|
Guana
Island
One of the few remaining privately-owned islands in its part of the
world, Guana has seven white powder-sand beaches and 850 acres of tropical
forest, mountains, hills and valleys. The island is mostly natural preserve and
has a small upscale resort. There are some buoys available but we wanted to get
to Jost Van Dyke. The Island is in the 1000 places book. An idyllic but VERY
expensive get away from it all holiday destination featured in the 1000
places............................. book.
History
In the 18th century, two Quaker families came to Guana as part of what
was called "the Quaker Experiment" which lasted for about forty-five years in
the BVI’s. They used African slaves and cultivated sugar cane. When they were
recalled to the US and England, they left behind two cannons still on Guana
today. Archaeologists have extensively studied the Quaker ruins and have also
unearthed older artifacts that give insight into Guana's earlier Amerindian
history.
Beth and Louis Bigelow of Massachusetts purchased Guana in 1934. With the
help of local men they built six stone cottages and developed a reputation as
creative pioneers. Their guests - professionals, intellectuals and world
travelers - came for months at a time, attracted to the simple but rich
life.
 
Current
Henry and Gloria Jarecki bought Guana in 1975 and began improving
accommodations and other facilities with the goal of maintaining the island's
historic style and ambiance. An interest in conservation led them to establish a
long-term restoration program to protect the island's flora and fauna and bring
back once-common species.
Scientists say that Guana has more flora and fauna than any island of its
size yet studied in the Caribbean and possibly the world. The restoration program has brought extirpated
species back to Guana and other Virgin Islands. The stout iguana had survived
only on Anegada but now flourishes on Guana and lives on other islands as well.
Other plant and animal species that have been restored and protected include the
red-legged tortoise, the Bridled Quail-dove, the Caribbean flamingo, the
White-crowned Pigeon, Egger’s mallow, the Virgin Islands euphorbia, Hohenberg's
ground bromeliad and a unique bromeliad found nowhere
else.
Guana also has three reef areas. White Bay is a set of parallel patch
reefs in shallow water, where there are no strong waves or currents. The reefs
are home to about one hundred tropical reef fishes, fan corals and the various
species of hard corals. Muskmelon Bay is a deep bay with reefs at sixty to
eighty feet. Large, oceanic fishes like tuna and king mackerel may be seen
there. North Bay is a windward, rough-water bay with deep reefs and
wrecks.
ALL IN ALL A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND - VERY MUCH
HOW YOU PICTURE THE
CARIBBEAN
| 
