The British Virgin Islands are known for their amazing sailing and pristine beaches, but don’t discount these pretty islands if you don’t intend to sail. The capital island of Tortola has a little bit of British influence with a whole lot of Caribbean charm and just enough to see to keep your vacation interesting, but the real draw of the BVI is nature. And it’s pretty tough to top the natural beauty of the BVI’s white-sand beaches, coral reefs, botanical gardens and a national park anyway!
If what you seek is a quiet Caribbean base that is best explored independently by car, Tortola is the island for you. Even its main town, Road Town, is pretty sleepy compared to most Caribbean cities.
To up the ante on the natural appeal, the local climate tends to stay warm with low humidity due to some convenient trade winds (because, really, who needs bad humidity??). The BVI does get hurricanes some years, though, so it pays to keep an eye on the weather before you travel.
Beaches
Tortola isn’t known for having beaches around every corner like many Caribbean locales, but the beaches that are here will knock your socks off. Yeah, they’re that good. The most popular beach on the island is Cane Garden Bay, which is either a pro or a con, depending on what you love in your beach of choice. Cane Garden Bay is gorgeous, and yet not a quiet kind of place as this is where the cruise ship crowd pours in. And yet, all those people mean you’ll find lots of restaurants, bars and beachside activities.
If you prefer some seclusion, head to either Brewers Bay or Smuggler’s Cove. Both involve a sometimes rough road to get there, but will reward you with sheer natural beauty. Smuggler’s Cove has some beachside amenities, but Brewers Bay has very little other than beachy goodness.
Sage Mountain Park
For a different side of the BVI, take a hike. Sage Mountain Park offers hiking trails through lush forest with some pretty nifty views from the top, which is also the highest point in all of the BVI. There are several trails through the park and brochures are available near the entrance at the Sage Mountain Visitor Center (as are banana smoothies, which are a pre- or post-hike treat for many). The hike isn’t difficult, but the trails can be bumpy, sometimes muddy and rough so wear good shoes.
Callwood Rum Distillery
First off, the Callwood Rum Distillery is not cute. Don’t expect a trendy rum joint filled with hipsters and stylish decor…’cause you won’t find that here. Instead, you’ll find a rundown stone building that looks like a set from “Pirates of the Caribbean” (which kind of makes it cooler than that whole hipster business anyway). If rum making is in season, you can take a tour of the process, but any time of year you can do some rum tasting. Bonus–this may just be the cheapest rum tasting you’ll ever do and if you find something you like, you can purchase a bottle.
Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens
Located in Road Town, Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens offer yet another angle on the local nature scene. Four acres of tropical foliage and water features combined with shaded walking paths make this a fine way to spend an afternoon. The gardens aren’t large so figure an hour or two to explore at the most, but there’s a pond, butterflies, birds and turtles. This makes a great place for a picnic!
Fort Purcell/The Dungeon
If you can get to it (trails are sometimes overgrown and the sight may be undergoing reconstruction work), Fort Purcell (fondly also called The Dungeon) is a Dutch fort originally built in the 1600s. Hiking out to and exploring what’s left of the structure can be fun for anyone who enjoys ruins. The fort is on private property so be respectful if you go. Fort Purcell is near Pockwood Pond between Road Town and the West End.
Sailing or Yachting
If you have any interest in boating at all, don’t miss out on the boating opportunities in the BVI. In Road Town, you’ll find ample opportunities to take sailing lessons or even just hire a boat to take you out for the day. The steady trade winds offshore mean just about perfect sailing conditions so whether you’re sailing on your own or kicking back while someone else does it, you’ll be traveling in style.
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Photo credits:
Cane Garden Bay: Jordan Fisher via Flickr
View from Sage Mountain: Jordan Fischer via Flickr
Joseph Reynold O’Neal Botanic Gardens: Roger W via Flickr
Tortola Yachts: Jorge Brazil via Flickr