Exploring the British Virgin Islands During Shoulder Season: What to Know

Image: Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)
Image: Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)
Mia Taylor
by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Sun September 7, 2025

While late summer and early fall are considered “off season” throughout Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) wants travelers (and travel advisors) to know that there’s still plenty to see and do during this time of year.

From boutique resorts, to attractions and restaurants, many locations remain open. As an added benefit, globetrotters will also find fewer crowds and lower seasonal rates when exploring BVI in fall.

“Traveling to the BVI during our shoulder season between September and early November offers a variety of unique advantages,” said Clive McCoy, director of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission.

“Guests can enjoy the same pristine beaches, world-class sailing and vibrant culture, just with more space, better value and a slower pace that allows visitors to truly connect with our islands,” McCoy added. 

An increasingly popular destination, the BVI, which comprise a collection of 50-some islands including Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada, welcomed more than one million travelers in 2024. That's the first time BVI recorded such significant visitation since 2016.

With warm waters and trade winds year-round, shoulder season in the BVI is a time when visitors can still enjoy sailing (which the destination is known for) along with scuba diving to explore historic underwater wrecks and relaxing on the region’s many picturesque beaches.

In addition, you may also score a bargain visiting this time of year. Typically during off-season travel periods, flights arecheaper and hotels are known to drop their prices.

If all of that sounds appealing, here are some of the hotels, resorts, villas, restaurants and activities that remain open for business during the BVI’s shoulder season from September through early November.

Accommodations:

  • Anegada Beach Club
  • Anegada Reef Hotel
  • Big Bamboo (rooms) 
  • White Bay Campground
  • Ocean View Villa
  • Leverick Bay Resort & Marina
  • Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals
  • Villas Virgin Gorda
  • Guavaberry Spring Bay
  • Virgin Gorda Village Hotel
  • Mango Bay Resort
  • Fischer's Cover Beach Hotel
  • Nanny Cay Hotel & Marina
  • JY Harbour View Hotel
  • The Moorings Yacht Club
  • Treasure Isle Hotel
  • Village Cay Hotel
  • Maria's by the Sea Hotel
  • Fort Burt Hotel
  • Cane Garden Bay Beach Hotel
  • New View Inn
  • Carrie's Comfort Inn
  • Cool Breeze Villas
  • Sebastian's on the Beach
  • Fort Recovery
  • Myett's 
  • Heritage Inn
  • Elm's Beach Suites
  • Scrub Island Resort & Spa


Restaurants:

  • Big Bamboo (restaurant) 
  • Gertrude's Bar & Restaurant
  • Abe's by the Sea
  • Cocolocos
  • Ivan's Stress Free Bar
  • Old Yard Village Restaurant
  • Rock Café by Pussers
  • Bath & Turtle
  • Spanish Town Café
  • Top of the Baths
  • Restaurant at Leverick (Downstairs)
  • Coco Maya 
  • Capriccio di Mare (Hodge's Creek)
  • Tradewinds Mexican Grill
  • Serves Up
  • Naturally Tasty by RotimanTrellis Bay Market
  • Sunset Chill Spot by Fusion
  • Never Done Bar & Restaurant
  • Island Tacos
  • VQ Reloaded
  • Rhythm & Sands Restaurant
  • JY Harbour View Restaurant
  • Omar's Dockside at Nanny Cay
  • Captain Mulligan's
  • Coconut Lounge
  • Paradise Club
  • Circle Café
  • Pussers Road Town
  • Pussers Landing (Frenchman's Cay)
  • Gene's (Manuel Reef)
  • D' Best Cup
  • Bamboushay
  • Pearl of the Orient
  • Marche
  • Sushi Bar
  • Marina Cay Restaurant
  • Willie T
  • Kelly’s Bar & Restaurant
  • Esther’s GT Flavours



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Mia Taylor

Mia Taylor

Senior Editor

Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience. Most recently she worked as a staff writer for America's largest digital publisher DotdashMeredith, where she contributed stories on a daily basis to four of the company's most iconic brands - Parents,Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, and Health. Her work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, The Boston Globe, The San Diego UnionTribune, Westways Magazine, Fortune, and more.

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