If you’re looking for beaches, you’ve come to the right place! BVI is home to some of the most
beautiful beaches in the Caribbean (and we think the world!) Most of the beaches are on the North
Shore of the island. We’ve listed some of our favourites below, but remember to SIGN UP for our
exclusive and comprehensive Island guide for even more tips & tricks for each spot, and how and where to find our favourite secret beaches.
All beaches are public, many are tucked away off the beaten track and you’ll often find you have it to
yourself. This can mean no vendors, no toilets, no lifeguard but come armed with a cooler and a
beach bag and you’ve got your own private paradise. It’s worth noting that when there’s a North
swell (usually over the winter months), the North shore can get a little rough for swimming.
We’ve indicated with an emoji 🛣️ which beaches are easy to access. Any others (especially the more
secluded ones) can be a steep and bumpy ride and we’d suggest using a 4WD. We’ve also made a handy key so you know exactly what you’re getting:
🐟Snorkelling
🍹Beach bar/ Restaurant
🏄♂️Surfing
🌊Water sports
🏖️Beach chairs/ Umbrellas
🛣️Easy Access
🌴Secluded
Smuggler’s Cove is a great place to spend a day and is one of the few beaches with beach bars and sun loungers. It is a
(relatively) easy drive down a long, bumpy track. Nigel’s Beach Bar & Grill and PATRICIA’S BEACH BAR both offer a small menu of
beach-side favourites all grilled on the barbecue in front of you. Expect fries, BBQ chicken and burgers.
GREAT FOR: Snorkelling, swimming, lounging, eating and drinking.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Smuggler’s is generally quiet but can get busy on a cruise ship day – you can check the schedule here:
BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
Long Bay West (not to be confused with Long Bay East!) is easily accessible and never too busy. You’ll probably find Long
Bay Beach Resort’s 1748 restaurant first, which is a lovely place to get a coffee, a cocktail or some lunch with a beautiful
ocean view. The slightly more relaxed TROPICAL FUSION is right next door, marking the East end of the beach. Going into the
water directly in front of Long Bay Beach Resort can be rocky and wavy but take a stroll west down the beach west you’ll
find a more secluded patch of sand with better swimming.
GREAT FOR: Eating, drinking, walking, relaxing, boogie boarding.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Swimming (directly in front of the Resort) and there isn’t loads of shade!
Apple Bay is a lovely little village with a few restaurants and beach bars. The first you’ll come to is SEBASTIAN’S SEASIDE GRILLE
which do a good brunch on weekends and laid-back food like burgers and pizzas. It is a great spot to sit back and watch the
surfers (hopefully) catch some waves. Further along the coast you’ll get to THE SUGAR MILL which is more of a fine-dining
restaurant and their sister restaurant TRAMONTI which is right on the water and serves Mediterranean style food.
Depending on the tides and the weather, the beach in front of Sebastian’s (also called Capoon’s Bay) is often robbed of its
sand so it’s not the one for sunbathing. Apple Bay is great for surfing however and in season it is a very popular spot for
those who feel confident. Apple Bay is over a reef with some nasty rocks and coral and is not recommended for beginners.
GREAT FOR: Surfing, eating, drinking, watching the sunset.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Sunbathers, swimmers. sand.
If you like a bit more of buzz on your beach, Cane Garden Bay is the place for you. The only beach on Tortola lined with
beach bars, restaurants and shops, you’ll often find live music at the various spots along the beach. There are plenty of
options on where to grab some breakfast, lunch or dinner and watch the sun go down. Perched at the South end of the
beach is INDIGO HOUSE, a great place to sit and look at the view while you enjoy their excellent cocktails and varied menu
and ends with QUITO’S a beachside hotel and restaurant that often has live bands, singers and musicians. Bars/
restaurants in between include ELM’S BEACH BAR and MYETTS, which offer reasonably priced food and drinks and an ocean
view and PARADISE CLUB, a vibrant beach club that serves good food all day and stays open til late, often hosting DJ’s and
dancing in the evening. CGB is definitely the most buzzing beach on the island, and a great place to people watch and
meet locals and vacationers alike.
The beach is easily accessible, with a largeish car park that you can start at, and have a walk up and down the beach to
see where you want to settle. A few of the bars offer sun loungers and umbrellas which are available to use if you are
patronising them or you can set yourself up on the beach.
The water is calm and clear and underfoot is sandy so it’s an excellent place for swimming. If you’re feeling
adventurous, there is a shipwreck a very short swim out from the North end of the beach which is great to check out
with a snorkel. There are also jet skis, paddle boards and kayaks which can be rented along the beach.
GREAT FOR: Everything!
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Although nowhere in BVI is massively over-crowded, if you want complete peace and quiet, other beaches such as Trunk Bay or Brewer’s are probably a better bet. CGB can be very busy on a cruise ship day. Check the schedule here: BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
Brewer’s bay is on the quieter North side of the island and is a lovely and tranquil place to relax. After winding down
one of Tortola’s many mountains, it is easy enough to get to with lots of shaded road-side parking. You’ll first be greeted
with Nicole’s beach bar, the only vendor on the beach. Here you can get soft drinks, beers and easy food like hot-dogs
and fries.
You can rent a deck chair and umbrella for $5 or carry on down the beach where there is plenty of shade under the
trees. You will often see people grilling in the little shaded pockets along the shore. The snorkelling is good here too,
especially west heading towards Nicole’s.
GREAT FOR: Swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, chilling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Facilities, which are pretty basic.
Being slightly more off the beaten track, Trunk Bay doesn’t get busy even in high season making it the perfect place to
get away from it all. To access it you have to go down a steep and windy mountain, however the road is generally good
and takes you all the way down to the beach.
The views of the mountains behind you are stunning, the sand is white and the water is turquoise. There is lots of shade
under the trees but you might want to remember flip flops as it can get a bit prickly under there!
GREAT FOR: Tranquility, natural beauty, sunbathing, chilling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Amenities, easy access, swimming (at certain times of year).
During the winter months, Josiah’s Bay is a surfer’s paradise. You can rent a board or book a lesson from SURF SCHOOL BVI
on the beach. It’s perfect for surfers of all abilities as although the waves can get big, beginners will find the that the
white water and smaller waves can be the perfect place to learn and the sandy bottom a nice soft landing! If you happen
to be visiting at the right time, the Surf Classic competition is really fun to watch and a great day with loads of people,
food and commentary.
It’s again slightly off the beaten track, includes another journey down a mountain and the track at the bottom is a bit
bumpy but it’s definitely not one of the worst! There’s a fair amount of parking behind the surf shack and plenty along
the shady road before.
The vibe is very friendly and chilled and when the surf season is over, it’s still a lovely place to hang out. Miss Marie’s is a
little bar right next to the surf shack that sells ice creams, wings, burgers, soft drinks and beers.
GREAT FOR: Surfing, boogie boarding, sunbathing, chilling, having a drink.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Those avoiding the sun (very little shade), swimming (at certain times of the year), snorkelling.
A bit of a drive from the West End of the island, Lambert beach could be a great option for a place to spend a full day
with plenty of amenities. If you’re looking for somewhere to grab lunch, cool off in the pool and also have access to
another one of Tortola’s picturesque beaches, LAMBERT BEACH RESORT would fit the bill. You can buy a day pass by giving
them a ring or asking at the resort for full access to the pool, beach and loungers.
GREAT FOR: Amenities, lunch, pool, snorkelling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Free access, peace and quiet.
Coming from Tortola, you’ll find Long Bay East just over the bridge to Beef Island. You’ll follow a short, bumpy track off
of the road and be met with a half-mile strip of sand lined with little beach bars serving cold drinks and renting beach
chairs and umbrellas.
On the weekends, it can be pretty lively with lots of barbecuing, music playing and people having a good time. It’s a nice,
friendly vibe with lovely white sand and clear blue waters. Located close to the airport and Trellis Bay ferry dock, it can
be the perfect place to squeeze in those last rays of sunshine before your homeward journey.
If you are looking for a sit-down meal, you can head to Trellis Bay (a few minutes away, past the airport) where there is a
row of restaurants on the waterfront including THE LOOSE MONGOOSE which has great options for breakfast, lunch and
dinner and a lovely coffee shop.
GREAT FOR: Chilling, sipping a beer, sunbathing, swimming.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Long Bay East is generally quiet but can get busy on a cruise ship day – you can check the schedule here: BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
If you're looking for beaches, you've come to the right place! BVI is home to some of the most
beautiful beaches in the Caribbean (and we think the world!) Most of the beaches are on the North
Shore of the island. We’ve listed some of our favourites below, but remember to SIGN UP for our
exclusive and comprehensive Island guide for even more tips & tricks for each spot, and how and where to find our favourite secret beaches.
All beaches are public, many are tucked away off the beaten track and you'll often find you have it to
yourself. This can mean no vendors, no toilets, no lifeguard but come armed with a cooler and a
beach bag and you've got your own private paradise. It's worth noting that when there's a North
swell (usually over the winter months), the North shore can get a little rough for swimming.
We've indicated with an emoji 🛣️ which beaches are easy to access. Any others (especially the more
secluded ones) can be a steep and bumpy ride and we'd suggest using a 4WD. We’ve also made a handy key so you know exactly what you’re getting:
🐟Snorkelling
🍹Beach bar/ Restaurant
🏄♂️Surfing
🌊Water sports
🏖️Beach chairs/ Umbrellas
🛣️Easy Access
🌴Secluded
Smuggler's Cove is a great place to spend a day and is one of the few beaches with beach bars and sun loungers. It is a
(relatively) easy drive down a long, bumpy track. Nigel's Beach Bar & Grill and PATRICIA’S BEACH BAR both offer a small menu of
beach-side favourites all grilled on the barbecue in front of you. Expect fries, BBQ chicken and burgers.
GREAT FOR: Snorkelling, swimming, lounging, eating and drinking.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Smuggler's is generally quiet but can get busy on a cruise ship day - you can check the schedule here:
BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
Long Bay West (not to be confused with Long Bay East!) is easily accessible and never too busy. You'll probably find Long
Bay Beach Resort’s 1748 restaurant first, which is a lovely place to get a coffee, a cocktail or some lunch with a beautiful
ocean view. The slightly more relaxed TROPICAL FUSION is right next door, marking the East end of the beach. Going into the
water directly in front of Long Bay Beach Resort can be rocky and wavy but take a stroll west down the beach west you'll
find a more secluded patch of sand with better swimming.
GREAT FOR: Eating, drinking, walking, relaxing, boogie boarding.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Swimming (directly in front of the Resort) and there isn’t loads of shade!
Apple Bay is a lovely little village with a few restaurants and beach bars. The first you'll come to is SEBASTIAN’S SEASIDE GRILLE
which do a good brunch on weekends and laid-back food like burgers and pizzas. It is a great spot to sit back and watch the
surfers (hopefully) catch some waves. Further along the coast you'll get to THE SUGAR MILL which is more of a fine-dining
restaurant and their sister restaurant TRAMONTI which is right on the water and serves Mediterranean style food.
Depending on the tides and the weather, the beach in front of Sebastian's (also called Capoon's Bay) is often robbed of its
sand so it's not the one for sunbathing. Apple Bay is great for surfing however and in season it is a very popular spot for
those who feel confident. Apple Bay is over a reef with some nasty rocks and coral and is not recommended for beginners.
GREAT FOR: Surfing, eating, drinking, watching the sunset.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Sunbathers, swimmers. sand.
If you like a bit more of buzz on your beach, Cane Garden Bay is the place for you. The only beach on Tortola lined with
beach bars, restaurants and shops, you'll often find live music at the various spots along the beach. There are plenty of
options on where to grab some breakfast, lunch or dinner and watch the sun go down. Perched at the South end of the
beach is INDIGO HOUSE, a great place to sit and look at the view while you enjoy their excellent cocktails and varied menu
and ends with QUITO’S a beachside hotel and restaurant that often has live bands, singers and musicians. Bars/
restaurants in between include ELM’S BEACH BAR and MYETTS, which offer reasonably priced food and drinks and an ocean
view and PARADISE CLUB, a vibrant beach club that serves good food all day and stays open til late, often hosting DJ's and
dancing in the evening. CGB is definitely the most buzzing beach on the island, and a great place to people watch and
meet locals and vacationers alike.
The beach is easily accessible, with a largeish car park that you can start at, and have a walk up and down the beach to
see where you want to settle. A few of the bars offer sun loungers and umbrellas which are available to use if you are
patronising them or you can set yourself up on the beach.
The water is calm and clear and underfoot is sandy so it's an excellent place for swimming. If you're feeling
adventurous, there is a shipwreck a very short swim out from the North end of the beach which is great to check out
with a snorkel. There are also jet skis, paddle boards and kayaks which can be rented along the beach.
GREAT FOR: Everything!
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Although nowhere in BVI is massively over-crowded, if you want complete peace and quiet, other beaches such as Trunk Bay or Brewer's are probably a better bet. CGB can be very busy on a cruise ship day. Check the schedule here: BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
Brewer's bay is on the quieter North side of the island and is a lovely and tranquil place to relax. After winding down
one of Tortola's many mountains, it is easy enough to get to with lots of shaded road-side parking. You'll first be greeted
with Nicole's beach bar, the only vendor on the beach. Here you can get soft drinks, beers and easy food like hot-dogs
and fries.
You can rent a deck chair and umbrella for $5 or carry on down the beach where there is plenty of shade under the
trees. You will often see people grilling in the little shaded pockets along the shore. The snorkelling is good here too,
especially west heading towards Nicole's.
GREAT FOR: Swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, chilling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Facilities, which are pretty basic.
Being slightly more off the beaten track, Trunk Bay doesn't get busy even in high season making it the perfect place to
get away from it all. To access it you have to go down a steep and windy mountain, however the road is generally good
and takes you all the way down to the beach.
The views of the mountains behind you are stunning, the sand is white and the water is turquoise. There is lots of shade
under the trees but you might want to remember flip flops as it can get a bit prickly under there!
GREAT FOR: Tranquility, natural beauty, sunbathing, chilling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Amenities, easy access, swimming (at certain times of year).
During the winter months, Josiah's Bay is a surfer's paradise. You can rent a board or book a lesson from SURF SCHOOL BVI
on the beach. It's perfect for surfers of all abilities as although the waves can get big, beginners will find the that the
white water and smaller waves can be the perfect place to learn and the sandy bottom a nice soft landing! If you happen
to be visiting at the right time, the Surf Classic competition is really fun to watch and a great day with loads of people,
food and commentary.
It's again slightly off the beaten track, includes another journey down a mountain and the track at the bottom is a bit
bumpy but it's definitely not one of the worst! There's a fair amount of parking behind the surf shack and plenty along
the shady road before.
The vibe is very friendly and chilled and when the surf season is over, it's still a lovely place to hang out. Miss Marie's is a
little bar right next to the surf shack that sells ice creams, wings, burgers, soft drinks and beers.
GREAT FOR: Surfing, boogie boarding, sunbathing, chilling, having a drink.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Those avoiding the sun (very little shade), swimming (at certain times of the year), snorkelling.
A bit of a drive from the West End of the island, Lambert beach could be a great option for a place to spend a full day
with plenty of amenities. If you're looking for somewhere to grab lunch, cool off in the pool and also have access to
another one of Tortola's picturesque beaches, LAMBERT BEACH RESORT would fit the bill. You can buy a day pass by giving
them a ring or asking at the resort for full access to the pool, beach and loungers.
GREAT FOR: Amenities, lunch, pool, snorkelling.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Free access, peace and quiet.
Coming from Tortola, you'll find Long Bay East just over the bridge to Beef Island. You'll follow a short, bumpy track off
of the road and be met with a half-mile strip of sand lined with little beach bars serving cold drinks and renting beach
chairs and umbrellas.
On the weekends, it can be pretty lively with lots of barbecuing, music playing and people having a good time. It's a nice,
friendly vibe with lovely white sand and clear blue waters. Located close to the airport and Trellis Bay ferry dock, it can
be the perfect place to squeeze in those last rays of sunshine before your homeward journey.
If you are looking for a sit-down meal, you can head to Trellis Bay (a few minutes away, past the airport) where there is a
row of restaurants on the waterfront including THE LOOSE MONGOOSE which has great options for breakfast, lunch and
dinner and a lovely coffee shop.
GREAT FOR: Chilling, sipping a beer, sunbathing, swimming.
NOT SO GREAT FOR: Long Bay East is generally quiet but can get busy on a cruise ship day - you can check the schedule here: BVI CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE
