Tortola Beaches | Swim, Snorkel, Surf | British Virgin Islands

Tortola is full of many beaches of all different types. You can see three beaches from Tingalayo – Apple Bay, Long Bay and Smuggler’s Cove (our favorite). To get to these, drive down the mountain (7-10 minutes), turn right at C&D Market (the old Ben’s Superette), quick right onto Zion Hill Road to cross over to the north side of Tortola (5 minutes). When you get there at Sebastian’s, go left for Long Bay Beach (3 minutes) or Smuggler’s Cove (10 minutes).

Or you can turn right at Sebastian’s for a whole line-up of beaches in the many coves along the north shore. Apple Bay (2 minutes), Cane Garden Bay (10 minutes), Brewer’s Bay (15 minutes), Trunk Bay (25 minutes). By then you are nearing the east side of Tortola, where you will find Trellis Bay. You can reach Trellis Bay using the south shore road as well, which may be a bit faster (45 minutes).

Or you can just jump in the pool (zero minutes!).

You can visit a new beach each day of the week and still have more to explore. For most, if not all of the beaches, there are no lifeguards on duty and depending on the weather the undertows can be dangerous so check the weather forecast and bring a friend. Here are just some of our favorites!

Long Bay Beach

If you look out from the Great House deck of Tingalayo, Long Bay Beach is the long sandy beach in front of you to the right. Parking for the beach is tucked into the brush at the end of the road…just before the curve into Belmont Estates. Nothing beats this beach for an early morning walk, except maybe following it up with banana pancakes at Sebastian’s on the Beach.

Smuggler’s Cove

An amazing beach for swimming and snorkeling, there is also shade under the palm trees that line the crescent shaped sand if you just want to relax and watch the waves. Sometimes in high season there is a pop-up bar or two near the parking area but for most of the year it is just you, the sand and the surf. You will need a four wheel drive and a bit of an adventurous spirit to get there as the road is a bit “bumpy” but it is definitely worth the effort.

Apple Bay

If surfing is your thing, then this is the beach for you. A stretch between Carrot Bay and Long Bay, and where the famous Bomba Shack was located, the waves can reach up to six feet during the winter months. If the collection of surfers in the water don’t guide you to Apple Bay, just ask someone to direct you to what the locals still call it – Capoon’s Bay.

Cane Garden Bay

Just past Carrot Bay is Cane Garden Bay. Voted one of the world’s best beaches, it is also famous for being included in Jimmy Buffet’s song “Manana.” Cane Garden Bay is a wide sandy beach with restaurants, water equipment rentals and shops. At happy hour, the music pours out from Myett’s and Quito’s…be ready to dance on the sand.

Brewer’s Bay

There are many things that combine to make Brewer’s Bay one of our favorites. More private than some of the other beaches, Brewer’s Bay also offers some fun exploration and conveniences. At one edge of the crescent bay is a beach bar if you don’t want to bring your own picnic. There are also ruins of old sugar works from which the bay gets its name. But the best part of all is the intricate system of coral reefs throughout the bay that make it inhospitable for boats to come in but allow for some amazing snorkeling just off the sand.

Josiah’s Bay Beach

A bit tricky to find, Josiah’s is the most private of all the beaches that we have found. As the beach backs up to a farm, sometimes the only other occupant on the beach is a cow resting near the water’s edge. It is also home to a local surfing school. In the winter when the north swell is up, Josiah’s becomes a favorite surfing spot. At other times of the year, it is just an incredibly beautiful place to chill and relax in paradise.

Trellis Bay

If you enjoy a nice lunch by the water and love art, then head on over to Trellis Bay. Many of the metal sculptures that you see hanging on the walls of Tingalayo were created by Aragorn. A BVI native, he has opened up his studio to a wide variety of artists and their works are on display for you to enjoy. They also host a family friendly full moon party with a West Indian buffet, music, dancing and his sculpted fireballs lit up in their full glory. This is also where you can catch ferries to Scrub Island and some of the other BVI islands.

THIS BEAUTIFUL HOUSE.

We had the pleasure of spending 10 days at Tingalayo. The house is beautiful and spacious, laid out over several buildings that create private spaces within the overall house. We were traveling with multiple generations so it was perfect.

The views and sense of open space are stunning and really helped us to recharge our batteries. On many occasions we went to the beach in the morning, came back to the pool in the afternoon, then sunset and dinner at the house. The pool is delightful and watching the changing light in the afternoon and evening is truly amazing.

The kitchen is well stocked with first class equipment, which surprised us for a Caribbean home. It was perfect, had something for everyone and we hope to go back again soon. I also should mention the caretaker who was very helpful, checked in with us almost daily, helped us to arrange for things like Fedex and groceries and was a total pleasure to deal with.

We are so grateful that we found Tingalayo.

Steven Cohen, USA