The largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — famous for sailing, boat tours, surfing and a rich pirate history, and sometimes called the “Land of Turtle Doves.”
Tortola is a British Overseas Territory and the largest, most populated island of the British Virgin Islands — a chain of around 60 tropical islands east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Lesser Antilles chain separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. View map →
Local tradition holds that Christopher Columbus named the island for the turtle dove — "tórtola" in Spanish — during his second voyage in 1493, though he originally called it Santa Ana; Dutch settlers later called it Ter Tholen, and the British eventually settled on Tortola. The island is famous today for sailing, boat tours and surfing. Read the full fact sheet →
Nationality: British Overseas Territories Citizen · Size: 55.7 km² (21.5 sq mi) · a former haven for pirates including Blackbeard and Captain Kidd
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BVI. Discovering the beauty of BVI is all about uncovering the unique character of each island in this unspoiled volcanic archipelago. From the culture and history of BVI's four largest islands to the pristine natural splendor of more then 50 smaller isles, every place you drop anchor offers its own special magic.
★ Cool factor: Balmy trade winds year-round Visit site
Native Son is the only ferry company in the Virgin Islands providing scheduled service to and from Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Red Hook (St. Thomas), West End (Tortola), and Road Town (Tortola). They invite you to travel on one of our high speed vessels in air-conditioned comfort, or you can sit outside on their sun decks and enjoy the spectacular view throughout your journey.
★ Cool factor: Air-conditioned fast ferry Visit site
gandor.tv specializes in creating, maintaining, hosting and promoting websites in the Caribbean. They are known for their customer service, maintenance packages, fast response, e-commerce, booking systems and social media magic and creation of advertisments.
★ Cool factor: They create, maintain, host and promote websites. Visit site
Association of Reef Keepers BVI. The British Virgin Islands are a chain of small islands that mark the boundary between the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. These waters that surround our islands are filled with a nebulous amount of diverse marine resources that we have relied on for centuries. However, here and around the world marine resources are being threatened by human behaviours that have occurred over many generations. While we can't change what is happening around the world, we can start in our own back yard.
★ Cool factor: Ensuring the preservation & sustainability of our marine resources Visit siteNo businesses in this category yet.
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These Tortola tours or activities are independently operated. After booking, the tour operator will contact you directly with your reservation details.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
"Tortola" is derived from the Spanish word for turtle dove, "tórtola" — a name local tradition credits to Christopher Columbus, who passed the island during his second voyage to the Americas in 1493.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Tortola was a haven for pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, who used its bays and coves as hiding spots for their ships and treasure.
Established in the 1600s, Callwood Rum Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in the Caribbean, still producing rum using traditional methods — a popular stop for visitors to see how rum was made centuries ago.
Home to the highest point in the British Virgin Islands, Sage Mountain National Park offers hiking trails through lush rainforest, with stunning views of the surrounding islands and the Caribbean Sea.
Tortola boasts several beautiful beaches, including Cane Garden Bay, Smuggler's Cove and Brewer's Bay, offering excellent opportunities for snorkeling, swimming and enjoying pristine Caribbean waters.
Ranked by locals — the Tortola essentials.
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“Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands”
The British Virgin Islands comprise around 60 islands, of which only about 16 are inhabited. They were home to the Ciboney (Stone Age), then the Arawak (from South America), then the Carib people, who arrived roughly a century before Christopher Columbus. Columbus's 1493 encounter with the islands opened the way for colonization by the Spanish, French and finally the British.
In the age of sail, the islands' secret bays and hidden coves made them a haven for pirates and privateers — Tortola's own famous residents included Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, who left behind a rich history of tales of hidden treasure.
Today the primary islands of the British Virgin Islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, with Tortola serving as the territory's economic and administrative center.
A bit harder to reach — the road in is unpaved — but worth the trip. Located on Tortola's north-west tip, it's small, private and great for snorkeling.
A lovely mile-long stretch of talcum-fine white sand. A resort and guest houses sit on the east side, while the quieter western end is good for surfing and swimming.
Very popular with surfers across the British and American Virgin Islands — home to the famous Bomba Shack, a quaint surfer's bar not to miss, plus a small community and a hotel.
A popular anchorage with plenty to do — watersports, restaurants, bars and guest houses line the bay.
Lush and tropical, with a camping area and great snorkeling, plus a few beach bars to dive into.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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