Beyond the Beach: Things to Do in the BVI in 2025
by Claudia Colli
Yes, you can go to the beach when in the BVI and we certainly have some of the best. But there are many other cool places that you won’t want to miss. Tortola
Sage Mountain
This is the BVI’s first national park and is still one of my favorites. The trails are lovely and wind through various ecosystems from a Mahogany forest planted by J. R. O’Neal, one of the BVI’s most well known conservationists, to a damp and verdant tropical forest filled with lush ferns and hanging vines. The trails are graveled and easy to follow. It makes for a fun half day of stress-free adventure.
What’s New
A booth at the entrance now sells National Parks Trust merchandise. It’s great way to find a new tee or cap and support a worthy cause that furthers local conservation.
J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens
Discover the BVI’s flora with less hiking at the Botanic Gardens. These beautifully laid out gardens shine with tropical plants, flowers and trees. Some are exotic, brought into the BVI from many parts of the world. But others are indigenous and many of the BVI’s most delicate and less showy plants are endemic – a well-kept secret hidden in plain sight. An entire section of the Botanic Gardens is devoted to them.
What’s Cool:
Go and explore the nursery at the Gardens where you can see some of the indigenous plants being propagated. You can buy some of your own, if you want.
Old Government House
Do you want to learn more about the colonial history of the BVI? Old Government House Museum was the home of the BVI’s governors and administrators for decades. The early 20th century building is a 2-story poured masonry structure designed in a tropical colonial style. It has a wide veranda at front and a lovely patio and garden behind. There is a small museum on the first floor which includes colonial era memorabilia and a guest book signed by Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen mother.
What’s Surprising: The downstairs rooms are decorated with a mid-century bent, but upstairs there is a surprise for philatelists and amateur stamp collectors: A large display of many of the BVI’s sought after stamps.
Josiah’s Bay
Josiah’s Bay located on the north shore, on the eastern end of Tortola, is one of the BVI’s favorite beaches. Sun worshippers come here as do surfers who surf in the winter when a north swell is running. There is even a surf school based here.
What’s New: A salt pond nestled into the valley before you get to the beach is a magnet for birds. The BVI Humane Society, which has almost completed its new animal shelter in the area, has also erected a bird watching structure. Come out and watch the BVI’s wading and other birds and then go to the beach for a well-deserved dip.
Trellis Bay
Beef Island, linked to Tortola by a bridge, is primarily known as the location of the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport. But Trellis Bay is also the location of restaurants shops and a craft and sculpture studio. And you can walk the length of it entirely on its sandy perimeter.
What’s Cool: Every full moon, Trellis Bay celebrates with a big party. Bands, food and burning fire balls are all part of the fun.
Virgin Gorda
The Coppermine
Ever watch the British television series Poldark about 18th century Cornish copper miners? If not, don’t worry, the BVI has its own. Who would have thought that a copper mine operated in the British Virgin Islands in the 1860s by miners from Cornwall in England would be located on Virgin Gorda? The remains of the mine, including a tall and graceful stone chimney and other stone structures, can still be seen.
What’s Surprising:
The Spanish may have mined for copper at the site, before the arrival of the British. And even earlier, it is believed that the BVI’s first settlers, Amerindian tribes from Venezuela, dug for copper here as well maybe 1,000 years ago.
Out Island Resorts
The BVI is a country of numerous small islands, many with resorts and restaurants and little else. Some can only be reached by boat. All this makes the BVI unique in the Caribbean. Some of the outer island bars and restaurants can be reached by ferry. If not hire a boat! The BVI has plenty for rent, with and without captains.
Peter Island
Peter Island is one of the BVI’s original luxury outer island resorts. It recently reopened after eight years of closure following Hurricane Irma in 2017. Those not staying on the resort can get there by the resort’s boat from Road Town for a fee.
What’s Surprising: This small and remote island was first settled in the early 1600s by Dutchman Pieter Andriensen who established a fort and settlement. Cotton was cultivated on the island and it also became a coaling station. In the 1930s British diplomat John Charles Brudenell-Bruce started a tobacco plantation and cigarette export business. A Norwegian entrepreneur purchased the property to build a resort in the early 1970s. It was resold in the late ‘70s to the current owners.
Cooper Island:
This outer island is another boater’s favorite. If you don’t have your own boat, catch a ride with Sail Caribbean Divers who have a satellite dive operation at Cooper Island. There is a fee, of course.
What’s Cool: This beach restaurant and small resort is totally environmentally self-sufficient. They are completely off the grid producing all their own electricity and water with over 300 solar panels.
Anegada
Low lying, Anegada is unique among the otherwise mountainous British Virgin Islands. This coral island is ringed by sand, so it is a favorite of beach lovers. But go beyond the beaches, and you will discover its unique wildlife.
What’s Cool: There is a lot that’s surprising in Anegada. The flamingos for one – there are dozens of them. The best way to see them is from the flamingo viewing platform. Also don’t miss seeing the juvenile iguanas at the “Head Start” facility. This unique facility run by the Virgin Islands National Parks Trust is committed to the restoration of the endemic and critically endangered Anegada Rock Iguana, a very cool creature!
