8 Best Towns and Resorts in the British Virgin Islands

Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, is where most of the excitement starts for cruise passengers and yachties visiting Tortola. The town overlooks the deep and narrow bay of Road Harbour that Tortola Pier Park and several smaller marinas on the former islands of Wickhams Cay call home.

If you’re coming by air, Road Town is about 9.6 km west of Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Beef Island, via the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. There’s no shortage of hotels around the harbour area and the town is home to many points of interest, ranging from historical sites such as Her Majesty Prison on Main Street built in 1774, 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works, and the J.R. O'Neal Botanical Garden.

Spanish Town is the 2^nd largest town on the 3^rd largest island in the British Virgin Islands. Located on the southern end of Virgin Gorda, it was the former capital of the British overseas territory before Road Town on Tortola took over the title in 1741.

Despite its name, Spanish Town is historically best known as the settlement of Cornish miners and engineers who worked on the copper mine that’s now the Copper Mine National Park. Today, you can see remnants of its mining past with the boiler house ruins and the mine shafts still in place. In March, check out the Spanish Town Fisherman's Jamboree for the island’s major fishing event – and plenty of seafood as a result.

Cane Garden Bay is one of the British Virgin Islands’ top resorts that offer a great range of facilities, with a picturesque bay and dramatic sunsets to match. The large, crescent-shaped bay on the northwestern edge of Tortola is within only a 20-minute drive west from Road Town.

There are many ways to have fun in the turquoise waters, from swimming and snorkelling to boating and kayaking. Over a dozen 3-star and luxury hotels call the bay area home. The curve of the bay is also lined with various bars and restaurants that make good use of the panoramas. Come around sunset for live music and happy hours – both promise memorable ways to end a day on the coast.

Scrub Island is one of the small islands off the northeastern end of Tortola that is known for its exclusive resort. It is home to namesake Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, which is located on its western end. The origin of the island’s name revolves around its history of buccaneers using it as a haven and a place to ‘scrub’ off barnacles off their boats.

Staying at the posh resort, you’re treated to breathtaking seascapes all around as well as easy access to its pristine beaches. Scrub Island is only a 10-minute ferry ride from Tortola’s Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Beef Island.

White Bay on the southern coast of Jost Van Dyke offers a great seaside escape, with plenty of leisure spots within easy reach. It’s a top alternative to the bustling scenes of neighbouring Great Harbour. Besides its collection of cool villas and beachfront cottages, you’ll also find some of the island’s best bars and restaurants along its coast.

Among the top spots for a sundowner is Soggy Dollar Bar, with its famous conch fritters and rum cocktails, as well as the super-laidback One Love Bar and Grill just nearby.

Peter Island is a private and secluded island just 8 km southwest from Road Town. It’s one of the more exclusive resorts in the British Virgin Islands, with Peter Island Resort & Spa offering the island’s sole accommodation. The owners are committed to the preservation of the island’s nature, only developing a small acreage of the island and even going as far as installing the 1^st windmill in the island group for keeping a low carbon footprint.

Enjoy hiking and biking along quiet trails as well as hours spent on palm-lined beaches. You don’t have just one beach to enjoy while staying here, but 5 breathtakingly pristine coastlines – namely Deadman’s Beach and the adjoining Little Deadman’s Beach, White Bay Beach (which is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island), the even-more secluded Honeymoon Beach, and Big Reef Bay.