British Virgin Islands / Beaches

The BVI have many excellent beaches. Almost all have bright white, often fine, sand and many are backed by palms in classic Caribbean style. They vary from active strips with watersports and a backdrop of beach bars to tiny, completely undeveloped coves and spits of bare sand that you reach by dinghy. Some have their own distinctive features, the most famous of which are the beaches in the south of Virgin Gorda. These are characterised by massive boulders. At the Baths, the islands’ most famous beach, the boulders are jumbled on one another, giving creep-throughs and a luminous green light. Other islands, such as Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, Cooper Island and Anegada have picture-perfect beaches that are sometimes deserted and crowded at others.

All beaches in the BVI are public and you are permitted to the high water mark but no farther. Some more remote beaches cannot be reached by car and require a hike. Others, the more popular ones, may be overrun for a few hours by cruise ship passengers. Ask around before going. There are beach bars on many of the beaches, sometimes vendors with a container selling chilled drinks, but others have nothing at all.

Click on the map to see an interactive map of BVI Beaches.

Here is a selection of the best British Virgin Islands beaches...

Tortola 

Tortola’s natural, and nicest, beaches are all on the north side, on the Atlantic Ocean. The south side is largely coral, but a couple of man made ones have appeared recently at Brandywine Bay and Nanny Cay.

The north shore of Tortola faces the Atlantic Ocean. Some of the bays are protected from the really large swells, but you should be aware that during the winter season, the currents can be bad, particularly at the eastern end of the island, and the swimming can be dangerous. Little Apple Bay and Josiah’s Bay, also on the north side of Tortola, do see good breakers, and there are sometimes competitions that draw good international surfers.

Starting at the western tip of the island, heading clockwise:

Smuggler’s Cove (aka Lower Belmont Bay), western tip, north side - A Caribbean classic, a wonderful curve of palm-backed sand at the western tip of Tortola. The road is unpaved but passable. Although nudity is illegal and largely unwelcome in the BVI, people have been known to bathe here ‘au naturel’. Please use your discretion. Occasional vendors but otherwise no facilities.

Long Bay - A lovely mile-long stretch of white sand beach. Long Bay Resort’s cottages and several villas line the seafront. The western end offers greater solitude and good swimming.

Apple Bay - The ‘surfing beach’, home to famous surfer's bar - Bomba's Surfside Shack. Some sand and swimming, but also a small community with restaurants and small places to stay.

Cane Garden Bay - The busiest beach in Tortola, also a thriving community and a popular anchorage. A superb stretch of gently curving, west facing white sand, with watersports, stores, laundry, bars, hotels, and guesthouses/apartments/ villas and beach bars all muscling in on the beachfront. Excellent hangout. The Cane Garden Bay Music Festival features renowned international musicians and attracts thousands during the 3 days of US Memorial Day weekend.

Brewer's Bay - Accessed by an extremely steep drive, but a lovely stretch of sand backed by sea almond and palms. Excellent swimming, with snorkelling on reefs that almost reach the shoreline, and a beach bar to retreat to, with sports television, beach chair and snorkelling equipment rental. Brewer’s Bay also sees occasional outdoor music concerts at a newly-built recreation area on the east end. During north or northwest swells, it can develop an undertow. Ask before swimming.

Josiah's Bay - On the north shore near East End, another favorite of surfers and site of some competitions. A particularly pretty beach with dramatic wave breaks. The undertow can be strong at times.

Lambert Bay or Elizabeth Beach - A wide, palm fringed beach, which can be reached from East End by private road. Home to Lambert Bay Resort, where there is a restaurant, bar and pool. In winter, when there is a north shore swell, the undertow here can be very strong.

Little Bay - A small but wide beach, very private, and which is reached by a very rough road from East End. A north shore swell may produce an undertow here.

Long Bay, Beef Island - Immediately west of the airport, offers calm water, good white sand and quiet seclusion under shade trees, if you aren’t put off by the sound of planes taking off and landing, that is. It is easily accessed via a marked turn-off near the end of the runway, this beach is a good option but not so well known among tourists. It is a popular location for local get-togethers and days out on the beach.

Well Bay, Beef Island - Well protected, calm water with shallow entry to the water suitable for children. Hidden from the average visitor down a lane off the airport access road, a favourite of locals, particularly families with small children.

Trellis Bay, Beef Island - Two bays off the east end of Beef Island, with shallow, protected waters. The main semi-circular bay is a popular anchorage beach consists of several boat docks on the west side, serviced by cafes/bars, gift shop, and store. It is also popular with windsurfers. On the east side, reached by sand road, you will find complete seclusion, very fine sand. The sea bed has turtle grass in places, which makes water entry uncomfortable without shoes.

Guana Island, just offshore at Tortola’s eastern end - White Bay is a stunning stretch of white sand that is the focus of day-time activities for many of Guana Island’s guests. While the beach is available for public use as far as the high tide mark, it is fairly well ‘protected’ by Guana Island staff, to ensure that guests of the hotel on the island are not ‘bothered’. There is one other small and reef protected beach at the south-eastern corner of the island.

The two new beaches on the southern shore of Tortola are:

Nanny Cay, between Road Town and the West End - Nanny Cay Resort has added a beach, with its restaurant, restrooms, pool, windsurfing and volleyball nearby. Sea swimming good, or snorkelling over the coral just off the beach.

Brandywine Bay, between Road Town and East End - Fine white sand dredged for the runway extension at Beef Island Airport. No services, but good protected swimming.

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda’s signature beach is The Baths, with its massive jumble of boulders, and it is truly spectacular. These rocks front the coast right down to the southern tip of the island and there are several beaches there. Head north of Spanish Town and the style of the beach changes completely, into classic stretches of sand and coves with shallow, reef protected waters. All the beaches are on the north shore of the island and they are all public up to the high water mark.

The Baths and Devil's Bay - Recesses of perfect, crystalline blond sand between jumbles of huge boulders, which form a series of spectacular pools and grottoes which flood with sea water, creating an unforgettable setting. Nearby snorkelling is excellent on a calm day. You should take care when swimming off The Baths and Devil's Bay if there is a northern swell, when the waves can be rough and there is a very strong undertow. Some beach facilities, vendors with snorkelling equipment, drinks and t-shirts.

Oil Nut Bay - At the far northern tip of Virgin Gorda, a perfect crescent sweep of coral sand and shallow calm water inside the reef. Popular with boaters and residents for beach barbecues.

Spring Bay - Neighbouring The Baths, has white sand, clear water and good snorkelling.

Trunk Bay - This is a wide sand beach reachable by boat or along a rough path from Spring Bay, another lovely cove backed by huge boulders.

Savannah Bay - North of Spanish Town, off the road to the north of the island, a pretty stretch of white sand with a reef offshore, containing protected water with good snorkeling around the coral heads. Usually you will have the beach to yourself. Head to the eastern end for secluded privacy or snorkeling.

Mahoe Bay - Mahoe Bay beach, another inlet on the western shoreline, a gently curving beach with vivid blue water.

Vixen Point, Prickly Pear, North Sound - A huge stretch of white sand giving onto gin clear shallows, with beach bar, on the south side facing into the North Sound. On the north side, facing the island of Eustacia, is a favorite spot for local boater’s beach cookouts.

Jost Van Dyke

Great Harbour - Main settlement, with the ferry landing, Customs, services, food, and the famous Foxy’s, one of a string of beach bars, Great Harbour is the heart of life on Jost Van Dyke. A thin strip of sand, but due to the boat traffic it is not ideal for swimming, instead a quick dip and a snooze under a shade tree.

White Bay - A Caribbean classic, truly fantastic stretch of sand shelving into superb sea in a score of shades of blue, with a very small hotel and a couple of beach bars. Reached by boat or overland from Great Harbour. White Bay is occasionally invaded by cruise ship passengers and has t-shirts and beach chair vendors on cruise ship days. Check beforehand.

Little Harbour - Small beach on a lagoon-like bay, reached by boat or by taxi from Great Harbour. Has waterside bars for food, drink, and entertainment.

Sandy Cay - A tiny islet off Jost Van Dyke with stunning white sand beach, the archetypal desert island, reachable only by private boat. Sandy Cay may look familiar, as it has been the location of many ‘perfect tropical desert island’ advertising photo and film shoots. Fair snorkelling, no public facilities, some big waves on the northern side.

Green Cay - An improbable circlet of sand with a small stand of palm trees and sea grapes, which can be walked around in less than five minutes. Accessible only by boat, it is well worth a visit, excellent snorkelling slightly offshore on the southwestern side.

Diamond Cay - Tucked away on Jost van Dyke’s eastern tip, a wide white sand beach with little shade. Excellent snorkelling among the mangroves if you are prepared to swim along the shore line to the west.

Peter Island

Deadman's Bay - The heart of Peter Island Resort, a long curve of fine white sand broken by a small outcrop of rocks. The island is private and reserved for the resort, but you can go across by boat or ferry from Baugher’s Bay and spend the day. Beach bar and grill (no picnics). Also snorkelling, watersports.

Buttonwood Bay - A section of white sand in Great Harbour, remote from the Peter Island Resort itself, currently the location of Prospect Reef’s Beach Club, The Lazy Iguana and accessible by daysailer or twice-daily shuttle. Excellent snorkelling nearby, hammocks, watersports, and a restaurant serving lunch.

White Bay - On the south, or ‘back’ side of Peter Island, a calm and usually deserted crescent of white sand reached by private boat or a hike over the hill from the resort, from where guests come to get away too. Good snorkelling.

Norman Island

Money Bay - Only accessible by boat in calm weather, Money Bay is one of the BVI’s best get-away from it all beaches. There is absolutely nothing there apart from a nice stretch of sand and some enjoyable snorkelling on the coral heads.

Cooper Island

Manchioneel Bay  - The heart of Cooper Island and the location of the Cooper Island Beach Club, the only settlement on the island, which hides brightly coloured among the palm trees behind a strip of light brown sand and calm water. Beachfront restaurant/bar and gift shop. It is a popular stop off for day sailors. The snorkelling is excellent at both ends of the bay and by the rocky outcrop known as Cistern Point you may see rays and turtles. Luckily there are no manchioneel trees left. Only accessible by boat.

Anegada

Anegada’s north shore is nearly all beach, and given the lack of development you can expect to roam for miles and hardly see a soul. There are a couple of beach bars, at Loblolly Bay, where there are sun shelters, and at Cow Wreck Bay. Though mostly protected by reef, these beaches can develop a strong current during the winter.

Cow Wreck Bay, West End - A superb stretch of sumptuous sand that goes on forever in either direction. Given the name, there must have been a ship wrecked with a cargo of cattle off this beach in times past, but not even a legend remains of it today. Instead there is an uninterrupted view to the horizon out across the Atlantic. Set well back from the shore is the Cow Wreck Beach Bar.

Bones Bight - A very slight indentation into the long straight coastline, a wild and deserted stretch of white sand, so far unspoiled by the intrusion of construction, with a name to reflect the piracy that once no doubt took place here. Good snorkelling, no facilities.

Loblolly Bay - The most popular of Anegada’s beaches, Loblolly is served by a regular taxi service from Anegada Airport and Anegada Reef Hotel. Unusually for Anegada’s beaches there is shade, provided by sea grape trees and some man-made beach umbrellas. There are limited public facilities in the beach bars.

Pomato Point, southern shore, western end - In the southwest, a very broad beach that lets onto a calm and protected snorkel area of what is known as “patch reefs”. There is a small bar/restaurant that has a room given over to artefacts collected from the many shipwrecks that have occurred around the island.