The British Virgin Islands are one of those places that attracts a wide range of boaters, from those chartering for a week’s holiday, to cruisers living aboard full-time. While many follow familiar charter routes and stay in mooring fields at popular destinations, some of the most memorable stops are still the ones where you drop the hook.
Look beyond the best-known bays and you’ll find a quieter BVI. Anchorages with room to swing, clear water over sand, and protection that holds up when the trade winds are blowing. These are the places cruisers tend to remember fondly, often staying longer than planned once they discover just how comfortable and beautiful they are.
In this guide, we’re sharing 10 of the best places to anchor in the BVI, as rated by the noforeignland community. The list is based on real-world reviews from sailors who’ve anchored here themselves, highlighting places that consistently stand out for comfort, protection, and overall enjoyment.
1. Brewer’s Bay, Tortola
Brewer’s Bay sits on the north side of Tortola and has built a reputation as one of the few anchorages in the area that remains comfortable, even with north swell running.
The anchorage itself is small and split by a shallow reef that’s reportedly poorly charted. Multiple NFL cruisers recommend relying on satellite imagery rather than Navionics when entering, to get a better idea of the reef location. Once settled, the holding is good in sand, and there are no mooring balls in the bay just yet.
Along the shoreline is a sandy beach which you can access from a floating dock near the boat ramp. From there take a walk along the trail to visit Anderson Point or the Anderson Bat Cave, which ironically no longer has any bats.
2. Little Harbour, Peter Island
Little Harbour is consistently described by cruisers as one of the most protected anchorages to travel to in the BVI, particularly when strong winds or swell are running in the channel. The bay is enclosed and deep, with anchoring typically done with stern lines run ashore to maximize space and prevent swinging.
The waters of Little Harbour are exceptionally clear, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays, and fish – be sure to jump in and go snorkeling! For some land based fun, there is a well-maintained hiking trail that loops around the surrounding hills and gives stunning views of the anchorage.
3. Eustatia Sound, Prickly Pear
Eustatia Sound lies between Prickly Pear and Eustatia Island, not far from Saba Rock. The anchorage offers good protection from easterly chop, but is more open to north swell than some others and experiences some wake in the morning and evening from work-boat traffic. Space is plentiful, and even in peak season many report sharing the bay with only a couple boats.
The beach on Prickly Pear Island is quiet and scenic, perfect for relaxing. The snorkeling along the north reef is frequently highlighted as a standout, with rays, turtles, tarpon, and crystal clear water over the coral.
From Eustatia Sound it’s not far to Bitter End East, an anchorage not far from the Bitter End Yacht Club.
4. Little Jost Van Dyke
Little Jost Van Dyke is an island that lies just east of Jost Van Dyke and offers several anchoring options.
Depths vary quickly, with much of the area being deep until you move closer to shore. The anchorage is well protected by surrounding islets, though a small amount of swell can still work its way in. Daytime traffic can be busy, particularly near Sandy Spit, but most boats depart by late afternoon, leaving a quiet and scenic overnight stop.
The main attraction is outdoor activities, with the area being popular for kite-boarding, swimming, and photography. Underwater, you have the chance to see turtles, rays, cuttlefish, and conch, all in crystal-clear water.
5. Lower Belmont Bay, Tortola
Lower Belmont Bay is a quieter alternative to nearby, busier anchorages, and is frequently praised for its relaxed atmosphere and lack of congestion.
The anchorage consists of sandy patches surrounded by reef, making careful placement essential. Once set, holding is good, though some cruisers note it can get rolly depending on the wind.
This is a popular stop for cruisers looking to escape the mooring fields while still enjoying an easy beach landing and calm water. The beach itself has a couple of low-key bars to enjoy, offering meals during the day.
6. Marina Cay
At Marina Cay most cruisers anchor either east or west of the mooring field. Holding is generally good, but there are some known hazards including submarine power cables and debris left behind after hurricanes. Conditions are best in settled weather, as the bay can become uncomfortable with swell.
The snorkeling around Diamond Reef is excellent, with healthy coral and abundant fish life. There’s a dinghy line to tie to, as well as a few day use balls.
On-shore is the re-opened Marina Cay Bar and Grill, offering good food and service at decent prices. As well as dine-in, they also offer take-way from the bar.
7. Privateer Bay, Norman Island
Privateer Bay offers a quieter alternative to the busy Bight Bay just around the corner, while still providing easy access to caves and snorkeling.
Anchoring is possible in sand patches, with good holding and protection from north through east winds. Mooring balls have been added in parts of the bay, but anchoring is still permitted.
The water is clear, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays, octopus, and reef fish. The Norman Island caves are a short dinghy ride away, with buoys available for temporary tie-up while snorkeling. Pebble beaches line parts of the shore, and the bay generally sees fewer overnight boats than neighboring anchorages.
8. Spring Bay, Virgin Gorda
Spring Bay is best known for its proximity to The Baths and Spanish Town, but anchoring here is more nuanced than many expect. The bay is scattered with coral heads and underwater rocks, requiring careful navigation. Further offshore, swell from the south can make conditions rolly, particularly overnight.
Despite this, cruisers who time their stay well are rewarded with a beautiful anchorage and easy dinghy access to customs, provisioning, and one of the BVI’s most iconic shore attractions. Many note that the bay clears out in the late afternoon, leaving a quieter experience once day visitors depart.
9. Monkey Point, Guana Island
Monkey Point is best known for its snorkeling, but it also functions as a comfortable overnight anchorage when conditions allow and you can get a good holding. If you prefer, there are mooring buoys available as well.
Daytime traffic can be heavy, with charter boats arriving to snorkel before leaving again in the afternoon. Early mornings and evenings are typically calm, and underwater visibility is excellent with large schools of parrotfish and other reef species.
10. Great Harbour, Peter Island
Great Harbour consistently earns praise as one of the most comfortable anchorages in the BVI during strong weather.
The bay is large, with moorings concentrated along the southern end. When anchoring, be aware that the depths increase quickly so boats need to move closer to shore before dropping the hook. Protection is outstanding, with one cruiser even likening it to being on the hardstand it’s so flat.
From the anchorage, it’s possible to walk to the yacht club and catch the local ferry to Road Town for provisioning, making it both practical and restful.
Decided which BVI anchorages to visit
The British Virgin Islands offer very different experiences depending on where you drop the hook.
If you’re looking to escape the charter circuit and spend time at anchor, Little Harbour, Eustatia Sound, and Great Harbour can deliver flat water, good holding, and space to breathe. For scenic swims and snorkeling, Brewer’s Bay, Privateer Bay, and Monkey Point combine clear water with manageable crowds if timed well. Cruisers seeking quiet beaches and a slower pace often gravitate towards Lower Belmont Bay or Little Jost Van Dyke, while Spring Bay works best as a strategic stop for shore access rather than a long stay.
For more ideas on where to anchor, check out this article from Lynda Shelley, a full-time liveaboard cruiser and member of the NFL community who shared her favorite free anchorages in the BVI. Alternatively, you’ve also got the noforeignland BVI sailing guide, which automatically updates the top anchorages based on reviews.
As always, conditions, local regulations, and anchoring practices can change. If you’ve anchored in the BVI, share your experience in the comments or log it on the noforeignland map. Your notes help other sailors make better decisions based on real, up-to-date cruising knowledge.
By Telicia Campain
Telicia lives aboard a 2021 Leopard 45 with her crew mates and Aussie Shepherd, Rose. Together they're sailing the world, and sharing their experiences through their Travel Sketch channel on YouTube. Their cruising grounds have so far included the Mediterranean and Caribbean, with the Pacific Islands and South East Asia coming next. Telicia is also editor of the NFL Magazine.
One Comment