Imagine waking up to golden sunlight streaming through your window, stepping out onto your private balcony to breathe in the fresh Caribbean air, and gazing out over sea so blue it seems almost surreal.
This isn’t a dream – it’s a typical morning in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
With so many beautiful places in the world, it could be difficult to choose where to go next.
Let us show you why the BVI should be your next luxury vacation destination.
If you’re looking for privacy and an undisturbed getaway, the BVI makes an ideal destination.
The BVI is made up of more than 60 islands and cays. The largest islands are Tortola (home to St Bernard’s Hill House), Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.
But as only 16 islands are inhabited and the BVI overall is lightly populated, you won’t experience the crowds and hubbub of some other exotic destinations.
It’s easy to find privacy, seclusion and while away several hours on your own private desert island.
Fallen Jerusalem National Park, located south of the southernmost tip of Virgin Gorda, has two sheltered beaches which can be accessed by sea, offering secluded picnic or snorkeling opportunities.
Diamond Cay National Park, a tiny island between Little Jost Van Dyke and Jost Van Dyke, offers hiking trails which circle the island with views of rocky cliffs and nesting seabirds.
The BVI’s beaches are among the most beautiful (we would say the most beautiful) in the Caribbean, if not the world.
Many are framed by lush tropical vegetation and dramatic rock formations – The Baths at Virgin Gorda are a geological marvel.
Some beaches are quiet, secluded coves like Brewer’s Bay and Josiah’s Bay (both on Tortola). Others like White Bay on Jost Van Dyke and Cane Garden Bay on Tortola are longer stretches of coastline and feature beach bars and restaurants. For those with a party spirit, Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay is home to the original Painkiller cocktail.
If you are a rum lover or simply want to sample some of the local produce, Callwoods’ Rum Distillery is a short walk from Cane Garden Bay.
Across the BVI, the beaches are surrounded by crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling and watersports.
There’s a reason why the BVI is known as “Nature’s Little Secrets.”
The BVI boasts more than 15 National Parks and some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world, including evergreen forest, mangroves, dry forests, and coastal environments.
Tortola’s Sage Mountain was the first national park and is the highest point in the BVI at 1,710ft.
There are 14 trails through the forest, including an entire mahogany trail, and different types of vegetation including white cedar, and West Indian and Honduran mahogany trees.
At Virgin Gorda’s Gorda Peak, you’ll enjoy more panoramic views of the BVI and on a clear day, Anegada is visible on the horizon. You may also see the Virgin Gorda gecko, the world’s smallest lizard.
JR O’Neal Botanic Gardens is a 4.5-acre oasis in the BVI’s capital Road Town on Tortola. The Virgin Islands National Parks Trust partnered with scientists from Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to identify key sites for plant and habitat conservation for the Tropical Important Plant Areas project.
The BVI enjoys an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per year (average 8-9 hours per day), with average temperatures of 82°F to 90°F (28°C to 32°C) throughout the year.
The climate is tropical, with moderate to high humidity, but northeast trade winds help to moderate the temperature.
Many consider December to April the best time to visit, and the driest months are February to April. However, we believe the low season has so much to offer too. Find out more about low season vacations.
(St Bernard’s Hill House is closed during peak hurricane season, September to October)
The BVI boasts award-winning majestic dive spots thanks to the warm waters and pristine marine environment.
Think vivid, colorful coral, fascinating underwater landscapes with rocky formations, caves and tunnels, and small crannies and crevices for smaller fish to hide in.
Cam Bay on the eastern shore of Great Camanoe is a popular anchorage for snorkeling where you can see reef fish like Yellowtail Snapper, Black Jack Fish and Sharpnose Puffer. You might even see Green Turtles feeding on seagrass beds in the lagoon. (For history lovers, there is also evidence of a pre-Columbian settlement in the bay.)
For more experienced divers, there are shipwrecks to explore.
The RMS Rhone Marine, a Royal Mail Steamer from Victorian times, has a legendary history and is the most popular dive site in the BVI.
“Wreck Alley” off Cooper Island features deliberately sunk small cargo vessels Island Seal and Marie L.
Willy T on Peter Island was previously a pirate-ship bar, Kodiak Queen a WW2 Navy fuel barge that survived Pearl Harbor, and Sharkplaneo comprises three repurposed derelict aircraft sunk off Tortola.
If you’re traveling from the US mainland, especially the East Coast, the BVI offers convenience and luxury.
The official language is English, and the US dollar is the official currency.
Direct flights from Miami to (EIS) take just over 3 hours. (For more information, check out our guide on how to get to Torola).
You don’t need to worry about jet lag as the BVI is in Atlantic Standard Time (UTC -04:00). (Daylight savings has never been observed in the islands so the clocks don’t change.)
You don’t need a tourist visa for stays up to one month. Generally, all U.S. citizens are required to present a valid U.S. passport when traveling to the BVI, as well as proof of anticipated departure.
*The BVI is widely considered to be a “safe” place to visit. The crime rates are low and, as an overseas territory of the UK, you can expect a peaceful experience without the concerns of political unrest.
*You are advised to exercise “normal precautions” and U.S. citizens are not specifically targeted for crime in the British Virgin Islands. Please check the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs for the most up to date information.
It’s easy to understand why Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson chose the BVI for his private island.
The BVI offers world-class hospitality, infused with Caribbean warmth and charm.
Charter a private speedboat for a day of island hopping. Visit exclusive restaurants and resorts like Nova at Oil Nut Bay which are only accessible by boat or helicopter.
Or feast on your favorite dishes prepared by a private chef with the freshest ingredients.
And, of course, when you’re here you don’t even have to leave the sanctuary of your own private paradise.
St Bernard’s Hill House blends the five-star luxury of a boutique hotel with the comfort of a home away from home.
Choose the British Virgin Islands for your next luxury vacation destination.
Panoramic ocean and island views, spectacular sunsets, peace, and tranquility await.
