Home / Destinations / British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands travel guide
Sailing paradise of calm bays and island-hopping.
The British Virgin Islands are a group of about 60 islands and cays in the Caribbean, famous as one of the world's best sailing spots. Visitors come for calm waters, giant boulders at The Baths, quiet beaches and laid-back beach bars.
Travel tools
Getting there
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island connects via regional hubs such as Puerto Rico and Antigua.
Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry, breezy and great for sailing.
Tougher months: August–October: the peak of hurricane season, when storms are most likely and some businesses close.
Weather by month in Road Town
- 29°J●
- 29°F
- 29°M
- 30°A●
- 31°M●
- 32°J●
- 32°J●
- 32°A●●
- 32°S●●
- 31°O●●
- 30°N●●
- 29°D●
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: America/Puerto_Rico. Compare with your local time.
Official advisory: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-05-22). Read the advisory.
Source and more: British Virgin Islands travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to British Virgin Islands are based around Tortola, Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$150–220 for a backpacker and US$300–550 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun British Virgin Islands page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 110 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +1284.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Tortola (Main island · beaches and Road Town): The largest island, with the capital Road Town, mountain viewpoints and popular beaches on the north shore.
- Virgin Gorda (Island · boulders and bays): Home of The Baths and Devil's Bay, plus calm anchorages in the North Sound.
- Jost Van Dyke (Island · beach bars): A tiny, laid-back island famous for its barefoot bars, White Bay and the natural Bubbly Pool.
- Anegada (Island · coral atoll-like): A low coral island ringed by a vast reef, with deserted beaches, flamingos and superb snorkelling.
- Norman Island (Island · snorkelling): A favourite stop for sailors, with the Caves, the Indians rock formation nearby and sheltered moorings.
- Sage Mountain National Park (Tortola · forest hiking): Cool trails through lush forest to sweeping panoramas of the surrounding islands.
- Cane Garden Bay (Tortola · beach): A picture-perfect bay of calm water and palm-shaded sand, good for swimming and sunsets.
Things to do
- Scramble through The Baths. Squeeze between giant granite boulders on Virgin Gorda to reach hidden pools and a dazzling white beach.
- Charter a sailboat. Hop between more than fifty islands and cays in one of the world's favourite sailing grounds.
- Snorkel the Caves. Swim into sea caves on Norman Island, said to have inspired tales of buried pirate treasure.
- Dive the RMS Rhone. Explore a famous nineteenth-century shipwreck off Salt Island, now covered in coral and fish.
- Swim ashore at White Bay. Wade from your boat to the soft sand of Jost Van Dyke's lively beach bars.
- Eat lobster on Anegada. Feast on grilled spiny lobster on the flat coral island known for its endless empty beaches.
- Hike Sage Mountain. Climb through misty forest to the highest point in the Virgin Islands for views across the archipelago.
- Relax at Cane Garden Bay. Spend a lazy afternoon on Tortola's classic crescent beach with reggae drifting from the bars.
Eat and drink
- Fungi and fish – cornmeal with stewed fish, the national dish
- Anegada lobster – grilled spiny lobster on the beach
- Johnny cakes – fried dough bread
- Painkiller – rum, pineapple, orange and coconut cocktail from Jost Van Dyke
Money and safety
Currency: United States dollar (USD). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: 10–15%; a service charge is often added.
Emergency numbers: 911 or 999 police, fire & ambulance.
- The official currency is the US dollar, and most businesses accept major credit cards.
- ATMs are found in Road Town and on Virgin Gorda but are scarce on smaller islands, so carry cash for beach bars and moorings.
- Crime levels are low, but don't leave valuables unattended on beaches or in unlocked cars.
- Driving is on the left, and roads on Tortola are steep and winding, so take it slowly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit British Virgin Islands?
Dec–Apr – dry, breezy and great for sailing. Warm and sunny all year, with a hurricane season from June to November.
What time zone is British Virgin Islands in?
British Virgin Islands uses America/Puerto_Rico.
What plug and voltage does British Virgin Islands use?
British Virgin Islands uses plug type A, B at 110 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for British Virgin Islands?
The international calling code for British Virgin Islands is +1284.
Do you tip in British Virgin Islands?
10–15%; a service charge is often added.
What is the emergency number in British Virgin Islands?
911 or 999 police, fire & ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in British Virgin Islands?
Traffic drives on the left.