Sport Fishing in the British Virgin Islands

Any seasoned fishing guide will tell you to catch fish, you have to go where the fish are. If you’re on your way to Oil Nut Bay, there’s no need to worry. The fish are already here.

The sport fishing opportunities in the British Virgin Islands are second to none, with sheltered inshore waters and wide open seas that harbor a stunning bounty of fish. There’s no better place to cast a line from the back of a sea kayak or book a trip with a professional guide and head out to where the big fish swim.

Deep Sea and Open Water Sport Fishing

Oil Nut Bay is located on Virgin Gorda, just minutes away from Anegada’s North Drop. This is one of the best blue marlin fishing spots in the world, where the plateau that holds up the British Virgin Islands plummets steeply into a vast canyon that harbors a multitude of fish.

Blue marlin often strikes live mackerel and ballyhoo, rewarding anglers with one of the most powerful battles on the sea. Some of the best marlin fishing takes place around the North Drop and the nearby South Drop between May and October, but there are sport fishing opportunities available year round for sailfish, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, dorado, wahoo and more.

Inshore and Reef Fishing

The deep sea offers great sport fishing, but there’s no need to stray miles from shore. Some of the best sport fishing around Oil Nut Bay is practically a stone’s throw from the beach, where fertile reefs, weed beds and flats support a healthy stock of local fish.

Inshore species like barracuda, tarpon, bonefish, snook, kingfish, snapper and permit are common, and these fish often strike artificial lures as well as live squid, shrimp and baitfish. Many of our visitors take advantage of the excellent inshore fishing to polish their fly-fishing skills, casting flies to hefty tarpon and permit in the shimmering waters near the island.

Know Before You Go

Be sure to pick up a current BVI recreational fishing permit before you go fishing, and consider hiring a guide if you are new to these waters. Many certified fishing guides and charter services are available on and around Virgin Gorda and throughout the British Virgin Islands. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff at Oil Nut Bay are always happy to point you in the right direction.