Sea caves
At Treasure Point.
Matt & Nayoung — CC BY 2.0 · giggel — CC BY 3.0 · giggel — CC BY 3.0
Norman Island lies at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, about 12 km in a straight line south of the capital, Road Town. It is one of several islands said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel «Treasure Island». It is said to be named after a pirate who bought or leased it in the early 18th century. It is also tied to a real treasure story: in 1750 part of a cargo of silver taken from a Spanish ship was buried on the island, residents of nearby islands then raced to dig it up, and part of it was later recovered. Today visitors come above all for the sea caves at Treasure Point, where snorkellers float in clear water at the cave mouths among colourful fish. Many sailing boats anchor in sheltered «The Bight», and green hills cover the almost uninhabited island. It is reached on paid day trips by boat from Tortola or by chartered yacht. Bring reef-safe sun cream, and mornings are best for snorkelling before the boats arrive.
At Treasure Point.
A sheltered anchorage.
Colourful fish.
Southern British Virgin Islands
On a day boat trip from Tortola.
Silver was buried there in 1750 and later dug up.