The West end of Tortola
Though raining in winter is usual in these islands, it isn’t cold, and the sun shines through the clouds, and sometimes, raindrops fall onto the hot land. During summer, the islands have an exotic shape, with green predominant. Houses appear covered by bougainvilleas, and gardens are full of red hibiscus. At 13 km. west of Road Town, is Soper’s Hole, with its sporting port, Pusser’s bar, galleries and shops in perfect harmony with nature. From this point ferries depart towards the US Virgin Islands and Jost Van Dyke, 8 km. away. Next to the dock is an inn called Jolly Roger Inn, where a couple of women prepare delicious Caribbean food.

All beaches are public. Following the uphill road that leads to Zion hill, you’ll find some of them next to the elegant hotels of Long Bay. To the west, a road full of potholes, takes you to Smuggler’s Cove, a beautiful cove with white sands, sunshine and ideal for snorkeling- at the western end is Steele Point.

Trophies and Shells
In Apple Bay is Bomba’s Shack, a place full of food stands and drinks, with lots of souvenirs hanging on their old walls. This corner of the island is the most known among the night recreation zones- The “full moon parties” and reggae nights can be an interesting experience. Between the barbecue smoke, hips never stop moving, so fun is guaranteed.

Not far away, in Carrot Bay, is the North Shore Shell Museum Bar & Restaurant, where you can take a drink or eat some of the typical local food (snails, lobsters), before going into the museum hosting local handicraft and a wide collection of seashells.

The Wonderful Panoramic Sight of Mount Sage
Going to Cane Garden, the coast highway climbs along a mountainous zone, with spectacular views, before reaching the Mount Sage National Park, a protected place, where you can still find tropical woods that survive the massive cutting down, that took place during the plantations era.

Rum has a very special place in the British Virgin Islands, though currently most of it comes from other islands. There was a time when in Cane Garden Bay, used to be up to seven companies dedicated to rum production: now, only the Callwood Distillery produces the Arundel, more than 200 years old (open from Monday to Friday, free entrance). According to its owner, Michael Callwood, the secret is that this rum is prepared directly from the sugar cane juice.

At the harbor in front of these distilleries, is one of the best beaches of the Virgin Islands, where you can rent parasols and beach chairs, and enjoy the sea. At sunset the reggae bands start to play at the bars next to the beach. Going north is the Brewer harbor, where the sand is darker, a typical rural region, so don’t be surprised if you see a cow walking by the beach. Following the steep road you reach Skyworld, an extraordinary look out, from where you have a great 360° panorama, allowing you to see Road Town, the closest hills, and some of the neighboring islands. It’s a great place for a picnic before visiting Long Swamp and East End, 11 km. away. North of both populations is Lambert beach, a recently built resort, where you can enjoy sitting in the bar’s terrace having a drink, and observing the beauty of the white sands and palm trees.

From East End you can go to the island of Beef, thanks to Queen Elizabeth’s bridge. Nearby is Marina Cay, a little island of only 2 ha. and an altitude slightly superior to that of the coral that surrounds it, producing a feeling that any moment is going to disappear beneath a huge wave. East from the international airport is Trellis Bay, a place much loved by wind surfers, and where you can take a ferry, up to ten daily, in a five minutes tour freely. Robb White, the author, owned this place once, and some of his books are related to this island. The film “Two on the island”, starring Sidney Poitier, in the l950’s, was based on his book “Our Virgin Island”.

Currently the owner is Pusser’s company, and has transformed it in a tourism center, where water sports like snorkeling, submarine safaris, fishing, and others, can be practiced.