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Sightseeing on Tortola, British Virgin Islands, touring Road Town, visiting Road Town - Indian Chief Travel
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS  |  Tortola, British Virgin Islands Travel Guide
Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Exploring Tortola

Orientation

Tortola, the largest island in the British Virgin Islands, is home to 16,000 people, most of whom live in the capital, Road Town. Tortola and adjacent Beef Island form the northern strand of islands on The Sir Francis Drake Channel. Tortola is the hub of the BVI and is the best kick-off point for day trips to Virgin Gorda, Peter Island and the nearby US Virgin Islands, St. John and St. Thomas.

Road Town

Although it is the capital and administrative center of the British Virgin Islands, Road Town is tiny even by Caribbean standards. It was originally called Road Harbor, which was appropriate, since its huge harbor, home to several marinas, is the hub of the island. A really picturesque town, it has two main streets – Sir Francis Drake Highway (called Waterfront Drive) and Main Street.

Waterfront Drive hugs the harbor and houses the BVI Tourist Board, customs and immigration facilities, several shops and restaurants. As this road leaves the harbor area, it heads east along the shore to Beef Island or west along the shore to the West End ferry dock. Look for Pusser’s Co. Store and Pub here.

Main Street, the second street from the harbor, is quite long and winding. The town runs from Government House and the hospital on the west (left facing town) to the Botanical Gardens and police station on the east. En route you’ll find the post office, the old prison, the courthouse, many shops and restaurants.

A wooden planter that serves as a traffic circle marks one entrance to Wickham’s Cay I, which extends into the harbor. On this cay, you’ll find several of our favorite restaurants, lots of shops (including three small shopping centers) and the Village Cay Marina. Wickham’s Cay I is an integral part of town and easy to reach.

Moving eastward from town, passing the island’s cultural center and the Treasure Isle Hotel, Wickham’s Cay II is a mini-village built around a marina. Here, you’ll find The Moorings, the largest charter operator in the Caribbean.

Around Tortola

Tortola is fairly easy to tour, with relatively few miles to cover. Still, here are some of the places worth checking out while on the island.

Nanny Cay, a marina and hotel complex on the island’s southern shore, which lies approximately midway between Road Town and West End.

Frenchman’s Cay, a small island near West End, which is connected to the mainland by a small bridge. Pusser’s Landing Restaurant is located here, as is a fine anchorage called Soper’s Hole.

West End, which is literally at the western edge of Tortola, It has a general store and the Jolly Roger Bar. This is also where most ferries dock, since Customs is located here.

Apply Bay, which is attractive to surfers, for it has good, strong waves for surfing, is located on the island’s north shore . There is an informal hotel and restaurant here. Also, Long Bay is nearby.

Cane Garden Bay, which is the hub of the island’s north shore, has a number of restaurants and is a watersports center of sorts. Palm trees line the long stretch of beach here.

Sage Mountain National Park, a 92-acre mountain reserve, which has a primeval rainforest that is of supreme interest. This is also the highest point on the island, with an elevation of 1,800 feet.

And finally, the drive from Road Town on the island’s East End follows the hilly shore, passing beautiful bays and several residential areas. From East End you can cross the Queen Elizabeth Bridge to Beef Island, where the airport is located.

Last updated October 24, 2010
Posted in   British Virgin Islands  |  Tortola
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