Why This is One of the Best Times of Year to Visit the British Virgin Islands

A table for two at a beach bar without a wait. Trade winds filling the sails as you glide across open water with no one else in sight. This is the British Virgin Islands in the shoulder season — slower, softer, and surprisingly inviting.

From September through early November, when much of the Caribbean is quieter, the BVI opens itself in a way that feels different. Resorts and villas are ready to welcome guests, restaurants are serving favorites, and the islands themselves — Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada — feel even more authentic without the peak-season bustle.

“Traveling to the BVI during our shoulder season offers a variety of unique advantages,” said Clive McCoy, Director of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission. “Guests can enjoy the same pristine beaches, world-class sailing and vibrant culture, just with more space, better value and a slower pace that allows visitors to truly connect with our islands.”

Why Now Works

The shoulder season brings warm waters and steady breezes, perfect for the sailing culture that defines these islands. Scuba divers find the wrecks easier to explore with fewer boats around. Beach lovers stretch out on Cane Garden Bay or White Bay with no rush for the best spots. Rates are lower, reservations easier, and the islands take on a rhythm that makes everything feel more relaxed.

Where to Stay

On Anegada, the Anegada Beach Club is welcoming travelers with its famous beachfront palapas and a barefoot-luxury vibe. The family-owned Anegada Reef Hotel remains a classic choice, while Big Bamboo offers rustic rooms on one of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean.

Virgin Gorda has a strong lineup open now: Guavaberry Spring Bay cottages hidden among the boulders, Mango Bay Resort with villas by the sea, Fischer’s Cove Beach Hotel for a traditional island stay, and Virgin Gorda Village Hotelwith its apartment-style comfort. Leverick Bay Resort & Marina stays lively in the North Sound, while Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals and Villas Virgin Gorda keep villa options plentiful.

On Tortola, there’s something for every style of traveler. Nanny Cay Hotel & Marina is always buzzing with sailors, Sebastian’s on the Beach delivers waves and sunsets from Apple Bay, and Maria’s by the Sea Hotel is a long-standing Road Town favorite. Boutique stays like Heritage Inn, Elm’s Beach Suites and Carrie’s Comfort Inn add charm, while Treasure Isle Hotel, Village Cay Hotel, and JY Harbour View Hotel are central and convenient. Other open spots include Fort Burt Hotel, Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel, Cool Breeze Villas, Fort Recovery, and Myett’s, which blends rooms, dining and live music by the beach.

Where to Eat and Drink

Dining is as colorful as ever. On Jost Van Dyke, Ivan’s Stress Free Bar and Gertrude’s Bar & Restaurant are still serving with toes-in-the-sand charm. The floating legend Willie T is open too, anchoring party nights in the BVI.

On Anegada, Big Bamboo combines lodging with its lobster shack, while Abe’s by the Sea and Cocolocos keep fresh seafood front and center.

In Virgin Gorda, Coco Maya delivers beachside elegance with Asian-Latin flavors, while the Rock Café offers intimate dining in a lush garden setting. The Bath & Turtle in Spanish Town and Top of the Baths Restaurant above the boulders make for perfect post-adventure meals.

On Tortola, there’s a full spectrum. Road Town favorites like Pusser’s, Capriccio di Mare, Pearl of the Orient, Bamboushay, and Marche Sushi Bar keep the capital buzzing. Waterside spots like Omar’s Dockside at Nanny Cay, Paradise Club, and Captain Mulligan’s are ready for sunset cocktails. Quirky finds like Naturally Tasty by Rotiman, Island Tacos, Circle Café, and Never Done Bar & Restaurant show off local flavor. And for nightlife, Coconut Lounge, D’ Best Cup, Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant, and Tradewinds Mexican Grill stay lively.

How to Get There

Getting to the BVI is part of the adventure. Most visitors fly into St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and connect by ferry across the short stretch of water to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, or Jost Van Dyke. There are also direct flights on regional carriers into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Tortola, with connections from San Juan, St. Maarten and Antigua. Private yachts and charter flights make arrivals even more seamless — but however you choose to arrive, the journey ends with the same payoff: an island chain that feels worlds away.

The Perfect Time to Discover

The shoulder season here doesn’t mean closed doors; it means open possibilities. Villas are available, marinas are lively, restaurants are cooking, and the beaches and anchorages are yours to claim. With the luxury of space, the bonus of value, and the same turquoise waters, it’s the season when the British Virgin Islands feel most personal — and most rewarding.