Tortola activities and attractions

Beach bars abound on Tortola

Tortola's beaches draw the tourist and keep the natives. 

But there are plenty of other activities:

Snorkeling: The caves are one of the most well-known snorkeling spots in the B.V.I., with spectacular fish, and maybe even octopus, squid, garden eel, and colorful coral.

Smugglers Cove is at the extreme western end of Tortola. A favorite local beach, it's a little difficult to reach, but worth the trek for its great marine life. It's especially good for beginning snorkelers, because the reef is close to shore and easily reached. You'll see sea fans, sponges, parrot fish, and elkhorn and brain corals. East of Cane Garden Bay is Brewer's Bay Beach, reached along the long, steep Brewers Bay Road, another great spot for snorkelers and surfers.

Surfing: Surfers head to Tortola's Apple Bay, where the surf is good enough to have an annual pro surfing event.

Hiking: Sage Mountain National Park sits at an elevation of 1,780 feet. Covering 92 acres, the park protects the remnants of Tortola's original forests not burned or cleared during the island's plantation era.  Intrepid hikers climb through scrubland to the island's central ridge, Spy Glass Hill.

Horseback riding: Shadow's Ranch, Todman's Estate (284/494-2262), offers horseback rides through the national park or down to the shores of Cane Garden Bay. The cost is from $50 per hour.

Exploring Deserted "Treasure Island": Across Drake Channel from Tortola lays Norman Isle. Although it used to be a pirate den with treasure ships at anchor, it is now deserted by all except some seabirds and small wild animals. Legend has it that Norman Isle was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

A private boat rental is the only way to reach Norman Isle. Contact Boat Rentals -- Moorings Limited (284/535-7289 or 284/494-2331; www.moorings.com). They rent 33-foot to 47-foot catamarans ranging from $440 to $1,420 per day for a 3-day minimum rental. A skipper on board is optional for an extra $139 a day.

Botanical Gardens: J.R. O'Neal Botanical Gardens four-acre gardens in the centre of Road Town are great for those interested in the tropical flora of the Caribbean islands. Exotic flora, a mini rainforest and a lush variety of exotic indigenous plants, waterfalls and ponds will be seen on this excursion. Other attractions include the different tropical bird species and red -legged tortoises that have made the gardens their home.

Sailing/Yacht Charters: Tortola is the center of Caribbean sailing.  Read more about chartering a yacht in our charter section.

Daytrips: Tortola sits at the center of the BVIs. That means it's easy to take a boat over to other islands for some exploring.  The Baths and the Bitter End in Virgin Gorda are favorites.  Also Peter Island, just south of Tortola, is a wonderful, small BVI island. Jost Van Dyke is a wonderful, small quaint island to visit.  And Anegada is a flight away.

Deep Sea Fishing: There are some great deep sea fishing spots 20 minutes from Anegada.  Fishermen usually leave off the east coast of Tortola to enable a quick trip to the deeper waters.

Shopping: Road Town and Soper's Hole are the two shopping areas on Tortola.  Soper's Hole is very "quaint" and serves as the harbor for boats going to/from Jost Van Dyke.  Road Town is the capitol and is the financial center of the BVIs.  But there's plenty of shopping there too.

Nightlife:  Because Tortola is the biggest of the BVIs, night life abounds.  Road Town has plenty of reggae-themed bars and Cane Garden Bay has its beach bars. 

Bomba's Surfside Shack, Cappoon's Bay (284/495-4148), is the oldest hangout on the island, sitting on the beach near the West End. Despite its appearance, the shack puts on quite a party. Every month Bomba's stages a full-moon party, with free house tea spiked with hallucinogenic mushrooms. (The tea is free because it's illegal to sell it.) The place is also wild on Wednesday and Sunday nights, when there's live music and an $8 all-you-can-eat barbecue. Open daily from 10am to midnight (or later, depending on business).

The bar at The Moorings/Mariner Inn, Wickhams Cay II (284/494-2332), is usually busy with the yacht owners from the nearby marina.

Another popular choice is the Spyglass Bar, in the Treasure Isle Hotel, Road Town (284/494-2501), where a sunken bar on a terrace overlooks the pool and faraway marina facilities.

The Bat Cave, Waterfront Drive, Road Town (284/494-4880), is on the ground floor of Spaghetti Junction. You'll hear current pop hits playing nightly.

The Jolly Roger, West End (284/495-4559), offers local or sometimes American bands, playing everything from reggae to blues. In the same area, visit Stanley's Welcome Bar, Cane Garden Bay (284/495-9424), where a crazy crowd gathers.

Sebastian's Seaside Grill, Apple Bay (284/495-4212), features live music as well. Rhymer's, at Cane Garden Bay (284/495-4639), serves up tropical drinks and ribs with occasional steel-drum bands playing into the night.

Tower Night Club, West End (284/494-1667), is big Friday through Sunday nights for those looking to dance to a DJ.

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