Visitors arrive on their boats or on rented catamarans. Some arrive by a small ferry from nearby land. Others arrive by yacht or even helicopter, but nobody ever arrives by car.

Patrons seeking a drink at the bar at Saba Rock, a secluded paradise nestled in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, must travel by water. Whether arriving by boat, yacht, or even helicopter, visitors from all over the world find their way to this tiny island for its unique charm and stunning surroundings.

“If you can make it there, you can drink there,” said Melissa Strelkauskas, an American patron who names Saba Rock among her favorite drinking holes in the world.

The Saba Rock bar is on a one-acre island with a small resort of the same name. It has a helicopter landing pad and docking space for boats of all kinds, from yachts to small sailboats.

The crowd is a mix of locals, sailors, and tourists drawn to the incredible selection of drinks, stunning 360-degree views of the blue ocean and harbor, and the welcoming, inclusive vibe.

Where Jimmy Buffett Meets Hemingway

Strelkauskas described the experience of drinking at Saba Rock as a cross between a Jimmy Buffett song and a Hemingway novel. She said the atmosphere has a laid-back, island feel, like a classier Margaritaville. But also, it’s like a Hemingway novel in that a group of sailors from all walks of life come together there to drink with each other.

“The fun of it is people from all different backgrounds at a bar,” Strelkauskas said. “When we were just there for a visit, former NFL players came off a yacht, and then we were just normal people who came off a rented sailboat. Everyone was treated the same, and we were all just hanging out in one place, drinking and watching the sunset.”

Marta Garraus, a spokesperson for Saba Rock, explained, “The laid-back yet luxurious vibe attracts both backpackers looking for an island-hopping experience and high-end travelers seeking an exclusive getaway. The crowd is typically social and adventurous, with a love for the ocean and outdoor activities like diving, snorkeling, and sailing.”

The upper-level bar has a more casual atmosphere than the main restaurant and bar downstairs, offering stunning views of the sunset and the surrounding crystal-clear waters. The bar also has pool tables and games like Jenga, swinging chairs, and a variety of lounge areas great for taking in the beautiful scenery.

The Storied Past of Saba Rock

Bert Kilbride, legendary SCUBA diver and shipwreck hunter, first settled the then-uninhabited island in the 1960s when he was in his late 40s and early 50s.

Kilbride, an International SCUBA Hall of Fame inductee, is known for developing a novice SCUBA education course for resort guests, which is still used today as the beginners’ SCUBA class. More infamously, the government of the BVIs dubbed him a pirate at one point for withholding the location of shipwrecks he had discovered in the area.

Kilbride initially used the spot as an outpost for diving and treasure hunting. He opened a small retreat there for others to do the same. Over the years, it became a haven for boaters, sailors, kiteboarders, and others who were drawn to adventures on the water.

The retreat was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2021, emerging as a vibrant, revitalized destination. Saba Rock now has nine rooms and suites, a restaurant, two bars, a dive shop, a retail store, a spa room, and a full-service marina. It remains an intimate location, staying connected to its storied history as an adventurers’ retreat.

Saba Rock shares the North Sound with other small, scarcely populated islands, some privately owned, like Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. (The beaches in the British Virgin Islands, however, are all public, so anyone can anchor and enjoy the shoreline, even on private islands.)

Best Time to Experience Saba Rock

The high season in the BVIs is December through April. “This is when the weather is at its best—sunny and dry with comfortable temperatures—and many people from colder climates flock to the Caribbean for a winter escape,” Garraus said. This is also when the winds are ideal for sailing, drawing yachters and boaters from around the world.

While patrons stop in the Saba Rock bar throughout the day, the late afternoon and evening are the most popular. People come for happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. and often stay through sunset. “The bar and restaurant offer a great spot to wind down after a day of sailing or water activities, and the sunset creates the perfect backdrop for cocktails and socializing,” Garraus said.

Though this may be the busy season, Strelkauskas said the bar never feels crowded. It maintains a sense of intimacy and closeness.

Also popular is the daily 5 p.m. tarpon feeding. The tarpons, known for their impressive size and agility, gather by the dock and put on a show, leaping and splashing in the clear water to the delight of adults and children alike.

Signature Drinks to Savor

The bar has an impressive, massive selection of liquor, including high-end, hard-to-find tequilas, rums, and bourbons.

The bar is known for its tropical cocktails, especially those made with local rum. One such cocktail is the Painkiller, the unofficial drink of the BVIs. It’s made with rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut, and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Other rum drinks include the fruity Rum Punch and the Bushwhacker, a creamy, frozen combination of rum, coffee liquor, and coconut.

“From refreshing cocktails to rare, top-shelf liquors, the Saba Rock bar is the perfect spot to unwind, enjoy stunning views, and savor the best in spirits,” Garraus said. “Our skilled mixologists are ready to impress.”

A Nautical Paradise for Sailors

For people who love adventure on the water, Saba Rock and the British Virgin Islands, in general, are perfect matches.

Strelkauskas said the BVIs are her favorite place to sail. “I think I like it because the BVIs really cater to the yachts and the sailors first,” she said. “And Saba Rock is a perfect example of that. It really is such a cool, special spot.”

To learn more about this secluded paradise, visit sabarock.com or stay connected with their latest updates on Facebook and Instagram.