Monkey Point, on Guana Island’s southern tip, is one of the best snorkeling spots in the British Virgin Islands — and most day charters skip it entirely.
Guana Island spans 850 acres of private land in the British Virgin Islands, just off Tortola. The entire island functions as a single resort with 18 rooms and villas, capping visitors at roughly 35 at any given time. No cruise ships dock here. No beach clubs compete for your attention. And the cove most charters overlook — Monkey Point — offers some of the calmest, clearest snorkeling in the archipelago, accessible only by boat.
This guide is for anyone planning a BVI yacht charter or a resort stay who wants to trade crowded snorkel sites for a genuinely quiet afternoon in the water. If your idea of a perfect Caribbean day involves fewer boats and more turtles, Monkey Point belongs on your itinerary.
Monkey Point delivers the kind of snorkeling experience that most BVI marketing promises but rarely delivers — calm water, easy reef access, and almost no one else around. The catch is access: Guana Island is private, so you need either a resort booking or a charter captain willing to include it on the route. If you can make the logistics work, it’s worth the extra coordination.
Snorkelers
Charter travelers
Privacy seekers
| Spot | Best For | Key Feature | Access Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monkey Point | Snorkeling, turtles | Calm, clear reef along rocky shoreline | Boat access only; morning before day-trippers |
| White Bay | Anchorage, sunset views | 3/4-mile beach, fewer than 10 mooring balls | Anchoring allowed; resort beach is accessible |
| Guana Island Resort | Privacy, hiking, dining | 850 acres, 18 rooms, 7 beaches, 12 miles of trails | Resort booking or charter day-stop |
Each of these three experiences overlaps — you can anchor in White Bay, swim over to Monkey Point, and walk up to the resort for a farm-to-table lunch if you’re a guest. But they offer very different flavors of the same island.
Monkey Point: The Quiet Cove Most Charters Miss
Most BVI day charters heading east from Tortola make straight for The Indians or the Caves off Norman Island — both reliable snorkel spots, both reliably crowded by mid-morning. Monkey Point, on Guana Island’s southern tip, offers the same quality of reef without the flotilla of dinghies.
The water here stays calm and clear, thanks to the point’s position on the leeward side. A shallow reef hugs the rocky shoreline, making it suitable for first-time snorkelers and experienced swimmers alike. Turtles are common. The site has been described by multiple charter operators as “like swimming through an aquarium”. It functions well as a first snorkel of the day — calm enough to build confidence before moving on to deeper sites.
The key is timing. Charter operators who know the spot recommend arriving before 10 a.m., when the water is at its calmest and the few other boats that visit haven’t yet arrived. Later in the day, the occasional day-tripper or resort guest might appear, but even then the crowd rarely numbers more than a handful.
Fire coral grows near the entry and exit points at Monkey Point. Avoid touching the reef and wear protective footwear or water shoes when entering and exiting the water.
If you’re on a charter, ask your captain to include Monkey Point as a first stop. The contrast between the quiet cove and the busier anchorages elsewhere in the BVI is part of its appeal.
White Bay: Anchorage with a View
White Bay is Guana Island’s main beach, a 3/4-mile crescent of white sand sloping gently into turquoise water. It’s also the island’s primary anchorage, with typically fewer than 10 mooring balls — a number that ensures a deserted-island feel even when the resort is full.
The bay offers excellent protection from prevailing winds, making it a reliable overnight stop for charter yachts. Holding is decent in sand, and anchoring is permitted. The beach itself is accessible to visitors even though the island is privately owned — exploring inland is not allowed, but you can walk the length of the shore and swim without restriction. Day-tripper traffic occurs, but overnighting tends to be quieter, especially outside peak season.
Several large coral heads sit between the mooring field and the beach, creating a natural snorkel area that’s protected from boat traffic. It’s a good spot for beginners who want to build confidence before attempting more exposed sites. The sunsets here are particularly striking — the sun sinks directly over St. Thomas to the west, and the anchorage offers panoramic views from any deck.
Note: The resort’s beach is open to anchored visitors, but the property above the beach is private. Stick to the shoreline and you’ll have no issues.
The Guana Island Experience: Privacy at Scale
What happens when an entire 850-acre island is reserved for just a few dozen guests? At Guana Island, the answer involves seven beaches, 12 miles of hiking trails, and 90 percent of the land left wild. The resort and the island are one and the same — there are no neighboring hotels, no busy beach clubs, and no signs of development beyond the ridge where the 18 rooms and villas sit.
The property has been under family stewardship for nearly 100 years. Accommodations are built of native stone and coral on the foundations of an 18th-century Quaker estate, and each cottage is named for another Caribbean island. No two rooms are alike, and every one includes an outdoor sitting area with views of either the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. The layout creates an unusual sense of privacy — some accommodations are connected for families or groups while offering separate living spaces and private entrances.
Meals are included in the room rate — all gourmet dinners, wines, and daytime snacks. The culinary program operates on a farm-to-table model, sourcing most vegetables, fruits, and herbs from the island’s own organic orchard. The menu changes almost daily based on what’s ready to harvest. A farm tour is offered for guests who want to see the orchard and meet the small flock of flamingos that lives on the property.
Book Anegada 1 if you want a private pool suite — the full-size swimming pool has a curved edge that appears to disappear directly into the sea. It’s one of the most requested rooms on the island.
Complimentary activities include hiking the trail network, tennis, volleyball, croquet, lawn bowling, and a full collection of water sports equipment — stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, Hobie Cats, and snorkeling gear. For an additional cost, the resort can arrange scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, kite surfing, and island-hopping trips around the BVI. The atmosphere is best described as barefoot luxury — the island feels wonderfully connected to nature in a way that’s increasingly rare in the Caribbean.
Getting to Guana Island — and Its Quiet Cove
Guana Island cannot be reached by plane or ferry. The only access is by private boat — either a resort-arranged transfer or a chartered yacht. This is the single biggest reason most charters skip Monkey Point: it requires a deliberate decision to include it on the route.
Most visitors fly into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Tortola, with connections through San Juan or Miami. The resort arranges a short boat transfer from Tortola — within minutes, the main island fades and Guana’s green hills rise from the sea. For charter travelers, your captain can include Guana Island as a stop on a day trip or overnight itinerary.
A valid passport is required for all guests entering the BVI from the US Virgin Islands, even for short day trips. Customs and immigration fees apply; charter captains typically help coordinate the process.
If you’re booking a charter specifically to visit Guana Island, operators like Bonus Time Charters specialize in custom BVI itineraries that hit spots most charters skip. BVISAIL has arranged more than 85 Guana Island yacht charters and offers a step-by-step planning process that includes sample itineraries. Book 9-12 months in advance for the best yacht selection.
For resort guests, the process is simpler — the hotel handles the boat transfer from Tortola. Sea View cottage rates in late July run roughly $1,325 per night when booked directly; confirm current pricing before you go, as rates shift with season and availability.
Before You Visit Guana Island
Is Guana Island all-inclusive?
All meals, wines, and snacks — including tropical fruit and fresh-baked cookies — are included in the room rate. It’s not a typical all-inclusive with wristbands and buffets; the approach is more refined, with daily-changing menus built from the island’s organic orchard.
Is Guana Island adults-only?
No. Guana Island welcomes families of all ages. The 18 rooms and villas include connected accommodations for families or groups, with separate living spaces and private entrances. The relaxed pace and wide range of complimentary activities suit multi-generational travel well.
Can I visit Guana Island if I’m not a resort guest?
Yes — White Bay beach is accessible to anyone arriving by boat. You can anchor or pick up a mooring ball, swim ashore, and walk the beach. Exploring inland or using resort facilities is not permitted for day visitors.
What’s the best time of year for calm snorkeling at Monkey Point?
The warmest months — August, July, and September — offer the calmest water and most reliable conditions at Monkey Point. Moderate breezes and scattered rain showers can occur year-round, but morning hours consistently provide the flattest water.
How far in advance should I book a charter or resort stay?
For yacht charters, 9-12 months ahead is recommended for the best vessel selection. Resort rooms at Guana Island, particularly popular cottages like Anegada 1, also book well in advance — aim for at least 6 months out for peak winter season.
One Cove Worth the Extra Effort
Monkey Point on Guana Island isn’t hard to reach — it just requires a captain who knows it exists and a willingness to skip the more famous snorkel sites. In exchange, you get a cove where the water is calm, the reef is healthy, and the only sound above the surface is the occasional clink of a mooring line against a hull. For travelers who value space over spectacle, it’s exactly the kind of place that makes the BVI worth navigating by boat rather than by guidebook. For more off-the-beaten-path spots in the British Virgin Islands, check out our guide to snorkeling and diving in the BVI’s crystal waters.
References
Caribbean Journal. “Guana Island: The Caribbean Island With Seven Beaches.” CaribJournal, 2026. ↗
Bonus Time VI. “Where to Go in the BVIs That Most People Miss the First Time.” BonusTimeVI. ↗
Navigare Yachting. “Escape the Crowds: Hidden Gems of the British Virgin Islands.” Navigare Yachting Blog. ↗
MyBVICharter. “5 Best Secluded Anchorages in the BVI.” MyBVICharter. ↗
For more BVI travel inspiration, browse our guides to chasing sunsets from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke, Anegada’s lobster scene, and hiking trails beyond the beaches in the BVI.
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