5 Legendary BVI Beach Bars to Anchor Your Yacht In Front Of

5. Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound

Signature Drink: Dark’n’ Stormy.

Forget the fluffy travel brochure talk—Bitter End Yacht Club isn’t some polished, pretentious resort. It’s for people who love the water, hate shoes, and think a “dress code” means putting on a dry t-shirt. Sail in, tie up, and stay awhile—you’ll get why people keep coming back.

Tucked into the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, this place has been the unofficial clubhouse for yachties since 1969. Hurricane Irma leveled the place in 2017, leaving nothing but splinters and memories, but with the help of the community, the whole place has been rebuilt, stronger and better than ever.

The hotspot is the Reef Sampler, a sunken boat turned into a lively watering hole right on Marina Beach. Originally a 34-foot vessel from the 1960s, the Reef Sampler was the backbone of Bitter End, hauling construction materials and ferrying adventurers. After being lost to Hurricane Irma in 2017 and later salvaged from the North Sound seabed, it’s now back in action, serving up Dark ‘n’ Stormies, Painkillers, and the signature Bitter End 2.0 cocktail.

From your barstool, you’ve got a front-row seat to the North Sound, with yachts bobbing in the breeze and the sun dropping behind the hills like it’s on cue. And if you stick around long enough (trust me, you will), the whole place turns into a low-key sailor’s hangout—no velvet ropes, just rum, laughs, and the occasional tipsy plan to “sail somewhere at sunrise”.

The name “Bitter End” isn’t just poetic fluff—it’s an actual nautical term for the last bit of anchor line. Fitting, because for many, this spot feels like the end of the road in the best way possible.

4. The Rum Bar at Cooper Island Beach Club

Signature Drink: Everything rum!

If you’re even slightly rum-curious, The Rum Bar at Cooper Island Beach Club is non-negotiable. This place doesn’t just have rum—it practically worships it, with a collection of 280+ bottles from all corners of the globe. Whether you’re chasing rare aged sippers, funky agricoles, or just want a solid rum punch, the bartenders here know their stuff and are more than happy to nerd out with you.

The vibe? Laid-back and effortlessly cool. A few stools, plenty of shade, and just enough space to swap stories with fellow yachties while eyeing your boat bobbing in the bay. It’s the kind of spot where one drink turns into three, and suddenly you’re debating if you really need to sail to the next anchorage after all.

Cooper Island itself keeps things refreshingly simple. There’s no road, no cars—just you, the beach, and the Beach Club. Besides the Rum Bar, you’ve got a solar-powered microbrewery (because why not?), a solid restaurant serving fresh seafood and Caribbean bites, and an on-site coffee shop to help you recover from the rum tasting the next morning.

3. Willy T Floating Pirate Bar at Normans Island

Signature Drink: While the bar serves a variety of drinks, the “Original Willy T Pirates Rum” is a must-try. It’s the house special that keeps patrons coming back for more.

If you follow the popular charter route going counter-clockwise around the British Virgin Islands, one of the first places you will get to is Norman Island, the inspiration for Treasure Island and home to the pirate caves which were once used for hiding pirate loot. And it is right here in the bight that the Willy T, a floating pirate bar, is anchored waiting for you to come get your first fill of Caribbean rum.

The Willy T has been around since 1989 and has been through quite a bit. Named after William Thornton, the architect born on Jost Van Dyke who designed the U.S. Capitol Building, the original Willy T was a 1935-built 95-foot Baltic Trader. In 1995, it met a watery end but was resurrected as a 100-foot steel vessel, continuing its legacy until hurricanes Irma and Maria struck in 2017. Not one to be kept down, the Willy T returned, anchoring once again at The Bight off Norman Island, ready to serve up good times.

During the day, the Willy T is a place for the whole family, and a great place to eat lunch. Signature dishes include local favorites like Anegada Conch Fritters and the Honey Stung Chicken. But at night the Willy T transforms into a party hub for salty seadogs, and the kids are better left at home. While it’s all in good fun, guests should be prepared for a spirited crowd and spontaneous celebrations.

Feeling daring? Tradition encourages guests to leap from the top deck into the crystal-clear waters below. It’s a rite of passage for many and makes for a great story back on deck.

2. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke

Signature Drink: Try the Dread Foxy containing Foxy’s Firewater Rum over rocks with lime sour mix and cranberry juice. or you can try the Sly Fox – Foxy’s Firewater Rum with margarita mix over ice with bitters.

If the British Virgin Islands had a soul, it would probably be sipping a rum punch at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. Located right on the beach in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, this iconic beach bar has been the beating heart of the BVI’s yachting scene since 1968, thanks to one man’s vision—Philicianno “Foxy” Callwood.

Back then, a young Foxy saw sailors dropping anchor in the bay and decided to give them a proper island welcome. So, under the shade of a tamarind tree, he set up a bar—not just for drinks, but for stories, laughter, and music. Quick with a joke, a calypso-style song about the day’s news, or a legendary tale, Foxy himself became as much of an attraction as the turquoise waters surrounding his island home. His contributions to BVI tourism even earned him an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II—not bad for a man who just wanted to make sailors smile.

But Foxy’s isn’t just a bar; it’s an institution. By day, it’s the perfect spot to grab a cold drink, kick back in the sand, and swap sailing stories. By night, it transforms into a Caribbean party hub, especially during its world-famous Old Year’s Night celebration—which, if you’re lucky enough to attend, will ruin all future New Year’s Eve parties for you.

1. Soggy Dollar in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke

Signature Drink: Soggy Dollars own Painkiller: a yummy concoction of dark rum, fresh coconut milk, pineapple, and orange juice, and topped with freshly grated nutmeg.

Soggy Dollar is by no doubt the most legendary beach bar in the British Virgin Islands and an absolute must-visit on your BVI yacht charter. We recommend saving it for the end, as it is an epic place to finish up with a last hurray.

The concept here is that you anchor your catamaran as close to the beach as you dare. Some are so close you can almost step right off and walk ashore, well, maybe with a few meters of swimming – hence the name Soggy Dollar.

Landing on the beach right in front of Soggy Dollar, you walk up to the bar, where you will be met by a smiling local bartender who will fix you up a delicious cocktail right away. The iconic choice is the famous Painkiller, which was invented at Soggy Dollar in the 1970s, 20 years before the island got electricity.

The rum is the Soggy Dollar Rum, which was launched in 2017, the same year the bar got destroyed by Hurricane Irma. -Don’t worry, it was reopened again on the following New Year’s Eve.

So you got your cocktail, now you go sit in the water with it enjoying the view of your floating home and the sweet tunes playing from the Soggy Dollar radio.

Remember to let your family and friends at home know when you are there so they witness you having the best time of your life on Soggy Dollars live web cam.

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