Love for Bomba continues to grow, unique structure a catch
Bomba Surf Side Shack located in Capoons Bay on Tortola in the VI is well known for its unique structure. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – What has now become an internationally acclaimed beach bar that is frequented by tourists from around the globe, is a reflection of the Virgin Islands’ traditional culture and a consorted effort to continue to keep the culture alive in years to come.
Bomba Surf Side Shack located in Capoon’s Bay on Tortola has been featured on several international websites and magazines, and more recently, it has been rated as one of the top 10 beach bars in the world on AOL Travel website.
“I feel pretty good. I am proud of the advertisement and I feel I can still do more for people that come to the BVI because I am very familiar with the hospitality business,” owner Wellington Callwood Smith famously known as Bomba told VINO in an exclusive interview sitting outside of his beach bar on Friday afternoon June 3, 2011.
Asked what is so unique about his beach bar which first opened in April 1976, Bomba proudly said it is the structure.
The man behind it all - Bomba. Photo: VINO
“The unique part about Bomba Shack is the structure. This is what I grew up with that is why it is like that. It could have been changed a million times but I decide to keep it like this as it’s the tradition of Tortola. Anyone you meet in their 60s used to live like this.”
The owner who is well known for his glowing personality said he is happy that he is the owner of the Shack which brings him world-wide recognition.
“Now it’s paying off for me. I have been able to accommodate the people coming to this island without any fear. It is important for them to have no fear when they come,” he added.
Bomba said he was the first to bring full moon parties to the Virgin Islands. And what started out with five people back in the 80s, has today grown to attract hundreds and is considered the Caribbean’s best full moon party, especially with its unique mushroom tea that is offered at midnight and is said to have a certain impact on the ladies.
“It has grown to what it is today because I have been aware of what tourism means,” said the hospitality manager who related that he has worked for more than 15 years in the hospitality industry in the United States Virgin Islands and New York before starting his own business.
“I like the idea of entertaining the tourists because there are still tourists who don’t understand the concept of the Caribbean and when they come here they are looking for something different,” he explained.
Bomba said he is pleased with all the exposure that he continues to receive for his Shack which some had tried to tear down several years ago, but today it still stands and can help to bring recognition to the Virgin Islands and bolster the tourism industry in its own unique and special way.
Tourists travel from various parts of the world to come to visit Bomba as part of their vacation plan. Photo: VINO
5 Responses to “Love for Bomba continues to grow, unique structure a catch”
BOMBA YOU THE MAN, You started with a theme keep using that but leave the food thing to other vendors who can rent from you. It makes good business. You cannot expect to do everything yourself, be more inclusive of the community. I see too many good businesses start out well, then they confine and come up with all kind of rules and practices that take away from the original theme and the business goes down. e.g. Popeye Service Station had a party every year and people love him for that and that was changed. Quito went from running his own place and loving it and being a party mecca, now he renting the name Quito to others, Music Fest started out as a family fun day on the beach and was inclusive of the community, now it is house in a sheep pen, as well call it and the community have to pay 1000.00 to sell in their own venue, Our Carnival, well our carnival is no longer about our culture and our heritage, it is about the whole world and their culture and their heritage, according to politician ( k. Pickering – look up the article ). The story goes on. So BOMBA if you love your country and your business and the people, keep the business original, The mushroom tea, keep the place safe, keep the place BOMBA and don’t listen to anybody about setting this and that up to make more money. Money will always come to you. KEEP THE BVI PROUD.
Well said
this is a wonderful article good going vino…i love this bar and to see the different states represented
Bomba is one of thoes persons full of $$$$$$. When is the next full moon party? The white boys on Beef Island took that away from you!
Bomba you are the man. Keep the shack going and keep making that pain killer