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Tortola Trip Report

June 2003

• Home
• Places to Stay
• Beaches & Snorkeling
• General Information

Tortola Trip

The British Virgin Islands lie about 60 miles east of Puerto Rico. Although there are 50 islands included in the territory, many of them are uninhabited.  Some of the more "popular" islands include Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Peter Island. All of the BVI's are rather small in size. The largest island, Tortola is only about 40 square miles. Tortola also has the highest population at about 20,000 people.

Sunny Trip Reports Island Rating* Click here for Explanation of Ratings
Accomodations
Snorkeling
Beaches
Dining
Activities
Shopping
Food Shopping
Friendliness
Cultural Experience
Value for Money
Would We Return

 

Elm Beach Suites

ELM has a GREAT Beach Bar and Restaurant. Sunday night was barbeque night and Wednesday night was West Indian night. Both meals were very good. It is the best deal on Cane Garden Bay!
	The bar has some sitting hammocks which are very comfortable. (Especially with the help of a few Caribs!)
The interior was very plain. The room quality was not the best, but the location is great and the rates were cheap.

Tortola Beaches & Snorkeling

Tortola has some great beaches and snorkeling locations.
	Brewers Bay Brewers Bay had by far the best snorkeling on the island. Snorkel to the left of the bay out past the first point. You will see TONS of fish.  This is a very quiet and non touristy area. There is also a beach bar located on the beach.
Smugglers Cove We also enjoyed Smugglers Cove.  The reef was very shallow but pretty decent.
The best beach for just "limin" is Cane Garden Bay. We had heard that it gets pretty crowded, but it was empty during our stay.

Tortola General Information

Transportation Tortola is a very hilly island. We rented a jeep and we were glad we did. Taxis were very expensive. The jeeps have the steering wheels on the left and the driving is on the left. There are numerous vertical switchbacks.
	Cane Garden Bay was a very safe and friendly place.
Tortola is a big sailing island. Every night there were numerous boats moored in Cane Garden Bay.
	We liked the Pussers on the West End. It is a gathering place for the sail boats. Shopping was pretty sparse on Tortola.  A few nice shops in Road Town but don't expect St. Martin or St. Thomas type shopping.
Our favorite restaurant in Cane Garden Bay was Quito Rymer's place. He plays almost every night and is very good. His music has a great message.
	Tortola's people are wonderful. Very friendly. We were never hassled by anyone.
At the end of Cane Garden Bay is a tire swing which is both scenic and fun.