Anchored off the coast of Jost Van Dyke in White Bay, the floating Ocean Spa BVI is the first of its kind in the British Virgin Islands. “It’s the only spa that I know of where brightly colored tropical fish swim under your massage table,” says Dale Mapp, the spa’s owner and creator.
(This is the 2nd article in our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)
Ocean Spa BVI opened for business in the fall of 2018 but it wasn’t without a few bumps in the road. After 25 years in hospitality industry, Dale initially came up with the idea of a floating spa about 10 years ago. He began to research how to make the idea a reality and began building a version of the floating spa in 2009 on a different island. Unfortunately that one never quite got off the ground.
His dream of building a floating spa remained on his mind and after relocating to the British Virgin Islands, he began building a new structure. Then, in 2017 came Hurricane Irma. Dale had to start his structure from scratch – again, but this time he used salvaged wood, metal and other material left in the wake of the devastating hurricane.
Ocean Spa BVI now rocks gently in the beautiful blue water of White Bay and offers massages in the easy ocean breezes and the gentle waves. Enjoy a Champagne Moonlight Couples Massage , a Private Spa Party or one of the other relaxing offerings.
Although the road to get here was not easy, Dale reflects on the trying times with calmness saying, “Beauty comes in many forms, and out of the most dire circumstances. Storms don’t always come to disrupt our lives – they come to clear a path for us also.”
Gift Certificates are available for purchase! Contact Ocean Spa BVI at (284)340-0772 or email them at [email protected] . Check out their website here: Ocean Spa BVI as well as their Facebook page and Instagram too!
Many locally island owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!
BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
The View and More from Top Of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan
photos courtesy of Ocean Spa BVI
