Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, is the only one that can accommodate large cruise ships. If several ships are there on the day you visit, the shops and restaurants of Tortola’s Road Harbor may already be overwhelmed by cruise ship passengers by the time you reach the dock. Don’t worry – while Tortola is worth exploring, it is also a launching point for ferry and boat service to other islands.
For example, you can catch a ferry to the island of Jost Van Dyke, said to be named for a female pirate. Check out the pristine beach at White Bay, and enjoy a seafood lunch at one of the island’s many restaurants.
On Virgin Gorda, visit Spanish Town at the island’s south end to shop for locally made arts and crafts. Spanish Town is also near The Baths National Park, where a natural collection of massive boulders causes spectacular pools and grottos to form at high tide.
Anegada Island’s flat terrain – it’s formed of coral, rather than volcanic material – offers a contrast to the rest of the British Virgin Islands. The island is protected by Horseshoe Reef, which has been the cause of more than 200 shipwrecks that are now magnets for scuba divers. Anegada also has lovely beaches, saltwater ponds, and mangrove swamps full of exotic birds.
As you island-hop in the British Virgin Islands, be sure to remember when your ship is scheduled to depart. It’s easy to lose track of time in the warmth and beauty of the islands, but you’ll need to allow enough time to get back to Road Harbor and board your ship.
For
more information on cruising the British Virgin Islands, talk with your Cruise
Holidays personal cruise expert. You can find Anita on Facebook by searching for ATTHETA.
