Whether you would love spending your time lounging at a sugary, alabaster-white beaches, scuba diving in crystal-clear waters and shipwreck dive spots, shopping, discovering places that feel like a slice of heaven, or set sails for any of the 60+ cays that form the British Virgin Islands (BVI), you won’t be disappointed. Whatever fills your heart with utmost joy and bliss is definitely waiting for you at the BVI. Below are just some of the places to visit in the beautiful Caribbean destination, among the myriads more sitting patiently to bedazzle you with their unique appeal.
Road Town (Tortola)
Strolling the picturesque streets of Instagram-perfect Road Town feels like a walk in a fairy tale story. Lined with colourful wooden houses in adorable pastel hues, the narrow alleys of the seat of the BVI government will leave you with a sweet, romantic taste in the mouth as you pass by the stunning red-roofed West Indian buildings, the Botanic Gardens, and local landmarks such as St. John’s Anglican Church, Her Majesty’s Prison, Crafts Alive Villa (a popular waterfront shopping spot), Trellis Bay, Soper’s Hole, and Pussers Landing pub, an unmissable pit-stop for English-style entertainment. Although not as glitzy as other of its Caribbean siblings, Road Town will definitely capture your heart, one way or another.
Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery (Tortola)
For travellers wanting to return home with a piece oozing authentic Caribbean dash this is the perfect place to visit. Although not a major tourist attraction, it is definitely a quaint boutique with an impressive variety of items with a local flair, including Caribbean art trinkets, souvenirs, spices, herbs, seasonings, sweets, jams, and sauces. You may also peruse sculptures, kitchen tools, soap, lotions, iced teas, and coffee. You will find it in Road Town on the island of Tortola (on Main Street).
Cane Garden Bay (Tortola)
Sitting on the northern shores of Tortola, Cane Garden Bay is the beating heart of Tortola and the centre of all activity. While here, you can spend the day swimming in the emerald waters, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, or enjoying some great fresh seafood. And, after the sun slips behind the horizon, the bay lights up, welcoming visitors with thrumming bars and live music wafts, offering plenty of opportunities to have fun and dance the night away at Myett’s, Elm, Quinto’s Gazebo, and other vibrant beach bars.
Tip: To enjoy your time at Cane Garden Bay the most, do consider coming either early in the morning to find a nice, private spot on the sand or when there are no cruise ships in the port to avoid the cruise crowds that roll in and often swarm the place.
Jost Van Dyke Island
Add this to your must-visit list for incredible Caribbean island vibes that are epitomised at places like White Bay and Great Harbour with beach bar hopping endeavours and delicious cocktails, such as the infamous Painkiller that is served at the popular The Soggy Dollar – a top bar not only in the British Virgin Islands but the entire Caribbean.
And, as you explore the impressive beach bar scene at Jost Van Dyke island, you may also want to visit Gertude’s, Seddy’s One Love, Coco Loco, and other lively places along the lively anchorage of White Bay. As for Great Harbour thrills, a visit to Foxy’s will reward you with lots of music, dancing, great food, signature cocktails featuring tasty local rum, indescribable fun, and an unbeatable island character.
Virgin Islands Maritime Museum (Tortola)
If you feel like spoiling the history buff inside you, then this museum is your dream fulfilment. Located in Tortola, within the H Lavity Stoutt Community College, it excites visitors with fantastic displays dating back to the 18th century showcasing the British Virgin Islands’ maritime history. Founded in 2005, it is a popular pole of attraction highlighting the country’s cultural tradition of creating charming BVI wooden boats (hand-crafted), while also displaying and demonstrating the tools that are used along the process.
Callwood Rum Distillery (Tortola)
As expected, the majority of British Virgin Islands’ attractions are squeezed in Tortola island, the largest and most cosmopolitan of the four main islands that make up the BVI. And, since rum is believed to have been born in the BVI, it is no wonder that one of the oldest rum distilleries is on this island. Founded by the Arundel family, Callwood Rum Distillery (near Cane Garden Bay) has been producing great white and dark rum since the 17th century using sugar cane grown in the surrounding area and the traditional pot distillation procedure. Feel free to sample their rum in a fantastic cave-like environment and grab your own bottle of rum for your return trip.
Tip: You may complete this venture with a visit to Myett’s Garden Grille and give your palate the pleasure to taste superb Caribbean cuisine while sitting near the edge of the water!
Trellis Bay for a Full Moon Party
While vacationing in the British Virgin Islands, you will realise that there are numerous opportunities to celebrate life, and more beach parties than one can count. The great thing about it is that there is no specific location that hosts the most legendary festivals and events as they are spread across the entire British Virgin Islands. However, if you had to pick one type of beach party, we would recommend choosing a full moon celebration. Although the most notorious place to salute the full moon was Bomba’s Shack, the 2017 hurricane destroyed it almost in its entirety - chances are it will be resurrected shortly, though.
If this is not the case, though, worry not, as Trellis Bay is the next best thing. Situated in the east of the island, it offers sublime festivities, although primarily family-oriented. For crazier situations that involve lots of music, fires burning in colossal metal sculptures, stilt dancers in neon pink and lime costumes, and tea-drinking ceremonies to gain the purportedly mystic attributes of the tea, then Paradise Club at Cane Garden is just perfect.
Norman Island Caves
The geological formations at the Caves are a marvel of their own. Occupying a prestigious spot at Privateer Bay, they are dreamy for snorkelling adventures. Accessible only by boat, the Norman Island Caves are also a supreme spot for night diving, especially if you flirt with the idea of swooping deeper into the imposing caves. However, since this is one of the most popular attractions in the entire British Virgin Islands, it is advised to visit the Caves early in the morning to avoid the large crowds that arrive later in the day.
Whether you would love spending your time lounging at a sugary, alabaster-white beaches, scuba diving in crystal-clear waters and shipwreck dive spots, shopping, discovering places that feel like a slice of heaven, or set sails for any of the 60+ cays that form the British Virgin Islands (BVI), you won’t be disappointed. Whatever fills your heart with utmost joy and bliss is definitely waiting for you at the BVI. Below are just some of the places to visit in the beautiful Caribbean destination, among the myriads more sitting patiently to bedazzle you with their unique appeal.
Road Town (Tortola)
Strolling the picturesque streets of Instagram-perfect Road Town feels like a walk in a fairy tale story. Lined with colourful wooden houses in adorable pastel hues, the narrow alleys of the seat of the BVI government will leave you with a sweet, romantic taste in the mouth as you pass by the stunning red-roofed West Indian buildings, the Botanic Gardens, and local landmarks such as St. John’s Anglican Church, Her Majesty’s Prison, Crafts Alive Villa (a popular waterfront shopping spot), Trellis Bay, Soper’s Hole, and Pussers Landing pub, an unmissable pit-stop for English-style entertainment. Although not as glitzy as other of its Caribbean siblings, Road Town will definitely capture your heart, one way or another.
Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery (Tortola)
For travellers wanting to return home with a piece oozing authentic Caribbean dash this is the perfect place to visit. Although not a major tourist attraction, it is definitely a quaint boutique with an impressive variety of items with a local flair, including Caribbean art trinkets, souvenirs, spices, herbs, seasonings, sweets, jams, and sauces. You may also peruse sculptures, kitchen tools, soap, lotions, iced teas, and coffee. You will find it in Road Town on the island of Tortola (on Main Street).
Cane Garden Bay (Tortola)
Sitting on the northern shores of Tortola, Cane Garden Bay is the beating heart of Tortola and the centre of all activity. While here, you can spend the day swimming in the emerald waters, snorkelling, kayaking, sailing, or enjoying some great fresh seafood. And, after the sun slips behind the horizon, the bay lights up, welcoming visitors with thrumming bars and live music wafts, offering plenty of opportunities to have fun and dance the night away at Myett’s, Elm, Quinto’s Gazebo, and other vibrant beach bars.
Tip: To enjoy your time at Cane Garden Bay the most, do consider coming either early in the morning to find a nice, private spot on the sand or when there are no cruise ships in the port to avoid the cruise crowds that roll in and often swarm the place.
Jost Van Dyke Island
Add this to your must-visit list for incredible Caribbean island vibes that are epitomised at places like White Bay and Great Harbour with beach bar hopping endeavours and delicious cocktails, such as the infamous Painkiller that is served at the popular The Soggy Dollar – a top bar not only in the British Virgin Islands but the entire Caribbean.
And, as you explore the impressive beach bar scene at Jost Van Dyke island, you may also want to visit Gertude’s, Seddy’s One Love, Coco Loco, and other lively places along the lively anchorage of White Bay. As for Great Harbour thrills, a visit to Foxy’s will reward you with lots of music, dancing, great food, signature cocktails featuring tasty local rum, indescribable fun, and an unbeatable island character.
Virgin Islands Maritime Museum (Tortola)
If you feel like spoiling the history buff inside you, then this museum is your dream fulfilment. Located in Tortola, within the H Lavity Stoutt Community College, it excites visitors with fantastic displays dating back to the 18th century showcasing the British Virgin Islands’ maritime history. Founded in 2005, it is a popular pole of attraction highlighting the country’s cultural tradition of creating charming BVI wooden boats (hand-crafted), while also displaying and demonstrating the tools that are used along the process.
Callwood Rum Distillery (Tortola)
As expected, the majority of British Virgin Islands’ attractions are squeezed in Tortola island, the largest and most cosmopolitan of the four main islands that make up the BVI. And, since rum is believed to have been born in the BVI, it is no wonder that one of the oldest rum distilleries is on this island. Founded by the Arundel family, Callwood Rum Distillery (near Cane Garden Bay) has been producing great white and dark rum since the 17th century using sugar cane grown in the surrounding area and the traditional pot distillation procedure. Feel free to sample their rum in a fantastic cave-like environment and grab your own bottle of rum for your return trip.
Tip: You may complete this venture with a visit to Myett’s Garden Grille and give your palate the pleasure to taste superb Caribbean cuisine while sitting near the edge of the water!
Trellis Bay for a Full Moon Party
While vacationing in the British Virgin Islands, you will realise that there are numerous opportunities to celebrate life, and more beach parties than one can count. The great thing about it is that there is no specific location that hosts the most legendary festivals and events as they are spread across the entire British Virgin Islands. However, if you had to pick one type of beach party, we would recommend choosing a full moon celebration. Although the most notorious place to salute the full moon was Bomba’s Shack, the 2017 hurricane destroyed it almost in its entirety - chances are it will be resurrected shortly, though.
If this is not the case, though, worry not, as Trellis Bay is the next best thing. Situated in the east of the island, it offers sublime festivities, although primarily family-oriented. For crazier situations that involve lots of music, fires burning in colossal metal sculptures, stilt dancers in neon pink and lime costumes, and tea-drinking ceremonies to gain the purportedly mystic attributes of the tea, then Paradise Club at Cane Garden is just perfect.
Norman Island Caves
The geological formations at the Caves are a marvel of their own. Occupying a prestigious spot at Privateer Bay, they are dreamy for snorkelling adventures. Accessible only by boat, the Norman Island Caves are also a supreme spot for night diving, especially if you flirt with the idea of swooping deeper into the imposing caves. However, since this is one of the most popular attractions in the entire British Virgin Islands, it is advised to visit the Caves early in the morning to avoid the large crowds that arrive later in the day.