Every month when the moon is full, Bomba’s beach bar in Apple Bay transforms into one of the Caribbean’s most eccentric celebrations. Under its glow, revelers celebrate by relaxing their guard and drinking hallucinogenic mushroom tea – legal in BVIs.

Other beach bars have taken note and started hosting their own full moon parties geared more toward adults, usually starting later (10pm or later).

What to Expect

After Hurricane Irma devastated Bomba Shack in 2017, its renovation has been suspended while they undergo rebuilding efforts. But that doesn’t stop other venues on the island from hosting fun parties! For something less rowdy and family-oriented, Trellis Bay hosts its full moon party every month featuring reggae music, flaming sculptures in the harbor, and fire juggling shows on the beach – perfect for younger revelers!

Bomba’s Shack, although an unlikely sight at first, has become one of the best-known bars in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Built in 1976 on Carpoons Beach on Tortola’s north side and decorated by visitors donating bras and panties despite Tortola having strict nudity laws, Bomba’s Shack quickly rose to become an institution on this tiny Caribbean island.

The Shack was an immensely popular spot for surfing, and quickly became known for its wild, hedonistic Full Moon parties. Locals and tourists flocked there after 10pm every month or later for dancing to reggae music while sipping Bomba’s mushroom tea (made up of hallucinogenic mushrooms).

At a Full Moon party, attendees often come from nearby islands such as Jost Van Dyke and St. John, or from yachts that dock ashore for the evening. Most attendees typically fall between mid-30s to late-40s; many locals or expats attend as well.

An average Full Moon party features more than just music and drinks: in addition to traditional West Indian foods and beers and wines, expect a barbeque buffet featuring traditional cuisine as well as beer and wine served from plastic cups without lids – so be prepared to use your hands when drinking these beverages.

Getting There

As the full moon rises over Carpoons Bay on Tortola’s northwest shore, local and international visitors let loose at Bomba’s Surf Side Shack’s full moon party – built piecemeal out of driftwood, plywood and corrugated tin – beachside bar built piecemeal from driftwood, plywood and corrugated tin, it offers an exhilarating mix of island traditions. Drinks include margaritas and painkillers along with local favorites like Bushwacker; reggae music fills the air; Mucko Jumbies walk around on stilts to add to its festive atmosphere; Bomba also serves his famed mushroom tea which rumoured to contain hallucinogenic compounds!

As soon as Bomba opened his shack to surfers, it quickly transformed into more of a bar than restaurant. Back then, full moon parties were wild and hedonistic affairs; tourists mixed with locals, Rastafarians, yachters who had come ashore in their dinghys for drinks or dance under the stars; many guests donated bras or panties over time as donations after partaking of Bomba’s popular tea; yet this wild party was legal under BVI nudity laws!

Today’s Full Moon Party at Bomba’s remains strong with hundreds of people attending for an evening filled with friends, fun, drinks, and authentic reggae music under its full moon light.

Cocomaya on Virgin Gorda or Foxy’s Taboo on Jost Van Dyke may host full moon parties during your stay; be sure to check these venues and Bomba’s on Jost Van Dyke for availability during daytime for stunning views and delicious rum punch!

Drinks

Bomba’s Shack on Tortola’s northwest coast comes alive when a full moon rises, its lunar spell cast over beaches and roads of Tortola by nightfall. Constructed piecemeal on the beach from scrap boards, flotsam, corrugated tin, paint scraps, flotsam and graffiti contributions donated from people with less inhibition than legal mandate. Decorated in tropical patterns with abundant graffiti scrawling throughout, its low-hanging rafters feature bras and panties from generous individuals throughout time – Bomba himself remains relatively reticent but has all of his entrepreneurial prowess as he works behind-the-scene.

Bar Jost Van Dyke provides drinks to those enjoying stunning views of Jost Van Dyke and Little Carrot Bay Beach; it is also popular among surfers. Additionally, its monthly Full Moon Party takes place each night of full moon – fuelled by mushroom tea made with legal hallucinogenic mushrooms from British Virgin Islands owner Mark Pearce’s proprietary recipe.

Drinks at Bomba’s are surprisingly strong and draw an eclectic crowd from St. John and Jost Van Dyke travelers, Rastafarians, beachcombers, yachters and the occasional celebrity. The atmosphere is relaxed; music consists of reggae and calypso fusion. Moko Jumbies stilt-walking dancers provide entertainment while Bomba’s often gruff nature puts off some partygoers; but nonetheless the experience remains memorable; drinks are strong, music loud and it offers plenty of opportunities to meet people from around the globe! Don’t miss this unforgettable and unique event; don’t miss it – join in the fun and join in this unforgettable and unique party experience!

Food

Bomba’s Surfside Shack’s Full Moon Party is an unforgettable Caribbean experience. As the moon casts its shimmery glow over Tortola’s Apple Bay, hedonistic madness descends upon beaches and roads of this beachfront bar. Comprised of salvaged driftwood and corrugated tin painted with tropical themes and graffiti-scattered surfaces reminiscent of hurricane damage, its chaotic exterior belies its status as an institution on Tortola island.

Bomba first opened his shack as a place to hang out with friends in 1976. Due to limited funds, he built it piecemeal from any flotsam and jetsam found along the beach. Over time it has expanded further with an adjacent barbecue shed across the road and three fully-stocked bars – Frommer’s Guide even refers to it as a “hedonistic junkyard bar.”

Travelers from nearby islands of St. John and Jost Van Dyke mingle with lively locals, Rastafarians, and yachters as they drink and dance to reggae music accompanied by Bomba’s famed mushroom tea which only comes out once during full moon nights.

An herbal and spice cocktail made of guava, lemongrass, ginger, nutmeg and cassava leaves creates this tangy concoction similar to a cross between colada and fruit smoothie. Although not suitable for those avoiding alcohol consumption, the drink makes for an engaging starting point to any party and food at the bar includes jerk chicken, curried goat and fresh seafood; there are vendors selling souvenir sarongs or necklaces and more during full moon parties each month; alternatively visit during daytime when there’s less hustle- and- bustle when watching surfers play their sport!

Music

Bomba Callwood created his shack out of whatever debris washed up on the beach, including bras and panties donated by partygoers for decoration in his rudimentary bar. A reggae band plays all night while traditional West Indian barbeque is served and large cast-iron kettles boil gallons of psychedelic mushroom tea in large kettles – all for free to anyone who wishes to drink something! Smoking pot may lead to jail or deportation as local or continental (with even trace amounts of harder drugs being sent away), while mushrooms are completely legal both locally as locals or continentals (even just the slightest trace amount may trigger deportment or deportment), while smoking pot will land you behind bars or deportation as local or continentals (even trace amounts may get sent straight out), while smoking cannabis might land you behind bars as local or deportations due to any trace amount present traces present (even slight trace amounts of harder drugs could result in either case).

Bomba’s full moon parties are wild and irresponsible affairs, featuring Punch from Bomba’s and mushroom tea as partygoers dance until dawn – often leaving clothing behind! Steel drums thud in sync with reggae and calypso sounds make Bomba’s one of the most fun bars in the BVI, drawing both tourists and island residents.

Though the party has subsided somewhat from what it used to be, it still draws in large crowds. Most revelers fall between mid-30s and 40s; many sailors who just returned from sailing trips also join us; all share an appreciation of Caribbean living while showing no regard for conventions.

Once the full moon arrives, parties shift from The Shack to The Back Yard–another shack on the opposite side of the street with a bandstand and extra bar–to celebrate under its full moon parties. Though smaller in scale than its counterpart, The Back Yard still provides everything a partygoer requires for a fun time! Though open throughout each month, full moon parties always occur on the last Saturday of each month.