A very slight indentation into the long straight coastline, a wild and deserted stretch of white sand, so far unspoiled by the intrusion of construction, with a name to reflect the piracy that once no doubt took place here. Good snorkelling, no facilities.

A Caribbean classic, a wonderful curve of palm-backed sand at the western tip of Tortola. The road is unpaved but passable. Although nudity is illegal and largely unwelcome in the BVI, people have been known to bathe here ‘au naturel’. Please use your discretion. Occasional vendors but otherwise no facilities.

In the southwest, a very broad beach that lets onto a calm and protected snorkel area of what is known as “patch reefs”. There is a small bar/restaurant that has a room given over to artefacts collected from the many shipwrecks that have occurred around the island.

Nanny Cay Resort has added a beach, with its restaurant, restrooms, pool, windsurfing and volleyball nearby. Sea swimming good, or snorkelling over the coral just off the beach.

Only accessible by boat in calm weather, Money Bay is one of the BVI’s best get-away from it all beaches. There is absolutely nothing there apart from a nice stretch of sand and some enjoyable snorkelling on the coral heads.

The heart of Peter Island Resort, a long curve of fine white sand broken by a small outcrop of rocks. The island is private and reserved for the resort, but you can go across by boat or ferry from Baugher’s Bay and spend the day. Beach bar and grill (no picnics). Also snorkelling, watersports.

A superb stretch of sumptuous sand that goes on forever in either direction. Given the name, there must have been a ship wrecked with a cargo of cattle off this beach in times past, but not even a legend remains of it today. Instead there is an uninterrupted view to the horizon out across the Atlantic. Set well back from the shore is the Cow Wreck Beach Bar.

Accessed by an extremely steep drive, but a lovely stretch of sand backed by sea almond and palms. Excellent swimming, with snorkelling on reefs that almost reach the shoreline, and a beach bar to retreat to, with sports television, beach chair and snorkelling equipment rental. During north or northwest swells, it can develop an undertow. Ask before swimming.

Little Bay – one of Anguilla’s smallest beaches. The beach is surrounded by high cliffs and you can hire a boat to take you there (unless you want to scale down the side of the cliff on a rope, which is possible). The great thing about this beach is that there is no surf, so the shores are ideal for snorkeling and swimming.

Known as “the virgin island that still is,” Guana is one of the last remaining privately-owned islands left in the Caribbean. And this island certainly is private. There are no more than 32 guests on the island at any give time, giving each guest more than enough space to stretch out in this 850-acre island. Some of Guana’s seven white-sand beaches are only accessible by boat, and you can order a private picnic to take along with you.

Boating, fishing, sailing and snorkeling abound – but of course lounging on the beach all day is perfectly acceptable. Guana also has a population of wildlife that includes brightly coloured tortoises, flamingoes and iguanas. And if you desire, you can rent the entire island for an intimate holiday or wedding with 36 of your closest family and friends.