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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- British Virgin Islands
- Tortola
Tortola
The largest island in the British Virgin Islands archipelago,
Tortola, or 'land of turtle doves', is also the main commercial
centre of the group and is within a 45-minute ferry ride from St.
Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. Characterised by large rolling
hills and sandy beaches in addition to its charming and relaxed
atmosphere, Tortola is also the sailing capital of the territory
and the jumping off place to many of the region's secluded little
pieces of heaven on earth.
Rising up in the centre of the island is the highest point in
the archipelago, Mount Sage, which reaches up 1,780 feet (524m)
above the sea and affords wonderful views over Tortola's lush
tropical vegetation, uncrowded beaches and lovely bays, and the
surrounding islands. Ruins of 18th-century buildings are also
visible, a scattered reminder of the plantation era when rum and
sugar were the source of the island's economy. On the south shore
is the scenic capital city, Road Town, situated around a deep
yacht-filled harbour that is lined with cheerfully painted
restaurants, hotels and quaint island-style shops. International as
well as local cuisine features on the menus of this varied
community with specialities like fresh lobster, coconut curries or
turtle dishes to tempt the palate.
The way of life on Tortola is resolutely Caribbean despite the
infusion of so many people from different countries around the
world; the people are known for their warmth and hospitality and
new comers to the island soon find themselves slipping into a
slower pace of life and easing into 'island time'.
Information & Facts
Climate
Tortola has a sub-tropical climate with warm weather year-round.
The high humidity and warm weather are eased by trade winds. Summer
temperatures average from 79-88°F (26-31°C) and in winter it's
between 72-82°F (22-28°C). Rainfall is erratic and there are
occasional droughts.
Language
English is the main language spoken on the
islands.
Money
The official currency is the US Dollar (USD), which is divided
into 100 cents. Most establishments on the larger islands accept
credit cards and travellers cheques, but on Anegada it is best to
have cash. Banks and exchange facilities can be found in Road Town,
Tortola. ATMs are available in Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Sightseeing
Tortola's main attractions are its pristine white beaches, which
provide the perfect setting for swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing,
and occasionally surfing in the perennially warm waters of the
Caribbean. Popular beaches like Cane Garden Bay, Lambert Bay,
Trellis Bay and Long Bay are all good locations for relaxing and
watersports.
Scuba divers only need to go 6 miles (10km) off the island to
reach the Chikuzen, a wrecked Japanese refrigeration ship covered
in extensive coral reefs that offer some of the best underwater
photography opportunities in the world. Other good dive sites in
Tortola include Smuggler's Cove and Brewer's Bay Pinnacle.
If you can drag yourself off the beach, sightseeing in Tortola
can be rewarding, as there are a few interesting ruins and cultural
sites that hint at its colourful past. You can view the ruins of
the St. Philips Church, the grand William Thornton Estate, and the
remains of a fort known now simply as 'the Dungeon'.
Road Town has a number of markets and museums, including the
Virgin Islands Folk Museum and the HMS Prison. It's also the centre
of Tortola's nightlife, with a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars
and clubs ranging from romantic garden restaurants to laid-back
beach bars.
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