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Sailing in the British Virgin Islands

Travel guide · Sailing between islands and the giant boulders of The Baths

Travelling to the British Virgin Islands

The giant boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda, the beaches of Jost Van Dyke, flat Anegada with its lobsters and Tortola, the sailing harbour. We tell you when to go, what to see and what to eat.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • Best time: from December to May
  • Where to eat: a beach shack
Photo: User:Mattes · CC BY 2.0 de

British Virgin Islands in 30 seconds

  • The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the British Virgin Islands are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (hurricane season).
  • To eat like a local: a beach shack. Don’t leave without trying: Fungi and fish, Anegada lobster, Roti.

British Virgin Islands in November

You can go, with a few caveats: hurricane season. Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

  • November

    Hurricane season

    Hurricanes can form from June to November; August, September and October are the riskiest months. There are almost always days of heavy rain and humid heat.

    What to do: Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

More destinations for November

When to travel to the British Virgin Islands

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the British Virgin Islands are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (hurricane season).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May no warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov with warnings
  12. Dec no warnings

More destinations for those dates: where to travel in January · where to travel in February · where to travel in March · where to travel in April

  • from June to November

    Hurricane season

    Hurricanes can form from June to November; August, September and October are the riskiest months. There are almost always days of heavy rain and humid heat.

    What to do: Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

    Best time: December to April

  • September, October

    Peak hurricane season

    September and October are the months with the highest risk of storms, and some hotels close.

    What to do: The best time is December to April, with good sailing winds.

What to see in the British Virgin Islands

The cities and areas most worth your time, with their highlights. Open each one for all the places, where to stay and its day trips.

  • Tortola

    Tortola

    The main island, with Road Town, sailing harbours and beaches on the north coast.

    • Cane Garden Bay
    • Road Town
    • Sage Mountain
    • Smuggler’s Cove
    Tortola guide
  • Virgin Gorda

    Virgin Gorda

    The island of The Baths: giant granite boulders, caves and natural pools by the sea.

    • The Baths
    • Devil’s Bay
    • Gorda Peak
    • Savannah Bay
    Virgin Gorda guide
  • Jost Van Dyke

    Jost Van Dyke

    A small island of beaches and barefoot bars, birthplace of the Painkiller.

    • White Bay
    • Great Harbour
    • Bubbly Pool
    • Sandy Spit
    Jost Van Dyke guide
  • Anegada

    Anegada

    A flat atoll of endless beaches, flamingos and lobsters.

    • Loblolly Bay
    • Cow Wreck Beach
    • Flamingos
    • Horseshoe Reef
    Anegada guide

Day trips and activities

What’s most worth booking from each city. We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

From Tortola

From Virgin Gorda

From Jost Van Dyke

From Anegada

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

What to eat in the British Virgin Islands

To eat like a local: a beach shack, and order fungi and fish or Anegada lobster. And don’t leave without trying:

  • Fungi and fish

    The national dish.

  • Anegada lobster

    Chargrilled on the beach.

  • Roti

    A flatbread with curry.

  • Johnnycakes

    Fried bread rolls.

  • Conch fritters

    Fritters of chopped conch.

  • Painkiller

    Rum, pineapple, orange, coconut and nutmeg.

The typical food of each city, with a recipe

Curious facts about the British Virgin Islands

What guidebooks don’t tell you and will help you understand the country better.

  • There are some 60 islands and cays.
  • The Painkiller cocktail was born on Jost Van Dyke.
  • Anegada is a flat coral atoll among volcanic islands.
  • They’re one of the most famous sailing destinations in the world.
  • Its currency is the US dollar.
  • Norman Island is said to have inspired Treasure Island.

Traditions of the British Virgin Islands

Customs and celebrations that will help you experience the country like a local.

  • August Emancipation Festival

    Parades and music on Tortola.

  • March or April BVI Spring Regatta

    The big regatta.

  • Full-moon parties

    Bonfires and music at Trellis Bay.

  • Holy Week Easter Festival

    On Virgin Gorda.

What not to do in the British Virgin Islands

First-trip mistakes that are easy to avoid.

  • Don’t anchor on the coral: use the mooring buoys.
  • Don’t touch the coral.
  • Don’t forget that people drive on the left.
  • Don’t go to The Baths when there’s a swell.
  • Don’t underestimate the sun.
  • Don’t forget cash on the small islands.

Before you go

Entry requirements depend on your passport and change: always check them with official sources before travelling.

Frequently asked questions about the British Virgin Islands

What people search for most before travelling to the British Virgin Islands.

What’s the best time to travel to the British Virgin Islands?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to the British Virgin Islands are from December to May. If you can, avoid from August to October (hurricane season).

What to see in the British Virgin Islands in a week?

The essentials of the British Virgin Islands: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. How many places fit into your days, and in what order, depends on your dates and how you get around: the Bagintravel app plans your trip day by day in a minute.

What to eat in the British Virgin Islands?

Fungi and fish, Anegada lobster, Roti, Johnnycakes, Conch fritters, Painkiller. To eat like a local: a beach shack.

What should you not do in the British Virgin Islands?

Don’t anchor on the coral: use the mooring buoys. Don’t touch the coral. Don’t forget that people drive on the left.

Is it worth travelling to the British Virgin Islands in November?

You can go, with a few caveats: hurricane season. Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

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Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Seasonal data, places and areas: the same ones the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.

Photos: cover, User:Mattes (CC BY 2.0 de). Tortola, Photo: Henry A-W (Henry aw 23:34, 10 July 2006 (UTC)) (CC BY-SA 3.0). Virgin Gorda, Jcljules (CC BY 2.5). Jost Van Dyke, Cemerp (CC BY 3.0). Anegada, Walker Mangum. Original uploader was Nwmangum at en.wikipedia (Public domain).