Guana Island British Virgin Islands
Guana Island is a lush 850 acre Garden of Eden located in the British Virgin Islands just minutes by private launch north of Tortola. One of the few remaining privately owned islands in its part of the world, Guana has seven white powder-sand beaches and 850 acres of tropical forest, mountains, hills, and valleys. The island is mostly natural preserve and is home to the Guana Island Resort
In the 18th century, two Quaker families came to Guana as part of what was called “the Quaker Experiment” which lasted for about forty-five years in the BVI. They used African slaves and cultivated sugar cane. When they were recalled to the United States and England, they left behind two cannons still on Guana today. Archaeologists have extensively studied the Quaker ruins and have also unearthed older artifacts that give insight into Guana’s earlier Amerindian history.
Beth and Louis Bigelow of Massachusetts purchased Guana in 1934. With the help of local men they built six stone cottages and developed a reputation as creative pioneers. Their guests – professionals, intellectuals and world travelers – came for months at a time, attracted to the simple but rich life.
Henry and Gloria Jarecki bought Guana in 1975 and began improving accommodations and other facilities with the goal of maintaining the island’s historic style and ambiance. An interest in conservation led them to establish a long-term restoration program to protect the island’s flora and fauna and bring back once-common species. Scientists say that Guana has more flora and fauna than any island of its size yet studied in the Caribbean and possibly the world. The restoration program has brought extirpated species back to Guana and other Virgin Islands. The stout iguana had survived only on Anegada, but now flourishes on Guana and lives on other islands as well. Other plant and animal species that have been restored and protected include the red-legged tortoise, the Bridled Quail-dove, the Caribbean flamingo, the White-crowned Pigeon, Eggers’ mallow tree, the Virgin Islands euphorb, Hohenberg’s ground bromeliad, and a unique bromeliad found nowhere else.
Guana also has three reef areas. White Bay is a set of parallel patch reefs in shallow water, where there are no strong waves or currents. The reefs are home to about 100 tropical reef fishes, waving gorgonians called fan corals, and the various species of hard corals. Muskmelon Bay is a deep bay with reefs at 60 to 80 feet. Large, oceanic fishes like tuna and king mackerel may be seen there. North Bay is a windward, rough-water bay with deep reefs and wrecks.
Guana Island Activities
Water Sports
Take a small sailboat, transparent kayak, pedal boat or windsurfer out from White Bay Beach. Snorkel, or just relax on a lounge or hammock. Enjoy an afternoon of water-skiing, take a day trip to another island, scuba dive, try deep-sea fishing, sailing – and more. All activities can be arranged through Guana Island Resort.
Natural Beauty
Guana is a secluded, romantic virgin island of the British Virgin Islands—a hideaway nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary where indigenous flora and fauna are protected. Flamingo, and other bird watching, as well as iguana feeding are just a few special guest activities you can enjoy on Guana Island. The Island is also unique for its twelve miles of hiking and walking trails, which are all well-maintained. For the fitness enthusiast, try walking or running the paths along the flat, thirty acres of green fields that separate the Beach and the Flamingo Pond.
Afterwards, reward yourself with a soothing or exhilarating massage in the tranquility of The Guana Island Resort Waters-Edge Beach Spa. And while you’re there, look off towards the West where the sunset tinges the blue Caribbean with bands of pink and gold and orange–predicting the arrival of another flawless day.
Guana Island Beaches
Lets begin, as most guests do, with White Bay Beach “arguably the finest beach in the BVI” according to Caribbean Travel & Life. This half-mile stretch of glistening white powder sand is the beach you see in your daydreams of the Caribbean. Swim in the gentle clear blue ocean, enjoy an assortment of water sport activities available to you,  or just relax on a lounge or hammock.
There are six more secluded beaches to visit on Guana Island, so secluded they are accessible only by boat or on foot. Request a special Castaway Picnic and take a small sailboat or kayak to one of these private beaches, where you can snorkel the reefs on your own or just watch the pelicans dive.
Guana Island Dining
Guana Island is an oasis of privacy, and in this natural setting you can savor excellent gourmet food and wine, spa cuisine, and exceptional personal service. The dinning terrace at The Guana Island Resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Ocean. At breakfast and lunch, enjoy splendid buffets that range from the healthful to the sinful.
For lunch choose a Castaway Picnic and be whisked away during a private boat charter and enjoy the afternoon on a beach all your own. Satisfy your taste buds with locally-grown fruit on the beach, or relax with “high-tea” and fresh-baked cookies at ‘The Club’.
For cocktails, guests gather again on the Queen’s Terrace, named for the Queen Mother on her 1964 visit to the Island . As the sun sets, some hope for a glimpse of the green flash — a blink of iridescent chartreuse at the moment when sun meets ocean – that is somehow not visible to everyone. Mingling with other guests is encouraged, but certainly not required. Although it’s hard not to be at least convivial in such a setting.
For dinner you’ll enjoy the freshest seafood, Island-grown fruits and vegetables, and home-baked breads served on china and crystal by a staff as cheerful as candlelight. Then comes the rest of the star-filled night.
Guana Island Getting Around
Guests can utilize the Guana Island shuttle transportation around the island. Shuttle transportation is by mule, golf cart or boats which are used for the beaches that are best accessed from the water. Most guests walk as the distances are quite short.
CONTACT USÂ for more Information about Guana Island British Virgin Islands at (321) 777-1707
Guana Island Getting There
Fly by commercial airline to the Beef Island Airport on Tortola via San Juan, St. Thomas, or Antigua. (The airport also accommodates private planes). Guana Island Resort will send a private boat to pick you up. Then it’s just a matter of minutes on the Guana launch until you see the iguana-shaped rock outcropping that gives the Island its name. As we hope you’ll soon find out for yourself, the only difficult part about a trip to Guana is leaving it.
CONTACT USÂ for more Information about Guana Island British Virgin Islands at (321) 777-1707