Sandy Spit

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Sandy Spit
Karibik - Brit. Jungferninseln - Sandy Spit - panoramio.jpg
Sandy Spit in 2012
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Sandy Spit
The location of Sandy Spit within the British Virgin Islands
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Sandy Spit
Sandy Spit (Caribbean)
Geography
Location Caribbean Sea
Coordinates 18°26′59″N64°42′32″W / 18.44972°N 64.70889°W / 18.44972; -64.70889
Archipelago Virgin Islands
Administration
United Kingdom
British Overseas Territory British Virgin Islands
Additional information
Time zone
ISO code VG

Sandy Spit is an uninhabited islet of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, sitting midway between Sandy Cay and Green Cay. It measures less than half an acre in size, and consists entirely of a ring of sandy beach surrounding light foliage. It has the appearance of a classic paradise "desert island" and has been photographed for use in print medium in a number of advertising campaigns. Sandy Spit is a popular stop for day and term boat charters from Tortola, St. Thomas, and St. John. There are no moorings, but the sandy bottom is suitable for anchoring.

Sandy Spit was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Irma. Half the beach is gone as of 12 September 2017.

The island provides habitat for the crested anole (Anolis cristatellus wileyae), and the big-scaled least gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis macrolepis). [1]

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References

  1. Heatwole, Harold; Levins, Richard; Byer, Michael D. (July 1981). Atoll research bulletin - Biogeography of the Puerto Rican bank. Vol. 251. Washington D.C.: The Smithsonian Institution. pp.  53. OCLC   45726059.