With a name like Cow Wreck Beach, it’s safe to say it’s one of the most visited attractions in Anegada.
The beach earned its name when a ship full of cow bones wrecked off the coast of the island in the 1800s scattering the cow bones everywhere. And while there’s not always a lot of excitement happening on Anegada, there’s still a lot to experience at this beach.
From kitesurfing to snorkeling to going for lobster dinners and tropical cocktails, don’t let this hidden gem on Anegada pass you by. One of the benefits of the beach being away from everything is that it’s rarely crowded.
So get off the beaten path and head to this beautiful beach.
How To Get To Cow Wreck Beach
Cow Wreck Beach is located on the far northwest end of Anegada in the British VIrgin Islands. The island is home to the fourth-largest barrier coral reef on the planet and the largest in the Caribbean.
Because of this, it can be quite difficult to get to by boat, and only the most experienced captains attempt an excursion here. In fact, some charter companies don’t even allow their boats to come anywhere near this island. However, the majority of visitors to Cow Wreck Beach and Anegada still get here by boat.
No boat? No problem. Although limited, there is a ferry that takes passengers to Anegada, departing mostly from nearby Tortola, BVI. There are a few stops every few days or so on Virgin Gorda.
There is also a tiny airport on the island called Captain. Auguste George Airport, for those brave enough to hop on an island hopper and arrive by plane.
Once you do get there, you can easily catch a taxi or rent a scooter to get to Cow Wreck Beach towards the west end. And with the island only being 10 miles long and two and a half miles wide, getting from one point to another doesn’t take long.
Facilities and Parking At Cow Wreck Beach
Upon arriving, you can find ample parking for scooters and cars and space for taxis to drop you off with ease. Then the miles of white sand beach and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic are yours to explore.
If you’re looking for a plethora of bustling activities, you won’t find it here. But you will find everything you need for a relaxing island beach day, including restrooms, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, and the necessary beach bars and restaurants to quench your thirst and appetite.
The appropriately named beach bar, Cow Wreck Beach Bar, is onsite ready to make cocktails, burgers, tacos, and more to sustain you for your afternoon here. Tipsy By Ann is another of the most well-known beach bars in the British Virgin Islands and well worth the visit. You can also find a gift shop in the area.
Activities At Cow Wreck Beach
You won’t find crowds of people, but you might just find crowds of marine life while snorkeling in the reefs that make up the beauty of Anegada’s coastal waters. If fishing is more your sport, bonefishing is quite popular too.
And if you need a bit more of an adrenaline rush besides beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling, or fishing, you can try your hand at kitesurfing. Whatever you choose to do here, the beautiful beach makes for a memorable day.
If you’re up for more outdoor activities after or before the beach, consider checking out Francis Family Farm. It’s one of the only places in the British Virgin Islands to go horseback riding.
You can enjoy a fun horseback riding trip that brings you to Cow Wreck Beach and Walk Over Set Bay.
Accommodations Near Cow Wreck Beach
You might want to consider making the trek to the beach even more memorable by spending a night or two on the island to truly experience all that it has to offer.
The Cow Wreck Beach Resort Villa is on-site, along with the Anegada Beach Club and Ann’s Guest Houses. So finding a comfy bed to rest for the night is not a problem.
But the big draw to staying the night might just be the lobster dinners. While breakfast and lunch at restaurants across the island are readily available and require no reservations, dinner is a different story.
Chefs don’t cook on demand here, meaning you can’t just show up. So plan ahead and call to make a reservation in advance for some of the best lobster on the British Virgin Islands.