Top Things to Do in British Virgin Islands for Travellers

The British Virgin Islands are serene and beautiful Caribbean gems where gentle waves kiss powdery sands. This haven suits those who love a peaceful environment with ocean breezes, untouched natural beauty, or for relaxing under the sun. The Islands have over 60 small islands.

This article highlights the top things to do in British Virgin Islands, like exploring stunning shores, sailing, and snorkeling. As you hop between islands, staying digitally connected can be tricky in the remote cays.

That is where our SimCorner’s eSIM services come with fast, reliable, and high-speed internet to find routes, getting weather alerts, notifications of party times, share your beach/sunset selfies etc., all these without any roaming or hidden fees, seamlessly across the whole country. Read on for detailed guides to must see in the British Virgin Islands, why it is a travel-worthy country.

Pristine Beaches & Cays

Morgan Freeman, talked about all of BVI beaches as a regular visitor,

"The beautiful weather, water, and ambience keep me coming back to the BVI—pure relaxation."

The Baths

This is located on Virgin Gorda's southwest shore. They are popular as the Caribbean's most photographed beach spot. So visiting here is a must see in the British Virgin. Mainly the beach got fame as giant sized granite boulders have created sea caves, grottoes, and blue tide pools. Such a natural wonder was formed 20 million years ago from cooled lava.

Out of the best things to do in the British Virgin, this area tops the list. You can swim tunnels to Devil's Bay. You can even hike at the Top of the Baths trail, which gives great views. That is why thousands of crowds come here yearly. At the top of the Baths trail, you can see panoramas, and photograph sunlight beams through arches.

You can swim in saltwater pools during the low tide, snorkel reefs with turtles or parrotfish, and scramble boulders for hidden caves. As you will have to hike around a mile, so wear comfortable shoes. You can rent the snorkel gear. Also join guided cave tours. Pair with nearby Spring Bay's natural jacuzzis for more fun.

December to April are the dry seasons, and it offers calm seas. So it is the perfect time for snorkeling and to visit here. Avoid hurricane seasons from June to November. Arrive early and on weekdays to beat the cruise crowds. You will have facilities for showers and changing rooms. Water shoes are essential for walking through slippery rocks.

Jost Van Dyke’s Beaches

The place is known as BVI's smallest main island as it is only 3.5 sq miles. It shines with White Bay's powdery quartz sands and Great Harbour's Soggy Dollar Bar, which is said to be the birthplace of painkiller rum cocktails. Foxy's Bar hosts New Year's Eve parties, and draws celebrities. So if you are looking for some wild things to do in the British Virgin, then this is the place.

Here you can swim to Soggy Dollar for painkillers and have a party. Then snorkel reefs off Ivan's Stress-Free Bar. Also you can hike 20min to Bubbly Pool tidal grotto, bar-hop Foxy's Taboo and Great Harbour shacks, and finally play beach volleyball at White Bay.

Besides parties, you can do rented kayaking too. Basically you will have live music all nightly. So it is a place to chill and hangout with friends.

December to April are the peak times for calm waters, and suitable weather. You will find weekdays to be quieter than weekends. You can come here by ferries from Tortola, the capital. Keep cash with you, wear water shoes, drink moderate rum.

Cooper Island Beach

This island's southeast Manchioneel Beach offers rare deserted seclusion amid turquoise shallow waters, and palm hammocks. This is one of the serene and peaceful “things to do in British Virgin Islands”. There is no resort nearby, and so this gives adventurous feels. You might feel alone and isolated, but that is one of the British Virgin Island activities to do.

Turtle grass meadows host hawksbills, eco-focus preserves pristine sands. You will find peace here, away from crowds.

You can snorkel turtle meadows. So you need to wear gear that you will find complimentary nearby, you can chill on a hammock lounge between palms, at night, you can just stargaze, you will get a day trip ferry. Doing picnics is encouraged here.

December till May are the peak visit times here, as it is the dry season and perfect for marine life viewing. The mornings are calmest then. Follow the eco-rules like no plastics throwing. Use reef-safe sunscreen only. Bring snacks and water.

Sailing Havens & Anchorages

The Bight (Norman Island)

Norman Island's west region has The Bight. It is a bay that hides pirate William Thor’s treasure legends in coral caves. It was inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Pirates Bight beach bar overlooks indigo-colored waters. This UNESCO marine park protects reefs. So visiting here is among the interesting things to do in British Virgin.

Here you can take a rented snorkel to the Treasure Caves. It is a gold legend spot. You will get beach bar fish tacos and mojitos which you can eat and enjoy. You can freedive arches at low tide.

December to April are best visited here due to calm anchorages. You will find mornings have the best currents. Motion or sea sickness tablets are advised. You can also spot turtles too. This is one of the British Virgin tourist attractions because of all these activities.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, complimented this place as,

"Norman Island's treasure caves inspired Treasure Island—perfect for BVI sailing adventures from my Necker base."

Little Harbour (Peter Island)

Peter Island's private Little Harbour offers superyacht serenity with exclusive beach club ambience. This is famous for being BVI's most upscale anchorage, and so one of the popular British Virgin Island tourism places.

It is a 1,800-acre resort that spans 7 beaches. In the North Beach, turtles nest seasonally. You can paddleboard the crystal shallows. Do sunrise yoga sessions overlooking the Drake Passage. You can just rest and chill on a hammock reading under palm trees.

You can take a resort ferry from Road Town, for roundtrip exploration. But overall it is quite expensive among things to do in British Virgin Islands. The day passes $75 per person.

Book in advance as December to April are peak times. An Eco-bag is required since there is no-plastic policy, use reef-safe sunscreen, and bring water shoes. Enjoy the Sunset cocktail hours. Keep a budget of $30 for lunch and drinks. You can also sometimes spot dolphins offshore. Overall it is a luxury escape from the chaos of life, blending wellness, watersports, and fine dining.

Mountain Vistas & Sunsets

Sage Mountain (Tortola)

Tortola's Sage Mountain National Park peaks at 530m and this is the BVI's highest point. It has misty rainforest trails, endemic bird calls, and 360° ocean panoramas spanning 60 isles. So this is a must see in the British Virgin Islands. One of the adventurous things to do in British Virgin Islands can be done here. It is a true BVI highland that is totally contrasting from beaches.

You will find an ancient mahogany tree tower. You can hike 1.5 miles Ridge Trail to summit cross. Then at the peak you can spot bananaquits and antillean bullfinches. You can have a picnic at the cloud forest clearings overlooking Sir Francis Drake Channel.

To go there, take a taxi from Road Town. Do dawn hikes to escape heat and humidity. Keep bug spray with you and wear sturdy shoes. Must bring water essential as there are no facilities from here. You can do guided tours for birding.

Come here during December to May to have drier trails. The rainy season is lush but slippery. You can do a short drive from lodgings, to make a perfect half-day nature escape. Photographers can capture the misty peaks.

Cane Garden Bay (Tortola)

It is a mile-long horseshoe beach that glows golden at sunset behind historic rum distilleries, Quintessential Tortola postcard. This one is also mainly famous for beach things to do in British Virgin Islands.

Here you will find calm and turquoise waters, protected by headlands. You will see many beachfront bars with live music. You can sailboat-watch superyachts and moorings, sip pushcart rum punches and get drunk, snorkel reefs with turtles, and finally play beach volleyball tournaments. So it is all about having fun and partying.

In the evenings, it becomes magical with fire dancers. Keep cash for bars. You will get free public entry, but chairs for $10/day. In the peak seasons there will be lively crowds. But the low season is intimate. Food here is comparatively cheap.

It is a perfect combo of beach-bar, by blending relaxation, music, and watersports sunset rituals. It is a family-friendly place too.

Dive Sites & Lobster Grounds

RMS Rhone Wreck (Salt Island)

RMS Rhone sank on October 29, 1867 in the hurricane off Salt Island. This is BVI's premier wreck dive at 20-80ft depths. This event was featured in Open Water film. So visiting this iconic and historical place is one of the things to do in British Virgin Islands.

The 310ft royal mail steamer had split cannon shots. Explore propellers and telegraph room swim-throughs, and go for lionfish hunt. You can do PADI dives from Road Town but certification is recommended. 12L tanks standard.

Visit here during the calm mornings for best visibility above 100ft. Buddy system is mandatory; December to May have optimal currents so that is the best time to visit. You will get accessible ferries then tender boats.

History lovers like visiting this famous one of the British Virgin Islands best places, and underwater photographers love here to capture marine growth masterpieces. Visiting this place is a must “British Virgin Islands what to do” for certified divers, because you can explore the Caribbean's most famous shipwreck.

Anegada Lobster Fest Grounds

Anegada's shallow horseshoe reef flats ranks as the no.3 largest barrier reef globally. This yields spiny lobster hauls amid 200+ shipwrecks. So it is popular for being a flat fishing capital.

Cow Wreck and Lighthouse beaches host beachfront feasts. Boat for lobster lunches directly from traps. This is among fun things to do in British Virgin Islands as kids love watching and doing all these live.

You can kiteboard on windy flats, conch shell hunts, and freedive from 10ft walls. During the April Lobster Fest, you will find peak madness of crowds. But check for seafood allergies before eating. Use reef-safe sunscreen.

Book in advance during the peak seasons. As it is expensive, but still if as a budget traveler this place is in your British Virgin Islands bucket list destinations, then you can go for split boats. You can do ideal watersports, have culinary adventures, as well as can do marine exploration combining fishing culture with reef ecosystems.

Bazaar Vibes & Yacht Harbors

Road Town Duty-Free (Tortola)

Road Town Waterfront is considered as the British duty-free paradise. Here you will get Julian's jewelry, Pusser's rum tastings, craft souvenirs beside superyacht marinas. So one of the best things to do in British Virgin Islands as a woman is visiting here.

Several things happen here to see in one of the high demanded British Virgin Islands best places. Wickhams Cay buzzes with sailors and people-watchers, seafood grills sizzle conch. Hop on handmade model boats and jewelry, photograph the Main Street colonial architecture as you walk through, and eat from waterfront dining pushcarts.

The central location is walkable but wear comfortable shoes. Usually mornings are quietest, especially during pre-cruise arrivals. US dollars are widely accepted here and cards at only major shops. Buy some souvenirs too as a memory. December to April are the peak sales times, so visit that time for cheap but good shoppings. Do not forget to bargain.

This is a perfect shopping and restaurant hub blending luxury retail, local crafts, maritime atmosphere. Overall the vibe here is almost always chaotic.

Ruins, Reefs & Eco-Reserves

Mount Healthy Windmill (Tortola)

Mount Healthy's 19th-century sugar windmill ruins are situated over Reef Bay plantations. This is BVI's best-preserved industrial heritage, and so one of the top British Virgin Islands tourist spots.

You will see here hand-cranked mills that processed 1800s cane, and stone arches. Guided history walks will explain slavery-era operations. You can do birdwatching of endemic species, photograph the golden hour.

Keep bug spray, and water essential. Be prepared for no shades, so use sunscreens. It is free entry but donations are appreciated. Spring and autumn times are mildest so come that time but avoid the rainy season. One of the short things to do in British Virgin Islands is visiting here. The place shows a contrast between beach tourism and plantation legacy.

Guana Island Reserve

Private Guana Island's 850-acre nature reserve has 7 pristine beaches, and the North Beach has turtle nesting grounds. This is BVI's ultimate eco-escape. To your “British Virgin Islands what to see” question, this can be the answer. It is a luxury nature immersion, ideal for eco-travelers seeking solitude and peace.

It is located only 15 miles from Tortola, so it is easy to go there and popular among things to do in British Virgin Islands. It has a peak of 843ft, perfect for panoramas. You can hike White Bay trails spotting Agouti or Iguanas. You can also do sea kayak cays.

For something peaceful yet fun, have champagne picnics with friends and family at the secluded strands. Bring binoculars, keep bug sprays as an essential. Be prepared for no public facilities. Book in advance for high seasons. You can spot endemic reptiles here so be careful.

Spring Bay (Virgin Gorda)

Spring Bay's apple-white sands hide granite boulder pools, and palm groves. This place is one of the viral British Virgin Islands tourist attractions. It is a very photogenic place, and so perfect for photographers. You will also find a natural seawater jacuzzis bubble here. Out of many things to do in British Virgin Islands, you can visit here.

You can rest on hammocks, while they sway breezes. This is both fun and thrilling. You can swim into the infinity-edge pools, and do beachfront yoga. If you want solitude, you can opt for a secluded hammock for naps or reading.

From here, you can do a short hike to The Baths. Even for women, there are nude-optional discreet areas. Early arrival beats crowds so try to come in the mornings. Wear water shoes for rocks. Reef-safe sunscreen is mandatory.

December to April are peak times. This is a perfect escape from life as it combines natural pools, privacy, and relaxation.

Smugglers Cove (Tortola)

Tortola's westernmost Smugglers Cove whispers pirate legends amid dramatic cliffs. The cliffs are said to be a secluded horseshoe strand. One of the places for adventurous things to do in British Virgin Islands is here.

You can do safe cliff jumps. Also you can snorkel in the coral gardens, and do moderate cliff jumping into the pools. In the evenings, you will get permitted beach fires. In the afternoons, it is most secluded.

Be careful of the Tide chart because high tides can even cover the beach. Wear waterproof shoes and dress. Keep necessary snacks as there are no facilities. You will find the high tide season is quieter than mainstream beaches.

Overall it is an adventure beach blending snorkeling, jumps, pirate history. So you can keep this place in the British Virgin Islands travel guide too.

Cultural & Culinary Hubs

Callwood Rum Distillery (Tortola)

Callwood's 200-year pushcart rum tradition is the main powerhouse of Tortola's distillery scene. Distillery tours explain the process of cane crushing and fermentation. You can taste 10 rums, fly, and witness annual pushcart races. So this place is one of the popular British Virgin Islands tourist spots mainly for learning some local food habits. If you are into cooking, visiting this place can be in your “things to do in British Virgin Islands” itinerary.

Near Cane Garden Bay, you will have lively weekend competitions. But designated and expired drivers are essential. $15 tours. December to April are the peak times here as festivals also peak. You will get here Authentic BVI culture that celebrates rum heritage firsthand.

Stay Online on Your British Virgin Islands tourism places’ Adventure with SimCorner eSIM.

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Being online helps you feel part of local life while exploring. Get your British Virgin Islands eSIM or physical SIM right now to enjoy smooth trips around the island’s best areas.