Tortola Island BVI

Tortola is the largest and most populated island of the British Virgin Islands, sitting on the south coast of the archipelago. Cruise ships dock at Road Town, the port town on the central-southern coast. Road Town sits on the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbour in the centre of the island's south coast, and it is usually a port of call rather than a turnaround. Ships typically berth at Tortola's cruise port, which has berthing capacity for two large-sized vessels at a time, though if more than 2 vessels arrive, one anchors in the bay and passengers are tendered ashore.

The cruise terminal area includes 17 buildings with a cruise terminal, passenger welcome center, 2 restaurants, shops and other facilities. The city's business district is within easy walking distance from the port. From the terminal, Main Street in Road Town is about a 15-minute walk away, passing pastel-coloured buildings topped with tin roofs on one side and brilliant blue waters on the other.

Tortola is a mountainous island 19 km (12 miles) long and 5 km (3 miles) wide, formed by volcanic activity with its highest peak, Mount Sage, at 530 metres (1,740 feet). In Road Town, typical daily maxima are around 32C (89.6F) in the summer and 29C (84.2F) in the winter. The northern coast has the best beaches on the island, including Smuggler's Cove, Long Bay, Cane Garden Bay, Brewer's Bay, Josiah's Bay, and Lambert Beach.

Tortola carries history in its architecture and landscape. The Dutch grew tobacco and cotton on Tortola and used the island as a staging post, but their business failed to thrive and the British took control of the islands in 1672. Plantation owners exploited slave labour until the abolition of slavery in 1834. The island maintains its salty pirate legacy and rum-making traditions today.

Water sports define life here. Because of its location and climate, the British Virgin Islands has long been a haven for sailing enthusiasts, with calm waters and steady breezes providing some of the best sailing conditions in the Caribbean. Marine activities such as sailing, surfing, scuba diving, kite boarding, and windsurfing are available. Although under the British flag, Tortola uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency due to its proximity to and frequent trade with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Local food blends Caribbean, West Indian and British influences. Try local delicacies like fresh Anegada lobster, conch fritters and Johnnycakes, eat shepherd's pie or fish and chips, and don't miss rotis, while "fish and fungi" is the official dish of the BVI and the rum-based Painkiller from Pusser's is world-famous.