Tortola of the British Virgin Islands

Written by Julie Greiner

The largest of the British Virgin Islands, the hub of the chain, Tortola offers visitors peace and quiet along its secluded palm edged beaches. Guest accommodations range from posh hotels to beachside cottages. This is definitely the mecca of the Caribbean for wind surfing, scuba diving, horseback riding and sailing the aqua seas. The name Tortola means turtle dove in Spanish. Tortola Island measures 21.5 square miles of laid-back tropical Caribbean paradise. Road Town is the capital and center of activity in the British Virgin Islands. The R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens are located in the center of Road Town and consist of a four-acre lush tropical garden. The Virgin Islands Folk Museum is located on Main Street and the museum is in a traditional West Indian building, and has many artifacts on display from the islands' Tiano, plantation and slavery eras.

Sage Mountain National Park of Tortola

The highest peak in all the Virgin Islands at 1,780 feet is Mount Sage.

View of Beach on Tortola of the British Virgin Islands

Courtesy British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

The Park consists of some 92 acres of semi rain forest and nature hiking trails with spectacular views. The Central Trail is referred to as the Rainforest Trail, which leads down the ridge. The Mahogany Forest Trail leads to the peak. The Central Trail has labeled plants including the guavaberry. The hermit crab is prevalent here and may be observed traveling down to the sea to mate, lay eggs and find a new marine shell to live in. The Bromeliad called Guzmania is the abode for many tree frogs, including the Bo-Peep, found only in the British Virgin Islands

Beaches and Dive Sites of Tortola

Josiah's Bay Beach is a favorite of surfers with heavy surf which should evoke caution with its heavy undertow, especially to swimmers. The salt pond provides

Sailing off the Coast of the Island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands

Courtesy British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

a habitat for wading birds such as the black-necked stilts and wintering white-cheeked pintail ducks. Lambert Bay, also known as Elizabeth Beach, has a beautiful palm-fringed beach of white powder sand and is perfect for swimming. The rock outcroppings are said to resemble a giant conch shell. Green sea turtles nest on the beach in January and February. Brewer's Bay is often off limits to bareboat charters, suitable only as a non-winter day anchorage due to the ground seas and the extensive coral reefs. Brewer's Bay offers excellent swimming, as well as snorkeling on both sides. The beach is lined with coconut palms. Brewer's Bay Campground has its own beach bar and restaurant with traditional cooking.

Brewer's Bay Pinnacles is an advanced dive site just off the western point of the bay, and is one of the rare British Virgin Island dive sites accessible from the shore. Massive pinnacles rise from 100 feet to within 30 feet of the surface consisting of rock mazes covered with fire coral and sea fans, and is the habitat for turtles, large jacks and lobsters.

Mount Healthy National Park

The Mount Healthy Windmill is within walking distance to the northeast and are the ruins of Tortola's only remaining windmill powered sugar mill. Preserved as a National Park, the Mt. Healthy plantation has other ruins, such as a cistern and stables. Tortola is the perfect spot for a relaxing fun-filled Caribbean vacation.