The true beauty of the BVI comes alive when you get out on the water and discover the different islands. Each island offers something different and it is only by exploring them that you get a feel for how special this unique archipelago really is. Many who reside in the BVI invest in a boat to take full advantage of the islands and there are many services providers who offer day excursions on the water, either under sail or motor. However, there is a comprehensive network or ferries and operators that enable you to enjoy all the BVI has to offer at minimal expense. For the lowdown on how best to get around the islands see below.

Jost Van Dyke

This is a delightful island with less than 300 residents but a vibrant community offering wonderful hiking and great bars and restaurants. Hendo’s, Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar and the Tipsy Shark are just a few of the iconic bars on this stunning island. White Bay is the islands primary beach and is one of the Caribbeans most stunning beaches. A day trip here to eat, drink and soak in the ocean is one of life’s great pleasures. Daily ferries between Tortola and JVD are as follows:

Norman Island

This privately owned island is one of the gems in the BVI crown. It has no full-time residents and on 600 acres this is a fabulous unspoilt island. The main natural harbour, known as “The Bight” has two restaurants which are open throughout the year. The snorkelling here is wonderful and you are almost guaranteed to find turtles and an abundance of small fish. You can also hike from one to another discovered bays and inlets along the way. Failing that you can spend the day on a sun lounger drinking cocktails and eating fresh fish tacos.

There are daily ferries  during high season (October – July) from Hannah Bay for $20 return. It is advised that you call in advance to book a space on the boat – 1 284 443-1305.

Peter Island

Peter Island is the largest private island in the BVI and the fifth largest of the 60 islands, quays, and exposed reefs that comprise the BVI. It was owned by the Amway Corporation from 1978 until 2001 when full ownership was transferred to the Van Andel family, co-owners of Amway.
The island is predominantly undeveloped but contains hiking and biking trails on which to discover the tropical flora and fauna indigenous to this very special island. Central to the island is the resort which reopening in December 2024 after a seven-year period of renovation and reinvention. We are delighted to welcome them back, they were sorely missed, and we are happier still that they let no guests visit via day pass of $50.00. This enables the ferry transfer and use of the main swimming pool, the gym, the pickle ball courts, walking trails, the spa and the two restaurants.

Ferries depart from Baughers Bay as follows:

• Leaves Tortola at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.
• Leaves Peter Island at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:00 pm.
• If going over for dinner leaving Tortola at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
• The return boats are 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm.

Cooper Island

This is another gorgeous and unspoilt island. There are a handful of private homes here plus a small eco beach club resort which offers eight hotel rooms, a restaurant, rum bar, coffee shop, solar powered brewery and gift shop. With 30 mooring balls this is haven for charter yachts, but you can enjoy for the day by jumping on one of the dive boats. Being here is about pulling up a lounger under a sea grape tree and enjoying a frozen Dakari or for those more adventurous booking in a dive at the nearby Wreck of the Rhone.        

Sail Caribbean Divers, based at Hodges Creek Marina on Tortola offers water transport to and from Cooper Island from the marina leaving at 08.00am and returning at 4.30pm.  The cost is $30.00 per person and it is advised that you call in advance to book (1 284 541 3483)

Virgin Gorda

Christopher Columbus is said to have named the island “the Fat Virgin”, because the island’s profile on the horizon looks like a fat woman lying on her side (how rude). It is about eight square miles and offers outstanding beaches and great bars and restaurants. You need a car to explore it and you can hire one for the day or jump in taxis as needed. The most iconic landmark here are The Baths, a unique and stunning geologic formation of granite boulders that line a beautiful sandy cove offering the opportunity to swim inside them (editors note – don’t go when there are lots of cruise ships in). There are also great restaurants (Coco Maya, Sugar Cane and Little Dix) and a multitude of beach bars.

There are daily ferries from Road Town and Trellis Bay from early morning to late at night. Ferry timetables are below.

Oil Nut Bay / Bitter End / Saba Rock / Biras Creek

There are currently no direct ferries from Tortola but you can take the main ferry to Virgin Gorda and than a short taxi ride to Gun Creek.  From there you can get a free water transfer to each of these iconic and luxurious destinations.  At Oil Nut Bay you can only access the restaurant and pool at Nova but at Saba Rock and Bitter End you can use the beaches and enjoy the bars and restaurants.  Biras are open for dinner and will book your transfer at the same time.   Call each venue for more details.

Marina Cay

This is a delightful island just a short boat ride from Trellis Bay on Tortola’s eastern side (by the airport if you flew in). There are no cars, it is more a sandy cay, but there is a restaurant and bar and a beach with shade and loungers and wonderful snorkelling. Ferries leave at a quarter to every hour and return on the half hour from Trellis Bay.

Schedule

The ferry operates every 45 minutes between 6:45 am and 10:30 pm. The return schedule runs from 6:30 am to 10:15 pm.

Duration

The ferry ride to Marina Cay takes about 5 minutes

Scrub Island

There is a resort on Scrub Island that offers two beaches, two pools, a hot tub, a spa and bars and restaurants. You can use the facilities for a $50 daily fee if occupancy permits and the ferries are as follows:

Schedule

The ferry operates every 45 minutes between 6:45 am and 10:30 pm. The return schedule runs from 6:30 am to 10:15 pm.

Duration

The ferry ride to Scrub Island takes about 10 minutes.

Anegada

This is a very special experience which we recommend if your itenary permits, you will need a full day as a minimum to enjoy the island. As the most northern of the islands it is approximately 15 miles north of Virgin Gorda. Anegada is the only inhabited British Virgin Island formed from coral and limestone rather than being of volcanic origin. While the other islands are mountainous, Anegada is flat and low. Its highest point is only about 28 feet! This unique terrain is home to wonderful wildlife (including flamingos) plus breathtaking reefs. Combine that with a frozen cocktail and BBQ lobster and what else can you hope for.       

Ferry times are below but to maximise your time it can make sense to take a short flight, great fun to see the islands from above and it will save you an a few hours on the water getting there and back again.  Private charters can be booked with Island Birds on 1 284.495.2002