Our top twenty favorite sights in the BVI

Spectacular exploring, hiking, and diving among giant granite boulders unexpectedly piled at the water’s edge.

The only BVI island that is coral as opposed to volcanic on origin; well worth the short sail for spectacular beaches without tourists.

Anegada is a gem which is well off the normal charter boat’s path. With relatively few visitors, most charter boat sailors are arguably missing the best beach in the BVI and, on that beach, the best beach bar in the BVI. Cow Wreck Bay got its name from ships carrying cattle that went aground and sunk in the bay. The white sand beach is often nearly devoid of people and allows privacy and miles of walking if you choose. The water is very shallow near shore with a perfect sand bottom. This is the beach it seems you always see on postcards and is a perfect place for children as well as adults.

The Cow Wreck Beach Bar and Restaurant is similarly idyllic and it is often thought to be the best in the British Virgin Islands. It has great drinks, conch fritters, and lobster salad sandwiches that seem to taste even better on that perfect beach. You will be board on the other side of the island (not far as the seagull flies), so you’ll have to catch a taxi to this not-to-be-missed spot.

RMS Rhone sank off the coast of Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands on 29 October 1867 in a hurricane, killing 123 people. It’s a remarkable dive and snorkeling spot.

The center of night life, restaurants, and drinking spots on Tortola. Well worth the visit, but don’t expect deserted beaches. Don’t miss the Rum distillery!

Smuggler’s Cove is located west end of Tortola and at one end of cane Garden Bay. The beach here is beautiful and tends to be less crowded than other Tortola beaches. There is a beach bar and snack stand nearby. Snorkeling is excellent.

The Bight is one of the most protected anchorages in the BVI. 3 water-level caves at the base of cliffs just outside the western edge of The Bight are rumored to be the basis of Treasure Island. Spectacular snorkeling. The Indians nearby also have great snorkeling.

Spectacular beach, good anchorage, great nightspots on shore. What more could you ask. Be sure to hit Foxy’s and Sidney’s Peace and Love one bay to the East.

We love Foxy’s Firewater rum (his special libation) and the social atmosphere here. The jerk chicken wings are some of the best we’ve had. Foxy’s wife runs a boutique selling unique island clothing and beach wear.

Cooper Island Beach Club combines an excellent restaurant with accommodation and a gift shop. We always think of conch fritters whenever we think of Cooper Island. The restaurant has great ambience and is open air with great views. You can enjoy your drinks under the palm trees on a small but scenic beach next to the restaurant. Cooper Island is quite near the wreck of the Rhone for snorkeling and diving. Dive tour operators will happily meet you here to take you to the Rhone and to provide snorkeling and diving lessons as needed.

Sydney’s Peace and Love is a British Virgin Islands institution at Little Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. Sydney’s is known for its honor bar (you make your own drinks as strong as you want) which you simply record in a ledger on the bar. Lobster is caught fresh daily and is amazing. Other food is served as well (seafood, ribs, etc.). Great place to hang out for the afternoon. You can place your lobster order early. Be prepared for a wait for dinner; just enjoy your wait! DJ music and dancing in the evening.

The North sound on Virgin Gorda should not be missed. It is a large, very well protected anchorage surrounded by resorts and restaurants. Because of the number of resorts, there are many onshore and water sports activities available. This is also the home of Sir Richard Branson’s private Necker Island and the Saba Rock Resort, which we found to be a good place to take on fuel and water. We’ve often enjoyed the afternoon in a freshwater swimming pool (usually gratis with the purchase of lunch or drinks) as a welcome relief from salt water. There is also hiking available on Virgin Garda and the smaller islands in the North sound. We’ve enjoyed the hike over the top of Mosquito Island to Honeymoon Beach; you will see thousands of hermit crabs of every size and shape surprisingly far from the sea as you make this hike.

Another spectacular beach without a lot of people. A convenient stop on your sail to North Sound.

Sandy Spit is the idyllic picture of what an island should look like. It’s easy to slip anchor here, so pay attention. Romantic pictures are a natural here. Stop here on your way to Sidney’s or Foxy’s to overnight.

Great stop for dinner and drinks. Close to the Rhone, so this is a good place to overnight before a dive. Take a mooring as holding and protection are not great.

Mount Sage Park is named for the highest peak on Tortola. It contains a semi-rain forest and rises to a height of just over 1700 feet. You can hike in the park (there are a number of trails), including up to the peak, which has spectacular views.

Peter Island is best known for the Peter Island Resort and Spa. The island is family-owned and the Resort and Spa, occupying approximately 300 of Peter Island’s 1800 acres, is really the only thing on the island. It is upscale and quite nice. There are a couple other anchorages where you can spend the day if you don’t want to be around the resort itself.

The Dogs is one of the more famous dive sites the British Virgin Islands. Dive sites include The Chimney, with a natural archway covered with colorful sponges and orange cup corals. Another popular dive site is a large coral reef and the wreckage of an inter-Island commuter plane. There are a number of other dives available at The Dogs; dive companies are more than happy to meet you here and supply you with the needed air and equipment.

Snorkeling at Monkey Point has been compared to snorkeling in an aquarium because of the coral and the number and variety of fish. Snorkeling is especially good along the rock walls on either side of the moorings. Anchoring is prohibited to prevent damage to the coral, so it’s a good idea to arrive early to get a National Park Trust mooring.

Named “The Indians” because they were thought to resemble (from afar) Native American head dresses. The Indians is the second most popular dive site in the British Virgin Islands (after the Wreck of the Rhône). Snorkeling is also excellent in the shallower portions. The Indians, like The Dogs, are uninhabited, relatively small rocks, so don’t plan on going ashore there. The Indians are near the bight on Norman Island (and the famous cave), so we usually combine a short trip to The Indians with overnighting in The Bight.