Things to do in Tortola

Best time to visit Tortola

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• December to April

  Dry, sunny, high season; book accommodation ahead

• May and June

  Warm, good value, calmer seas

• July and August

  Hot; hurricane season begins

• September and October

  Quietest; some restaurants and ferries on reduced schedules

• November

  The island wakes up; good value

What's on

• BVI Spring Regatta late March to early April

  Major sailing regatta

• Emancipation Festival late July to early August

  The BVI's biggest cultural festival

• BVI Food Fete November

  Month of food events across the islands

Best things to do in Tortola

• Cane Garden Bay

  Free

  Tortola's famous beach: calm water, beach bars, and sunset; quietest in the morning.

• Smuggler's Cove

  Free

  Quieter west-end beach with good snorkeling and a castaway feel.

• Sage Mountain National Park

  Free

  The BVI's highest peak with rainforest trails; go early for birdsong and mist.

• Callwood Rum Distillery

  $

  One of the Caribbean's oldest working distilleries; short tour, generous tasting.

• J.R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens

  Free

  Free national botanic garden in Road Town; a shaded 45-minute stop.

• Tortola Pier Park

  Free

  The capital's harbourfront for shopping, dining, and marina people-watching.

• Brewers Bay

  Free

  Peaceful north-coast beach with excellent snorkeling; bring everything.

• Long Bay, West End

  Free

  Long west-coast beach good for walking and sunset, quieter than Cane Garden Bay.

Best restaurants in Tortola

• The Dove

  $$$$

  Fine dining in a historic cottage with the BVI's largest wine list; reserve ahead.

• Village Cay Restaurant

  $$$

  Dockside marina restaurant; an island favourite for locals and sailors.

• Myett's

  $$

  Beachfront institution for rum punch, grilled lobster, and the Thursday pig roast.

• Paradise Club

  $$

  Lounge bar and restaurant on the bay; good for an afternoon turning into dinner.

• Seven at the Pier

  $$$

  Sushi and seafood at the cruise pier; the best sushi on the island.

• Bananakeet Cafe

  $$

  Clifftop cafe on the north shore; conch fritters at golden hour.

• Quito's Gazebo

  $$

  Beach bar with live music and BBQ; a local-feel alternative to the bigger bars.

• Pusser's Road Town Pub

  $$

  Waterfront pub for the famous Painkiller and pub food; consistent.

Outdoor things to do in Tortola

• The Baths

  $$

  Day trip by ferry: granite boulders, grottos, and the trail to Devil's Bay.

• Anegada

  $$

  Day trip by ferry: lobster lunches, flamingo ponds, and empty Loblolly Bay.

• RMS Rhone

  $$$

  One of the Caribbean's great wreck dives; two-tank trip, book a day ahead.

• Norman Island

  $$$

  Day sail to the caves for snorkeling; book the day before in high season.

• Ridge Road

  Free

  Scenic spine road with lookouts over both coasts; drive it slowly.

Best hotels in Tortola

• Maria's by the Sea

  $$

  Waterfront hotel on the edge of Road Town; good value central base.

• Village Cay Hotel

  $$$

  Marina hotel with the popular dockside restaurant; best for sailors.

• Fort Burt Hotel

  $$

  Small hotel on the hill above Road Town with harbour views.

• Long Bay Beach Resort

  $$$

  Beachfront resort on Long Bay; the west end's main resort.

• Nanny Cay Resort & Marina

  $$

  Marina resort with townhouses and a beach; good for families and sailors.

• Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort

  $$$

  Beachfront East End resort; quiet and good value.

Is Tortola expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• The Baths: a few days ahead
• Anegada: a few days ahead
• RMS Rhone: a few days ahead
• Norman Island: a few days ahead
• The Dove: a few days ahead
• Seven at the Pier: a few days ahead
• Capriccio: a few days ahead
• Maria's by the Sea: weeks ahead

• The Dove: reserve dinner ahead, especially weekends
• Rhone wreck dives and Norman Island day sails: book a day ahead in high season
• Anegada ferry: limited days; check the schedule before planning

Is Tortola safe?

• Main risks are road accidents on steep roads and petty theft from rental cars
• Do not leave valuables visible in the car
• Emergency number is 911

Tortola travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Cane Garden Bay's water can be murky after rain; check conditions first
• Cruise-ship days transform Road Town; plan hikes and quiet beaches for those days
• Some beach bars add a service charge; check the bill before tipping twice

Getting around Tortola: public transport and more

• Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore; drive on the left
• Taxis are expensive for long distances; agree the fare before getting in
• Safari buses run the main routes cheaply and are a local experience
• Ferries connect Road Town and West End to the other islands; schedules are seasonal

Who Tortola suits

More in British Virgin Islands

Every British Virgin Islands guide