Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands. If visiting the BVIs, your cruise ship will likely dock in Road Town, the capital of Tortola. This mountainous island, formed by volcanic activity, offers many amazing sights of its own. However, it is also a starting point for trips out to neighboring BVIs including Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Norman Island. If your next cruise is visiting Tortola, be sure to check out our list of best things to do in Tortola on a cruise.
The 7 Best Things to Do in Tortola (2025)
1. Visit Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands, is a popular day trip from Tortola. It lies only five miles northwest of Tortola. An approximately 30-minute ferry ride from Tortola (West End) as well as private tours are available to shuttle tourists to this island paradise. If you are looking for beautiful beaches, then a visit to Jost Van Dyke should be on the top of your list.
The ferry will drop you off in Great Harbor which is a five minute walk to the lively Foxy’s Bar. This island bar is well known for its live music and beach parties.

If you want to relax on one of the top 25 beaches in the world, you should head to White Bay. While it is walkable from the ferry terminal, it is very hilly terrain, so we suggest grabbing a taxi. Some cruise line shore excursions will even bring you directly here via catamaran.
At White Bay Beach, you will find soft white sand, turquoise waters, and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. This bar is known as being the birthplace of the potent cocktail the “painkiller.”
After spending the day in Jost Van Dyke, you may never want to leave!
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $120-$160 per person
Best For: Those looking for a day on a beautiful beach
Sample Tour: Jost Van Dyke Escape
2. Explore the Baths at Virgin Gorda
Most cruisers will agree that a visit to Tortola would not be complete without exploring The Baths at Virgin Gorda. Travel to Virgin Gorda can be done via an organized shore excursion or on your own by simply taking the approximately 30-minute ferry ride to Spanish Town.
The ferry is about a 10 minute walk to the left from the cruise pier in Road Town, (Speedy’s) and offers trips over to Virgin Gorda every couple hours. Once in Spanish Town, taxis are available for a short ride to the Baths. If going on your own, be sure to coordinate the time of the return ferry trip so you don’t miss the cruise ship!

The Baths is a natural collection of giant granite boulders, sandy beaches, and sheltered sea pools and grottos formed over time from volcanic rock. The Devil’s Bay Trail guides visitors through the boulders to Devil’s Bay, where you can enjoy some snorkeling or just relax on the beautiful beach. Water shoes are encouraged for this walk. The Baths offer lockers, refreshments, and the Top of the Baths restaurant with amazing panoramic views.
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $100-$200 per person
Best For: Those who love water and beautiful natural landscapes
Sample Tour: The Baths Discovery
3. Explore the Natural Beauty of the Island
If you want to get back to nature, head over to Sage Mountain National Park. Named for its highest point, Sage Mountain measuring in at 1,716 feet, this national park was the first established in the British Virgin Islands in 1964 to preserve the remaining forest.
This park has 12 trails forming a circular route through the forest and is mostly an easy hike, offering breathtaking views of neighboring BVIs and plenty of flora and fauna to admire including mahogany trees, elephant ear vines, and tropical birds. At the entrance of the park, there is also the Mountain View Restaurant to refuel after a long day of outdoor activity.
If kayaking or paddleboarding is more your speed, consider heading out to the mangrove forest of Beef Island. The mangroves are crucial in nurturing young marine life, providing a safe area away from the dangers of the open ocean. During a paddle there, you might spot barracudas, stingrays, turtles, or even young sharks. A guided tour through these mangroves is available through multiple tour agencies.

If you’d prefer a more adventurous bird’s eye view of Tortola and the other neighboring islands, then perhaps you should book a zip line tour. The Original Virgin Canopy Tour is located a short ride outside of Road Town at the top of Johnson’s Ghut. Here, you will have amazing views as you soar over the rainforest canopy.
Tour Duration: 3-4 hours
Price Range: $125-$150 per person
Best For: Those who love hiking and nature
Sample Tour: Sage Mountain Hike and Beach Break
4. Make it a Beach Day
No visit to a Caribbean island should be complete until spending some time relaxing on the beach. Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay are the two most recommended beaches on Tortola.
Cane Garden Bay, on the north side of Tortola, is the busiest beach strip on the island. It offers plenty of sand, sun, and generally calm waters at no cost. There are plenty of amenities at Cane Garden Bay including several beach bars and restaurants, chair rentals (at Myett’s, among others), and water sport rentals sure to please cruisers of all ages.

If you are looking for a quieter scene, Brewers Bay is just north of Cane Garden Bay. It too offers a great sandy beach, Nicole’s beach bar where chair rentals are available, and great snorkeling.
If you head west on the island, Long Bay Beach is another popular cruiser destination as is Smuggler’s Cove. Smuggler’s Cove offers another great snorkeling location on Tortola and a nice spot to relax without all the crowds. It is a bit more off the beaten path though, consisting of some unpaved and bumpy roads.
If you’d prefer to get a bit more adventurous, you can book a snorkeling tour to the uninhabited Norman Island. Here, you can explore the caves and maybe even do some treasure hunting.
Tour Duration: 3-4 hours
Price Range: $60-$80 per person
Best For: Those looking for a day of sand and surf
Sample Tour: Tortola Beach Day

5. Take an Island Tour
Taking a scenic drive through Tortola to marvel at the island’s lush landscape and beautiful coastline is another top item on our list of the best things to do in Tortola on a cruise. As you journey through Road Town, along Ridge Road which is the “central spine” of the island or along the coast on Sir Francis Drakes Highway, there are scenic stops and photo opportunities with panoramic vistas of neighboring islands.

The Callwood Distillery, located near Cane Garden Bay, is the world’s longest continuously running distillery. You can enjoy a tour of the facilities and sample the different types of rum distilled onsite for a nominal fee.

Soper’s Hole Marina on the west end of Tortola used to be a great stop for some leisurely shopping, food, and drink.
Tour Duration: 2.5-4 hours
Price Range: $90-$130 per person
Best For: Those who are new to Tortola or just want an overview tour of the island
Sample Tour: Scenic Tortola and Cane Garden Bay Beach Break
6. Go sailing and snorkeling
When in the Caribbean, there’s not much better than heading out on a boating and snorkeling adventure. Many snorkeling trips in Tortola include a visit to the uninhabited Norman Island, which inspired the setting of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel “Treasure Island.” There, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel amongst fish and sea turtles. Some tours, including the one linked below, also includes a visit to the waters of Peter Island.
Your 50-foot catamaran will also visit Pirate’s Bight, a beachfront restaurant where you can dine, drink, swim, and walk along the beach. With a mix of sailing, snorkeling, and eating, taking a snorkel catamaran excursion is a great way to discover Tortola.
Tour Duration: 4-7 hours
Price Range: $100-$250 per person
Best For: Those who love snorkeling and swimming
Sample Tour: Tortola Catamaran Sail and Snorkel
7. Visit the botanical garden
If you love lush gardens and serene outdoor spaces, you might consider a visit to J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens during your port day in Tortola. Established in 1979 and named after the first chairman of the National Park’s Trust — Joseph Reynold O’Neal — the gardens represent different habitats of the British Virgin Islands including the coast, the rainforest, and dry forests. The gardens have a collection of exotic plant species and an extensive variety of palms. An important fixture in the fight against extinction, the gardens also feature a nursery for endangered species of flora found within the BVI.
The botanical garden is located right in downtown Road Town, a quick 20-minute walk or five-minute drive from the cruise port.
Tour Duration: 2-3 hours
Price Range: The entrance fees for the botanical garden are $2 for children and $3 for adults
Best For: Nature lovers who want a more slow-paced and laid-back port day
Sample Tour: Express Highlights of Fahie Hills, Botanical Garden, and Beach Stop
Tortola Frequently Asked Questions
Where do cruise ships dock in Tortola?
Cruise ships dock right in the heart of the capital of Tortola — Road Town. The cruise pier is located right in Baughers Bay, with many restaurants, bars, and shops located nearby.
How long do cruise ships typically stay in Tortola?
Cruise ships typically dock in Tortola for eight to 10 hours, though exact timeframes vary depending on your specific ship and itinerary. This provides plenty of time to do one longer excursion, or a shorter one along with time to explore Road Town before returning to the ship.
How far is the beach from the Tortola cruise port?
While downtown Road Town is easily walkable from the cruise port, the beaches are a bit further away. The nearest beach, Cane Garden Bay, is about five miles from the port area. Your best bet is to catch a taxi or take a shore excursion that includes a beach visit.
How do you get to The Baths from the Tortola cruise port?
To get to The Baths at Virgin Gorda from Tortola, you can either take an organized shore excursion that includes a boat ride over to the island, or catch the ferry to the Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda on your own. Speedy’s Ferries leaves from the Road Town Ferry Terminal, which is located just a short walk from the cruise terminal. If you take the ferry on your own to Spanish Town, you’ll then need to take a taxi to The Baths — it’s about a 10 minute drive.
Comments on What to Do in Tortola
Have you visited the British Virgin Island of Tortola? Are we missing any tours or excursions on our list? Drop us an anchor below and tell us your best ideas on what to do in Tortola during a cruise.
1 comment
Judith Schulz
What forms of payment is best when souvenir shopping and the local restaurants?