Road Town Cruises, British Virgin Islands
Nature’s the star attraction of Tortola. Ancient rainforests hog the limelight. Beautiful botanical gardens vie for your attention. And opal-white beaches like Apple Bay and Smuggler’s Cove really steal the show. It’s wild. It’s wondrous. It’s waiting.
• Head for Road Town’s pretty Main Street. Here, you’ll find a medley of shops, museums and historical buildings. And you won’t be able to resist snapping away at the brightly-painted bungalows either.
• Soak up the beauty of Sage Mountain National Park. The British Virgin Island’s highest point, it’s an oasis of tropical vines, trees and plants. You can even saddle up and explore by horseback.
• Leave Tortola behind and make tracks for another of the British Virgin Islands – Virgin Gorda. Among the must-sees here are the Baths, a cluster of sea pools where you can swim or snorkel through the tunnels, caves and arches.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
Cane Garden Beach Transfer
It’s no secret that Tortola boasts a string of pristine beaches, and, today, you’ll head to one of the best ones – Cane Garden. All white sands and translucent waves, it ticks off all the Caribbean stereotypes. Plus, it’s backed by a thick band of palms, so you’ll find plenty of shady spots. The journey there takes the form of a scenic drive along Tortola’s coast, and you’ll be given a welcome drink as you step on to the sands. Then, the time on the beach is yours to spend as you like. Soak up the sun from a lounger and swim in the calm waters. You’ll have three hours to relax, before you make your way back to the ship.
Tortola by Land & Sea
This boat and bus trip is a great way to see Tortola’s palm-planted coastline and forest like landscape. You’ll drift by dinky coves, sandy bays and, of course, plenty of crystal-clear water, not to mention islands steeped in myth and legend. You’ll see tiny pockets of paradise like Salt, and St John’s Islands, not to mention the most famous of them all, Norman Island. This craggy isle was pushed into the spotlight when Robert Louis Stevenson used it as inspiration for Treasure Island. You’ll drop anchor in Soper’s Hole – the most beautiful harbour in the British Virgin Islands – where you’ll have time to squeeze in some shopping in the rainbow-coloured waterfront stores. Finally, you’ll board a local bus to wind your way through the tiny fishing villages and across the ridge of the island.
Forest Hike & Beach
Sage Mountain National Park provides the postcard-pretty setting for this rainforest hike. Home to the highest point in the Virgin Islands, the park is famous for its dramatic landscape. Some spectacular views are in store, so don’t forget your camera. And because all that walking will probably leave in you need of a bit of a rest, we’ve thrown in some time at the beach. Refuel with a snooze on the white sands of Cane Garden Bay, or cool off with a dip in the sea.