Four of the British Virgin Islands get the most attentionTortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegadabut there are more than 60 isles and cays to explore in this Caribbean archipelago. Visit one of the lesser-known islands and youll find the same white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, just with smaller crowds and the added bonus of endangered wildlife, exclusive resorts, water-level caves, and prime dive sites.
Below weve rounded up the four best smaller islands to visit in the BVI, whether you want to hike through the jungle, hobnob with celebrities, search for hidden treasure, or dive down to a shipwreck. Expect a wholly different kind of day in paradise.
Fulfill your castaway fantasies by chartering a boat in Tortola and sailing it yourself to Sandy Cay. Once part of Laurance S. Rockefellers private domain, the uninhabited island, roughly three miles west of Tortola, is a nesting site for leatherback turtles and was declared a national park in 2008. A hiking trail tunnels through the jungle interior, topping out at the north-facing cliffs that rise above the churning surf, but most day-tripping Robinson Crusoes row dinghies ashore simply to sink into the soft sand.
Owned by Sir Richard Branson, this 74-acre gem just north of Virgin Gorda is surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with white sand. While beaches here are technically open to the public, the island operates as a luxury resort, complete with Balinese-style accommodations, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and specialty dining like a floating sushi bar. Its most often rented exclusively by groups (housing up to 22 people), but individuals, couples, and families looking to experience Necker Island for themselves can book a room for a seven-night stay on select Celebration Weeks throughout the year. Those lucky enough to snag a reservation may rub elbows with celebrities or even Branson himself at the beautiful main residence, which was entirely rebuilt after a fire in 2011 and again following Hurricane Irma in 2017.
At the southern tip of the BVI archipelago, Norman Island was once a favorite spot for pirates to store their booty. Its now referred to by locals as Treasure Island and is said to have been the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevensons novel of the same name. Still, the islands real treasure lies in its three water-level caves, which line the western edge of the large harbor. Spend the day here snorkeling or diving to spot jewel-toned tropical fish, then finish with a drink or two at Willy Ts, a pirate-themed bar on a converted cargo ship anchored just offshore.
A favorite spot for scuba divers, Cooper Island sits adjacent to the BVIs wreck alley, where several ships were deliberately sunk as dive sites. On shore, the island is home to a handful of private homes and the seriously cool Cooper Island Beach Club hotel, which uses solar power to brew its very own beer.
>>Next: The AFAR Guide to the British Virgin Islands
Read the original here:
The Best Smaller Islands to Visit in the BVIs - AFAR Media
- Farallon Islands - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2016]
- Private Islands - AWE - awetv.com [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2016]
- Petra Island - New York, United States - Private Islands ... [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2016]
- Grasshopper Island - Ontario, Canada - Private Islands for ... [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- Buck Island - BVI, Caribbean - Private Islands for Sale [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- ORRO Private Collection The Name That Changed Diamond ... [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2017]
- Best Private Islands: Belize's Cayo Espanto [Last Updated On: February 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 2nd, 2017]
- President Obama Is Posted Up with His Hat Backwards on Richard Branson's Private Island - Esquire.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Obama now holidaying on Richard Branson's private island - SBS [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Photos: Obama at Richard Branson's private island - The Mercury News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Obama spotted on holiday in Richard Branson's exclusive private island - International Business Times UK [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Frommer: Dumbing down the cruise experience - News Chief [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Vomo Island Fiji Luxury beach resort and spa [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- How 30000 pieces of bamboo came together to create the private island of Cempedak - Web In Travel [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Tavanipupu Private Island Resort, Solomon Islands: The South Pacific's best kept secret - Blue Mountains Gazette [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 5 Reasons the Cruise Lines' Private Islands Are Travelers' Favorite Ports - Travel Agent [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Islands for Sale in United States - Private Islands Online [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- A Private Island in the Bahamas for $8.9 Million - Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- 8 Best Caribbean Cruise Line Private Destinations - Cruise Fever [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Song Saa, Cambodia: Private island comfort at a new level - Ballarat Courier [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Seven island houses where you can shut out the world - AOL Money UK [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Your own private island for 7000: Seven of the most luxurious new ... - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Nobody at the NFL Combine is winning the island for their 40 time, sorry - SB Nation [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Royal Caribbean Signs Investment Agreement With Bahamas, Plans to Enhance Private Island CocoCay - Cruise Critic [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- A Cruise Line Commits To Developing Private Island in The Bahamas - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Private Islands - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Laucala Island honeymoon - Daily Times [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Fiji's astounding revival after Cyclone Winston - Gourmet Traveller Magazine Australia [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Dubai to Build $1.7B Man-Made Islands - Hospitality Net - Hospitality Net [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- This Destination Wedding Venue on a Private Island Is Actually AffordablePromise! - Brides.com [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2017]
- Casual! Kim Kardashian Rented An Entire Island For Kanye West's 40th Birthday - ELLE [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Inside Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's $145 Million Empire: Private Islands, Record-Breaking Tours and More - E! Online [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2017]
- Books to read on escape, or help you escape - San Francisco Chronicle [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- Private islands of the rich and famous - AOL UK [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2017]
- The Great Caribbean Private Destination Race - TravelPulse [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2017]
- London family who built a Greek island getaway: unspoilt Meganissi ... - Homes and Property [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2017]
- Blackfire RED Aims to Save Consumers From 'Entertainment Islands' - StreamingMedia.com [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- Miranda Kerr and Evan Spiegel's Honeymoon Needed No Filter - Observer [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2017]
- 5 idyllic private island retreats - CNN International [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2017]
- Luxury travel: The most remote resorts in the Philippines - CNN [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2017]
- World's Most Private Island Resort Opening September 1, 2017 ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- 5 Hotels With Private Islands - Successful Meetings [Last Updated On: June 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2017]
- Development Beyond Learning: Breaking Rules and Igniting Leadership at Light-Speed on Sir Richard Branson's ... - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Peek at the private island for cruisers that just got a major makeover - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Turneffe Island Resort Private Diving & Fishing Resort ... [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- National Harbor Is a Private Urban Island Designed for FunIf You Can Get There - Washington City Paper [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Four Caribbean Properties Named Among Five Idyllic Private Island Retreats - Caribbean360.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2017]
- Think a private island is just for Bond villains and billionaires? This Gwynedd estate is up for rent and you won't ... - Daily Post North Wales [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Four Resorts for a Private Island Vacation - New York Times [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Private Ocean Islands [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2017]
- Are Private Island Cabanas Worth It? - TravelPulse [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- The surprising places where tourism is growing fastest - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- Four resorts for a private island vacation - MyAJC.com - MyAJC [Last Updated On: June 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 27th, 2017]
- 10 private islands you can rent from $400 a night - 9Honey [Last Updated On: July 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2017]
- Four resorts for a private island vacation - The Seattle Times [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Now you can buy your very own private ISLAND in the middle of the Pacific but it'll set you back a cool 5000000 - The Sun [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- 10 Private Islands Starting at $5 Million You Could Call Home Today - TheStreet.com [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- Bamboo Private Islands [Last Updated On: July 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 14th, 2017]
- From elite retreat to public treasure, Jekyll remains the same - The Brunswick News (subscription) [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- Historic Scottish castle with two private islands yours for 3.75m - Deadline News [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- This Private Island Off the Coast of Maine Could Be Yours for $8 Million - TownandCountrymag.com (blog) [Last Updated On: July 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 15th, 2017]
- $1.9M Private Lake Tapps Island Up For Sale: Wow! House - Patch.com [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2017]
- Avoid the food, and other jet-set tips - Independent Online [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Dream Cabins: Four-level log home on private island listed for $1.99 million (slideshow) - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal [Last Updated On: August 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2017]
- Celebrate Eid at Niyama Private Islands - Trade Arabia [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- Forget a Hotel RoomYou Can Rent These Private Islands for Just $300 a Night - Reader's Digest [Last Updated On: August 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 6th, 2017]
- You can now rent an entire Caribbean private island on Airbnb - Metro [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2017]
- Recruiting clients for an advisory board - Travel Weekly [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Locals try to win second largest Powerball jackpot of $700M - KXII-TV [Last Updated On: August 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 24th, 2017]
- Australian Islands | Private Islands Online Australia [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2018] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2018]
- Private Island Holidays & Resorts | Oxford Private Travel [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- UPDATED: 12 private islands for sale in Florida [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2018] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2018]
- Private Islands - AWE [Last Updated On: July 28th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 28th, 2018]
- The Legal 500 Caribbean 2019 > British Virgin Islands ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2019]
- Pumpkin Key - Florida, United States - Private Islands for ... [Last Updated On: January 27th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 27th, 2019]
- Eagle Lodge Private Islands of Georgia Private Island ... [Last Updated On: January 28th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 28th, 2019]
- Private Islands - Official Site [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2019]
- Islands for sale - Private island homes - Bankrate.com [Last Updated On: March 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 24th, 2019]
- Eight Private Islands for Sale Perfect for Long-Term Getaways [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2019]
- Private Islands AWE - awetv.com [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2019]