Discover My Journey: Island Hopping in the British Virgin Islands

Chamidae Ford, a writer for Dinogo Planet, recently returned from five wonderful days in the British Virgin Islands. Here, she shares a swimming-packed itinerary and insights to make the most of this breathtaking destination.

During my latest adventure in the BVI, facilitated by MMGY and the British Virgin Islands Tourism Board, I joined fellow travel writers for five days of sailing among the islands, enjoying fresh fruit right from the trees and swimming in crystal-clear waters.

What was your travel itinerary?

Situated near Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands is an archipelago. Over five days, we navigated the Caribbean, discovering four of the many islands. We started at Guana Island, a short boat ride from Tortola, where we relaxed, savored farm-to-table dishes, and swam at various beaches. We then returned to Tortola, the main island, to hike, swim, and dine at beloved local spots like Quito’s Gazebo and 1748.

Next, we hopped on a catamaran to explore Anegada Island, a unique coral and limestone island known for its flat landscape and lack of volcanic formation. We also made a stop at Cooper Island.

Mostly untouched aside from the Cooper Island Beach Club, this spot is a favored anchorage for catamarans and a perfect lunch location while cruising through this stunning Caribbean area.

While in Anegada, we explored the Conch Mounds and indulged in a feast of lobster. On Cooper Island, we visited the BVI’s only microbrewery and savored their Turtle IPA, which contributes one dollar from each sale to turtle conservation efforts in the BVI. We then spent the afternoon diving into the ocean from the catamaran.

Where did you stay? What was the atmosphere like?

Since we were exploring multiple locations, we experienced several accommodations. The beautiful Long Bay Beach Resort combined beachy charm with a stylish and welcoming design. We also enjoyed our time on a Moorings Catamaran, which was spacious and surprisingly cozy – there’s nothing quite like waking up on the water!

However, my highlight was our stay at Guana Island. Each room offered breathtaking panoramic views, and the atmosphere was nothing short of tranquil – we were the sole guests at this private island hotel. I could have lingered there forever.

What’s your favorite photo from the trip, and where did you capture it?

My favorite photo has to be the view from my hotel room on Guana Island. From the back porch, I had an uninterrupted view of the bay, which leads to North Beach, while the front porch offered stunning sunset vistas in the distance.

One morning, I spent time on my balcony reading, enveloped in tranquility. The sound of chirping birds and a gentle breeze from the water made it a moment I will treasure forever; I knew I would always encourage others to experience this for themselves.

What was your favorite activity during the trip?

As a certified water enthusiast, swimming was definitely my top activity on this trip. On our first night at Guana Island, I sneaked away for a quick dip in the ocean before dinner.

Just as the sky turned a beautiful pink, I jumped into the crystal-clear waters at one of Guana Island's seven beaches. It was the first time I’ve ever had an entire beach to myself. With soft white sand and warm waters, it was the perfect spot to unwind after a long journey.

Guana Island was just the start; I swam nearly every day. Whether I was leaping off the catamaran or enjoying the pool and swim-up bar at Long Bay, I simply couldn’t get enough.

What was something you didn’t anticipate?

I was surprised by how un-touristy the BVI felt! Everywhere we went, we encountered locals who were born and raised there.

They shared their experiences of life in the BVI over the years and spoke about the recovery process after Hurricane Irma in 2017; their stories were truly moving. You could sense the deep love they have for their homeland and how unique this destination is.

A key aspect of the BVI’s authenticity is the absence of major chain companies on the islands. Dining at local eateries and shopping at independently owned shops makes you feel like you’re truly experiencing the culture.

During our journey, we stopped by the Callwood Distillery, which has been crafting rum for over 200 years. While tasting, we discovered that our guide was actually a Callwood herself. It was truly special to hear her share insights about her family's legacy.

What’s your best advice for someone planning a similar trip?

Make sure to explore some of the lesser-known islands, such as Anegada. Its landscape is uniquely different from the others; long and flat, it stands in contrast to the towering hills found on other islands. Anegada is famous for its delicious lobster, flamingo sightings, and plenty of conch, and with only about 450 residents, it offers a slower pace compared to islands like Tortola.

While visiting Anegada, we took a boat to Conch Island. Locals have been discarding conch shells here for more than 200 years, creating breathtaking mounds. This tradition helps fishermen avoid collecting empty shells while searching for fresh conch.

The mounds are surprisingly stunning with their pink and white colors, serving as a makeshift coral reef for fish, making it an excellent snorkeling spot. It felt like experiencing an art installation—something I’ve never encountered before!

What was the best dish you tried?

We enjoyed so much delicious food in the BVI, but the fresh fruit was my standout favorite. While at Guana Island, we toured their orchard and garden, which provides most of the fruits and vegetables for their restaurant.

During the tour, we sampled fresh star fruit, passion fruit, coconut, mango, wax apples, and papaya. I especially loved the wax apple, which reminded me more of a pear than an apple.

The fresh fruit experience didn’t end when we left Guana Island. We hiked with Hike BVI to a pineapple farm, where we learned about the pineapple cultivation process and enjoyed some freshly picked fruit. I also tried soursop, a slightly gooey and tart local fruit that I couldn’t get enough of.