Best BVI Beaches
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are home to some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. With stretches of white sand beaches, calm bays for snorkeling, and lively beach bars, the BVI offer something for everyone. Whether you’re relaxing under palm trees, enjoying a Painkiller cocktail at the Soggy Dollar Bar, or exploring by boat, the beaches in the BVI are well worth visiting.
With Chillout Charters’ full-day and half-day powerboat tours, you can enjoy island hopping across Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Beef Island. We can take you to the best places for sun, sea, and sand on a single trip. If you take a powerboat cruise with us, you can also get some travel tips as to the best spots to check out in the BVI.
White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
White Bay in Jost Van Dyke is perhaps the most famous beach in the BVI. Its powdery white sand, turquoise waters, and plenty of anchorage spots make it popular for yacht charters and powerboat day-trippers. The bay is lined with beach shacks and bars, including the Soggy Dollar Bar, birthplace of the Painkiller cocktail.
A full-day Chillout Charters trip often includes White Bay, where you can relax on the sand, snorkel the calm waters, or sip a cocktail while watching the world go by across the Caribbean islands.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
The Baths on Virgin Gorda are a natural wonder that many people on vacation in the BVI flock to see. Here, big granite boulders form grottoes, tidal pools, and tunnels that open onto secluded white sand beaches. It’s one of the best places in the British Virgin Islands for exploring, swimming, and taking iconic photos.
With a private powerboat charter, you can visit The Baths in the morning, then head north to Savannah Bay on the island's eastern side, or Loblolly Bay on the northern side of the Anegada, for a quieter beach experience.
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Located on the north shore of Tortola, Cane Garden Bay is a lively stretch of sand popular with both locals and visitors. It’s perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, and the calm waters make it family friendly. Behind the beach, you’ll find restaurants, a beach club, and even a historic rum distillery close by (Callwood Rum Distillery).
Whether you arrive on a catamaran, cruise ship, or a private boat with Chillout Charters, Cane Garden Bay is a must-stop on any BVI beach tour.
Smuggler’s Cove, Tortola
On the western end of Tortola, Smuggler’s Cove offers a more laidback vibe. This beach has soft sand, good snorkeling spots, and normally fewer crowds than other some of the other beaches in the BVI. Its location near Soper’s Hole makes it easy to combine with a stop for lunch or a drink before continuing your island-hopping adventure.
Brewers Bay, Tortola
For those looking to escape the crowds, Brewers Bay is another great option on Tortola’s north shore. With calm conditions and excellent visibility, it’s considered one of the best snorkeling beaches in the BVI. You can expect to see colorful marine life, from tropical fish to sea turtles (Hawksbill and Green, makes it a favorite spot to visit for nature lovers.
Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada
On the flat coral island of Anegada, Cow Wreck Beach is often cited as one of the most relaxed spots in the BVI. The beachfront bars here serve food and drinks, while the long stretch of sand offers plenty of spots for peace and relaxation. A stop can also be paired with Loblolly Bay, another Anegada favorite.
A full-day Chillout Charters trip to Anegada could combine both beaches, where you could take in a lobster lunch in the sun.
Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda
Savannah Bay is one of the longest and quietest beaches in the British Virgin Islands, stretching in a curve along Virgin Gorda’s north shore. This expanse of soft white sand is often quiet, giving it a sense of seclusion. There are no large developments close by, so it is a little more peaceful when compared to some of the other busier spots in the BVI.
The calm, crystal-clear waters here are protected by offshore reefs, making Savannah Bay an excellent spot for snorkeling with a self-guided snorkeling trail even being established along the west shore.
Onshore, the lack of amenities adds to the sense of escape, so most visitors bring their own food and drinks.
Long Bay Beach, Beef Island
Long Bay Beach on Beef Island is a beach location just east of Tortola, offering a more peaceful and family-friendly vibe than some of the busier beaches nearby. It features soft sand and shallow, calm waters. It’s a good spot to swim safely though as we mention earlier there are rocks in the sea that people need to be slightly careful of. There are some areas where the beach drops off to deep water, so you need to be aware of the best places to swim.
It’s worth noting that this beach is different from the larger and more well-known Long Bay Beach on Tortola’s west end, which can be livelier and draw bigger crowds.
Long Bay on Beef Island, by contrast, keeps a low-key charm and is often much quieter. It’s also just a few minutes from Beef Island’s Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), making it an easy first or last stop for visitors flying in or out of the BVI.
Loblolly Bay, Anegada
Another Anegada gem, Loblolly Bay, is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Caribbean. Its reefs provide some of the best snorkeling in the BVI, and the quiet setting makes it ideal for sunbathing or a beachside lunch.
There are a couple of relaxed beach bars and small restaurants dotted along the shoreline where you can enjoy freshly caught lobster or a cold drink with your toes in the sand. The beach is wide, open, and rarely crowded, so there is plenty of room for you to relax.
Peter Island & Other Beach Resorts
For those looking for a more exclusive experience, Peter Island and other luxury resorts in the BVI offer private beaches, fine dining, and world-class amenities. These destinations can sometimes offer sheltered coves, pristine sand, and five-star service.
A custom Chillout Charters itinerary can be tailored to include these high-end stops, giving you the best of both worlds: the freedom and flexibility of a private boat, plus the opportunity to enjoy spa treatments, poolside cocktails, or a leisurely lunch on a private terrace.
Where can I find a list of the best BVI beaches for swimming?
Top swimming beaches include Cane Garden Bay (Tortola), White Bay (Jost Van Dyke), and Long Bay Beach (Beef Island). These beaches are all known for calm waters and generally safe conditions. Long Bay does have some rocks under the water near the shore at some spots, and beach shoes are recommended.
Which BVI beaches are best for snorkeling?
For snorkeling at a beach, we can recommend Brewers Bay, Smuggler’s Cove, Savannah Bay, and Loblolly Bay. These reefs are full of tropical fish and are easy to access from shore.
Tell me about the best beaches in the BVI on Tortola.
If you’re looking for a good beach on Tortola, then don’t miss Cane Garden Bay, Smuggler’s Cove, and Brewers Bay. If you have time for more, also check out the long, quiet stretch of Long Bay Beach or the famous surf spot at Josiah’s Bay.
What are some must-visit beaches in the British Virgin Islands?
For a classic BVI itinerary, include The Baths on Virgin Gorda, White Bay (Jost Van Dyke), Cane Garden Bay on Tortola, and Cow Wreck Beach (Anegada).
In addition to these great destinations, we also recommend Smuggler's Cove (Tortola) Loblolly Bay on Anegada and Sandy Spit found by Jost Van Dyke.
With Chillout Charters, you can visit several of these in a single day.
Where can I find beaches with bars and restaurants?
Cane Garden Bay, White Bay, and Cow Wreck Beach are known for lively beach bars, live music, and authentic Caribbean food.
Among the most famous beaches is White Bay on Jost Van Dyke for the Soggy Dollar Bar. On the same island is Great Harbour for Foxy's, which is another popular destination.
Moving to the main island of Tortola, Cane Garden Bay is a central hub for beachside entertainment. In addition to this, on the island of Anegada, Cow Wreck Beach is worth a visit.
Norman Island, features Pirate's Bight Bar and Restaurant and the famously floating bar, the Willy T. The Cooper Island Beach Club provides an open-air bar which is also popular.
I’m looking for quiet, secluded beaches in the BVI. Any recommendations?
Head to Savannah Bay (Virgin Gorda) or Smuggler’s Cove (Tortola) for a more private, laidback experience away from the crowds. Some other options include Brewer's Bay on Tortola, Spring Pay on Virgin Gorda, Sandy Spit near Jost Van Dyke and Loblolly Bay on Anegada.
Why Explore BVI Beaches by Powerboat?
With dozens of islands and hidden coves, the BVI is best explored by boat. A powerboat charter with Chillout Charters gives you the freedom to move between beaches, avoid ferry schedules, and maximize your time. Full-day tours let you combine snorkeling at Brewers Bay with cocktails at the Soggy Dollar Bar, while half-day trips are perfect for quick escapes to do something specific.
Chillout Charters also offers USVI–BVI water taxi transfers, so you can fly into St. Thomas and be on a BVI beach quickly. Whether it’s a lively beach club, a hidden snorkeling spot, or an exclusive beach resort, exploring by powerboat is the preferred way to enjoy some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. #BVIlove!