Great Camanoe Island | People Love This Quiet Retreat
Great Camanoe Island in the British Virgin Islands is a small island located just north of Beef Island and northeast of Tortola. It is primarily a residential island divided into two distinct residential communities: Indigo Plantation and The Privateers, located on the southern half of the island.
The community of Indigo Plantation consists of privately owned homes. They have their road system and a small marina. In general, homeowners use golf carts to get around. The Privateers Bay community is located on the Scrub Island side of Great Camanoe Island.
A view over the rooftops of Tortola towards the islands of Guana, Great Camanoe, and Scrub
This small island does not offer commercial ventures like restaurants or other businesses. However, on a charter yacht, you and your family may enjoy the beach for sunbathing and picnics.
Cam Bay is an excellent area for swimming and snorkeling. The bay boasts an incredible variety of reef fish as well as several seagrass beds, which turtles favor.
Weather
The weather on Great Camanoe is predictably warm to hot and humid, just like the rest of the British Virgin Islands. There is not much shade, so be sure to bring a beach umbrella and sunscreen when visiting the beach.
Places to See and Things to Do on Great Camanoe Island
Access to the island is by boat only. Across from Great Camanoe are the islands of Marina Cay and Scrub Island, where there are restaurants, bars, and entertainment during the season.
When moored off Marina Cay, you can kayak or snorkel along Great Camanoe’s shoreline and around Marina Cay.
Relax at Cam Bay Beach, Cam Bay National Park. Cam Bay is an anchorage with a pristine marine environment for swimming and snorkeling. It’s popular among sailors because of the calm waters and white sand beach that curves around the bay. A salt pond separates Cam Bay from Lee Bay, which divides Great Camanoe in half. An extensive shallow reef and lagoon system makes this area perfect for swimming or exploring underwater life.
Marinas and Anchorages
Lee Bay – West Coast of Great Camanoe. Although there are no mooring balls, you can anchor here overnight and enjoy the beautiful breeze. The shoreline here is rocky, and it is fun to use the dinghy from here to Cam Bay.
Cam Bay– East Coast of Great Camanoe British Virgin Islands across from Lee Bay.
