10 Best Beaches in the British Virgin Islands

White Bay Beach on the southern side of Jost Van Dyke Island features a pristine white-sand beachfront, several cocktail bars and a dense jungle landscape. The surrounding waters offer a stunning snorkelling reef. It’s also considered one of the top beach party spots in the region.

Accessible only by boat, there’s a host of famous eateries and bars that make White Bay Beach a must-visit. Perhaps the best known is the Soggy Dollar Bar, which serves a legendary Painkiller cocktail. Made from dark rum, coconut cream and tropical flavours, it’s the ideal beverage for a sunny day on the coast.

The Baths is one of the most striking landmarks in the British Virgin Islands. With a serene beachfront surrounded by millennia-old granite rock formations, caves and pools, it’s a top-notch site for diving and snorkelling. Located on the island of Virgin Gorda, it’s where most take the trip for one of the most unforgettable scenes and experiences in the British Virgin Islands.

While midday at The Baths sees plenty of the tourist crowd exploring the area, you’ll find it’s quite peaceful during the early mornings or late afternoons. With hikes stretching along the coast into Devil’s Bay National Park, there’s plenty of wonderful outdoors to explore.

Cane Garden Bay is a bustling destination on Tortola – the largest of the British Virgin Islands. Named after the sugar cane mills that once dotted the shoreline, now there’s a collection of relaxing bars featuring ice-cold drinks and live music.

In addition, you’ll find numerous places to rent watersports equipment, which makes Cane Garden Bay one of the more family-friendly beaches in the region. Alongside several delicious restaurants and glamorous hotels, this place has almost everything you need for the perfect island escape.

Smuggler’s Cove on Tortola’s western coast is renowned for its history as a rendezvous spot for savvy pirates. Nowadays, it’s the preferred destination for holidaymakers seeking a quiet day away from the crowds rather than a party atmosphere.

As this particular cove is challenging for boats to drop anchor, you won’t have to worry about loads of tourists arriving throughout the day. Instead, find a shady spot beneath the palm trees, enjoy snorkelling in the azure waters, and grab a drink from a nearby snack bar.

Loblolly Bay Beach is tucked away on the northern side of Anegada, one of the most remote British Virgin Islands. With this picturesque oasis undoubtedly matching your imagined Caribbean getaway, head along to experience the pristine waters.

As this beach is located some distance from most amenities, the food and drink options are somewhat limited. However, Big Bamboo is a much-loved restaurant and bar that overlooks the bay. After you’ve dined on delicious grilled dishes and tropical cocktails, consider staying in one of the beachfront cottages offering outstanding views.

Long Bay Beach stretches a mile along Tortola’s eastern coastline. This popular part of the island features numerous hotels, bars and restaurants surrounded by lush hillsides and palm trees. Alongside tasty regional snacks and Caribbean-style cocktails, your idyllic day at the beach is bound to be a highlight.

In addition, the water at Long Bay Beach is as clear as you’ll find anywhere in the British Virgin Islands. Head out into the warm waves for a peaceful swim or don your snorkelling gear and see what tropical fish await in the waters of the bay.

Devil’s Bay is a hidden inlet within the much larger Devil’s Bay National Park in the British Virgin Islands. Known for its towering granite boulders and craggy coastline, the beach offers an unspoiled hideaway along Virgin Gorda’s southern tip. Set between The Baths and Stoney Bay, it’s well worth making your way to this scenic spot.

Whether you choose to sunbathe on the rocks or lay down on the sand, you’ll find this remote destination remarkably peaceful. If you happen to be arriving with your own boat, you can drop anchor just off the coastline and swim to and from the shore with ease.

Nail Bay is situated along the northwestern edge of Virgin Gorda, surrounded by dense greenery and rocky outcrops. Here, you’ll come across 3 distinctive beaches, each featuring sandy shores and coral reefs to swim or snorkel across. Alongside these relaxing stretches of coastline is the headline act, Sugarcane Restaurant.

The restaurant is located a short walk from the water, where you’ll discover local British Virgin Island flavours alongside classics like Angus beef burgers, linguine marinara, and a collection of pizzas. With striking poolside dining and unbeatable coastal views, Sugarcane Restaurant is the perfect spot to soak up the region’s incredible sunsets.

Savannah Bay Beach is one of the more exquisite beaches to explore on Virgin Gorda. Found close to the middle of the island, it’s surprisingly quiet considering the natural beauty on display. Across a stellar white-sand beach and coral outcrops, the shallow waters make it a great place to visit with the whole family.

If you’re planning on staying from dawn to dusk, you might want to pack your own lunch as the nearest restaurants are about 30 minutes’ walk away. However, this lack of amenities ensures most tourists choose another beach to spend their day, so you’ll have much of the place to yourself.

Apple Bay Beach spans Tortola’s eastern shoreline with natural beauty in every direction. This place is especially beloved by surfers seeking big waves. Most visitors prefer the more relaxing waters of the nearby beaches and Apple Bay Beach remains reasonably quiet throughout the season.

However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find a selection of charming restaurants and bars serving outstanding food and drinks. Head to D'CoalPot for Caribbean-style flavours, while colourful Stoutt's Lookout Bar is perfect for an evening beverage with a view to match.