{"id":73944,"date":"2022-05-05T10:19:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T14:19:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/?p=73944"},"modified":"2023-05-07T00:02:05","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T04:02:05","slug":"the-10-best-uninhabited-british-virgin-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/sailboats\/the-10-best-uninhabited-british-virgin-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Uninhabited British Virgin Islands"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"British <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n From yachties to hikers, everyone who visits the British Virgin Islands will find a perfect spot.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Just 16 out of 60 British Virgin Islands<\/a> are inhabited, with everything from private-island resorts to nonstop beach-bar parties. That leaves 44 islands free for the exploring, from an island that looks every bit like the postcard-famous spot The Baths, only without all the people. Likewise, there\u2019s the tiny spit of sand so pretty that a handful of Corona commercials were filmed there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to find the best islands for hikes, snorkel spots and beaches that you just might have all to yourself on your next getaway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fallen Jerusalem Island: Best for Photo Ops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adore The Baths but hate crowds? This island, less than a mile south of the tip of Virgin Gorda, is home to another pile of basalt boulders that are every bit as picturesque and photo worthy as those of the iconic site. The differences: This island is smaller and has no infrastructure, including roads, so it\u2019s much harder to access. In other words, it\u2019s a totally private experience\u2014like having The Baths all to yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt Island: Best for Hiking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Salt <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Salt Island has a unique history involving the salt ponds for which it was named, but divers love this spot for exploring the wreck of the R.M.S. Rhone<\/i>.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Shelters line the shore of this island most famous as the home of the folks who rescued passengers from the R.M.S. Rhone<\/i> when she sank in 1867. The islanders living there more recently were the descendants of the folks who had been gifted the island in exchange for their heroic efforts. All that changed in 2017 when hurricanes Irma and Maria rendered the homes unlivable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the island is home to goats only. Their footpaths double as hiking trails leading to overlooks\u2014one above Lee Bay where the Rhone<\/i> lies, and another on the cliffs overlooking South Bay. The second is much more dramatic, and leads to more trails allowing for a proper hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Great Dog Island: Best for a Unique Snorkel Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They call it Sharkplaneo: Local nonprofit Beyond the Reef sunk three airplanes sculpturally welded to look like sharks\u2014a bull shark, a hammerhead and a nurse shark to draw awareness to local species. They\u2019ve been purpose-sunk to a depth of 40 feet, so even snorkelers can enjoy the site, diving down for some photo ops near the planes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, these vessels were sunk just next to a shallow reef, so you can anchor or moor once then enjoy two in-water experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandy Cay: Best for Beach Walks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Sandy <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Love to stroll on the beach without stepping over strangers or maneuvering between blankets and chairs? Sandy Cay is ideal.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

Due east of the island of Jost Van Dyke, this island with a palm tree forest and wide but steep white sand beach is a hotspot among boaters. In high season, its west coast sees many at anchor, with vacationers coming ashore to play football on the beach or simply relax on the shores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, even in high season, almost nobody walks around the bend to the south shore. Here, while listening to waves break on reefs, you can enjoy the escapism of utter solitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Little Jost Van Dyke: Best for a Cocktail away from the Crowds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nobody receives mail on this island, but there is a tiny beach bar called the B Line. One of the quirks of this yellow-and-green shack is that the bartender flies the \u2018OPEN\u2019 flag when he\u2019s tending bar, so passing yachties know whether or not to drop anchor. You can expect a full bar, open in early morning\u2014just don\u2019t ask for coffee or food. There\u2019s also picnic tables and cornhole set up to encourage lingering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dead Chest Island: Best for Connecting with History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Dead <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n A view of Dead Chest Island\u2019s bay.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

It\u2019s not hard to see why pirates prized these islands and their topography, from the caves of Norman Island to the hidden lairs of The Baths of Virgin Gorda. So it\u2019s no surprise that a few tales of pirate lore have survived, including the story of Blackbeard, aka Edward Thatch, allegedly abandoning 15 men on this island after he heard of their mutinous plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, a narrow but rocky beach remains on the northwest and southwest shores. One option would be to dinghy close in and anchor. The beach is serene, but the more rewarding option is to snorkel off this island on which so few ever tread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ginger Island: Best Quiet Beaches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Right now, Ginger Island is uninhabited, but that could very well soon change. The privately owned island is for sale\u2014and allegedly it\u2019s under contract. For now, this 250-acre island is nothing but shrubby chaparral and small tropical forests of tamarinds, loblolly and cedar trees. While you can explore the hilly island, there aren\u2019t footpaths. You\u2019re better off dinghying to the beaches to enjoy some solitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This island is also home to a handful of famous dive sites, including Alice in Wonderland, found along its south bay. The site extends from 40 to 70 feet, so stretches of these scenic coral gardens are accessible to snorkelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Indians: Most Memorable Snorkeling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"BVI <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n So many marine species are on display at this popular snorkeling spot.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

OK, so this sheer outcropping of four rock formations just north of Norman Island doesn\u2019t have the most politically correct name, chosen for the site\u2019s resemblance to a feather headdress. But it is a magical snorkel spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stick to the west side of these pinnacles to swim among schools of blue tangs and sergeant majors, as well as reef fish, such as queen angels, parrotfish and trunkfish. If the spot isn\u2019t crowded, you may also encounter a passing eagle ray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

George Dog: Best for Playing Castaway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When sailors first passed through these parts, they mistook the barking for dogs, but it was actually the call of Caribbean monk seals. The seals are no more, but the name stuck. Now, this boulder-and-white-sand isle isn\u2019t visited much. Boaters who do show up have George Dog to themselves, including the white sand beach, the smooth boulders and the protected coves of gin-clear water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandy Spit: Best for Enjoying a Cold One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Sandy <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n
\n Sandy Spit is as close as most people will get to feeling like they have an island all to themselves.<\/span>\n Shutterstock<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t <\/figcaption>\n <\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n

The 2017 hurricane season has changed the shape of this island, making it even smaller than it was when all the Corona commercials were filmed here, taking advantage of the utter escapism of a place that was all white sand and just a few palm trees\u2014and only about as wide as you could throw a football. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hurricanes stripped the spit of any greenery, but it\u2019s still a choice spot for a picnic, game of football or just chillin\u2019 in a beach chair enjoying, well, a Corona.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Go beyond what you know for epic beach days, snorkel trips and hikes that bring to what feels like the edge of the planet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":73945,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"BS_author_type":"BS_author_is_guest","BS_guest_author_name":"Brooke Morton","BS_guest_author_url":"","hydra_display_date":"","hydra_display_updated":false,"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"160","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"From Sandy Spit to Great Dog Island, the BVI is home to a handful of spots most travelers don\u2019t see\u2014unless they chart their own course for adventure.","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","arc_story_id":"","arc_website_url":"","custom_permalink":"","arc_subtype":"","arc_exclude_from_feeds":true,"sponsored":false,"sponsored_label":"Sponsored Content","sponsored_display_label":false,"sponsored_image":false,"post_right_rail":true,"post_right_rail_ad_1":true,"post_right_rail_ad_2":true,"post_right_rail_ad_3":false,"post_right_rail_ad_4":false,"post_right_rail_recirc":true,"fixed_anchor_ad":true,"post_top_ad":true,"post_off_ramp":true,"post_taboola":false,"labels":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","ad_settings_ads_on_this_page":true,"ad_settings_automatic_ad_injection_into_the_content":true,"ad_targeting":"","sponsored_url":"","social_share":true},"categories":[160],"tags":[1601,849,611,164],"class_list":["post-73944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sailboats","tag-british-virgin-islands","tag-bvi","tag-caribbean","tag-sailboats"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73944","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=73944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73944\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/73945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=73944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=73944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sailingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=73944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}