ships in Tortola
Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. It’s also the home of Road Town, the capital of the BVI. Beaches and watersports are the main tourist attractions. The island also has places of historic interest including a windmill, a fort, and museums including a sugar works museum. Although the island is British, currency is the US dollar because the British Virgin Islands are closely associated with the US Virgin Islands. Average temperatures are in the 80’s F and rainfall is about 43 inches annually.
two ships at the dock in Tortola
The port at Tortola has a dock that can hold two ships. Straight off the dock there’s an area of shops right at the port. A lot of the standard cruise ship shops you find in most ports are present, but there are also some local shops not found elsewhere.
just off the dock
The dock area is fenced off with security for only ship people to go onto the dock. Once you are on the other side of the fence there’s an information booth and all the shops. There’s also space for shore excursions to gather and a platform for taking photos of the ship with a giant colorful BVI (for British Virgin Islands).
shops at Tortola cruise port
The port area was sort of like a little mini city with little streets full of shops criss-crossing for several blocks. Some streets looked as if cars could go there, but none did.
row of booths
There were bars and eateries as well as shops and a row of little open-sided booths along the waterfront.
bandstand at the port
At the end of the port area just before the taxi stand a bandstand under a canvas cover had a band with live music playing next to a public restroom.
local rums at a shop in the port
There were several liquor shops among the local offerings. Besides standard brands found everywhere, shops in the Caribbean often carry locally made brands of rum that may be both better and cheaper than better known brands. Also some with crazy names.
things to do sign near the taxi stand
Signs around the port area indicate which way to go to find things like taxis or the way to go to get into town. People holding signs offered last minute tours. A sign posted on a wall near the taxi/bus stand listed all sorts of things to do and how much each cost. The closest beach is about 5 miles from the port.
one of many pools in the Baths at Virgin Gorda
The Baths at Virgin Gorda is a popular place to visit from Tortola. Virgin Gorda is a nearby island and the baths are unique seaside rock formations with pools. You can walk or take a taxi to town where there are ferries to Virgin Gorda. From there people can take a bus out to the baths. You can also get there on a shore excursion where the boat ride starts right from the port and busses await at the ferry dock in Virgin Gorda. Whether getting there on your own or through an excursion, the baths are different from anything you will see anywhere else and well worth a visit. If going on your own it’s best to check the ferry schedules ahead of time and book your ferry ride in advance.
view of Tortola from Enchanted Princess
Excursions offered from the Enchanted Princess in Tortola were: Best of Tortola (panoramic scenic drive, beach, & shopping); Coast to Coast Scenic Drive & Pusser’s Landing; North Shore Coast Scenic Drive & Pusser’s Landing; Cane Garden Bay Beach Break & Scenic Drive; Cane Garden Bay Beach Break; Scenic Island Cruise & Pusser’s Landing; The Baths at Virgin Gorda & Beach; Jost Van Dyke Island Beach Break & Scenic Cruise; and Snorkel, Swim, Beach & Scenic Cruise. A lot of these excursions go to Pusser’s Landing which is apparently a popular wharfside pub at a marina according to google.
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