Add Anegada to Your Cruising Itinerary in the BVI

Tina Walsh
Nov 17, 2020
5 min read

Updated: Jun 22, 2024

Unspoiled, very lightly developed and uncrowded Anegada is the place of deserted island dreams. Different from her sisters in the south, Anegada is a coral and limestone island, not a volcanic island. She is 11 miles long and fringed with miles of powdery, coral tinged beaches. Horseshoe reef runs just off her coast, offering lots of snorkeling and diving opportunities. The lobster capital of the BVI, a dinner of freshly caught, wood grilled lobster under the stars is the ultimate Anegada dining experience. Plan on staying more than one night, it is that special of a place. For a complete BVI Itinerary check out my post, 7 Day Cruising Itinerary BVI.

Things to Know When Planning to Visit Anegada

Unlike most other anchorages in the British Virgin Islands, Anegada requires some planning and forethought. It is 11.4 nm north of North Sound. Depending on the seas and winds, it can be a challenging trip.

Boatyball is a service that allows you to reserve a mooring ball in advance. I would highly recommend that you use this service for at least your first night as the mooring balls tend to fill up fast and places to anchor are very limited in Anegada because there are so many coral heads.

There is a marked channel into Setting Point. It is important stay strictly within the channel. I have seen more than one impatient Captain have a "grounding" there. Fuel is available at Kenneth's Gas Station on the east side of Potter's at the dock used by the ferries. Provisioning supplies, gift shops and a laundry are available in Setting Point just behind Potter's and the Anegada Reef Hotel. Trash disposal and ice is available at the Anegada Reef Hotel. There are dinghy docks at Potter's, Anegada Reef Hotel, Lobster Trap, Wonky Dog and Neptune's Treasure.

Essential Online Links For Booking Your Trip to the British Virgin Islands

Logistics: There is one international airport in the British Virgin Islands. You can also fly into St. Thomas USVI and take a ferry to Road Town, Tortola. : Taxis are available throughout the islands. Private Transfers are available from both airports: Private Arrival Transfer from EIS Airport to Tortola, Private Ground Transfers, St. Thomas, Ferry Schedules are available at USVI.net, Water Taxi transfers are available through Dolphin Water Taxi

Top-rated British Virgin Islands tours and experiences:

☆Historical and Beach Tour of Tortola BVI

☆Conch Island Snorkel Tour: Contact Kelly at Anegadaconcierge@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 281 496-0961

☆Brewers Bay Eco Hiking Tour

Top places to stay in British Virgin Islands:

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (Tortola - Luxury)

Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort (Tortola - Budget Friendly, )

Sebastian's on the Beach Hotel (Tortola - Budget Friendly)

Rosewood Little Dix Bay Virgin Gorda (Virgin Gorda - Luxury, )

Saba Rock Resort ( North Sound - Luxury,)

Anegada Beach Resort (Anegada -Budget Friendly, )

My favorite Guidebook for Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands: The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands

My favorite Guidebook for the British Virgin Islands: Top 10 US & British Virgin Islands

My favorite Novel about the Caribbean: The Embarrassment Of Mangoes or Vintage Norman Island: True Tales About a Real Treasure Island with Pirates and Buried Treasure

Don’t forget to pack: water shoes*** underwater camera*** HD mask ***reef safe sunscreen.

What To Do on Anegada?

The beaches in Anegada are some of the best in the BVI. All the beaches have long stretches for walking and exploring. Cow Wreck Beach has a lively beach bar and restaurant, chaise lounges and palm tree shaded areas. Anegada Beach Club is situated on Bones Bay. They have a restaurant, beach bar and overnight accommodations, including glamping palapas directly on the beach. The chaise lounges and swimming pool are available to patrons of the restaurant and bar. Cow Wreck Beach and Bones Bay are the best for swimming. Loblolly beach is the best for beach entry snorkeling. The Big Bamboo and Flash of Beauty offer cold drinks and great food options if you are hungry after enjoying the beach. Make sure you bring reef friendly sunscreen and a dry bag for your valuables.

How to Get Around on Anegada?

At Setting Point, you can rent bikes, scooters, mokes and jeeps. The roads are narrow and somewhat paved, with some stretches unpaved. While the size and terrain of the island lends itself to bikes, the condition of the roads make scooters and mokes our transportation of choice. The lowest rental price is for 24 hours.

We rent one about three in the afternoon on our day of arrival and head out exploring. We can enjoy a couple of beaches the next day before returning the vehicle. Whoever you rent from will allow you to store the rental overnight at their facility. Be cautious on the roadways, cows and goats have the right away.

Nature on Anegada

There are three salt ponds on Anegada that are home to a flock of Caribbean Flamingos. On the road to Loblolly Bay, there is an elevated observation deck for viewing them. Bring along a pair of binoculars for the best sightings. Further down the road is a "head start" facility for the endangered Anegada Rock Iguana. You can see the young Iguanas before they are released on the island.

Experiences on Anegada

The steady trade winds that bring so many sailors to the BVI also attract kiteboarders. Anegada is home to one of the largest Kiteboarding Competitions in the Caribbean each March. Kiteboarding rentals and lessons are available on Anegada.

There are also excellent bone fishing flats on Anegada. Information on guides and lessons are available at Anegada Reef Hotel.

You can also get information on snorkeling and diving trips as well as trips to Conch Shell Island. A small island off Horseshoe reef made up entirely of conch shells tossed in the ocean by fisherman.

Where to Eat on Anegada?

The Anchorage at Setting Point offers stunning views of the sunset. Cocktails at Potter's, Wonky Dog, or Anegada Reef Hotel are other great places to view the sunset. Grilled lobster is a speciality on Anegada. There are no bad places to enjoy them. Captk and I enjoyed a delicious evening at Whispering Pines on our 35th anniversary.

My favorite place to have lobster on Anegada is The Lobster Trap. Everything on their menu is delicious, don't miss the Key Lime Pie! In Anegada, not only do you need to make a reservation before 4pm, you need to also order your entire meal before 4. Just stop by on your way to explore the island and place your order.

For more BVI dining suggestions, check out my post, Best Restaurants in the BVI, Post Irma.

Anegada is a bit of a ride to get to, but it is so worth it. The beaches, lobster and relaxed deserted island atmosphere is worth the trip! Ready to book your trip, click here to get started Booking.com.