7 Best Beach Bars in the BVI to Visit by Yacht

1. Soggy Dollar Bar – White Bay, Jost Van Dyke

Our personal favorite beach bar, and a place we keep coming back to. – No BVI yacht charter is complete without a stop at Soggy Dollar Bar, the most iconic beach bar in the Virgin Islands – and arguably the entire Caribbean. Located in White Bay, on Jost Van Dyke, this is where the Painkiller was born back in the 1970s, decades before the island even had electricity. The name? Simple – you anchor just off the beach, swim in, and pay with soggy cash.

The scene is exactly what you want it to be: bare feet, reggae music, Painkiller in hand, floating in turquoise water while your catamaran bobs behind you. It’s not quiet, it’s not fancy – but it is totally unforgettable.

• 🥇 Best overall beach bar in the British Virgin Islands – an absolute must-see
• 🍹 Birthplace of the Painkiller – invented here in the 1970s and still the go-to drink
• 🍔 Great food options – grab lunch at Soggy or next door at Hendo’s Hideout
• 🏖️ Always buzzing – anchorage fills up fast, and the beach is full of swimmers and cocktails
• 🌴 Escape the crowd – walk down the beach for a quieter local vibe and nearly empty water

Charter Tip: Check the Soggy Dollar webcam to see the scene before you commit. And remember to tell your family and friends at home to have a peek while you are there.

2. Coco Maya Beach Restaurant – Virgin Gorda

We’ve been to CocoMaya more times than we can count — it’s one of our go-to spots in Virgin Gorda, and an easy favorite for both captains and guests. Located right next to The Baths, literally against the boulders, it’s the perfect place to head after a day exploring the rock formations and hidden pools.

CocoMaya blends upscale dining with a laid-back beach bar vibe: hammocks, a waterfront fire pit (great for kids roasting s’mores), and a cocktail bar with serious mixology. As the sun sets, the atmosphere shifts — DJ sets, a casual dance floor, and craft cocktails under the stars. The food is Asian–Latin fusion, beautifully plated, and consistently some of the best we’ve had in the BVI.

• 🌅 Best sunset vibes in the BVI – fire pits, beach seating, and a golden-hour view
• 🍸 Stylish cocktails – top-shelf drinks in a laid-back atmosphere
• 🔥 Kid-friendly touches – s’mores by the fire and space to explore
• 🍣 Seriously good food – Asian–Latin fusion, great value for upscale dining
• 🪨 Right by The Baths – ideal for dinner after exploring Virgin Gorda’s main attraction

Charter Tip: You can anchor just off the beach and dinghy straight to their dock. We always recommend timing it with sunset and booking ahead if you’re dining.

3. The Rum Bar at Cooper Island Beach Club

If you’re even slightly rum-curious, The Rum Bar at Cooper Island Beach Club is non-negotiable. It’s one of our favorite stops for a mellow afternoon or sunset drink.

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.

Beyond the rum, there’s a solar-powered microbrewery, a small boutique, a fantastic restaurant, and a coffee shop for the next morning’s recovery. It’s a complete stop – and a peaceful break from the party-heavy spots elsewhere.

• 🥃 Rum heaven – over 280 bottles, one of the best rum selections in the Caribbean
• 🌞 Chill vibe – laid-back atmosphere, perfect for an easy afternoon on the hook
• 🛟 Yacht-friendly – mooring balls available, dinghy access right to the dock
• 🍤 Solid food & drink lineup – plus an on-site brewery and coffee shop
• 🌱 Sustainability focus – solar power, eco-minded design, no plastic bottles

4. Willy T – The Bight, Norman Island

There’s no bar in the BVI with a reputation quite like Willy T. This floating bar and restaurant is permanently anchored in The Bight off Norman Island, and it’s been a charter tradition since 1989. You tie up your dinghy to the stern, climb aboard, and step into a pirate-style party that’s equal parts chaos and charm.

By day, Willy T can actually be a surprisingly solid family lunch stop — with conch fritters, burgers, and a casual, friendly crew vibe. But as the sun sets, everything changes. The music gets louder, the crowd gets rowdier, and things shift quickly from laid-back to full-on floating mayhem. Think drinks flying, people jumping off the top deck, and costumes that might be more optional than actual.

• 🎉 Best party bar in the BVI – floating chaos, every night is different
• ⚓ Unique experience – permanently anchored barge in The Bight
• 🍗 Solid daytime food – good lunch spot before the party starts
• 🏴‍☠️ Pirate vibes after dark – wild crowd, top-deck jumps, anything goes
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly before sunset – lunch, calm waters, decent atmosphere

Charter Tip: Great for groups looking to kick off or end the charter with a bang. Families can enjoy lunch onboard during the day — it’s calm, casual, and fun. But after sunset, this turns into a floating party that’s definitely adults-only.

5. Saba Rock – North Sound, Virgin Gorda

Saba Rock isn’t just another beach bar – it’s a really unique experience. Perched on its own tiny island in the middle of the North Sound, this spot has become one of the most stylish and yacht-friendly destinations in the BVI. After being completely rebuilt following Hurricane Irma, it’s back – sleeker, stronger, and better than ever.

Saba Rock is all about the setting: wraparound water views, swaying palms, slick design, and cold drinks served just steps from where you tie up. The dock is open to charter guests, and mooring balls are available nearby, making it an easy stop when cruising through the North Sound. Sunset is the sweet spot here, but even a lunch stop is worth the detour.

• 🍸 Upscale island bar – rebuilt post-Irma, slick design with laid-back vibes
• ⛵ Charter favorite – dock access and mooring balls right outside
• 🌊 360° water views – perfect for sunset cocktails and photos
• 🪁 Kiteboarder hotspot – fun to watch, or join in
• 🐠 Feeding the tarpon – a quirky Saba Rock tradition

Charter Tip: One of the easiest stops in the North Sound for charter yachts — you can grab a mooring ball or tie up directly to the dock if space allows. It’s an ideal place to spend the afternoon, grab sunset drinks, and still be within dinghy range of BEYC, Leverick Bay, and Prickly Pear.

6. Foxy’s – Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke

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

Foxy started out serving drinks and telling stories under a tamarind tree to passing sailors. Over time, he became as much of an icon as the bar itself – quick with a joke, a calypso song, or a tale you’ll retell for years. He even earned an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II for his impact on BVI tourism.

We timed our last visit with a live music night and hit the jackpot – three Caribbean bands back-to-back, grill smoking, cocktails flowing, and barefoot dancing in the sand. Raw, fun, and full of sailor soul.

• 🎤 Best live music nights – rotating Caribbean bands and big local energy
• 🍹 Twisted classics – cocktails with a Foxy-style spin
• 🧭 Built by a legend – meet Foxy Callwood, storyteller, founder, icon
• 🗺️ Rough around the edges – but rich in BVI soul

Charter Tip: Worth the stop for the history alone. Best to time your visit with a live music night — otherwise, swing by for a drink, a look around, and if you’re lucky, a few words from Foxy himself.

7. Cow Wreck Beach Bar – Anegada

Cow Wreck is about as far off the grid as you can get on a BVI yacht charter – and that’s exactly why we love it. Tucked on the north shore of Anegada, this beach bar is low-key, no-frills, and sitting on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the entire territory. White beach, electric blue water, strong rum drinks, and a soundtrack of nothing but waves and wind.

It’s not a party spot. It’s not polished. But after a week of buzzing beach bars, Cow Wreck feels like the perfect place to breathe out. Order a Painkiller, dig your feet into the sand, and take in the kind of view you’ll wish you could bottle.

• 🏝️ Most remote bar on the list – peaceful, off-the-beaten-track
• 🍹 Laid-back drinks – strong pours, relaxed service, big smiles
• 🐚 Classic Anegada vibe – sand, sun, conch, and rum
• 🌊 Postcard beach setting – white sand and empty horizon

Charter Tip: You’ll most likely anchor off Setting Point and either grab a cab or rent a scooter to reach Cow Wreck. It’s a bit of a mission — but that’s what makes it worth it.

More posts like this

Best BVI Yacht Charters