British Virgin Islands / Beach bars

The beach bars are one of the best features in the BVI. There is almost one in every bay, and many are classically cool Caribbean hangouts, a shed beneath the palm trees on a lonely stretch of sand. A perfect place to retreat to after the heat of the beach.

Of course they are also a classic stopover for yachts and you will find beach bars in several of the remote islands (Norman Island, Cooper Island and Prickley Pear in the North Sound, and shoulder to shoulder on Great Bay on Jost Van Dyke). You can sail from bay to bay, snorkelling, stopping for lunch and then, after anchoring up in the afternoon, catching the sunset form a rickety shack. It is Caribbean perfection.

Please see below for our BVI beach bar recommendations and listings.

Tortola

In Cane Garden Bay on Tortola the beach bars stand almost cheek by jowl. Some offer watersports equipment, but they all offer a retreat from the heat of the beach.

De Wedding, Cane Garden Bay - At the western end of the bay, slightly removed from the main action, a nice retreat for a quiet drink.

Rhymer’s, Cane Garden Bay - Painted a brilliant shade of pink, Rhymers has quite a cavernous atmosphere of a modern concrete deck. It offers the standard range of bar fare and simple plates of food.

Big Banana, Cane Garden Bay - The name is improbable, but the bar is a popular hangout for locals going to Cane Garden Bay, also a retreat from the heat of the sun. A varied but predictable menu, reasonable food and the occasional live band.

Myetts, Cane Garden Bay - Set back in the trees overlooking the beach, a good view from upstairs, live music frequently on weekend evenings.

Stanley’s Welcome Bar, Cane Garden Bay - Sandwiched between Myetts and Elm’s Beach Bar, Stanley’s is one of the BVI’s oldest beach bars. With plastic flowers jammed in sand-filled jam-jars, perched on oil-cloth tables it is unassuming, but worth a stop. With quiet and friendly service it is a haven on Tortola’s busiest beach.

Quito’s, Cane Garden Bay - A Caribbean classic, wooden decks overlooking the sand and yachts at anchor. Live music in the evenings but a good retreat by day.

Brewer’s Bay Beach Bar - A simple concrete deck set above the beach, with a view through the sea almond trees onto Brewers Bay. Simple fare, cold beer, soft drinks.

Cyber Cafe, Trellis Bay - Waterfront internet bar/cafe with good local food. Home of the monthly Fireball Full Moon Parties.

De Loose Mongoose, Trellis Bay - Tucked away at the top of the beach, a small bar under the palms and the Loose Mongoose itself where you can get food.

Marina Cay - Tiny island stopover where you can spend the day hanging out. There is a small beach, beach bar and snorkelling gear.

Virgin Gorda

There are not really any beach bars in Virgin Gorda - at The Baths, there are a couple of stalls selling suncream and cold drinks - but there is a cracking retreat at Prickly Pear Cay in the North Sound, a shed with watersports and food on a superb strip of sand.

The Sandbox, Prickly Pear Island - A bar and restaurant on a simply superb strip of sand. Classic 'castaway' for people on boats and visitors from nearby resorts. You should avoid it when a cruise ship is in Spanish Town.

Buttonwood Bay, Peter Island - A beach bar tucked away in Buttonwood Bay. Only accessible by boat. It is most popular for lunch, but there are some secure overnight moorings.

Norman Island

Pirates Bight - In The Bight, the major harbour at Norman Island (home also to the Willy T). Wooden structure with a tin roof right on the beach. Can get lively.

Jost Van Dyke

Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke is literally lined with beach bars. The most notable is Foxy’s . There are several others on Great Harbour including Ali Baba and Happy Laurry’s, but people also speak highly of Corsairs.

Foxy's - An island institution with hammocks slung between the palms, bench tables in the sand and live music, sometimes by Foxy himself. Often a good crowd, can be great fun. Foxy’s Taboo, set on Diamond Cay at the east end of the island, with a view out to Sandy Spit is a bit lower key

Soggy Dollar, White Bay - A superb stretch of white sand, next one to the west, you will find the Soggy Dollar, a classic Caribbean bar overlooking the water.

Anegada

Cow Wreck Beach, West End - A modern building set on a curved strip of excellent sand, friendly welcome for a day out on the endless sand.

The Big Bamboo, Loblolly Bay - A classic West Indian beach bar. Benches and tables undercover for food, lunch and dinner, with good West Indian fare on the menu. Bar on the sand. There are limited public facilities.

Flash of Beauty, Loblolly Bay - A small beach/bar restaurant offering a limited range of choices, at the easternmost point of Loblolly Bay, a more isolated and peaceful spot than its neighbour.