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Cane Garden Bay

A wide bay on Tortola's north shore with a long beach, a sheltered anchorage and a bar strip.

Updated 12 October 2026

Typebeach
WhereTortola
Nearest cityRoad Town
Best seasonDecember to May
Time to allowHalf a day
Getting thereOn the northern shore of Tortola; road over the ridge from Road Town
EntryFree

Cane Garden Bay is the best-known beach on Tortola, a wide curve of sand on the north shore under steep green hills, with a sheltered anchorage that fills with charter yachts and a line of bars and restaurants along the back of the beach. It has been the island's party beach for decades, which is either the attraction or the problem. A rum distillery in the valley behind has been making from cane since the eighteenth century.

What you'll find

  • The beach curve - a wide sand bay under the steep north shore hills.
  • The anchorage - the sheltered water that fills with charter yachts.
  • The bar strip - the run of beach bars and restaurants along the sand.
  • The Callwood distillery - the rum works in the valley behind.

When to go

December to May is the season. Cruise days and evenings are busiest. Hurricane season runs June to November and brings north swell.

Before you go

It is loud, particularly in the evenings, and cruise days fill it. North swell in winter can make the bay rough and dangerous. Prices along the strip are high.

Nearby

Callwood Distillery is behind, and Brewers Bay is north-east.

Key facts

Location18.4257° N, 64.6613° W · map

Source: Wikidata, item Q31888913, read on 18 October 2026.

What to pack for Cane Garden Bay

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
  • Water shoes - Protect your feet on rocky entries, hot sand and sea-urchin spines. Find on Amazon
  • Dry bag - Keeps phone, cash and keys safe while you are in the water. Find on Amazon

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Plan your trip

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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