For a private island resort that feels like the end of the earth, Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands is surprisingly easy to get to—just a 10 minute ferry ride from Tortola’s Trellis Bay. Fly into Tortola’s Beef Island Airport (EIS) –with direct flights from Miami, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Antigua – and you can literally walk to the ferry dock.
Alternatively, fly to St. Thomas, take a one-hour ferry from St. Thomas to Roadtown, Tortola, and a 20 minute taxi to the Guana Island ferry. Your arrival and departure ferry is included in your room rate.
Once you arrive at Guana Island resort, you’ll want to stay put for the duration of your stay. This BVI private island resort is your destination. The ferry is available to shuttle you back to Tortola for a fee should you desire ($120 roundtrip per person in 2023). From there, you can easily catch the public ferry to Virgin Gorda. Reaching the other islands in the BVIs can get a touch more complicated, as boats leave from three different ferry terminals on Tortola. You can also explore the bays of the BVIs with a half or full day boat cruise on Guana’s center console.
When you arrive by ferry, you’ll be welcomed and quickly escorted by golf cart to your room. The staff at Guana Island luxury resort understand that the last thing you want after a long travel day is an extended check-in process. Your introduction to the resort can wait until cocktail hour.
If you’re looking for a nature-focused luxury resort in the British Virgin Islands, you’ve come to the right place. Guana prioritizes nature and 99% of its 850 acres remain undeveloped. The cottages and villas are clustered on a ridge, all walking distance from the Clubhouse, and all with sweeping ocean views. You’ll find charming sitting areas everywhere as you stroll throughout the developed portion of the property, enticing you to stop and take in the views.
The views mean a hike down to the beach, but golf carts are available. Just a quick call, and you’ll be on the beach in less than 10 minutes. White Bay Beach is about as stunning, secluded, and calm is it gets.
All meals are served in the Clubhouse. Breakfast is served from 8-10am, lunch from 1-2pm, and dinner at 7:30 sharp. Family dinners can be served at 6:30pm on request. The delicious food will just keep coming throughout the course of the week, with dinner options like: osso bucco, leg of lamb, duck, prawns, scallops, and branzino, all served with perfectly prepared starch and vegetable sides. Your bottle of wine of choice will be waiting on your dinner table, but you can always head back to the bar for more cocktails. Leave room for dessert at every single meal because the pastry chef creates a new concoction each night, each one better than the last.
In the Clubhouse, lunch is served buffet style. On request, you can eat lunch by the beach and the staff will bring you a plate. One delightful detail that makes this one of the best resorts in BVI in our books: the beach bar is always open, with a serve-yourself kind of vibe. Simply grab a beer, or mix a ting and soda – no need to sign a bill each time or wait to grab anyone’s attention.
Bring sneakers! There are several hiking trails on Guana Island, including through the island’s orchard, and also including a few steep sections down to prime snorkeling areas. Kids will be delighted by the cactuses, rock iguanas, birds, and other natural wonders throughout the property.
If your kids are old enough to snorkel, definitely do not miss taking a 20-30 minute kayak ride to Monkey Point for snorkeling.
Guana offers complimentary wash and fold laundry service, hugely helpful with kids, especially when your hiking in the Caribbean heat.
The Hibiscus Spa consists of a single treatment room on the beach—nothing fancy but the wraps are awesome, coming in flavors like coconut smoothie, spiced pumpkin, and papaya pineapple.
Don’t waste your time searching for rates and availability. We can handle it (and love it!), at no additional cost to you.
Ideal for those looking for a quiet beach getaway. The hotel is on a private island that features immaculate views and luxury amenities. The water sport and hiking options were top tier. Great vacation spot for couples and families.
Reviewed by Austin_Texasmimi72, Feb 2023, via TripAdvisor
Guana is the place for special family time. The island itself is beautiful and interesting and can be explored by hiking the trails, visits to the garden and orchard, walking the beach, or swimming and snorkeling. Delicious and healthy meals are graciously presented at different dining spots – all with spectacular views. Gathering together sharing the day’s experiences and family conversations without distractions are priceless to this grandmother. All the cares of jobs and daily stresses seem to fade away when immersed in nature on Guana. It is the perfect place for our family, and we recommend it highly.
Reviewed by Austin_Texasmimi72, Feb 2023, via TripAdvisor
Want to see more of what the British Virgin Islands has to offer? Dive into our complete British Virgin Islands Collection for more family-friendly hotels in the British Virgin Islands and must-do activities.
If you’re still in the ‘Hmm, which island?’ phase, our ‘Find Your Caribbean Island‘ page is designed to help busy parents like you sift through the noise and pick the perfect family getaway.
