With four major islands and over 50 smaller (mostly uninhabited) islands, The British Virgin Islands are a treasure trove of places to sightsee, snorkel, and sail. With so many options, it can be difficult for travelers to pinpoint the best places that the islands have to offer.

Whether you are on a BVI yacht charter or a bareboat charter, here are some of the most spectacular spots to drop anchor.

The Baths and Devil’s Bay – Virgin Gorda

Perhaps the most visited location in the British Virgin Islands, The Baths are an undeniably breathtaking sight to behold.

Enormous grey boulders soar majestically from the clear blue waters, creating a labyrinth of caves and secluded grottoes that visitors can wade or swim through.

After making your way through the maze of water and rocks (carefully – things can get slippery!), you will find yourself on the sands of pristine Devil’s Bay, heralded by many as the most beautiful beach in the British Virgin Islands. Visitors can snorkel, swim, and sunbathe, and mooring buoys are available right outside of the bay.

Jost Van Dyke

Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the BVI’s inhabited islands but packs a punch in the “laidback” department. It’s the preferred day trip destination for locals living in the Virgin Islands, and has long been a darling destination for BVI charters.

Once on the island, you can take in beautiful hikes across uninhabited wilderness, or rent a jeep to go exploring. You can swim, snorkel,  or learn about organic bush medicine from the locals.

Also known as the “barefoot island”, Jost Van Dyke is the home of the Painkiller – a potent drink that packs a punch of its own. Yachters will delight in the world famous yacht party at Foxy’s on New Year’s Eve.

Cane Garden Bay and Brewer’s Bay – Tortola

Known as the “Jewel of the BVI”, Cane Garden Bay is best known for its sugar cane, and the resulting rum made from its extract.

A visit to Callwood’s Rum Distillery is a must, as it is the oldest continuously working rum distillery on the islands. Callwood’s prides themselves on only using boiled sugar cane juice and not molasses, which they claim can prevent hangovers.

Brewer’s Bay is adjacent to Cane Garden Bay but is only accessible by land, so anchoring in CGB and walking or taking a taxi is your best bet to visit this pristine paradise. The clear shallow waters make Brewer’s Bay better suited for snorkeling than scuba diving. Just be sure to bring your own gear.

RMS Rhone – Salt Island

The RMS Rhone is the most popular wreck dive in the BVI. It offers stunning views of the ocean as well as visits from sea turtles and octopus, many of which pop up unexpectedly (in your face!) at random points during the dive.

Sailing the British Virgin Islands doesn’t have to be strictly water-based. Plenty of these idyllic islands boast restaurants, bars, music, and snorkeling that top anywhere else in the world. Land ho!

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Best Sailing Destinations in the British Virgin Islands

Best Sailing Destinations in the British Virgin Islands

Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

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Photo credits: The Baths The Baths at Virgin Gorda by Curtis Simmons. Cane Garden Bay by Jean-Marc Astesana. Sunset at Cane Garden bay by superde1uxe.