5 Best Sights in British Virgin Islands

Once a sleepy village, Cane Garden Bay has become one of Tortola's most popular destinations. Stay at a small hotel or guesthouse here, or stop by for lunch, dinner, or drinks at a seaside restaurant, or popular nightspots like Quito's and Paradise Club. You can find a few small shops selling clothing and basics such as sunscreen, and one of Tortola's most popular beaches is at your feet. Myett's offers hotel rooms almost directly on the beach, while the newer Quito's Inn has smartly appointed rooms. The roads in and out of this area are dauntingly steep, so use caution when driving.

Great Harbour has an authentic Caribbean feel that's not just for tourists. Small bars and restaurants line the sandy strip of beach that serves as the community's main street. While the island's main settlement may not have the unspoiled natural beauty of some popular beaches, it holds a quaint charm. There are a few areas suited to swimming, with calm, shallow water perfect for children; however, the attraction here is more about the beach scene than the actual beach. Ali Baba and SeaCrest Inn have rooms on the bay. Bring your bug spray for sand flies in the early evenings. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: walking; swimming.

A popular day trip for sailors, the caves at Treasure Point are a good place for snorkeling among tropical fish and coral formations. Although the caves inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, you probably won't find any gold doubloons hidden inside. The only way to arrive is by boat; inquire about excursions at Pirate's Bight.

The official government residence until 1997, this gracious building now displays a nice collection of artifacts from Tortola's past. The rooms are filled with period furniture, hand-painted china, books signed by Queen Elizabeth II on her 1966 and 1977 visits, and numerous items reflecting Tortola's seafaring legacy.

On the south shore of Jost Van Dyke and the "next bay over" from Great Harbour, this long stretch of picturesque white sand is especially popular with boaters who come ashore for a libation at one of the many beach bars that offer refuge from the sun. Despite the sometimes rowdy bar scene, the beach is large enough to find a quiet spot, particularly late in the day when most of the day-trippers disappear and the beach becomes serene. There are a few small hotels with rooms just behind the beach or a short walk uphill. Swimmers and snorkelers should be cautious of boat traffic in the anchorage. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.