Jost Van Dyke

Island bliss often taunts in the form of a crystal clear desktop screensaver—a palm tree over a lounge chair, a stone’s skip from where the water’s edge is lapping at the sand. It’s a far cry from your cold office and seems even further. Yet, there’s a place where bliss awaits not at one secluded resort or private beach, but on the more than 60 small, tropical islands and cays that comprise the British Virgin Islands (BVI, a British overseas territory).

Rising dramatically from the sea, the drowned mountain chain that constitutes the majority of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a trueboater’s paradise. In contrast to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the BVI remains a relatively tranquil Caribbean destination, well-known for its marinas, secluded beaches, and cheerful beach bars.

The 60 islands that make up the British Virgin Islands feature an array of annual celebrations that draw visitors from around the world, especially the yachting community. Here are some of the best events and festivals to plan your next visit around.