Tortola

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3 days in Tortola

A December 1996 trip to Tortola by Adelaide

BombaMore Photos

Tortola in the main destination in BVI, with an airport in an adjoing island that brings tourists in small odd planes. Smuggler's Cove and Brewer's Bay are great places for snorkeling. Lots of norkeling and diving tours are available. Tortola means "land of turtle doves" and is the largest of the British Virgin Islands, just about 60 miles east of Puerto Rico.

  • 7 reviews
  • 5 photos

3 days in TortolaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Cane Garden Bay
Snorkeling is great. Bring your own gear for better enjoying it - the rental one I got wasn't good. For more information and images, check my Travel Report: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/4363/caribe/c-bvi.html

Quick Tips:

I only knew a bit of the island, as I had little time and it was expensive to get to some places alone by taxi.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walking is very limited because of the distances, so you will sometimes need a taxi, unless you rent a car. I remember having read that some hotels in Road Town take guests to some of the beaches.

Sebastian's on the BeachBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Apple Bay
One of the reasons I chose the hotel (check its name) was the fact that it was on a beach, but when I decided to take a look at the beach I found out there was no beach, just rocks. But I had seen pictures of it! One of the girls at the reception said it is something that happens during the year. Very strange... My room was in the back of the hotel, in the "tropical garden units", as they call it. I had a view of houses, very quiet, and the room was small but comfortable. There are front rooms which are very noisy, because the restaurant has live music, so be sure to ask for quiet rooms upon reservation. I''m glad I took a package with meal plan, because there are not many places to eat around there, actually I only saw a pizza house around. Sebastian''s restaurant is good, at the beachfront, with a good variety of dishes and live music on weekends. Their website is at http://www.sebastiansbvi.com/
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 17, 2000

Sebastian's on the Beach
Little Apple Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands
(284) 495-4212

Bomba's ShackBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Bomba's Shack
Don't get fooled by the shanty appearance of Bomba's Shack. This is Tortola's most popular beach bar, where a party happens every full moon, with guest spreading on the beach, dancing at reggae songs and drinking their special cocktails.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 18, 2000

Bomba's Shack
Apple Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Peter Island, Norman Island and The IndiansBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

I arranged through the hotel desk a full-day snorkeling tour with Captain Paul - US$70, transportation and gear included. Although it was raining, we departed to the first stop, a small bay on Peter Island, 1/2 h away. We had fruit punch while waiting for the rain to stop and then went snorkeling. Visibility wasn't bad, considering the weather. Lots of fish and corals. I enjoyed the snorkeling. Unfortunatelly it started raining again and Captain cancelled the rest of the tour, refunding us partially. It was a pity, as the caves of Norman Island and The Indians are said to be great snorkeling and diving spots and I would miss that! Other operators also offers such tours.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 18, 2000

Peter Island, Norman Island and The Indians
from West End docks Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Cane Garden BayBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Cane Garden Bay
This crescent-shaped beach is very popular and, since it is not far from Road Town, gets many visitors. Too many visitors, maybe - my peace was interrupted by the arrival of a noisy group and their loud stereo. But nevertheless it is a great beach, beautiful, with great swimming and snorkeling (some people saw a barracuda and a stingray, I only saw the usual colourful coral fish), watersports available if you want, and many restaurants. I spent the whole day there and enjoyed it a lot. One popular attraction is Quito Rymer, a local musician who performs at his bar, Quito's Gazebo, at night, offering good reggae music.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 18, 2000

Cane Garden Bay
north coast Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Long Bay Beach ResortBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Long Bay"

Long Bay
This mile-long, fine white sand beach, bordered by coconut palm and seagrape trees, is very pleasant and somewhat calm, despite being popular, with many hotels. The walk from my hotel at Apple Bay, steeply uphill and then downhill, was worth it, giving a great view of the bay. I spent an afternoon reading while laying on a beach chair - maybe from a hotel, but nobody controls that.

Experienced swimmers may swim to Smuggler's Cove, where snorkeling is said to be great - but get updated information about the sea conditions, especially in winter.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 18, 2000

Long Bay Beach Resort
North side of Tortola Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Smuggler's Cove and Brewer's BayBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

I haven't been to these places where snorkeling is said to be great. Both are located in areas reached only by boat or very winding roads demanding 4-wheel drive vehicles, so taxis charge a lot - too much for a single traveler's budget.

Brewer's Bay is north of Cane Garden Bay. The beach is excellent, protected by coral reefs and lined with coconut trees. Restaurants, bars, public restrooms and accomodations are available, including a campground.

Smuggler's Cove is south of Long Bay. This is a beautiful, quiet, unspoilt beach with great snorkeling at the reefs. There is a beach bar.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 18, 2000

Smuggler's Cove and Brewer's Bay
north coast Tortola, British Virgin Islands

About the Writer

Adelaide
Adelaide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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