Cruises from Tortola

Tortola, or “Land of the Turtle Dove” as it was called by Christopher Columbus, is the largest of the 60 British Virgin Islands. The Island is located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico and 22 miles east of the island of St. Thomas. This mountainous island has an area of twenty-one and a half square miles and is formed of volcanic rock. Minor earthquakes are quite common on Tortola as it lies near an earthquake fault. The principal city is Road Town, the largest settlement in the British Virgin Islands. The currency on the island is the American dollar even though it lies under the British flag.

You arrive at the island of Tortola either by boat or by air to Beef Island followed by a drive across the Queen Elizabeth Bridge. While the island does have buses, most visitors prefer to travel around by car and there are plenty of car rental agencies to choose from. The island is popular for its beautiful stretches of white sandy beaches and for Cane Garden Bay. The bay is extremely popular with tourists and it offers great surfing potential. The Cane Garden is located just north of Apple Bay and it is filled with boats as well as being the site of different water sports. The Cane Garden is so popular that it boasts five restaurants and a couple of bars. It is also the only beach with a nearby supermarket and where live music is common – by contrast, the second half of the beach is virtually deserted and has no amenities.

Heavy surf and greater undertow are features of some of the island’s beaches so it is always wise to check before going into the water. Josiah’s Bay is popular with both swimmers and surfers; however, it does have seasonal heavy surf and a strong undertow at certain parts along the beach. There are a couple of beach bars/cafes on the beach that offer a respite from swimming and plenty of cool drinks.

The island has a wealth of history and a good many sites for the interested visitor including a century old underwater shipwreck. If you are interested in hunting, the Sage Mountain Park is available. Near its peaks lie the remains of a primary rain forest. For the adventurous there is Dolphin Discovery where you can actually experience what it is like to go swimming with the dolphins – although they often swim out to the open sea and remain there until the visitors have gone. If history is your passion then take a look at the historic Callwood Rum Distillery or see Fort Recovery, which was built by a Dutch colonist in 1648.

Shopping on the island is good and there are plenty of duty free products for purchase. If you enjoy night life you will find a number of good bars and party spots. Bat Cave is rated as the hottest night club and offers Italian dining. There are plenty of places to eat-- from the cheap and cheerful to the exorbitantly expensive. You are bound to find something to suit your tastes.