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Tortola Full Moon Party and Mushroom Tea
Tortola’s sandy beaches come alive when the moonlight illuminates, with rum punch and island music filling the air while reckless partyers donate bras and panties for decoration – this is known as Tortola’s Full Moon Party at Bomba’s in Capoons Bay – not for children but definitely adults only!
1. Mrs. Scatliffs
Many vendors in the BVI offer “magic” mushrooms. Although technically not magic, they do contain psychoactive properties that some find enjoyable. Although there may be controversy regarding mushroom vendors’ presence at full moon parties or even regular nights when weather permits; mushroom vendors remain an enjoyable way to pass time; just make sure not to consume too many!
Margaret “Muggs” Virum and Irene Scatliff were two “A” students with similar learning interests that led to a life-long friendship. Sharing passions such as books, teaching, politics, child education and politics they remained connected throughout their lives with letters and visits – you can discover even more by researching historical records here on MyHeritage!
2. Bomba’s
Bomba’s is a quirky beach bar shack in Capoons Bay on Tortola’s north side, known for hosting wild Full Moon Parties throughout the Caribbean. Built piecemeal from random bits of debris donated by reckless revelers and decorated with bras and panties donated by reckless revelers, its walls become packed with drunken tourists from St John, Jost Van Dyke, yachters who rowed dinghys ashore, while reggae music fills up the dancefloor while an immense cast-iron kettle simmers psychedelic mushroom tea for all.
Bomba is the founder and proprietor of The Shack; his quiet demeanor belies considerable entrepreneurial acumen. Beginning by selling beers from coolers to surfers in the early ’70s, then moving onto barbecuing and serving drinks at the beach bar he created; eventually this become a destination for locals as well as luxury sailing charter passengers eager to experience authentic island culture.
On Full Moon Party nights at Bomba, guests enjoy sipping rum punch and dancing to reggae music on an informal dancefloor. At midnight (exclusive to Full Moon nights), Bomba serves a mushroom tea made with coconut milk, cinnamon and “psychedelic mushrooms”. Although Tortola has stringent marijuana laws and drug regulations in place, these indigenous psychoactive fungi are perfectly legal despite any regulations against their importation into Cuban cigars.
As part of our 2010 trip to the BVI’s, we attended Bomba’s Full Moon Party. Although we didn’t try their psychedelic tea, we enjoyed both its party atmosphere and stunning view of Jost Van Dyke from its bar. Additionally, Pusser’s restaurant offered us delicious food. If you prefer more relaxed drinking experiences then taking a taxi or cab ride may take you closer to more laidback bars on Jost Van Dyke such as Foxy’s, Ivan’s, Alibabas or Soggy Dollar are available.
3. Trellis Bay
Trellis Bay is an energetic social center on Tortola’s northern shore, famed for hosting its Full Moon beach party each month. Here you will find popular bars and restaurants as well as unique arts shops selling souvenirs. Just a short distance away from both Tortola airport and nearby islands on ferries, Trellis Bay makes finding fun things to do easy!
Trellis Bay Market is an ideal stop to stock up your boat during a visit to the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Established by Penn family patriarchs decades ago, this mini-market offers everything you need for your bareboating adventure – ice, water, fresh meats/vegetables and dry goods for pick up or delivery – at competitive rates. They even offer online provisioning!
Trellis Bay offers plenty of bars and restaurants that provide drinks and food along the beachfront, from delicious jerk chicken or pork at De Loose Mongoose to quick bites at Bomba’s. And for nightlife enthusiasts looking for some late-night fun make sure you visit around Full Moon party time at Bomba’s where they serve their legendary “mushroom tea.”
At a Full Moon party you’ll experience music, dancing and an authentic West Indian BBQ on the beach with Mucko Jumbies (people on stilts). When darkness falls the bay will come alive with giant metal fireballs illuminating its night sky – truly spectacular sight!
If you plan on attending the Full Moon party, make sure that you reserve a mooring ball early – they tend to fill up quickly on event days! Anchoring can also be possible but may prove riskier due to strong winds and ferry traffic.
4. Paradise Club
Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay on the northern side of Tortola island is always vibrant, but particularly so during its monthly full moon party. Revelers clad in colorful attire dance to live music while firepits and tiki torches light up the sandy beach. More daring revellers may also try psychoactive mushroom tea (legal in BVI’s), said to enhance their experience; this beverage brewed from local fungi should only be taken in small doses as its effects may diminish over time; guests have access to several alcoholic beverages as well.