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An unpopulated speck off Jost Van Dyke perfect for those who love solitude, Sandy Cay is ringed with a desert-island style beach. With no protected harbor, it is best used during the winter season as a day sailboat anchorage or stopping spot for power boats. When calmer summer weather arrives, it makes a fine overnight halt. Swim in limpid water, sun on the gorgeous white beach, and stroll through the greenery that covers the interior of the island.

The place to go if you want to get away from it all, this resort has eight villas above a stretch of white sandy beach where you can read to your heart’s content, socialize at the beach, or simply enjoy the quiet.

Suites at this resort in Smith Bay overlook the ocean or the marina; all have decks or balconies. Watersports reign here, with snorkeling gear, Sun-fish sailboats, and floats all complimentary.

With a beachfront location and a kids’ club, the resort attracts lots of families, particularly at Christmas and in summer. Popular Coral World is only half a mile (1 km) away (seeSapphire Beach Resort, St. Thomas).

Breathtaking is the best word to use when describing this lengthy stretch of luscious white sand. The hillside overlook, just as you start down toward the beach entrance, provides terrific photo opportunities for shutterbugs. Pack a picnic lunch and bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as there are no facilities. While it’s easy to reach and just a short drive from Spanish Town, the beach sees few visitors.

Its cozy feel and a cuisine that fuses Caribbean, Mexican, and Thai has earned this restaurant a huge local following.

Leading uphill along the island’s ridge, Scenic Road (Route 78) runs east–west from Route 80 near Salt River to Ham’s Bluff Road outside Frederiksted. It intersects paved roads several times, so you don’t have to make the entire 8-or-so-mile (13 km) of this mostly dirt road. Rent a vehicle with four-wheel drive and high clearance to navigate Scenic Road. You’ll find no development along this route, just forest flora and fauna with an occasional fine view. The solitude is stunning.

Many week-long or more sailing charters specialize in scuba-diving the wrecks that sit offshore. Or sign on with any of the marina-based dive operators for a day trip.

Dive sites range from patchy reefs to deep walls and canyons, and there’s no shortage of dive operators to take you out.

Hotels arrange scuba trips for their guests if they don’t provide this activity at their watersports center. Otherwise, sign up for a trip with Dive BVI at Leverick Bay or Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor.