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Taking It Easy Where It's Breezy

Glittering in the Caribbean sun, the British Virgin Islands offer a haven for winter-ravaged sailors and sun worshipers. Here, where buccaneers once sailed, a constant trade wind entices weekend salts to cast off the lines and set out in search of hidden coves, caves and cays. They might also discover unexpected treasure: the latest in swimwear. To your left, Christie Brinkley has a long, cool one in the lee of the Indians, a rocky outcropping off Tortola, in her barely-there bikini—aptly named "the half-moon"—by Norma Kamali for OMO ($45). "Many customers asked for suits that would leave as few strap marks as possible," says the designer. Another Kamali bikini decorates the cover ($40).

Christie has a nautical look as she stands watch by the dawn's early light in a cotton singlet, bikini bottom and snappy suspenders, all by Norma Kamali for OMO ($35).

Bathed in pale sunlight after a tropical storm has passed, Irina Gerasimenko emerges from the translucent waters off Virgin Gorda in a side-wrapped, fishnet-and-Lycra suit from Monika Tilley for Elon ($49).

Spinnaker flying is a fun way to get dunked. Irina takes in the action at Virgin Gorda's Bitter End Yacht Club in a T-back Lycra maillot that echoes a spinnaker's pattern. It's also by Monika Tilley for Elon ($48).

Sunning on her Sunfish, Christie gets a maximum tan in a very minimum cotton bikini from Betsey Johnson ($40). The Day-Glo straps give Christie added visibility—as if she needs it.

Irina takes a break from the sun on a cool, wind-and-wave-worn shelf at The Baths, a collection of enormous sculptured boulders on Virgin Gorda. Her bikini is by Kamali for OMO ($45).

Just a swing at twilight for Bernadette Swann as she takes 10 in a cove at the Bitter End. Her suit is by Maggie Reese for Cole of California ($28).

Like a firefly at dusk, Christie (left) glows on Virgin Gorda. Her Lycra swimsuit sheathed in clear sequins is by Leah Gottlieb for Gottex ($120).

At the Peter Island Hotel and Yacht Harbour, Jocelyn Javits (right) reflects by poolside in her diagonally divided Lycra suit from Gottex ($46).

Two more delicious views of Gottex sequins are found among the caves and grottoes at The Baths. Irina looks in the pink, while Bernadette shimmers alluringly.

A tropical night, promising rendezvous. Jasmine in the air. H.M.S. Ambuscade ablaze in Road Harbour. The diesels of Captain Clifford John's Bertram thrumming. Jocelyn aglitter in Gottex sequins. Meanwhile...

TWELVE PHOTOS

JOHN G. ZIMMERMAN