The majority of views of the British Virgin Islands’ edges are of gorgeous beaches with scattered palms. On the island of Virgin Gorda, The Baths National Park is a little unusual, with its golden edges appearing to be overrun by enormous granite boulders, some of which are as large as three-story houses and offer spectacular natural drama. In order to reach this lovely site, you must first scramble over rocks, wade through tide pools, and squeeze through seemingly small spaces. Only then does the landscape suddenly open up onto a picture-perfect beach. The rocks have created shallow pools and grottoes that offer distinctive snorkeling opportunities. But if you spent the entire time here gazing in awe at the wild surroundings, we wouldn’t blame you.

Anegada stands out from its volcanic island sisters thanks to its pancake-flat look and low elevation of barely 28 feet above the water. This peaceful atoll is the ideal place to unwind on the dunes or set up a hammock and take a siesta in the sun because it has endless pearl-white beaches that are caressed by turquoise waters. It is endowed with an abundance of colorful reefs, each teeming with tropical fish. Flamingos dotting its salty ponds and brilliant frangipani and orchid flowers illuminating the landscape reward those who desire to explore more. Try the restaurant’s hallmark dish before you leave; although Anegada lobster can be found on many menus around the British Virgin Islands, it is best served here, where it is pulled from the water in front of your eyes and roasted on the grill.

The British Virgin Islands are a sailor’s paradise, blessed with year-round sun, consistent trade winds, and millpond-calm azure waters. A sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands, which are made up of 60 islands, is a lovely chance to see a few of them while stopping at secluded bays and undeveloped beaches that you probably won’t share with anyone. Even if you aren’t interested in spending the night on board, a day of sailing provides an insightful look at some of its isolated islands and the opportunity to sip on a cool beverage at a temporary beach bar. It would be impolite to not!

You simply can’t say you’ve been to the British Virgin Islands without experiencing the upbeat atmosphere of the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, which is well-known throughout the archipelago. This approach to arriving to the bar has become a traditional rite of passage for any guest. It gets its name from sailors who used to swim ashore and spend their sea-soaked money. The iconic Painkiller drink was also created by it; it’s a deadly but delicious concoction of rum, coconut, pineapple, orange juice, and nutmeg.

Although it would seem like a no-brainer for a tropical archipelago, skimming among the reefs of the British Virgin Islands is truly like discovering a new planet. You won’t be let down wherever you go because varied coral serves as a playground for a wide variety of marine life. Eagle rays, squid, and tarpon can be found at Cistern Point on Cooper Island. Epic underwater tunnels and ridges can be found at Norman Island’s Angelfish Reef. Smuggler’s Cove on Tortola offers snorkeling right off the shore. simply to mention a few!