British Virgin Islands Things To Do

There are about 50 islands and cays in the BVI, many of them uninhabited. Tortola is the main island; other islands include Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada. Uninhabited cays, mountainous islands, low-key atmosphere and beautiful scenery, the British Virgin Islands are on any sailor's must-do list.

Great for: sailing and diving
Location: British Overseas Territory
Population: 21,000
Size: 59 sq miles
Capital city: Road Town
Airport: Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Beef Island, EIS
Language: English
Currency: USD
Time Zone: UTC -4
Area code: 284

Did you know?
The first European sighting of the Virgin Islands was by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the Americas. Columbus gave them the fanciful name 'Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins', shortened to 'The Virgins'. Even though the official name of the Territory is simply the 'Virgin Islands', in practice since 1917 they have been referred to as the 'British Virgin Islands' to distinguish them from the American Territory.

The annual BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival in April is attracting many sailors. Seven days of fun with two great events in one, racing and partying through the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

The Baths at Virgin Gorda is the BVI's most popular tourist attraction. It is a collection of giant boulders at the seaside where the rocks form a series of grottoes that flood with seawater. Especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Also good for snorkeling.

Scubadive on one of the Caribbean's most famous shipwreck off Salt Island. The RMS Rhone crushed against the rocks off Salt Island during a hurricane in 1867.

Attractions

Diving & Snorkeling

Beaches

BVI Attractions:

The Baths - The Baths at Virgin Gorda is the BVI's most popular tourist attraction. It is a collection of giant boulders at the seaside, brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions, where the rocks form a series of grottoes that flood with seawater. It's especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset and its a great spot for snorkeling too.

Callwood Distillery - Visit one of the last historic rum distilleries in the British Virgin Islands.

Fort Burt, Tortola - Built by the Dutch in the early 17th century to safeguard Road Harbor, Fort Burt sits on a hill at the western edge of Road Town offering fantastic views of the harbor.

The Dogs - This cluster of small islands is a favorite destination for yachters who enjoy its clear waters and abundant marine life.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling:

Spring Bay - This magnificent Virgin Gorda beach is adjacent to The Baths. It's a great place for snorkeling.

RMS Rhone - The RMS Rhone is one of the Caribbean's most famous shipwrecks off Salt Island. The Rhone sank in a hurricane in 1867.

The Chikuzen - Another popular wreck is the Chikuzen, which sunk in 1981 after catching fire. It drifted through the British Virgin Islands before finally sinking 12 miles north of Scrub Island.

Blonde Rock - This underwater pinnacle, a popular dive site, contains tunnels, arches and ledges inhabited by a variety of marine life including large French Angels, Parrotfish and spiny lobsters.

White Bay - This secluded, half-mile white sandy beach has reefs close to shore, which makes a great place for underwater exploring.

Smugglers Cove - A fantastic beach with decent snorkeling, pristine white sands, and amazing views and waters.

Anegada Island - Anegada is completely surrounded by shallow reefs, and has become the main point of underwater diving due to the many historic shipwrecks that litter the island's underwater depths.

"Wreck Alley" - Wreck Alley is a collection of shipwrecks, deliberately sunk to provide an attraction for scuba divers just off Cooper Island.

BVI Beaches:

Long Bay - This is the most secluded but also the most beautiful beach on Virgin Gorda.

Savannah Bay - The beach at Savannah Bay is long with plenty of space and fantastic sand.

Sandy Cay - This small island west of Tortola is prized for its pristine white-sand beaches.

Brewers Bay - Brewers Bay is a beautiful beach area on Tortola's north shore, protected by boulder-strewn barrier reefs, making it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

• All Americans are required to present a passport to enter and re-enter the United States.
• Non-U.S. citizens, please contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country to which you are traveling to determine your entry/visa requirements.
• Passport, visa and travel advisory information may be found at the U.S. Department of State's British Virgin Islands pages. Although most travel to international destinations is completed without incident, Caribbean-TravelDeals.com urges passengers to review travel prohibitions, warnings, announcements and advisories prior to booking.