Anegada - BVI: Background information when reading Sun, Sand, Murder

Anegada - BVI

This article relates to Sun, Sand, Murder

Set on the remote British Virgin Island (BVI) of Anegada, Sun, Sand, Murder is a mystery novel that owes much to its setting.

Anegada is the northernmost island of the BVI archipelago chain (click map for larger image). Of the inhabited islands, Anegada is the only one made of coral and limestone, instead of being volcano-created like the other BVIs. Anegada is approximately ten miles in length and two and half miles at its widest part. Its highest point is only 28 feet above sea level, which is how it got its name, "tierra anegada" meaning flooded land in Spanish.

Anegada has a small population of fewer than 300 residents. It has one school where approximately seventy students, from primary to secondary level, attend classes. Most of the population is concentrated in an area known as The Settlement. The economy is supported through tourism dollars and the fishing industry.

According to The British Virgin Islands tourism website, Anegada is home to many fauna and flora: "A variety of wildlife special to the Virgin Islands area thrive on Anegada, including loblolly, frangipani, turpentine trees, feathery sea lavender and wild orchids. On the nature trail at Bones Bight, catch a glimpse of the rare rock iguanas native to the island, or discover the exotic birds at Nutmeg Point." The island is also home to feral cattle, donkeys, goats, and sheep.

Many secluded, sandy beaches with fanciful names dot the shoreline of Anegada. They include Cow Wreck Beach in the northern part of the island, Pearl Point to the west, and Loblolly Bay to the east. The calm and quiet of the beaches draw many snorkelers and scuba divers. Part of the snorkeling attraction is to see the shipwrecks of several Spanish, American, and British ships that are hundreds of years old. There are also rumors of buried treasure connected to pirate lore, but that appears to be mostly just oral tradition.

Due to its remoteness, Anegada is only accessible by water via private boat or ferries that run thrice-weekly. The island also has a small airport, Auguste George, which is located in the island center.

Anegada, courtesy of BVI Tourism
Map of Anegada
Aerial view of Anegada

Filed under Places, Cultures & Identities

This article relates to Sun, Sand, Murder. It first ran in the October 5, 2016 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.