B.V.I. Apparel outlet store, Airfield. Tel.: 494-5511, Fax: 494-3867. Souvenirs, boutique, t-shirts.
- D`Best Cup Restaurant & Bar, on the beach, Trellis Bay. Tel.: 495-0259. Souvenir.Open: Opening times: Mon - Sat 6.30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- The Craft Shop, Airfield. Souvenirs, handicrafts, coffee.
kitchen
- D`Best Cup Restaurant & Bar, on the beach, Trellis Bay. Tel.: 495-0259. Open: Opening times: Mon - Sat 6.30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- De Loose Mongoose, Beef Island Guest House. Tel.: 495-2303. Restaurant & beach bar, international.Open: Opening times: Tues - Sun 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Trellis Bay Cyber Cafe, Trellis Bay. Tel.: 495-2447. West Indian.Open: Opening times: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
accommodation
- Allamanda Estate, Little Mountain Estate. Tel.: 495-1473, Fax: 495-1473. 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom villa for 4-10 people.Price: Summer prices: US $ 4,400-6,200 per week; winter: US $ 5,700-8,400 per week.
- Beef Island Guest House, Trellis Bay. Tel.: 495-2303, Fax: 495-1611. 4 rooms, restaurant, beach bar. Location: 400 m from the airport and 300 m from the ferry.
- Surfsong Villa Resort, Well Bay. Tel.: 495-1864, Fax: 495-0089. 4 villas, beach, beach lounge.Price: Summer prices: Villa for 2 people 400-625 US $; in winter: Villa for 2 people US $ 495-740.
Practical advice
- BVI Tourist Board, Airfield. Tel.: 495-1184.
- B.V.I. post, Airfield. Tel.: 495-2593.
