British Virgin Islands / Special Interests / Eco/Nature

There are not many large land animals in the British Virgin Islands. The most visible is the considerable birdlife and has several bird sanctuaries accessible only by boat. These can be found on West Dog, Great Tobago, Little Tobago and Diamond Cay.  See separate section for Birdwatching. 

On land there is not much to see, and the most numerous species are reptiles. There are many lizards which you will hear scuttling around the dry undergrowth as you pass and see walking all over the ceiling (they are a good thing because they eat the mosquitoes and other insects, of which there are also plenty). There are a few snakes (all non-poisonous), but largest reptile on the islands is the iguana, an endangered species that lives on Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Necker. There is a captive breeding programme on Anegada and Necker. For more information see Eco Conservation.

The most distinctive reptile is probably a tree frog, whose impressive call you will no doubt hear at night. The islanders will usually claim that it is a cricket, but it is in fact a tree frog, called the Virgin Islands bo-peep. It takes its name from its double call (unlike the tree frogs on the islands farther east, which have a longer, single call), which sounds exactly like the words bo-peep. This same call is made by the best known Puerto Rican tree frog, the coquí. You will also see land crabs and hermit crabs that roll into their shell when they hear you coming.

If you go snorkelling you might be lucky enough to see a turtle. They live and breed here, nesting on Anegada and Virgin Gorda. When sailing around the islands you may also see a dolphin, or, if you're really lucky, a school of dolphins, either in the Sir Francis Drake Channel, or en route to Anegada. In springtime humpback whales pass through the BVIs. Their favourite places are just behind Beef Island and to the North East of Virgin Gorda.

National Parks

Sage Mountain National Park - A forest area at Tortola and the BVI’s highest point, on the mountainous ridge, 1716 feet. Dry forest and some greener lusher growth. Trails run through the park, past mahoganies, enormous elephant ears, white cedars, kapok trees, ferns and philodendrons that quiver on the breeze.

The Baths National Park - The Baths are a jumble of extraordinary rocks fronting onto lovely sand that simply don’t belong in this area. They make up a spectacular (and all too visited) series of beaches in the southern tip of the island (and the islands to the south of here). The Protected Area also includes Devil's Bay, which can be reached from the Baths by a series of ladders scaling the boulders and just to the north of the Baths, Spring Bay, which is reached by a separate road and includes a lovely white sand beach.

Gorda Peak - At 1,359 feet, the Peak is Virgin Gorda's highest point. The forest features many indigenous plants including some not found anywhere else. An observation tower at the top offers spectacular views of some of the surrounding islands, including Anegada.

The Wreck of the Rhone Marine Park - A 310 foot Royal Mail Ship, the Rhone, sank off Salt Island in 1867, the victim of a devastating hurricane. Its remains are now home to a variety of corals, fish and other marine life. The Rhone, which was used as the underwater location for the movie, The Deep, has become one of the region's most popular dive spots.

Two other BVI parks well worth visiting are Prickly Pear Island, a sandy isle located in the North Sound off Virgin Gorda and Cam Bay on Great Camanoe, which has a secluded beach and a quiet anchorage. Two additional parks are Dead Chest located off Peter Island and Fallen Jerusalem, an island near the western tip near Virgin Gorda.

You may also be interested in visting our BVI Hiking section.