Boat International – June 2017

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With a prime position on sought-after Virgin Gorda

offering breathtaking views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel,

this 15 bedroom estate maximises the natural beauty

that surrounds it, says Francesca Steele

BILLIONAIRE’S

PLAYGROUND

BLOWN AWAY

The islands are famed as a

kitesurfer’s dream – even Barack

Obama was spotted trying it out

in February. Tommy Gaunt’s school

at the Anegada Beach Club is a

good option if you fancy following

in his footsteps.

FLY BY

There are no direct flights from

the US, Canada, Europe or South

America to the British Virgin Islands’

main airport on Beef Island. To get

there you have to connect through

other Caribbean airports such as

Puerto Rico, St Thomas, Antigua

or St Maarten.

SEAFOOD SPOTS

Lunch on the second largest island

of Anegada, the only coral island in

the Virgin Islands’ volcanic chain,

is a must. Try the lobster

at Big Bamboo and the

conch fritters

at Cow Wreck Beach Bar.

NATURAL WONDER

Don’t leave the BVIs

without stopping at The

Baths, a series of awe-

inspiring granite boulders

forming sheltered sea pools on

Virgin Gorda’s south-western tip.

HAPPY HOUR

Tender to the legendary Saba Rock

to sample its extensive cocktail

list (try a Bushwhacker). Happy

hour runs from 4pm to 6pm with

feeding of the large tarpon fish

at 5pm every day.

Tropical hardwoods such as

mahogany and teak lend the

interiors a certain warmth

The light and airy interiors

give a cool and spacious feel

THREE OF THE BEST

BVI PROPERTIES

GEOGRAPHICAL

GRANDEUR

Toad Hall Estate is a three

bedroom property between

the boulders at the Spring Bay

National Park on Virgin Gorda.

$10 million, sothebysrealty.com

HILLTOP HAVEN

St Bernard’s Hill House is an

estate with five bedrooms,

eight acres of landscaped

gardens and wraparound

terraces. $12.5 million,

sothebysrealty.com

PERSONAL PRIVACY

Oil Nut Bay is a luxury resort

with plots across 300 acres.

Accessible only via boat or

helicopter, it boasts a spa and

beach club. From $1.95 million

to $16.95 million, oilnutbay.com

The villas afford unobstructed

views of the ocean

PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES

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the

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PROPERTY

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and a king sized day bed suspended over the

sand. Everywhere there are hammocks and

lounge chairs, ideal for reading and enjoying

the spectacular sunsets.

Each villa has three elegant master suites, one

double room and one studio, while palm trees

provide privacy and soundproofing between

each home. The architect’s grandfather was

Carl Andersson, the sailing yacht designer

and builder, whose boats were known for their

quality and beauty. You can see his influence in

the fluid, open air feel of the villas. A concierge

also lives on site.

It is a 10 minute drive from Aquamare to

Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda’s main town,

once the original capital of the BVIs until it

was moved to Tortola in 1741. It is also

just a short tender ride from the Yacht

Club Costa Smeralda, where there are

38 moorings for superyachts. The club

was founded in Porto Cervo, Sardinia,

in 1967 and established its base on

Virgin Gorda in 2010. Aquamare is

perfectly located for making the most

of Virgin Gorda’s sailing credentials

but do bear in mind that it can take

about a year to complete the purchase

of a property in the BVIs as a new

overseas buyer must factor in at least

six months to obtain the necessary

non-belonger land holding licence. B

Aquamare Villas is for sale with Knight

Frank, knightfrank.com

Francesa Steele is senior property writer

at The Times

C

hristopher Columbus likened the

island of Virgin Gorda to the image

of a reclining lady. It was this that

gave the island its name, which means “fat

virgin” – two thin ends on either side of its

central, curvy belly. Today, the northern coast

of the island is known locally as “billionaire’s

playground”, looking towards private islands

including Necker Island – the 74 acre home of

Sir Richard Branson that is available to rent

from $80,000 per night.

It is here, on the upper back or perhaps the

forearm of the reclining lady, that you will

find Aquamare, a secluded estate of three 740

square metre villas amid stunning landscaped

gardens, dotted with the bright colours of

hibiscus and bougainvillea. The estate is on

sale via Knight Frank for $23 million.

Virgin Gorda is far less built up and

populated than Tortola, the main island of

the BVIs, making it the go-to destination for

wealthier buyers looking for privacy, peace

and quiet, and unobstructed views of the

ocean. Aquamare certainly offers all this.

The five bedroom villas, which overlook a

pristine, sheltered beach and some of the most

beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean,

are a masterpiece in combining inside-outside

living. Designed by the renowned Swedish

architect Liselott Johnsson, they have light

and airy interiors including 10 metre vaulted

wood ceilings and walls made of native

rocks and floors of travertine marble. The

overall effect is cool and spacious, while door

frames and other features made of tropical

hardwoods such as mahogany and teak lend

the homes a rich warmth that stops cool from

becoming cold. There is a luxury kitchen in

each, with double doors opening on to outside

seating and infinity pools. There is a common

area including the white sand beach, with a

thatched palapa (the local style of beach hut)

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