There are lovely sandy beaches on all the islands and many of them are remote, empty and accessible only from the sea. The clean, crystal-clear waters around the islands provide excellent snorkelling, diving, cruising and fishing. Most of the hotels offer a wide variety of watersports, including windsurfing, sunfish, scuba, snorkelling and small boats. Jet skis are banned.

North Shore, Tortola

Smugglers Cove
A small sandy beach at the western tip of Tortola, offers good snorkelling. The road is unpaved but passable.

Long Bay
This is a lovely mile-long stretch of white sand beach. A hotel and several guest houses line its eastern portion. The western end offers greater solitude and good swimming.

Apple Bay
"The Surfing Beach," is home of the surfer's bar - Bomba's Shack, as well as a small community and hotel.

Cane Garden Bay
This bay has a gently curving beach and is a popular anchorage. There are watersports, restaurants, bars and guesthouses.

Brewer's Bay
This lush, tropical bay has two beach bars, a campground and good snorkelling.

Josiah's Bay
On the north shore near East End, has a dramatic beach.

Lambert Beach (aka: Elizabeth Beach)
This is a wide, palm fringed beach, which can be reached from East End by private road. In winter, when there is a north shore swell, the undertow here and at Josiah's can be very strong. It is also the location of Lambert Beach Resort.

Little Lambert Beach (aka: Little Elizabeth Beach)
This is a small, palm fringed beach, which can be reached from East End by private road that is rough and a four wheel drive vehicle is required. In winter, when there is a north shore swell, the undertow here can be very strong.

Virgin Gorda

The Baths
Giant boulders form a series of spectacular pools and grottoes which flood with sea water, creating an unforgettable setting. Nearby snorkeling is excellent.

Spring Bay
Neighbouring the Baths, has white sand, clear water and good snorkelling.

Trunk Bay
This is a wide sand beach reachable by boat or along a rough path from Spring Bay.

Savannah Bay
This is a sandy beach north of the Yacht Harbour. Mahoe Bay Mahoe Bay beach at the Mango Bay Resort has a gently curving beach with vivid blue water.

Other Islands

Long Bay, Beef Island
Has a secluded beach with sheltered waters. In order not to disturb nesting terns, enter from behind, not across, the salt pond.

Loblolly Bay, Anegada
Has a small beach bar and sun shelters. With its many miles of untouched beaches, Anegada is sometimes called "The Beach Lover's Island".

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
This beach is most easily reached by boat and has a beautiful sand beach and a small hotel and restaurant.

Sandy Cay
An uninhabited islet off Jost Van Dyke, has a lovely white sand beach ... and little else.

Deadman's Bay, Peter Island
This is Peter Island Resort's idyllic palm fringed beach. It can be reached by boat or ferry from Road Town.

Vixen Point, Prickly Pear, North Sound
This is a long stretch of white sand with a beach bar.