The first time I floated into the mouth of the caves at Treasure Point, the water was so clear I could see the orange cup corals swaying ten feet below. The caves are the most visited snorkelling site in the British Virgin Islands, and for good reason. This article covers what you need to know about snorkelling the caves—and the quiet secret that makes a Norman Island visit truly special: Money Bay.
The caves of Norman Island are the most visited snorkelling site in the British Virgin Islands.
The caves are a must-snorkel, but the real secret is Money Bay — a quiet anchorage with a fascinating history. Come early to avoid the crowds, and don’t skip the dinghy ride around the south side.
| Spot | Best For | Standout Feature | Time Needed | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caves at Treasure Point | Snorkelling, pirate lore | Vivid cup corals in orange and red, fish swim close | 1–2 hours | Arrive before 9 a.m. to grab a mooring — 30–40 boats can crowd the bay by midday. |
| Money Bay | Quiet anchorage, beachcombing, kayak surfing | Shipwrecked galleons and doubloons on the seabed | Half day or overnight | Stern-tie to shore; only one boat fits, so arrive early or anchor in the Bight and dinghy over. |
Treasure Point Caves — Snorkelling in a Pirate’s Hideaway
The caves at Treasure Point are the heart of Norman Island’s pirate legend. Robert Louis Stevenson used a chart of the island that matches almost exactly, and the caves are the source of the treasure tale in Treasure Island. The real story is just as good: local fisherman Henry Creque paddled into a cave to shelter from a downpour and found gold coins scattered on the floor — he used part of the gold to buy the whole island.
The cave entrances are shallow, so you can float right in with a mask and snorkel. The cup corals are bright and healthy, and the fish have little fear of humans. It’s a genuinely magical experience — but you need to plan your timing. The mooring field at the Bight can hold 30–40 boats in peak season, and the dinghy moorings (blue balls) at the cave entrances go fast.
Watch the mooring etiquette at the Bight end: the blue balls are dinghy moorings directly at the cave entrances. If you’re on a charter boat, use the larger white balls and take your dinghy to the blue ones.
Money Bay — Norman Island’s Best Kept Secret
Ask most charter captains where to go on Norman Island, and they’ll point you to the Bight. But the south side holds a quiet anchorage that few visitors know about: Money Bay. Sheltered from the prevailing wind, it holds one boat stern-tied to shore — sometimes two if neighbours are friendly. The name comes from shipwrecked galleons and doubloons that still litter the seabed.
Money Bay is also known historically as Landing Bay — a 1776 chart shows John Purcell held the land lease. It’s a spot where you can feel the island’s raw history: the pirate careenage at the Bight, the lookouts on Spyglass Hill, and the gold that sparked the Creque legend. We spent an afternoon here with a metal detector on the sand (nothing but old bottle caps) and a kayak to surf the small swell onto the beach.
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To capture the underwater beauty of the caves and Money Bay, we brought a waterproof action camera. The DJI Osmo Action 6 Bundle shoots 8K video, is waterproof to 20m, and includes extra batteries and a 64GB card — perfect for a full day on the water without worrying about running out of power or storage.
Practical Tips for Exploring Norman Island’s Caves
Getting to the caves is straightforward, but a few decisions can make or break your day.
Getting There and Mooring
Norman Island is accessible only by boat. Most visitors arrive on a charter yacht from Tortola or the US Virgin Islands, or on a day trip from Road Town. The Bight is the main anchorage on the northwest side. If you’re staying in the Bight, the caves are a short dinghy ride to the east. If you’re anchoring in Money Bay, dinghy around the south side and then up to Treasure Point — it’s a longer ride but gives you a quieter morning.
Mooring balls at Treasure Point are first-come, first-served. In peak season, arrive by 8:30 a.m. or risk being shut out. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of the BVI’s hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare marinas, villas, and anchorages near Norman Island.
Best Time to Visit
Winter (December to April) brings consistent trade winds and calm seas, but also the highest visitor numbers. Summer has lighter winds and fewer boats, though afternoon squalls are common. The caves are snorkellable year-round, but morning is always best — the water is calmer, the light is better for corals, and you’ll beat the day boats.
What to Bring
Besides a good mask and fins, a waterproof camera is essential for the cave corals and the marine life. The DJI Osmo Action 6 Bundle we used has excellent stabilization and a 4-hour battery, so you can shoot all day without switching batteries. A dry bag for gear, reef-safe sunscreen, and a hat for the dinghy ride are also musts.
Day boats from Road Town and the US Virgin Islands arrive around 10 a.m. and fill the mooring field. The National Parks mooring balls are limited — if they’re all taken, you’ll have to anchor in the Bight and dinghy over, which is still doable but adds time.
Before You Go: Norman Island Caves Questions Answered
Are the caves safe for children?
Yes — the caves are shallow (none deeper than 15 feet) and the water is usually calm. Kids who are comfortable in a mask and snorkel will enjoy the fish and corals. Just keep an eye on boat traffic near the cave entrances.
Do I need a tour to see the caves?
No. If you’re on a charter boat or have a rental boat, you can visit independently. Day trips from Tortola also run regularly. The caves are free to snorkel; you just need to use a mooring ball or anchor responsibly.
What’s the real story behind the gold?
Henry Creque found gold coins in the caves around 1900 and used them to buy Norman Island from the government. The island later sold to Henry Jarecki in 1999 for $8 million. No one has found treasure since, but cannonballs and anchors still turn up on the beach and seabed.
Is Money Bay worth the trip?
Only if you have your own boat and value solitude over convenience. It’s a small, quiet anchorage with a fascinating history, but it’s not a must-see for everyone. If you’re on a day trip, stick to the caves and the Bight.
The Secret That Makes Norman Island Special
The caves at Treasure Point are famous for a reason — the corals, the fish, and the pirate legend are as good as advertised. But what makes the island linger in memory is the quiet side: Money Bay, where the water is still and the seabed holds centuries of wreckage. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you left the dock in the first place. For more ideas on exploring the BVI responsibly, check out our guide to sustainable travel in the islands.
References
Epic Yacht Charters. “Norman Island BVI.” 2026. ↗
If you’re planning a longer trip, our week-long BVI itinerary covers the best anchorages and stops, including Norman Island. For more active adventures, try hiking and kayaking around the islands. And if you’re curious about the history behind the caves, the ancient petroglyphs add another layer to the BVI’s story.
Explore Places to Stay in BVI
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.