Since Christopher Columbus encountered the Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, waves of visitors have followed his lead and sailed through this precious chain of more than 40 islands, islets and cays in the Caribbean Sea.

The Spanish made several attempts to settle here, but the first permanent inhabitants were 17th century pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd.

Author Robert Louis Stevenson helped bring Caribbean piracy to the world’s attention with his famous novel, Treasure Island, and Peter Island Resort and Spa – the largest private island in the British Virgin Islands — is rich with swashbuckling history.

Just a 20-minute power boat ride from the archipelago’s largest island Tortola, it’s here that Blackbeard marooned 15 men on Dead Chest Cay — a large rock out at sea.

Those who couldn’t swim, so the legend goes, were washed up on Peter Island’s Deadman’s Beach, a quintessential Caribbean beach with a sweeping arc of fine white sand and swaying palms.

Today, Peter Island Resort & Spa have exclusive use of the island. Our Beach Front junior suite offered a panoramic view of its famous turquoise waters which have become a playground for sailors, adventurers and the jet-set.

Peter Island Resort began life as a hangout for wealthy holidaymakers in the late Sixties.

  • Getting there

Kuoni offer seven nights on room only at Peter Island Resort & Spa, British Virgin Islands in an ocean view room, including flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick and transfers in resort. The price for June 2013 is from £1,686 pp, based on two sharing (0130 674 7008; www.kuoni.co.uk). Regional domestic flights with BA are from £130 pp.

Sam Wylie-Harris