Plasmonic heterojunction photocatalysts consisting of silver covered AgBr/BiVO4 structures (Ag@AgBr/BiVO4) were prepared by hydrothermal-photoreduction method. Their phase composition and microstructure were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies. The photo-generated electron–hole pair recombination rate was characterized by I–t curves and photoluminescence measurements. Visible light absorption range of Ag@AgBr/BiVO4 plasmonic heterojunction was significantly enhanced. Ag@AgBr/BiVO4 showed high efficiency for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under wLED light. RhB degraded by ~ 82% during 150 min reaction time. Ag@AgBr/BiVO4 photocatalyst remained constant after 8 cycles indicating its extreme stability. Enhancement mechanism of Ag@AgBr/BiVO4 plasmonic heterojunction photocatalyst is discussed.