British Virgin Islands
Last updated: 29 January 2026
At a glance
The British Virgin Islands offer numerous marinas, but the main appeal lies in the abundance of anchorages within a compact sailing area. Highlights include lively beach bars, a variety of dining options, and the renowned Anegada lobster. Check-in procedures are generally straightforward using SailClear.
Attractions
The Baths on Virgin Gorda are a highlight for visitors, offering spectacular rock formations and clear waters for exploration. The site is easily accessible from nearby anchorages, making it a popular stop for those cruising the area.
Jost Van Dyke Bubbly Pool also draws sailors with its natural tidal pool, a popular swimming spot. The island's atmosphere, coupled with its several restaurants and bars, makes it a lively destination for cruisers looking to socialize.
Places to stay
Below are the most popular and highly rated places to stay, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:
Anchorages
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Brewer's Bay | 5.0 ★ |
Review summary: Approaching Brewer's Bay requires vigilance, particularly regarding reef locations as noted on satellite views. The anchorage is known for its calmness amid high winds and good sand holding, providing a comfortable experience. Multiple Reviews highlight its suitability for handling north swells effectively.
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Little Harbour | 4.9 ★ |
Review summary: Anchoring in Little Harbour often involves tying stern lines ashore, enabling more boats to fit comfortably. Clear, calm waters provide excellent opportunities for snorkeling, where turtles and rays are frequently spotted. The setting maintains tranquility, providing a peaceful refuge from prevailing winds and swells.
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Bitter End East | 4.8 ★ |
Review summary: Anchoring at Bitter End East allows visitors to find deep water and good holding, as confirmed by multiple Reviews. It serves as a strategic stop for those waiting for a weather window to St Martin. The setting remains calm with available mooring balls.
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Little Jost Van Dyke | 4.7 ★ |
Review summary: Sheltered anchorage benefits from protection by nearby Green Cay and a small islet. The area features crystal clear water and available depths near 4m with a mostly sandy bottom. Daytime anchoring is popular, but few boats remain overnight.
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Lower Belmont Bay | 4.7 ★ |
Review summary: Lower Belmont Bay offers tranquility and scenic beauty with its sparsely populated shores and few anchored boats. The beach bars provide a cozy vibe, closing early in the evening. It's essential to avoid coral while anchoring, as highlighted in multiple Reviews.
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Marina Cay Anchorage | 4.6 ★ |
Review summary: Visitors frequently anchor at Marina Cay Anchorage, preferring the areas east or west of the mooring field. The anchorage is popular for its favorable conditions and opportunities for snorkeling. Many Reviews do highlight the vibrant marine life in the area as a key attraction.
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Spring Bay | 4.6 ★ |
Review summary: Spring Bay experiences fewer visitors after 3pm, making it a quieter anchorage for overnight stays. Visitors report a shortage of space for anchoring and slight southern swells causing some discomfort. It offers good snorkeling opportunities and is accessible to nearby attractions like the Baths.
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Privateer Bay | 4.6 ★ |
Review summary: Anchoring in Privateer Bay offers a calm and well-protected setting with good sand holding. The bay often features rich marine life, including turtles and rays. Visitors can also enjoy exploring nearby caves, adding an adventurous aspect to the location.
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Monkey Point | 4.4 ★ |
Review summary: Anchoring is allowed at Monkey Point outside the mooring field. Visitors enjoy good snorkeling opportunities with abundant marine life, making it a popular spot for day visits. Most opt to anchor on sand patches early in the day for a comfortable experience.
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Eustatia Sound | 4.3 ★ |
Review summary: The sandy-bottom anchorage features crystal-clear blue water with excellent holding. Snorkeling is a popular activity among visitors, and the location is generally peaceful with only a few boats present at night. Daytime wake from passing boats can occasionally be felt.
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Marinas
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Light House Marina | 5.0 ★ |
Review summary: Visitors find Light House Marina to be a small and cozy place with friendly and knowledgeable staff. The marina offers a good location for those looking to fill water tanks or stay temporarily. Excellent service is frequently noted by those who stop by.
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Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour | 4.7 ★ |
Review summary: Navigating the entrance can be challenging due to shallow depths, but the marina is well-equipped with a dedicated dock for transient boats. Customs and several restaurants are within walking distance, enhancing convenience for those arriving or departing.
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Nanny Cay Marina | 4.0 ★ |
Review summary: Staying at Nanny Cay Marina is often highlighted by its vibrant community and protective harbour views. Visitors enjoy dining options and the pool within the marina. Many appreciate the friendly atmosphere and good amenities like a chandlery, though some find it expensive.
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Leverick Bay Marina | 3.0 ★ |
Review summary: Stopping at Leverick Bay Marina provides access to a grocery, a few shops, and water on the pontoons. Evening music and entertainment create a lively atmosphere, particularly during BBQ nights with live performances. Visitors should prepare for possible wash from nearby ferries.
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Moorings
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Privateer Bay | 4.8 ★ |
Review summary: Visitors appreciate the mooring buoys at Privateer Bay, which provide a comfortable place to stay. Snorkeling opportunities are highlighted in multiple Reviews. However, some visitors note that the mooring balls may be positioned closely together, impacting maneuverability.
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Key Bay | 4.5 ★ |
Review summary: Anchoring offers excellent conditions, with a sandy bottom providing stable holding as noted in several Reviews. Key Bay is well shielded from northern and eastern winds, making it a favorable anchorage choice under these conditions.
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Cane Garden Bay | 4.4 ★ |
Review summary: Plentiful mooring balls make Cane Garden Bay a popular stop. Visitors can enjoy easy access to a large beach, making it an appealing location for relaxation.
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The Bight Bay | 4.3 ★ |
Review summary: Visitors frequent The Bight Bay for its well-maintained moorings and scenic hikes. The mooring fee is $40 per night, collected either by a visiting attendant or at Pirate’s Bight. The area offers a lively atmosphere with dining options at Pirate’s Bight and Willie T’s.
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Benures Bay | 4.3 ★ |
Review summary: Visitors enjoy staying at Benures Bay for its relative seclusion and tranquil environment, with mooring available for $50 per night. The bay is known for offering a break from crowded areas along with opportunities for snorkeling. A boat boy offers trash and ice services.
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Boatyards and services
Below are the most popular and highly rated boat services, based on feedback from the noforeignland community:
Chandlers
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Golden Hind Chandlery | 5.0 ★ |
Review summary: Golden Hind Chandlery has a wide selection of equipment and offers competitive prices, especially when compared to other local chandleries. It's frequently regarded as one of the best-stocked options, rivaling the selection available in larger hubs like St. Martin.
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Marine Depot | 4.0 ★ |
Review summary: Marine Depot offers a wide selection of boat parts including fuel transfer pumps, engine belts, and filters. The staff is known for being friendly and helpful. Despite this, visitors should be aware of the significantly high prices compared to stateside options.
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Chandlery at VGYH | 3.0 ★ |
Review summary: The chandler offers a limited selection of basic boating supplies and lines. It serves those in need of fundamental items rather than a comprehensive stock. Visitors should manage expectations regarding inventory breadth.
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Boat services
| Mike's Marine | 4.7 ★ |
Review summary: Mike's Marine provides boat services for purchasing and delivery, as listed in customer accounts. Some Reviews mention the shop's open hours variability, which might require multiple visits. Service offerings include boat and motor sales along with additional assistance, like transport for errands.
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Yacht clearance
This table summarizes first-hand reviews from sailors who have checked in to British Virgin Islands .
Ports of entry offices
| Spanish Town Customs & Immigration | 4.2 ★ |
Review summary: Checking into Spanish Town's customs and immigration typically involves a straightforward process. Most visitors report minimal wait times and efficient service, especially when arriving prepared with the SailClear form. Visitors should be prepared to pay various fees using cash and credit card options.
Place marker mentions: check in steps, fees or payments and opening hours.
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| Road Town Customs & Immigration | 4.0 ★ |
Review summary: Checking in at Road Town Customs and Immigration is described as straightforward. The staff are friendly, and the process runs efficiently when ferries aren't present. Visitors noted the convenience of charter moorings for temporary dinghy docking, albeit with limited proximity.
Place marker mentions: check in steps, prearrival requirements and fees or payments.
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| Great Harbour Customs & Immigration | 3.8 ★ |
Review summary: Checking in is facilitated by the Sail Clear process, which visitors find simple. The credit card machines are functional, helping to streamline payments. Visitors report quick processing times, around thirty minutes, making it an efficient port of entry.
Place marker mentions: opening hours.
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| Soper’s Hole Customs & Immigration | 3.2 ★ |
Review summary: Checking in at Soper's Hole involves completing the Sailclear process in advance to avoid delays. Arrivals early in the morning may experience faster service, although ferry arrivals can cause interruptions. Visitors should note the fees associated with clearance, which are charged at different windows.
Place marker mentions: prearrival requirements.
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| Road Town Main Immigration Office | 1.0 ★ |
Review summary: Administrative procedures at this location require attention to dress code, which has become a noted characteristic of the check-in process. Visitors mention that attire might be a factor in the interaction with officials.
Place marker mentions: visitor visa requirements.
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Useful yacht clearance links
- British Virgin Islands Tourism: Yacht clearance procedure
- https://www.bvitourism.com/travel/arriving-by-sea
- British Virgin Islands Government: Clearing of vessels procedure
- https://bvi.gov.vg/content/clearing-vessels
- Sail Clear: Pre arrival notification
- https://sailclear.com/index
- British Virgin Islands Immigration: BVI online embarkation / disembarkation card system (BVIED)
- https://bviedcard.gov.vg/en
Notes for mariners
Wind conditions are largely shaped by the steady northeast trade winds. For sailors familiar with Caribbean cruising, navigation is generally straightforward, though care is still required around reefs.
The off-season
Following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, few boats stay in the British Virgin Islands during the hurricane season.
Facts for visitors
- Best times of year to sail here: November to June
- Most common type of shore power: 110–120 V, 60 Hz with type A/B sockets
- Cost for provisioning: Medium
- Currency: US Dollar (USD)
- Personal security: Generally considered safe
- Emergency phone numbers:
- Police: 911
- Fire: 911
- Ambulance: 911
- Coast guard: 767
- International dialing code: +1 284
- Time zone(s): UTC -4
Maritime history
The maritime history of the British Virgin Islands dates back to the indigenous Taino people, who navigated the Caribbean Sea long before European explorers arrived. The islands gradually became a haven for pirates during the 17th century, with their hidden coves and waters providing convenient refuge and strategic points for ambushes. Evidence of pirate lore still intrigues sailors as they explore these historic bays.
With the advent of European colonization, control of the BVI shifted between various colonial powers, with the British ultimately establishing control in the late 1600s. The islands became integral to the sugar trade and provided a port of call for naval fleets protecting British commercial interests. The remnants of sugar plantations and colonial forts provide an insight into this colonial past.
In recent years, BVI has developed into a renowned sailing and yachting hub. The region hosts multiple regattas and has established itself as a global sailing destination, drawing in enthusiasts from across the world. Rebuilding efforts after the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017 illustrate the resilience of local communities and the sailing culture, which remains vibrant and pivotal to BVI's identity. Maritime attractions, such as the historic Tortola Pier Park, offer visitors a glimpse into both past and present seafaring traditions.