My favorite part about going to East End is swimming in Long Bay Beach. Located on Tortola’s adjacent island, Beef Island, Long Bay Beach is where many local families go to swim, throw beach parties, or relax to the noise of the waves splashing onto the shores. It is one of the most popular beaches in the British Virgin Islands, and just a short drive from the airport.
The water is clear and the white sands are perfect for building sandcastles. Sometimes there are these tiny silver rainbow fishes that can swim up to the shallow waters and nibble near your feet if you stand still. I tried taking a photo, but they blended into the sand too easily. They are quite rare to notice since most people don’t stand at the shoreline, but when you go to the beach so much, you start to see new things each time.
Another beach that is well known in East End is Trellis Bay, also located on Beef Island and near the airport. Trellis Bay is to go to place for the full moon parties. These large metal balls are lit on fire during these parties once the sun has gone down in order to make the beach more festive. It’s also lit on New Years’ Eve, where fireworks are going off to ring in the New Year. This is our island’s version to “dropping the ball.” I remember wanting to go near one as a kid, but with the thick crowd I would have been separated from my family quickly.
