West End is the one-kilometre stretch of waterfront village at the island's northwest end — a sand-and-gravel street, no buildings taller than three storeys, lined with dive shops, guesthouses, beach bars, and casual restaurants. It is where most independent travellers stay, where most of the dive operators are based, and where the social life on the island happens after dark.
The beach in front of the village is narrow but pleasant, and snorkelling straight off the shore is decent. The road dead-ends; from the southern end, water taxis run to the better beach at West Bay every ten minutes through the day. Walk the whole strip in twenty minutes — the geography is small, and you will end up running into the same people for the rest of your stay.