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British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are territories of Her Majesty's land, but aside from scattered offerings of fish and chips, there's little that's overtly British. Most travelers come to hoist a jib and dawdle among the 50-plus isles. With steady trade winds, calm currents, protected bays and pirate-ship bars, this is one of the world's sailing hot spots.

Main island Tortola is known for its full-moon parties and sailing prowess. Billionaires and yachties swoon over Virgin Gorda and its magical rocks. Anegada floats in a remote reef and has a hammock waiting for those serious about unplugging. And who can resist little Jost Van Dyke, the ‘barefoot island’ where Main St is a calypso-wafting beach?

The islands have a quirky edge, and despite all the fancy boats and celebrity visitors, they remain relatively undeveloped.

Explore British Virgin Islands

  • The Baths

    This collection of sky-high boulders marks a national park and the BVI’s most popular attraction. The rocks – volcanic-lava leftovers from some 70 million…

  • Sage Mountain National Park

    At 1716ft, Sage Mountain rises higher than any other peak in the Virgin Islands. Seven trails crisscross the surrounding 92-acre park, including the main…

  • C

    Cane Garden Bay

    Cane Garden Bay is probably on the postcard that drew you to the British Virgin Islands. The gently sloping crescent of sand hosts plenty of beachside…

  • S

    Savannah Bay

    A short distance north of the Valley, Savannah Bay features more than a mile of white sand. Except for the beaches of Anegada, no other shore provides…

  • N

    Norman Island

    Since 1843, legend has told that treasure is buried on Norman Island, supposedly the prototype for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It fits the…

  • S

    Spring Bay

    An excellent beach with national-park designation, Spring Bay abuts the Baths to the north. The beauty here is having a Baths-like setting but without the…

  • B

    Brewers Bay

    Shady, tree-lined Brewers has decent snorkeling and a more tranquil scene than you'll find at nearby Cane Garden Bay – possibly because getting here…

  • N

    Necker Island

    Private Necker Island belongs to Richard Branson, famous adventurer and founder of the Virgin Atlantic airline and Virgin Records. About 1 mile north of…

  • S

    Salt Island

    This T-shaped island is a forlorn place. The salt making (which gave the place its name) still goes on, but the RMS Rhone is the big attraction now. The…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout British Virgin Islands.

  • See

    The Baths

    This collection of sky-high boulders marks a national park and the BVI’s most popular attraction. The rocks – volcanic-lava leftovers from some 70 million…

  • See

    Sage Mountain National Park

    At 1716ft, Sage Mountain rises higher than any other peak in the Virgin Islands. Seven trails crisscross the surrounding 92-acre park, including the main…

  • See

    Cane Garden Bay

    Cane Garden Bay is probably on the postcard that drew you to the British Virgin Islands. The gently sloping crescent of sand hosts plenty of beachside…

  • See

    Savannah Bay

    A short distance north of the Valley, Savannah Bay features more than a mile of white sand. Except for the beaches of Anegada, no other shore provides…

  • See

    Norman Island

    Since 1843, legend has told that treasure is buried on Norman Island, supposedly the prototype for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It fits the…

  • See

    Spring Bay

    An excellent beach with national-park designation, Spring Bay abuts the Baths to the north. The beauty here is having a Baths-like setting but without the…

  • See

    Brewers Bay

    Shady, tree-lined Brewers has decent snorkeling and a more tranquil scene than you'll find at nearby Cane Garden Bay – possibly because getting here…

  • See

    Necker Island

    Private Necker Island belongs to Richard Branson, famous adventurer and founder of the Virgin Atlantic airline and Virgin Records. About 1 mile north of…

  • See

    Salt Island

    This T-shaped island is a forlorn place. The salt making (which gave the place its name) still goes on, but the RMS Rhone is the big attraction now. The…

Guidebooks

Learn more about British Virgin Islands

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Caribbean Islands