British Virgin Islands
Country/State Data
Regions
1
Breaks
7
Coastline
80 KM
Cost of living
Capital
Road Town (BVI), Charlotte Amalie (USVI)
Current Time
Security
Health
Positives
- World-class Cane Garden Bay
- Consistent beachbreaks
- Safe tropical destination
- Exploration potential
Negatives
- Short swell season
- Lack of consistent reefs
- Boat access only breaks
- Expensive
Where to surf in British Virgin Islands
Some 80km (50mi) east of Puerto Rico and the Greater Antilles, the Virgin Islands represent the beginning of the Leeward Islands. Like other islands on the outer arc of the Lesser Antilles, they are the peaks of submerged mountains rising only a few hundred feet above sea level. The four larger and 42 smaller islands consist mainly of rolling green hills and white sandy beaches, open to the Atlantic swell. Shallower waters offshore means that waves can't reach the size of those seen on Puerto Rico, however big winter swells will awaken the famous line up at Cane Garden Bay. On Tortola, there is a distinct lack of spots that work regularly, so utilising a boat will increase the likelihood of finding surf. Unlike the US Virgin Islands to the south, the British Virgin Islands have maintained a strict development and environmental policy. Foreign surfers started tapping into the BVI's potential in the late '60s, sometimes using a sailboat to cruise around the different islands.
Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands and the capital, thanks to an important deep-water harbour in Road Town. The north shore of the island is dotted with a series of bays and beaches offering a good diversity of surfing locations, including one the Caribbean's sparkling gems, namely Cane Garden Bay. Outlying islands have exploration potential but will require the use of a boat.
Surf spots in British Virgin Islands
Research the 7 surf breaks in British Virgin Islands and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 7 breaks in British Virgin Islands.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to British Virgin Islands
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring British Virgin Islands.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 381,000
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- USD
- Exchange rate
- $1 = $1 USD USD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +1 284 (BVI) - 1 340 (US Virgin Islands)
- Dialing out
- 011
- Language
- English
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
Most nationalities can visit visa free for stays of up to 30 days. UK, US and Canadians can stay longer
Getting There
Fly BVI has flights from Tortola to Virgin Gorda & Anegada ($60r/t). Ferries island hop to Virgin Gorda ($15) and Jost Van Dyke. If it’s within budget, the best way to get around remains a chartered sailboat.
Getting Around
Tortola’s bus service is unpredictable and taxis are expensive. Rent a little 4x4 ($50/d), Dede’s car rental is a favourite among surfers.
Accommodation
The BVI is not a cheap destination: food is pricey and accommodation is in short supply. Most visitors sleep on their chartered yachts and on land the only budget options since Hurricane Irma are AirBnB-type rentals. Starting at around $110/dble in season, Sebastian’s is a middle price hotel and is right on the beach in Little Apple Bay. The Tamarind Club is a similar price, in Josiah’s Bay.
Activities
Cruise the islands on a yacht or using local ferries, depending on your budget. Top diving spots include the sunken RMS Rhone, off Salt Island, and Horseshoe Reef (Anegada). Good snorkelling in Smugglers Cove and Brewer’s Bay. Check out the Baths on Virgin Gorda, a network of giant granite boulders and take a paddle around the mangroves on Beef Island or hike in the hills with GroundSea Adventures.
Hazards & hassles
Minor threats include sunburn, fire coral, urchins and jellyfish. Sharks abound but risks are low. Locals are friendly, but need to be respected. Hurricane Irma decimated the whole BVI so, as of publication time, many of the old established places and activities of note might or might not return as the islands recover.
Handy Hints
Take usual shortboard and step-up or longboard. There is a small surf shop in Road Town - Breeze Paddleboards - and Surf School BVI in Josiah’s Bay have a ton of boards and other gear to rent or buy. In West End, SUP rental company Island Surf&Sail also has some boards and veteran Huntington Beach/Cocoa Beach shaper and BVI resident, Bob Carson was still shaping up until Hurricane Irma struck. For lessons, head to Josiah’s Bay where Surf School BVI’s Steve Howes and Icah Wilmot are the hugely popular teachers/coaches.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.
Travel Gallery
The Stormrider Passport
Get your Stormrider Passport to explore 5000 surf spots for as little as £1 a month.
What’s in it for you?
- 01.
5,000 DETAILED BREAK REPORTS
Access to 5,000 detailed surf spot descriptions with ability to save spots for offline access.
- 02.
10 STORMRIDER ICONS FOR EVERY SPOT
Compare our iconic, easily recognisable symbols, highlighting 10 crucial factors for every surf break.
- 03.
VIEW 4,000+ PROFESSIONAL SURF PHOTOS
Feast your eyes on over 4,000 surf shots from professional photographers.
- 04.
WINDY FORECAST FOR EVERY BREAK
Get the latest surf conditions from our forecast partners at Windy, plus webcams and forecasting links.
- 05.
COMPARE REGIONAL SURF SPOT DATA
Compare regional break data and statistics to quickly discover your ideal surf destinations.
- 06.
CREATE YOUR PERSONAL WORLD SURF MAP
Easily build a map of your worldwide surf travel adventures, or create a bucket list of future destinations.
Upcoming Features
- 01.
Partnerships
In the future we will be partnering with the coolest surf content commissioners to bring you some great value deals and collabs.
We've got more in the pipeline
Signing up not only gives you access to the World’s best surf information, it allows us to create even more amazing features in the future.