A vacation in the British Virgin Islands can be as relaxed or as action packed as you want it to be. Whether you use this opportunity to try a bunch of new things or to put in time doing the things you love but never have time to do back home, there are plenty of activities available to keep you entertained.
The British Virgin Islands are made up of many different islands. Among the main islands, there is a vast difference in terrain, road quality, and urabanization. What this means is no matter what kind of riding you are looking for, it can be found somewhere in the BVI.
If you are considering exploring a new environment with the wind in your face, there are several rental agencies that can help you. To read about other bike and scooter rentals, navigate to this page.
There are 13 dive operators and at least 114 interesting dive sites in the area. If you're interested, find out more about diving in this area, can do so by clicking on this link.
Annual events and festivals are a beloved way for locals to get together and celebrate the things that are important to them as a group. People on the British Virgin Islands particularly love sailing events and music festivals, so you should be on the lookout for such events as the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival and the BVI Music Festival. These events make it easy to sample local fare, hear regional music, and pick up a few hand crafted souvenirs all in one place.
The British Virgin Islands are some of the very best fishing destinations in the Caribbean, and some of the top spots in the world are found here. Visitors looking for a day at sea or at the shore fishing will be very pleased with the many options provided on the islands.
Plenty of fishermen frequent the area, as suggested by the existence of 7 charter fishing services that operate from this area. For a more detailed look at this specific topic, read this article about fishing in this area.
The chart directly below lists some details regarding local providers that will help you spend some time on the open water.
Name | Phone | Location | Island |
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Aaron Rentals | (284) 494-8917 | Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Aristocat Daysails | (284) 499-1249 | Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Aristocat Daysails Nanny Cay | (284) 499-1249 | 1.9 mi. South West of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Aristocat Daysails West End | (284) 499-1249 | 2.9 mi. North-Northeast of Central Coral Bay | Tortola |
B&B Charters | (284) 496-9341 | 0.7 mi. North of Central Santu Patia | Virgin Gorda |
BVI Yacht Charters | -- | 0.5 mi. Northeast of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
C&D Power Boat Rentals | (284) 495-1401 | 0.5 mi. East of Central Parham Town | Tortola |
Conch Charters | (284) 494-4868 | 0.7 mi. South-Southeast of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Day Trips BVI | (284) 340-3434 | 2.9 mi. North-Northeast of Central Coral Bay | Frenchman's Cay |
Footloose Sailboat Charters | (284) 494-0528 | 0.4 mi. North-Northeast of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Island Surf & Sail | (284) 494-0123 | 2.9 mi. North-Northeast of Central Coral Bay | Frenchman's Cay |
Kuralu | (284) 495-4381 | 3.0 mi. North-Northeast of Central Coral Bay | Tortola |
La Boheme Charters | (284) 541-4861 | 0.2 mi. West-Northwest of Central Spanish Town | Virgin Gorda |
Sea It Clear | (284) 343-9537 | Spanish Town, Southeastern part of the BVI | Virgin Gorda |
True Blue Power Boats | (284) 541-6666 | 0.9 mi. South of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
If you'd like to learn about charter operators and local marinas visit this page.
Unlike the U.S. Virgin Islands, where shopping is considered to be some of the best in the world, it takes a bit more doing to find good deals in the British Virgin Islands. Still, most tourists are up for the challenge. Traditional shopping malls are not to be found, however, this leaves room for locally owned shops with handmade products that make for perfect souvenirs. If you don't want to work so hard to find shopping opportunities, stick to Tortola, where you can find a shopping center in Road Town.
If your group includes some avid shoppers they might enjoy exploring some of the area's 44 retail shops. Read this article if you want to discover more about shopping in the BVI and nearby.
Sightseeing is also a popular activity for visitors to the BVI. The area features 18 historic sites and various other attractions of interest to travelers. Nature enthusiasts typically enjoy visiting the area's outdoor parks and botanical garden. Visit this extended discussion dedicated to area sightseeing attractions if you want to learn more facts.
Information about a firm that will show you the most interesting local sights can be seen in the chart below.
Name | Type | Phone | Location |
---|---|---|---|
In Theory Charters | Excursions and Sightseeing Service | (340) 677-0050 | 0.6 mi. North-Northeast of Central Red Hook |
Virgin Island Ecotours Mangrove Lagoon | Nature Tourism Service | (877) 684-2441 | 1.6 mi. West-Southwest of Central Red Hook |
If you enjoy underwater beauty there's good news -- you can easily find places to do so during your vacation in the BVI. For more in-depth coverage of local snorkeling opportunities, check out this page.
Going to a spa might be the highlight of your vacation. It shouldn't be hard to find a spa you like, given the fact that there are 8 different spas in this area. For more in formation concerning the options, go to this page.
Watersports are bountiful in the British Virgin Islands, as you might easily imagine. Participating in any of them can be a great way to pass the time doing something you may not get to experience back home. Most large resorts offer non-motorized watersports equipment free of charge, and motorized sports for a small fee. Some even have a onetime scuba diving training session in the pool. To get fully certified, you may have to see out the help of a professional scuba shop, of which there are plenty. Snorkeling is a great choice for those who don't want to invest too much time learning, but still can't resist the idea of underwater exploration.
When you're vacationing on one of the top sailing destinations in the world, you simply cannot pass up the chance to spend a day sailing, and if you can squeeze in some fishing you'll really have made the most of your time. A boat chartered for fishing will often include bait and tackle as well as lunch, snacks, and beverages in the cost of the trip, plus, you'll likely be allowed to bring your caught fish back with you to have the chef at your hotel or a local restaurant prepare for you to eat.
It doesn't take much to keep fit in the British Virgin Islands. Hotels and resorts might have fitness rooms, lap pools, tennis courts, and even beach volleyball courts. While there are no golf courses on the British Virgin Islands, you can utilize ferries or commuter jets to hop a flight to St. Thomas or St. Croix to play a few rounds. Spectator sports come few and far between on the British Virgin Islands, though it may be possible to view some equestrian sports or a regatta during your time on the islands. Ask the concierge at your front desk for details.
If you enjoy playing tennis your best bet is to make your reservations at a hotel with a tennis court. Fortunately, there are 7 properties in the area that offer tennis.
The following table summarizes some key facts. Included is the number of courts available, whether lights are available for evening play, and a few other details. Click on the names to read more details concerning the property.
Property | Location | Island | Tennis Courts | Lit Courts | Tennis Pro |
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Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas | 0.7 mi. Southeast of Central Red Hook | St. Thomas | 2 | ![]() |
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Dreams Sugar Bay Resort & Spa | 1.3 mi. East of Central Anna's Retreat | St. Thomas | 3 | ![]() |
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Rosewood Little Dix Bay | 3.5 mi. South West of Central Santu Patia | Virgin Gorda | 2 | ![]() |
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Peter Island Resort & Spa | 6.0 mi. Southeast of Central Tortola | Peter Island | 4 | ![]() |
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Prospect Reef Resort | 0.9 mi. South of Downtown Road Town | Tortola | 5 | ||
Long Bay Beach Resort | 1.4 mi. South West of Central Little Carrot Bay | Tortola | 2 | ![]() |
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Crystal Cove | 1.8 mi. Northeast of Central Maroon Town | St. Thomas | 4 | ![]() |
For example, Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas is located directly on the beach, where you can go and relax between games.
The following table lists some key facts concerning other activities.
Name | Type | Phone | Location | Island |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphin Discovery Tortola | Dolphin Encounter Service | (284) 494-7677 | Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Hiho Watersports | Watersports Operator | (284) 494-7694 | Beef Island | Beef Island |
Island Surf and Sail | Watersports Operator | (284) 340-0123 | 0.4 mi. Northwest of Central Frenchman's Cay | Frenchman's Cay |
Leverick Bay Watersports | Watersports Operator | (284) 495-7376 | Santu Patia | Virgin Gorda |
Tortola Sports Club | Fitness Centers and Instructors | (284) 494-3457 | 0.5 mi. North-Northeast of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
Up's Cineplex | Movie Theater | -- | 0.4 mi. Northwest of Downtown Road Town | Tortola |
And that's not all. As you go from spot to spot you'll find many more activities to keep you busy. If something of particular interest comes up, you may even want to arrange your schedule to accommodate more time spent on it. Whatever you choose to do, it's certain to be remembered for many years to come.
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