Guana Island
Definitely one of our favorite islands in the BVI.The entire island is about 850 acres and its highest point is 806 feet high. Guana Island is a private high end eco resort, but it is still possible to enjoy it from on the water. Guana Island has the richest fauna known for an island of its size in the Caribbean. It has over 50 species of birds commonly spotted there, 14 species of reptiles and amphibians, 4 species of bats and over 125 species of fish in its waters. In addition Guana Island has a total of 5 beaches and several anchorages with a varying degree of availibility. Guana Island is also now a wildlife sanctuary and bird preserve.
Guana Island, the seventh largest island in the chain, is named for its iguna-shaped rock formation on its northwestern coast. In the 18th century, Guana Island was occupied by Quaker families who raised cotton. Nowadays, Guana Islands resort main house is built on the ruins of a Quaker estate and there are still Quaker walls, sugar mills, cannons and other ruins around the island. When the Quakers departed, ownership reverted locally. Guana Island was purchased in 1935 by the Bigelow's of Massachusetts from the Frett and Shirley families of Roadtown. Apparently they spent their first year living in a tent and rowing supplies back and forth from Roadtown!! One interesting bit of trivia is that at one time, just after the second world war, they owned one of the only 2 power boats in the BVI, which had been shipped down in pieces in boxes and then assembled here! They constructed the islands first cottages and their guests would come for months at a time to enjoy the beauty of this island. In 1975 Guana Island was purchased by the Jarecki family who have not only continued to improve the island, but also turned it into a nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary. They have had a long term project in place to restore some of the islands flora and fauna, and have reestablished species such as the Caribbean roseate flamingo, the Anegada Iguana, the red-legged tortoise and the white-crowned pigeon.
