Dive and Sail the British Virgin Islands

Discover the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a sailor’s paradise where crystal clear waters, protected anchorages and lush green islands create one of the Caribbean’s most spectacular cruising destinations, earning the designation “Sailing Capital of the World™”.  Made up of more than 60 islands and cays, the BVI offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. It would be considered the yin to the action-packed yang of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Discover secluded beaches, world class snorkeling and diving, beach bars accessible and a rich maritime history that has made these islands one of the world’s premier sailing destinations. 

Top Islands & Places to Explore

Tortola
As the largest island in the BVI and home to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), Tortola, serves as the gateway to the islands. Visitors can explore the capital Road Town, scenic mountain roads, Sage Mountain National Park, and enjoy the island’s restaurants, beaches and rich Caribbean culture. While in Road Town, stop by the iconic Pusser’s Road Town Pub or Pusser’s West End, two of the British Virgin Islands’ most recognizable waterfront restaurants and home of Pusser’s Rum. Cane Garden Bay on the island’s west side is home to Rhymers, a well known restaurant and bar, and Callwood Rum Distillery, with an original sugar cane distillery structure.

Road Town in home to several historic sites: 

  • Fort Burt, now a hotel and restaurant with views of Road Harbour, was built as a strategic French fort in the 1600s and rebuilt by the English in 1776,  offers views of Road Harbour.
  • Britannica Hall, built in 1910, it served as a physician’s surgery site.
  • While stamps were issued since 1866, the Post Office wasn’t opened until 1787.
  • Established during the colonial era, St. George Anglican Church, continues to serve an active congregation. Renovations have been updated over times to the red and white Episcopal building.
  • Virgin Islands’ Folk Museum is a small historic with pottery and tools once used by Arawak and Carib tribes, artifacts from area shipwrecks and sugar planations, and details relevant to reef restoration.
  • Old Government House Museum served as the residence of the Monarch’s oversea territorial governor’s residence for 70 years beginning in 1926.
  • Sunday Morning Well serves to commemorate the 1834 emancipation proclamation.
  • Mount Healthy National Park showcases the remains of a stone windmill part of a wealthy sugar plantation owner’s 250-acre 18th century sugar cane harvesting and processing operation. Other structures are on site.

Virgin Gorda
Famous for The Baths, Virgin Gorda, the largest eastern most island named by Christopher Columbus, is one of the Caribbean’s most iconic destinations. Massive granite boulders create natural pools, hidden grottos, and winding passageways that lead to beautiful white sand beaches. Beyond The Baths National Park, visitors can enjoy luxury resorts, panoramic viewpoints, quiet coves and some of the islands’ most spectacular scenery. Virgin Gorda is home to five more national parks: horseshoe-shaped Devil’s Bay, Spring Bay, Copper Mine Park, Gorda Peak at 1,370 ft. and easiest to access from the shore Little Fort.

National historic sites on the island include Little Fort near Spanish Town and the Copper Mine Ruins, dating back to the 1860s. The BVI Art Reef Project known as the Kodiak Queen on the northwest side of the island features a former World War II Navy ship.

Jost Van Dyke

Known for its laid back atmosphere and legendary beach bars, Jost Van Dyke is home to White Bay, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. Visit the famous Soggy Dollar Bar on the southern west coast, birthplace of the legendary Painkiller cocktail, stop by Foxy’s in Great Harbour, or simply relax in the calm turquoise waters that have made this small western BVI island a favorite among sailors from around the world.

Anegada
Unlike the volcanic islands that make up the rest of the BVI, Anegada is a low lying coral island surrounded by miles of pristine beaches and one of the Caribbean’s largest barrier reefs with underwater caves, tunnels and underwater shipwrecks. Consider exploring Bones Bight Nature Trail, capturing photos of conch sells mounds dating back to the Arawaks on the East End, taking in the views at Flamingo Pond Outlook, on a migratory bird route or  visting the Faulkner Museum, home to “one of the fathers of this little nation.” Fresh Caribbean lobster, flamingoes, kiteboarding and uncrowded beaches make the island a favorite among sailors and adventurers. Anegada is situated north of Virgin Gorda and away from the other islands in the archipelago. 

Norman Island
Often believed to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” Norman Island is famous for hidden coves, sea caves, snorkeling and pirate legends. The Caves and The Indians are among the most popular snorkeling and diving sites in the BVI.

Peter Island
Peter Island, a private island, offers secluded anchorages, quiet beaches, scenic hiking trails, and luxury accommodations and a spa. Its protected bay waters make it an excellent stop for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, and relaxing in a peaceful setting.

Cooper Island
A favorite overnight anchorage, Cooper Island combines beautiful beaches with excellent snorkeling, boutique accommodations, waterfront dining and the renowned Cooper Island Beach Club resort. Visitors can also enjoy the island’s own microbrewery and an extensive rum bar featuring hundreds of spirits from around the world. Nearby discover stunning coral reefs and Wreck Alley, home to RMS Rhone, a mail ship, and Beata, a cargo ship.a

Wildlife, Nature & Landscapes

The British Virgin Islands are defined by emerald green hills, volcanic peaks, white sand beaches and calm turquoise waters. Coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds support an abundance of marine life including sea turtles, southern stingrays, eagle rays, reef sharks, octopus, nurse sharks and hundreds of colorful reef fish.

Above the water line, visitors may spot brown pelicans, frigatebirds (black seabirds), herons, ospreys and the occasional iguana basking in the Caribbean sun. Calm bays and protected marine parks help preserve the islands’ incredible biodiversity.

Whether hiking to panoramic overlooks, snorkeling vibrant reefs or sailing between secluded islands, the BVI offers breathtaking scenery in every direction.

History, Culture & Heritage

Originally inhabited by the Arawak people, the British Virgin Islands later became an important stop for European explorers, merchants and privateers. Their sheltered harbors attracted sailors for centuries, while stories of pirates and buried treasure continue to shape the islands’ identity.

British influence blends with Caribbean traditions to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Colorful festivals, live music, sailing regattas, local markets and waterfront villages reflect the islands’ strong connection to the sea.

The National Trust of the Virgin Islands focuses on marine conservation, species restoration, reforestation, biodiversity research, and conservation and historical preservation. See its work in progress at Tortola’s J.R. O’Neal Botanical Garden – an agriculture experiment station named after the first BVI conservationist, RMS Rhone Marine Park’s Blonde Rocks, Painted Walls and Rhone Reef, and The Baths. 

The BVI remains one of the world’s premier sailing destinations, where maritime heritage continues to define everyday life.

Know Before You Go

Official Language:  English with Virgin Islands Creole English spoken by locals

Currency:  United States Dollar (USD)

Capital:  Road Town, Tortola

Time Zone:  Atlantic Standard Time (GMT -4)

Electricity:  110V, 60Hz using the same outlets found in the United States

Driving:  Vehicles are driven on the left side of the road.

Tipping:  A gratuity of 15 to 20 percent is customary unless already included.

Entry Requirements:  Most visitors need a valid passport. Entry requirements vary by nationality. Travelers arriving by boat or ferry should be prepared for customs and immigration clearance procedures. Customs and Immigration office locations and hour*:

  • West End, Tortola (Monday – Sunday, 8:00a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
  • Road Town, Tortola (Monday – Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
  • Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke (Monday – Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
  • Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda (Monday – Sunday, 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Under the British Virgin Island (BVI) visa policy*: if a national of a country where BVI visas are required both holds a UK, US or Canadian visa, and is visiting the BVI for business or tourism related matters, that person will be allowed to enter the BVI – and remain for a period of six (6) months or less – without the need for a visa.

*Subject to change

 

Food & Local Flavors

Fresh seafood plays a starring role in BVI cuisine. Local favorites include grilled lobster, mahi mahi, snapper, conch fritters, fish tacos, Caribbean barbecue, peas and rice, johnnycakes, roti, curry and saltfish, reflecting both British and Caribbean influences.

The islands are home to an outstanding collection of beach bars – Pusser’s, Foxy’s Soggy Dollar, among others – waterfront restaurants and casual island eateries where fresh seafood and Caribbean flavors are always on the menu.

How to Get There

Most visitors arrive through Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island, connected to Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Flights typically connect through San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island; Antigua or other Caribbean hubs.

Many travelers also reach the BVI by ferry, an approximate one-hour ride from nearby St. Thomas, making it an easy destination to combine with other Caribbean vacations.

The islands are best explored by boat, allowing visitors to experience secluded anchorages, hidden beaches and charming waterfront villages throughout the archipelago.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

The British Virgin Islands enjoy a warm tropical climate throughout the year.

Winter (December to February)
Comfortable temperatures between 75 and 82°F (24 to 28°C), low humidity, steady trade winds and ideal conditions for sailing, snorkeling and diving.

Spring (March to May)
Sunny skies, calm seas and warm temperatures make spring one of the best seasons for exploring the islands both on land and by sea.

Summer (June to August)
Warmer temperatures between 82 and 90°F (28 to 32°C), excellent water temperatures and consistent trade winds make summer popular for boating and water sports.

Fall (September to November)
Often one of the best times to visit, fall offers fewer visitors, comfortable air temperatures and warm ocean waters that remain ideal for swimming, snorkeling, sailing and diving. Visitors should be aware that this period also falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, bringing the possibility of tropical weather systems.

Water temperatures generally range from approximately 79°F (26°C) during the winter to 86°F (30°C) in late summer and early fall, making the British Virgin Islands an exceptional year-round destination for enjoying the water.

Experience the British Virgin Islands with All Star Adventures

Whether you’re exploring the granite boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda, sipping a Soggy Dollar Painkiller at Jost Van Dyke, snorkeling colorful reefs or sailing through the protected waters of Sir Francis Drake Channel, the British Virgin Islands offer an unforgettable blend of adventure, relaxation and Caribbean charm.

Visitors can choose from luxury beachfront resorts and private island escapes to the unique floating resort experience aboard the trimaran All Star Cuan Law, let All Star Adventures helpsyou experience the very best of the British Virgin Islands.

Adventures

All Star Cuan Law

From $3,800 per person

  • A 6-night itinerary
  • Up to 16 dives including the Rhone shipwreck
  • An optional full boat charter in the BVI for a week for up to 20 people with captain, crew and gourmet food experience
  • 10 cabins – configure as a queen or two twins with rivate bathroom
  • Shore excursions and eco adventures:  stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), kayaks and a Hobie Cat

Discover All Star Cuan Law