Legend plays a large part in the history of Norman Island with tales of pirates and treasure caves, although the role of the island as the model for the epic “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson is perhaps the most famous legend of all.  While the island is now uninhabited, farmers have in the past reared cattle there and today the Caves are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the islands. 

Comprising one of the southern islands of the BVI archipelago, Norman Island lies close to the international boundary line separating the British Virgin Islands from the US Virgin Islands.  Tortola, the largest of the BVI's and seat of Government, is seven miles north across the popular sailing waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.  Access to the island is via the international airport at Beef Island or in St. Thomas, USVI with direct flights to the US mainland.  There is a regular ferry service between the USVI and Tortola. 
 

"The topographical meaning of the word "Bight" is an indentation in a coast so wide that it may be sailed out of on one tack in any wind."  (Ashley Book of Knots)		"And thereupon we are entered the cave.  It was a large, airy place, with a little spring and a pool of clear water, overhung with ferns.  The floor was sand."  (Robert Louis Stevenson "Treasure Island")