Shore Excursions

Tortola Island Tour
APPROXIMATE DURATION: 3.5 HOURS

Leave cruise ship area heading east towards Bellevue.
First STOP (approx. 5 minutes) Fort Hill for pictures, view of Baugher's Bay, cruise ship and Road Town area.

Continue to top of Bellevue and STOP to view islands off east side including Guana Island, Beef Island and Virgin Gorda.

Continue westbound along the very scenic Ridge Road and STOP at Long Trench for picture taking. Again, spectacular views of the neighbouring Virgin Islands.

Continue into Fahie Hill area and STOP for pictures and viewing of agricultural area. Mangos, avocados, bananas and guinips, can be found growing depending upon the season.

Continue along the scenic Great Mountain road where excellent views offer further opportunities for pictures of the Road Town/Lower Estate area and the many beaches of the northern shore.

STOP at Sky World (approx. 15 mins.) This offers a breathtaking 360 degree panoramic view of Tortola and surrounding islands, as far as Puerto Rico and St. Croix. Passengers are welcome to view local art work displayed on walls, browse in the boutique of local crafts and sample Sky World,s specialty drinks (passenger expense).

STOP at Cane Garden Bay (approx. 45 mins.) A lovely gently curving white sandy beach where passengers have a chance to cool off in the sparkling sea, relax in one of the local bars/restaurant or simply stroll through the village of Cane Garden Bay.

Upon leaving Cane Garden Bay, the tour passes by the "Old Cane Mill" where a a producing rum factory can be found. STOP may depend on parking availability or on request for purchase of the local Cane Garden Rum. The tour continues through Ballast Bay and Carrot Bay where lush tropical vegetation and village living can be observed. Many colorful West Indian houses and banana crops make for memorable pictures.

The tour continues past the acclaimed Sugar Mill Hotel (one of the best hotels in the Virgin Islands, renown for it's excellent cuisine) and the infamous Bomba Shack (made up of drift wood and items found from beach-combing) run by Bomba, a colourful Tortolan who hosts the monthly Full Moon Party where guests and locals alike dance on the beach under the moon sipping upon the potent Bomba Punch.

The tour then winds up a mountain road which leads back to the south side of the Islands.

The tour then follows the coastal road, the Sir Francis Drake's Highway with excellent views of St. John and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Once past the BVI Electric Corporation, there is the Pockwood Pond Dungeon built by the Spanish in 1552 as a defense against the French. Then its eastwards back in to Road Town passing several villages (one of the houses belonged to William Thornton, designer of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC).

Other points of interest are Nanny Cay Resort, Prospect Reef Resort, Pieces of Eight and the new horse racing track. Once back into Road Town, passengers will view the Government House, Hospital, Main Street and the local gift shops/boutiques.

STOP at the Botanical Gardens (approx. 30 mins.) for a gentle stroll through magnificent Caribbean/Tropical flowers and trees. The 2.8 acre garden includes a lush array of indigenous and exotic tropical plants including hybrid hibiscus, orchids, palms, cacti and bromeliads. A pergola walk, lily pond, petite waterfall, tropical bird house and miniature rain forest are just a few of the gardens attractions. There is also a guest registry at the entrance in which passengers are welcome to write comments.

Information contained herein may change without notice, and at the discreation of the tour operator

Cruise Ship Husbandry / Shore Excursions / Mega Yacht Services
Shipping Agents / Freight Forwarders & Customs Brokers
Lloyd's Agents / Stevedoring & Air Agents / About the BVI / Weather / Home

.
Island Shipping & Trading Co. Ltd.
O'Neal & Mundy Shipping Co. Ltd.
The Shipping Agents of the British Virgin Islands
P.O. Box 61, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Tel: 284-494-2268 . Fax: 284-494-4708
Telex: 7957 ISATCO VB . E-Mail: isatco@surfbvi.com