Where to swim, sail and snorkel in the British Virgin Islands

Few places in the Caribbean offer as many aquatic joys as the British Virgin Islands. It's a place where the splash of flippers and the soft sigh of sails soundtrack the day, both gliding over turquoise waters which conceal kaleidoscopic coral reefs. The British Virgin Islands — a smattering of 50 isles and cays flung like skipping stones in protected waters east of Puerto Rico — have long been favoured by sailors for their steady trade winds and tranquil anchorages. From kayaking boulder-strewn grottoes to scuba diving around striking shipwrecks, adventure is never far away. Here are five ways to explore this collection of tropical islands by water.

Snorkel over colourful reefs

Both new and experienced snorkellers can venture out on a boat from the sand-fringed shorelines of Tortola — the country’s largest island — or its eastern neighbour, Virgin Gorda, to spot bright parrotfish, giant fan coral swaying in the gentle current and sea turtles gliding over reefs teeming with marine life. Another must-visit snorkel site is The Indians, a huddle of towering volcanic islets not far from Norman Island, where moray eels peek out from rocky overhangs and angelfish dash through underwater tunnels. Outfitters such as Sealingo Waterspots have snorkel masks and fins available to hire from $12 (£8.80) per day or $50 (£36) for the week.

Paddle around secluded bays

Experiencing the British Virgin Islands by standup paddleboard is equal parts peaceful and physically challenging. Once travellers gain their balance, they can glide past the region’s rocky shorelines and crescent beaches, spy sea turtles in the shallows and admire endless stretches of blue horizon. Bitter End Yacht Club, a mainstay on the island, offers lessons and equipment for paddlers of all experience levels to explore the serene waters around Virgin Gorda, including the protected North Sound. Alternatively, drift past channels of entangled mangroves on a tour hosted by Ground Sea Adventures. Alongside marine life, travellers can spot herons and egrets, both of which are often found wading at the water’s edge.

Dive into the underwater world

Shipwrecks strewn across the sandy seafloor, swirling schools of blue tangs, and a riot of colour-splashed coral — there's a whole world to be discovered in the British Virgin Islands' deep sea. PADI-certified divers will find plenty of sites to sate them, including the whimsically-named Alice's Wonderland — a 72ft plunge on the southwest side of Ginger Island — and The Chimney, a high-walled canyon that opens into an archway adorned with yellow coral. A standout dive features the RMS Rhone, a 19th-century UK Royal Mail Ship that sank in 1867. It rests off the coast of Salt Island, a tiny, uninhabited speck whose waters teem with vibrant fish and burgeoning formations of elkhorn, brain and fan corals.

Set sail on a private yacht charter

Soothing seas, steady trade winds and line-of-sight navigation have earned the British Virgin Islands a reputation as a watersports hotspot. Experienced seafarers can helm a bareboat, while those without a captain’s licence can enlist a skipper, making it easy to hop between quiet cays and spirited beach bars. Some of the best spots for a sundowner include Willy T on Norman Island and the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke — originator of the country's national cocktail, the painkiller, made with dark rum, coconut, pineapple, and orange juice. Mariners can moor up at Bitter End Yacht Club's homeport, refuel overlooking the water with a drink from The Quarterdeck bar and stock up on locally-sourced provisions for the galley. For an extended stay, travellers can check into one of the property's waterfront accommodations.

Kayak to secret rock pools

Formed of giant granite boulders that once tumbled along the shoreline of Virgin Gorda’s southwestern edge, The Baths National Park is one of the most recognisable landscapes in the British Virgin Islands. Kayakers can paddle in from nearby Spring Bay or Devil’s Bay, tie up to a mooring buoy offshore and swim into the grottoes formed by the clustered rocks. From there, travellers can navigate stone corridors, saltwater pools and hidden chambers on foot, their journey illuminated by beams of light filtering between the boulders. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best visibility with the fewest crowds.