The Best Beaches in the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are paradise. The sand is among the finest on Earth, produced by the process of fish under the water eating the coral, so the beaches are not composed of the normal grains of sand most are used to. Here are five of the best beaches to be found in the BVI.

On the southern side of the island is the beach at White Bay, which is named after a Dutch pirate, Jost van Dyke. It is home to a variety of bars, the most famous probably being the Soggy Dollar Bar – it gets its name from the fact that White Bay is accessible only by boat, and most patrons have to swim in and will hand over soggy dollar bills. Sip on ‘Painkillers’ and lie on one of the many lounge chairs on the beach as you gaze at Tortola and the US Virgin Islands in the distance. Just beware the mushroom ‘Bushwackers’. Those aren’t shitakes they’re blending into your drink.

Situated on the north side of Tortola, Apple Bay offers some of the best surf in the British Virgin Islands. The beach is not one of the more popular destinations for tourists, and the lack of people makes it a local favorite. Make sure to drop by for the famous full moon parties at Bomba’s Shack. Be warned though; according to the rumors the ‘mushroom tea’ is spiked with psychedelic mushrooms…

The Baths are a collection of volcanic boulders stacked on top of one another or strewn across a small bay. The beach here is always crowded, but lovely. The Baths are the premier travel destination in the Virgin Islands, both British and US, so no trip is really complete without a visit here. Relax on the beach or snorkel around the bizarre boulders.

Cane is the largest beach on Tortola and it’s on the shores of the bay sharing the same name. The place is named for the sugar cane mills that used to be here. There’s still plenty of sugar product to be found here (rum). Hop on a stand-up paddle board and traverse the smooth waters, or, if there’s a swell, go catch some waves at Tortola’s famous surf break.

On the far-western end of Tortola, just north of Soper’s Hole, sits Smuggler’s Cove. Pirates used to hide here to resupply or wait to ambush unsuspecting victims. Come here for a beach deprived of tourists but filled with trade winds, sunshine, white sand, and palm trees. The sunsets are marvelous to watch at Smuggler’s Cove, as the red, tropical sun lazily dips behind the cays to the north of the picturesque Narrows.

Take a trip to the quieter side of Virgin Gorda at Nail Bay, where you can finish off a day at the beach in style at the Sugarcane restaurant. Not only do you get the luxury of avoiding the crowds of other beaches at this exclusive spot, but you can also kick back and enjoy a cocktail, take a dip in the restaurant’s pool and enjoy fresh local food – we’d recommend trying one of the Sugarcane’s signature burgers.