Biras Creek is a nature lovers delight! Palms, sea grape and tamarisk
grow along the beaches; thick stands of Mangrove trees line the marina
and the  cove
at Deep Bay. Flowering shrubs, white cedar, nutmeg, and cactus are scattered
along the hillsides.
Bird watchers will enjoy visiting the salt water pond which attracts migratory flocks and provides a nesting ground for Banana Quits and hummingbirds. The estate has no poisonous snakes or dangerous beasts, but a stray goat or sizable Iguana may cross your path, along with lots of cute hermit crabs skittering by. During our visit, hundreds of white butterflies fluttered around. Numerous garden walks through wooded areas connect the cottages with the lake, marina, and beaches.  Six nature trails offer treks up hillsides, around peaks, and along the shorelines (don't forget to take your camera!) I loved wandering the long rocky beach on Berchers Bay and finding mounds of shells, broken coral and sponge which had washed ashore. We spent lots of time "hanging out" at Biras Creeks' beautiful protected
beach at Deep Bay and enjoying all the watersports toys.
 Complimentary guest activities include swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing in Deep Bay, plus tennis, puttering a boston whaler round the North Sound, hiking on miles of trails, and simply swinging from a hammock. Biras also offers guided snorkel trips in the North Sound, a very popular activity. We are not serious hikers, but enjoyed strolling some of the pretty pathways on our way to Deep Bay and the main pier to catch the dive boat. While Biras can accommodate 68 guests, the extensive estate provides plenty of room for everyone and allows a sense of privacy. My husband usually windsurfed the crescent cove each afternoon, while I lazily read books and absorbed the vistas.  We spent some mornings exploring "underwater flora and fauna" with Dive
BVI and Kilbride's Underwater Adventures, both located in the North Sound.
We arrived back at the resort in time to stop at our suite and hop on our
bikes for a 4 minute ride (or 10 minute stroll) to Deep Bay, or a short
walk up to the main restaurant for a leisurely lunch.
 We also explored the North Sound area in one of the resort's Boston Whalers and found several deserted beaches and some nice snorkeling spots. As we were motoring back to the resort, the engine suddenly sputtered and died! I was eyeing the oars thinking that maybe we'd have to get in some REAL rowing exercise when Kenny discovered that my foot had knocked the fuel line lose. Easy solution, so he plugged it back together and away we went again!
Biras has telephones which are modem compatible in each suite. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has a FAX machine available for those who might need to stay in contact with the "real world". Satellite television and WiFi are in the pavilion, TIMES-FAXes, one covering U.S. news and the other for U.K. news, are available at breakfast. Electricity is 110 volts; water is provided by a desalinization plant and is quite safe for drinking. We found service at Biras very pleasant and helpful. Seldom did we have
to wait for a menu to appear or a dinner course to arrive. Biras Creek
does not have a flurry of busboys and waiters at every beck and call, but
then, we didn't need them - one prompt and cheerful waitress was more than
enough for us. Staff member Anghel George won the coveted CHA/American
Express Supervisor of the Year Award for 1998 and is a fine example of
the staff who extend gracious hospitality and friendliness. Biras
always has several "General Assistants" called GAs, young energetic "twenty
somethings", who give tours of the resort, and advice about snorkeling
trips at nearby beaches and reefs in the North Sound area.
At additional charge, scuba diving, day sails, sunset cruises, overnight sailing adventures, special snorkel trips, waterskiing, and sport fishing are available. The resort will gladly arrange a day trip to the famous Baths, the distant island of Anegada, Jost Van Dyke home of the Soggy Dollar Bar, a car rental for a trip around Virgin Gorda, or shopping in Road Town, Tortola. Dress is casually elegant in the evening. Beach coverups are worn in the "castle" during the day; for dinner, most men wear slacks and collared shirts (jackets are optional), ladies wear cool dresses or resort slacks and tops. Shorts are not allowed in the dining room after 6 PM. Currency is the U.S. dollar, but Biras also accepts major credit cards.
To enter the British Virgin Islands, all guests will need passports.
HOW TO GET THERE: Several ways... one is to fly into Virgin Gorda airport,
presently served by commuter airlines. A taxi will meet and take guests
to Gunn Creek where a resort launch will provide a short 10 minute ride
to Biras. The best, most direct way is to fly into Beef Island Airport
at Tortola where a resort representative will meet you and arrange your
30 minute boat transfer to Biras.
 You may also fly into St. Thomas and take a late morning or mid-afternoon public ferry on a two and one-half hour cruise through the Virgin Islands - a beautiful trip. Have the resort or your travel agent check the current ferry schedule to plan your connections - be aware that public inter-island ferries do not run in the evening and also have a limited weekend schedule. You may need to overnight in St. Thomas. The ultimate way, of course, is a helicopter ride! They are available from San Juan, St. Thomas, or Tortola. For all our reservations, we use Olson
Travel & Nautical Charters which specializes in Caribbean vacations
- 800-525-8090 or 361-643-4555 or FAX 361-643-6975.
 WHO WOULD ENJOY BIRAS CREEK: vacationers wanting an upscale hide-away
in a picture perfect setting; young lovers who desire privacy and a romantic
atmosphere; executives searching for total tranquillity far away from the
daily rat race; anyone who wants to slow down, relax, and enjoy nature
at its Caribbean finest. It is on the edge of elegance, yet
comfortably casual, friendly, and relaxed.
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 For more information, visit Biras Creek's Web Site at www.biras.com featuring a complete on-line resort brochure with details about vacation packages, rates, and lots of gorgeous photographs. |
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The
resort has cute iguanas which often dart across the paths and trails.
One loves to eat hibiscus flowers and will happily and gently take one
from your hand if you offer one. My husband loved feeding them while
I snapped photos. They are completely harmless.
Rates
include many complimentary activities. Guests simply sign up for these
at the main desk or after breakfast with a General Assistant located in
the bar area. Instruction is provided for watersports such as windsurfing
or sailing sunfish or Hobie Cats if requested.