About British Virgin Islands
Much of the world is familiar with the breathtaking Baths of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, with their otherworldly, boulder-lined turquoise seas. There are also three other larger islands, plus around 60 smaller islets and cays, in this remarkable volcanic Caribbean archipelago. Surprisingly, only 16 of them are inhabited.
No matter where you hang your hat on the British Virgin Islands, you’ll want to explore beyond your shores. Island-hopping is easy, with regular ferry service connecting the islands.
We appreciate your patience while we await the recovery of this beautiful destination from the impact of recent hurricanes.
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Overview
The private Peter Island is home to a single resort of the same name. This 1,800-acre island will leave you breathless with its pristine beauty. Home to magnificent beaches, the island resort is a favorite choice for those looking for a remote escape.
Tortola, the largest island, and capital of the British Virgin Islands offers secluded coves, luxury resorts and palm-fringed, powdery sand beaches including Apple Bay, Brewer’s Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove.
The unique shape of Virgin Gorda, reminiscent of the female form in repose, earned the island its name. Hike to Gorda peak for breathtaking views of the other islands dotting the sparkling seas.
Named for early Dutch settler and pirate, the island of Jost Van Dyke features sugar mill ruins, an impressive network of hiking trails and a natural Jacuzzi created by swirling seas.
Anegada is the only coral island in the Virgin Islands chain. An array of colorful wildlife can be found here, such as frangipani, sea lavender, wild orchids, exotic birds and rare rock iguanas. Explore the region’s incredible scenery.
Or simply loll about on beautiful Loblolly Bay, walking across warm sand bars through translucent turquoise waves.
What To Do
Explore Fort Burt, an interesting collection of museums, J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens, and a rum distillery on lush Tortola.
Diving enthusiasts will love Peter Island’s accessibility to the wreck of the RMS Rhone, a British mail ship that met its end in a hurricane 150 years ago.
Look for whales and dolphins splashing through the waves beside Jost Van Dyke.
Snorkel and dive amidst an array of colorful bonefish, stingrays, and parrot fish on Anegada. Explore numerous shipwrecks of Spanish and British galleons. Discover the maze of stone walls surrounding Anegada’s Settlement area. Visit the ancient Arawak’s conch mounds located on the island’s east end.
Take a long and winding road to the stone ruins of Virgin Gorda’s Copper Mine National Park, where Cornish miners extracted nearly 10,000 tons of copper during the mid-1800s. Visit the pristine beaches and natural granite pools at Baths National Park. While you’re here, be sure to make your way to Devil’s Bay, a snorkeler’s paradise.
Go island-hopping and explore a wealth of colorful towns, historic landmarks, and pristine beaches.
When to Go
Tourist season peaks between December and May, although nearly any time of year is perfect for a holiday in the sun-blessed British Virgin Islands. Daily highs reach around 82 F during the summer, with wintertime temperatures only five degrees cooler.
April through August offer the calmest seas, ideal for diving. September to November brings the most rain, which is usually short and sweet. Trade winds keep the region’s humidity low, while Caribbean currents make the surrounding seas delightfully warm.
Fast Facts
The highest point in the British Virgin Islands is Mount Sage on Tortola at 1,716 feet.
The magical Alice in Wonderland dive site off Ginger Island is named for its mushroom-shaped coral and is home to colorful angelfish, lobsters, and turtles (however, you’ll find no mad hatters or Cheshire cats).
Christopher Columbus visited the islands in 1493, calling them Las Virgines.
Fewer than three people at a time have lived on Salt Island since the 1980s; their rent has been a bag of salt sent to the Queen.
Travel Tips & Tools
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