⛵ The Top 5 Beaches in BVI

Hi Reader,

After the Beach Bar Top 5 list a few weeks ago, I’ve had several of you ask: What about the beaches themselves?

So here’s the sequel—my Top 10 BVI Beaches. I’ll share five of them below, and you can catch the full list at the end of the email.

But first, a couple quick updates:

🟢 I’ve always found it hard to get accurate info on conditions at The Baths in BVI, so I built a site that updates the status daily (and also when the flag status changes)
👉 bathsflagstatus.com

🏛️ Thinking about a summer charter in Greece? Let us know! We’ll be at the East Med Multihull Yacht Show in Poros next week and will have the latest specials and insights to share for last-minute trips.

My Top 5 Beaches in the BVI

After years of sailing around these islands, these are the BVI beaches I find myself coming back to—each one special in its own way.

5. Savannah Bay – Virgin Gorda

A wide, open stretch of beach with almost no one on it.

You won’t find beach chairs or bars—just sugar-soft sand and calm water protected by a reef. It’s a bit tricky to reach by boat but doable for most crewed charters. A short taxi from North Sound makes it accessible by land.

🌴 Best for: Beach walks, swimming, and off-the-grid vibes

Hang with the locals at peaceful Smuggler's Cove

4. Smuggler’s Cove – Tortola

A throwback beach that still feels authentic.

It’s off the bareboat charter grid, and as a result, is rarely crowded. Your crewed charter can take you there or grab a taxi from Soper’s Hole and spend the afternoon with Patricia and Bushman—grilled fish sandwiches, cold cheap Caribs, and all the charm of an old-school BVI beach bar.

🔥 Best for: Local food, quiet waters, and a side of nostalgia

The typical beach scene at White Bay in front of the Soggy Dollar Bar

3. White Bay – Jost Van Dyke

Busy? Often. Worth it? Always.

This is the Caribbean cliché in the best possible way. Drop anchor, swim ashore, and spend the day hopping between beach bars with the sand between your toes.

Visit the Soggy Dollar Bar for the original painkiller, or find out which establishment serves up the best bushwacker. Hendo's Hideout has the best food.

🍹 Best for: Soggy Dollar Painkillers, people-watching, and liming away the afternoon

The beach at White Bay, Guana Island is rarely crowded

2. White Bay – Guana Island

A more secluded gem with big payoffs.

Guana Island is private, but the beach is open to all (up to the high water mark). The scenery is stunning and the crowds are few. Simply walk the gorgeous beach and take in your surroundings. Looking for an excrusion? Dinghy over to Muskmelon Bay to spot birds feeding on baitfish.

🤿 Best for: Serenity, snorkeling, and off-the-radar beauty

Lagoon style swimming awaits at Cow Wreck Beach

1. Cow Wreck Beach – Anegada

This one’s always at the top for me.

Cow Wreck’s wide-open beach and calm lagoon make it perfect for a lazy afternoon while listening to the waves break over Horseshoe Reef. We usually start at Loblolly Bay for lunch and snorkeling, then cruise over in our mokes for drinks, swimming, and relaxing at Tipsy’s. Cow Wreck Beach Bar next door is also worth a visit.

🏖️ Best for: Frozen drinks, lagoon swims, and that “I could stay here forever” feeling

Check out the full Top 10 list on our website:

👉 Read the full Top 10 BVI Beaches list

That's it for today!