Bonnetts Abroad

AmazonCruise

Arrive

The Caribbean has always been a magnet for people seeking sunshine and smiles. For a true Caribbean experience, cruise to the beautiful British Virgin island of Tortola. Rising to 1,709 feet at its highest point and famed for its rugged volcanic landscape, Tortola has proved difficult to develop as a major tourist haunt, and so has preserved its charm. Its quaint capital, Road Town, is charming and compact. Just five minutes walk from the tender drop–off at Wickhams Quay you will find Main Street, home to a colourful crafts market and a range of small speciality shops selling Tortolan ceramics, Mexican glassware and unusual carvings sculpted from sea flotsam. You will also find some of the loveliest and least crowded beaches in the Caribbean. At Cane Garden Bay you can tuck into a barbecued freshly caught fish; snorkellers will find the most eye–boggling marine life at Lower Belmont Bay, while those who enjoy a walk can stroll through the rainforest at Mount Sage National Park.

Trip Booked

Scenic Tortola

Take in a host of Tortola's most stunning sights on a leisurely drive.         

Sit back and relax as you cruise along coastal roads and through lush countryside. Stop for photos on the renowned Ridge Road – which reveals spectacular vistas of the surrounding islands scattered in the glistening Caribbean Sea. Enjoy a complimentary drink at Mountain View.

Traverse the spine of the island and rumble through tiny fishing hamlets on the north shore. Pass by the infamous Bomba's Shack, where Full Moon Parties were introduced to the BVI, before crossing the island at its narrowest point and stopping at Pusser's Landing. Explore the newly opened boutiques and Pusser's Company Store.

Following the south shore line with views of surrounding islands, the tour passes through small villages before making a final stop at the cruise pier park. 

Duration: 3 Hours

A leisurely Road Town Walking Tour takes only an hour or two.

If you don't stop to look at sailboats or shop, you can easily walk from one end to the other of Tortola's capital city in less than 30 minutes.

To see Road Town at its liveliest (and even at its peak, that's not saying much), avoid a Sunday visit when all the stores may be locked up tight unless a cruise ship happens to be in.

This walk starts at The Moorings. Use the Mapquest interactive map of Road Town to follow the streets. It also has the island's complete road network in detail, although not always the street names.

1) The Moorings: Located at Wickham's Cay 2, this is where you get nautical. The Moorings is the main charter dock of the British Virgin Islands , the place to arrange day sails/boat rentals.

2) J. R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens: Located on Main St. several blocks inland from the waterfront, the gardens are built on the grounds of the old Government Agricultural Station. Only 4 acres, this often overlooked site is one of the prettiest spots on Tortola.

The botanical display features colorful tropical flowers and herbs, a palm garden, fern house, bamboo and grass exhibits as well as a pond and waterfall. The self–guided walks will take you past a pond and small waterfall, small Fern House, Orchid House and herb and medicinal gardens.

Open weekdays and Saturday during sunlight hours; Sunday, from noon to 5. Donations accepted.

3) Main Street: THE shopping street of tiny Road Town, it is located one block off Waterfront Drive . None of the shops are large or fancy but almost all are interesting. You can buy spices, honey, spiced rums, Cuban cigars, model sailboats and hand–painted fabrics.

4) V.I. Folk Museum: Located on Main Street just north of the post office, the museum is located in a traditional West Indian building. Artifacts on display are from Taino, plantation, and slave eras and pieces from the RMS Rhone. Open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations accepted

5) Pusser's Company Store and Pub: Located on Waterfront Drive, The Company Store is a nautical version of Banana Republic, with a complete and well–done fashion line. Pusser's Rum not only tastes good, it's a good gift. The pub lunches are superb; try the shepherd's pie. This all may seem pretty touristy, but a lot of locals hang out here.

6) Ferry Dock: For the ferryboats to Virgin Gorda or the U.S Virgin Islands. Located diagonally across from Pusser's.   

Depart