British Virgin Islands holidays

Partying and celebrating are a huge part of the British Virgin Islands’ culture. One of the most important celebrations on these islands is the BVI Emancipation Festival. The two-week long annual carnival runs from end of July until 10th August every year. The carnival follows in other island’s footsteps by celebrating freedom from colonialism, adding some true Caribbean flavour with traditional and modern music, bright colours and ultra delicious cuisine.

The Emancipation Festival celebrates the 1834 proclamation that freed the slaves. Main events occur on the largest island of Tortola, with the capital of Road Town drawing large cheering crowds who will all be dressed to impress. Make sure to check out every restaurant along the way who will have a booth offering a traditional Caribbean feast for every welcome visitor celebrating the monumental moment. The party is for everyone to enjoy, showcasing the best of BVI history!

It doesn’t come as a surprise that music is hugely important to a Caribbean country like the British Virgin Islands. Every May, the islands host a music festival to highlight the local folk music phenomenon of ‘Fungi’. The grassroots origins of the music can be traced back to the African influence on the islands, using homemade instruments from everyday objects such as blown car pipes and sugar canes as flutes! Throw in a few modern saxophones and banjos and you have the rich storytelling group of incredible musicians. Head down to Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay for the lively 3-day event.

The Fungi bands play Quelbe, a native folk song performed at local celebrations, and it was loved so much that in 2001 the BVI made Quelbe the official music of the Islands. Why not make yourself familiar with the incredible local band of The Lashing Dogs and get a taste for the most famous Fungi band on the islands!

Food is immensely important to the culture of the British Virgin Islands. If you're going by the Islands name and thinking you'll be getting classic British fish and chips, you might be disappointed. Instead, you'll be eating copious amounts of fresh lobster and mahi mahi fish served in gorgeous restaurants with even better Caribbean hospitality.

BVI’s national dish is Okra, a tasty green plant served with braised fish and heaps of traditional spices. Heavily spiced dishes are every popular on these islands, especially nutmeg and jerk seasoning which can be sourced from local neighbouring island’s spice plantations! On a sweeter note, make sure to taste some homegrown papaya, mango and guava to crave that sweet fix.

The main island of Tortola will offer some sumptuous seafood and Caribbean fusion at the lively BananaKeet Café, where a beautiful sunset will always be on the menu too. Or for something a little more upscale, iron your best glad rags and visit the Dove Restaurant and Wine Bar in Road Town. Our recommendation for a real Caribbean feast would be to try an ocean fronted traditional beach shack, such as Quito’s Gazebo on Cane Garden Bay or the Cow Wreck Beach Club for some delicious bites with a view equally as tasty.

When life gives you lemons ... make a cocktail! The population of the British Virgin Islands love a traditional tipple with many cocktails originating from this very spot, it would be rude to not join in with the local’s, right? Famously served at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, the Painkiller cocktail is a Caribbean classic. Putting the freshly grown pineapple and mango to good use with a dose of tasty rum and a sprinkle of spicy nutmeg in this sweet and creamy beverage strong enough to kill any pain (except for tomorrow's hangover!).

Like many of the other Caribbean Islands, rum is the favoured spirit, but when you find out it can be made right In front of you on your own traditional distillery tour (see our things to do page), you’ll understand why. So feel like a modern-day pirate sipping some glorious rum on a deserted beach with unmissable caves and coves, or lay on a sun lounger on sugary-white sand with a Painkiller in hand wondering why you never travelled here sooner.

As a British territory, the sports that are popular in the BVI mirror the ones favoured by Britain, such as football, cricket and basketball. Cricket is especially popular throughout all the Caribbean Islands, so why not wear your best and brightest yellow and green outfits, the teams home colours, and catch a T20 during the summer months and watch the West Indies team at A.O. Shirley cricket ground for a super fun day out!

Water sports is also a massive part of these islands, with amenities being available everywhere you look. The calm yet somewhat windy waters make for some excellent sailing, perfect for you to charter a catamaran for a day excursion. The waters make for some excellent surfing too, so head down to Apple Bay in Tortola, welcoming both aspiring and experienced surfers for some unmissable fun. If you fancy going below the crystal sea, then why not try snorkelling or even scuba diving on the Island of Anegada. Surrounded by technicoloured coral and out of this world marine life, it’s one for the photo album.

Whilst the British Virgin Islands are not known for being a shopping haven, there are many distinctive shops due to the many varied walks of life that call these islands home. Don’t be misled by the outward appearance of these quaint shops, as great finds will be discovered inside. The CocoLoco Boutique in Jost van Dyke is a local favourite, with traditional Caribbean clothes perfect for any gift.

For a taste of the Caribbean, the super friendly Sunny Caribee in Road Town – Tortola, sells spices such as the local favourite of nutmeg. These spices are also used by the famed Sugar Mill Restaurant, which will only buy their spices from their favourite shop. Stay close to Road Town as this is where you will stumble across the charming Main Street shops. A historic area filled with colourful traditional structures’ the Main Street exudes Caribbean ambience. Check out nearby Virgin Island Folk Museum and J.R O'Neal Botanic Garden filled with arguably the most beautiful plants on the Island, to make this excursion a fun-filled day out of Caribbean excellence!

If authenticity is what you’re after, travel to Soper’s Hole, located just behind the stunning Smuggler's Cove, and catch the local farmers setting up stalls and selling mountains of some of the freshest colourful fruit and veg you’ll ever taste. These farmers appreciate each and every visitor that comes to these shores, so always expect service with a friendly smile.