Dive to explore shipwrecks, swim in natural pools and embark on a rainforest trek on this chain of Caribbean islands.

The British Virgin Islands are a cluster of more than 40 islands in the Caribbean Sea. With forested mountain peaks, extensive coral reefs, sandy beaches and ultramarine waters, the islands are noted for their beautiful scenery.

Tortola is the gateway to the island chain and home to the capital, Road Town. Stay a while to explore its attractions. Visit the 4-acre (1.6-hectare) J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens for its miniature rainforests and tropical birdhouses. Browse the Crafts Alive Market and learn about the islands’ cultural heritage at the Virgin Islands Folk Museum. Elsewhere on Tortola, hike through the rainforest of Mount Sage National Park.

Traveling between the islands in the chain is easy by air or sea. Take a ferry to Virgin Gorda and relax in the warm waters of the Baths. These are natural sea pools and grottos that have been formed by large granite boulders. Visit the deserted old sugar mills on Jost Van Dyke and sip a Painkiller cocktail in a beach bar. Photograph the Caribbean flamingos on Anegada.

With more than 100 dive sites featuring coral, canyons and wrecks, you’ll find much to explore under the waves. Dive off the island of St. John to see turtles. Look for angel fish, sea horses and rays at Angelfish Reef. Take the underwater snorkeling trail at the island’s Trunk Bay. One of the most popular underwater attractions is the shipwreck of the RMS Rhone. The Royal Mail Steamer sank in 1867 and is now a marine national park.

The islands lie east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea. There are no direct flight connections from the U.S. mainland or Europe, so many visitors come via San Juan, Puerto Rico.

With a subtropical climate, the British Virgin Islands have hot temperatures and sunshine on most days. The primary hurricane season is from June to November. Visit the islands, a great choice for those who want a blissful tropical retreat.