The British Virgin Islands are spread across more than 50 islands and cays, but most family
trips center on one of four: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, or a private-island resort reachable only by
boat. Where you base yourself determines how much time you spend on ferries versus beaches, and it’s a
decision worth making deliberately rather than by default. This is a practical comparison of the trade-offs
— ferry frequency, road access, and what each island actually offers a family day to day — that
goes beyond the broader regional overview in our ultimate
guide to where to stay in the BVI.
What to Know
- Tortola has the main airport (car ferry connections from St. Thomas) and the most restaurants, groceries, and pediatric-adjacent medical care.
- Virgin Gorda requires a ferry or a short flight and offers calmer, more resort-oriented days once you’re there.
- Anegada is flat, coral-based, and reached only by ferry or small plane — a strong fit for older kids and beach-focused families, less so for a first BVI trip with toddlers.
- Private-island resorts (Scrub Island, Guana Island, Necker Island) eliminate daily transit but mean every off-resort outing is a boat trip.
- Inter-island ferries run a limited daily schedule and fill up in high season — book seats in advance rather than assuming walk-up availability.
- Most families do best picking one home base for 5-7 nights rather than island-hopping with young kids in tow.
Tortola: The Practical Default
Tortola is where most flights and ferries into the BVI actually land, at either the Terrance B. Lettsome
International Airport or the ferry dock in Road Town. For families who want groceries, a pharmacy, and a
short drive to a pediatric-capable clinic within reach, Tortola is the least-friction choice. Road Town and
the East End have the widest range of family-sized villas and condo rentals, and the hotel roundup for the territory
covers several Tortola-based options in detail. The trade-off is that Tortola’s own beaches, while decent,
aren’t the postcard shots you’ve seen from Virgin Gorda — you’ll likely still take at least one day
trip out.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
Every resort we review gets one of four Family Fit ratings. The rating is based on kids programming, amenities, vibe, and who the resort actually markets to - not just whether they allow children.
Discover My Ideal Resort →Virgin Gorda: Fewer Logistics Once You Arrive
Virgin Gorda sits about 12-19 miles from Tortola depending on the route, a 30-45 minute ferry ride that
runs several times daily in season. Once there, distances are short and resort properties like Rosewood
Little Dix Bay handle most of the coordination for you. It suits families who’d rather absorb one ferry
transfer at the start and end of the trip than shuttle daily. The Baths, the territory’s signature boulder
beach, is a short taxi ride from most North Sound and Spanish Town accommodations.
Anegada and Private Islands: For Repeat Visitors
Anegada is coral rather than volcanic, meaning flat terrain and some of the calmest, most swimmable
water in the territory — but it’s remote, with limited dining and no pharmacy, so first-time families
with very young kids usually visit as a day trip rather than a base. Private-island resorts remove the need
to plan transit entirely, at the cost of every outing becoming a scheduled boat departure; that trade-off is
worth understanding before booking, and browsing available inter-island tours and transfers
in advance helps you gauge how often you’d actually want to leave.
Mixing Two Bases on One Trip
Some families split a 7-10 night trip between Tortola and Virgin Gorda — a few nights near Road Town
for arrival logistics and groceries, then a few nights at a Virgin Gorda resort for the calmer back half of
the trip. This works better than trying to see everything from one base, but it does mean packing and
unpacking mid-trip and coordinating a ferry transfer with luggage and kids. If you’re considering it, plan
the Tortola leg first, since that’s where flights land, and treat the Virgin Gorda leg as the more relaxed
back half rather than trying to reverse the order. Families with kids under about four generally do better
picking one base and skipping the mid-trip move entirely; the logistics savings usually outweigh what you’d
see by adding a second location. If you do split the trip, keep the ferry-day itself light — no other
activities scheduled — so a delayed departure or a slow check-in doesn’t cascade into a stressful
afternoon with tired kids and luggage still in tow.
Plan Your Days in the BVI
Browse family-friendly tours, snorkeling trips, and day activities in the BVI.
Quick Answers
Should we base ourselves on Tortola or Virgin Gorda with kids?
Tortola if you want easy access to groceries, medical care, and flexible day-trip options; Virgin Gorda if you’d rather settle into one resort and take fewer logistics-heavy days.
Is Anegada a good base for a first BVI trip?
Not usually with young kids — it works better as a day trip once you’re already comfortable with island logistics, since dining and medical options are limited.
Do we need a car on Tortola?
A rental car or reliable taxi arrangement helps on Tortola, since distances between beaches, restaurants, and your accommodation are often a 15-30 minute drive.
Where to Stay in BVI
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
A boat transfer is required to reach it, but a private pool and beach make it worth the extra step for the right family.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
A private-island base with real trade-offs — worth weighing the isolation against the calm.
Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort
Direct beach access on Tortola’s east end, no kids’ club but a straightforward family base.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Get a personalized BVI itinerary built around your kids’ ages and your travel dates.
