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I am thinking about going over to the Tortola next wednesday and I was wondering if i took the ferry over there if there is a lot to do. I have already been to Virgin Gorde so I was thinking about checking the more populated BVI out. Any suggestions about what I can check out on the island? Restaurants? Shops? Cool sites? I have heard some friends say it wasn't all that great but I wanted to see for myself.
Bomba's surf shack in Apple/Cappoon's Bay. You can also eat at Coco Plum's directly across the street.
Cane Garden Bay--eat at Quito's and enjoy a beautiful beach with a nice, mellow vibe.
There is a lot more, but those are my faves.
So are most of the businesses by the ferry dock?
I got that impression looking at their websites.
Tourism is still relatively new in Tortola so the villages are more subdued rather than resort like. Roadtown is the seat of Government House and other administrative buildings, but it feels like a small village rather than a town.
Things to see/Sites:
JR O'Neal Botanical Gardens is a lovely garden located in the center of the town. It contains about four acres of indigenous and exotic plants.
Sage Mountain National Park - Mount Sage, at 1,780 feet, is the highest point in the British Virgin Islands. The National Park offers visitors easy hiking on well-maintained paths that overlooked beautiful vistas. Sage Mountain is a nice place to visit.
Fort Recovery is the ruins of a Dutch stronghold; the stone tower is believed to have been built by Dutch settlers. There is also the Shore Shell Museum. Don't know much about these last two - not been to them.
Cane Garden Bay is a popular beache. It offers great swimming on a beautiful white sand beach. Has shops, restaurants and local bars close by.
--Islander
To really enjoy Tortola you need to rent a car. Even a one day rental at Budget will be less than taxi costs. You can take a less costly safari taxi with the cruise ship people but I much prefer a rental car. There are a few cruise ships that stop here, but the impact is much less than on St thomas. Road Town is small and you can walk around much of it ,but Cane Garden Bay, Smugglers Cove and Brewers Bay are on the other side of the island.
You might want to check out the marinas at Nanny Cay and Sopers Hole.
Also look for Smugglers Cove on the noth side of the island (on the West End). Look for the "honor bar" and talk to the owners, an elderly couple who's hotel and restaurant were destroyed by a hurricane a while back.
Cane Garden bay is nice but crowded. Josiahs Bay on the east end has good surfing.
Bomba Shack has a great BBQ night on Wed. and Sun....For 8 bucks you get a uge plate of chicken, ribs, cole slaw, corn and rice.
Pete
