Tortola for the day

Travel discussion for Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and beyond!
Post Reply
juliebud
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:54 pm
Location: CT

Tortola for the day

Post by juliebud »

We will be in St. John for 2 weeks this summer and would like to do a day in Tortola. We've only been to Tortola on a customs stop so this is all new to us! What would you recommend for a day?
Jill VI
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:19 am
Location: Wisconsin

Tortola

Post by Jill VI »

We stayed for 10 days in 2010.Very beautiful beaches. Must see Cane Garden Bay as the most popular. Others less known Smugglers Cove,nothing there but a beach and a lady with her blender and grill, best drink and lunch I ever had on a beach. Other option, Brewers Bay, has restaurant....lovely. However, if you rent a jeep for the day, a beach or two is done more easily, but the driving is treacherous, not for the faint of heart..but totally worth it.....need any more info, let me know......
juliebud
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2007 3:54 pm
Location: CT

Post by juliebud »

Great thanks for the ideas I will check it out!
AquaGirl
Posts: 913
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:59 pm
Location: Fairfax, Virginia

Post by AquaGirl »

We've been to Tortola 3 times and its a beautiful island. I can second the recommendation for Brewer's Bay or Smugglers. If you like to snorkel, I would recommend Brewer's because the snorkeling is fantastic. Its also a beautiful beach and Nicoles Beach bar is there to get cold drinks and some limited food.
If you are there for dinner, the Bananaquit restaurant is in an awesome spot. Its on the edge of a very high cliff and looks down on the coastline and out the sea. Its a fantastic view and very good food.
We enjoy Smugglers because its such a beautiful beach, but we haven't found much snorkeling there. (There may be a reef, but we haven't found it in 3 trips - mostly a lot of dead coral.) For hanging out on the beach and swimming in clear water, its great. We got drinks and grilled chicken from the lady beach vendor, and it was great. If you can, take a driving tour around the island (which you will on the way to Brewer's or Smugglers). Its very mountainous and the views are fabulous. Have fun!
ClevelandDave
Posts: 291
Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:51 pm
Location: Cleveland

Post by ClevelandDave »

Assuming you take the 8:30 to West End, you'll have something around a 8 hour stay on Tortola
if you go on Fri or Sun when the return ferry departs WE around 5:15-5:30.

I suggest renting a car from Jerry's. He'll meet you at the ferry terminal and it will run $55 all in.
The route I'm suggesting keeps you on the lighter traffic roads and is basically and out-and-back route.

You'll want to focus on the North Shore and I'd head for Smuggler's Cove first,
the closest georgeous beach (10 min) and lime for a few hours.

Onward to Cane Garden Bay (25min) for lunch and to check out the social hub of the island.

Then off to Brewer's Bay (10 min) for some great snorkeling from shore. Head back to WE around
4:00 to Jerry's for your drop off and a ride to the ferry termnal for the 5:15-5:30 ferry.

I would avoid Road Town all together as it will be easy to get lost and your visit is somewhat time sensitive.

Remember to always double-check your ferry times. Ilon Time strikes frequently.

This will give you a nice taste of Tortola.
Post Reply