Tortola, British Virgin Islands Tourist Attractions

Tortola means “land of turtle doves” and is an island paradise on which to vacation with your own turtledove. Whether you are looking for an active beach vacation or simply seeking a relaxing Caribbean getaway, Tortola provides attractions for either kind of tourist. The island lies among the British Virgin Islands and is composed of several ridges of mountains, some originally volcanic in nature. Each bay and beach has its own special features, and the scenery is hard to beat.

A great way to begin your vacation and orient yourself to the island’s many charms is by taking a driving tour. You’ll wind around hairpin turns so sharp the local government has placed mirrors on the turn so drivers can see if other vehicles are approaching. The sheer steepness of the island’s many hills and mountains provides stunning views of the several bays, as well as some neighboring islands. Driving in Tortola is an adventure in itself, and some feel most comfortable using a Jeep or other four-wheel drive vehicle. Just remember to stay on the left side of the road; this is a British island, after all.

While in Road Town, visit the J. R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens. This lush park in the middle of the city is a great place to take a break from a walking tour or relax over a picnic lunch. Its four acres of native and tropical plants, including over sixty varieties of palm trees, offer a shady retreat in the city.

Continue on to Brewer’s Bay on the north side of the island. As the name implies, Brewer’s Bay used to be filled with sugar cane fields and distilleries, but today, it is home to a tropical beachfront with excellent swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The beach is also home to Tortola’s only campground, which has 22 prepared sites complete with tents, platform beds, camping supplies, and a central bathroom. Local diving companies will arrange dives in Brewer’s Bay, where any number of sea life can be spotted, from rays and nurse sharks, to tarpons and eagle rays.

Next to Brewer’s Bay is Cane Garden Bay, where a crescent-shaped, white sand beach beckons to visitors from atop the mountain as the road descends toward the bay. Cane Garden Bay offers many attractions as well as a good base camp for a visit to Tortola. Here you can lounge on the beach or rent equipment for water sports, including kayaks, Hobie Cats, windsurfers, or small powerboats. The Bay also hosts many small yachts and sailboats because it provides a spacious anchorage protected by reefs. While there, walk the short path toward the hillside to the Callwood Distillery. This historical, family-owned distillery is the oldest working distillery on the island, selling most of its rum for local consumption.

A trip to Cane Garden Bay would not be complete without spending an evening at Quito’s Gazebo. Quito Rhymer owns and runs the cozy seaside restaurant. His band plays soulful Reggae most nights, and the kitchen serves up the tangiest Caribbean barbecue on the island every night.

Before leaving Tortola, visitors should also make time for hike at Sage Mountain National Park, the centerpiece of the island’s national park system. At an elevation of 1716 feet, the summit gives visitors a stunning view of the island and many of its neighbors. Mount Sage has a semi-tropical rainforest, and its many trails give hikers a glimpse of several native plants and animals, including Guavaberry plants, “Air Trees,” and Elephant Ear vines, as well as Bo Peep Tree frogs and hawks.

Tortola offers many different beaches and bays, each one with a unique and often secluded setting. If you’re looking for a memorable Caribbean vacation, where the people are welcoming and friendly and where development has not overwhelmed the island’s native environment, make Tortola one of your top choices.