Tortola - Why go there?

[Giorgi-one]

I was on Zuiderdamcruise last July which stopped at Tortola. We walked off the ship to Road Town immediatly turned back and had another "fun day at sea" which was OK with me. Now, I am reading that Cane Garden Bay is polluted by private ships discharging waste offshore. So, except for Virgin Gorda, what is the point of stopping at Tortola? Why not stop at Virgin Gorda?

[dexter]

From our one visit to Tortola I ask the same question. Why go there?
Maybe we just didn't go to the right places, but on our taxi ride from the dock to Pusser's landing we saw nothing but litter, rock quarries, and general disarray. Downtown was filthy and there was very little to offer anyone.
I'd rather stay longer at St Thomas or St John.

[gizmo]

I was on Zuiderdamcruise last July which stopped at Tortola. We walked off the ship to Road Town immediatly turned back and had another "fun day at sea" which was OK with me. Now, I am reading that Cane Garden Bay is polluted by private ships discharging waste offshore. So, except for Virgin Gorda, what is the point of stopping at Tortola? Why not stop at Virgin Gorda?
Maybe Virgin Gorda does not want the ships. ?????

About 2 years ago Hal sent out a survey asking about Tortola. Maybe they received a lot of positive feedback from people wanting to stop there. I answered yes I would like to stop there, since I haven't seen that island.

[Giorgi-one]

Maybe Virgin Gorda does not want the ships. ?????

About 2 years ago Hal sent out a survey asking about Tortola. Maybe they received a lot of positive feedback from people wanting to stop there. I answered yes I would like to stop there, since I haven't seen that island.

Then it's your fault!

Just kidding.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Actually, Tortola is a magnificent island. I know people (in fact my brother and his wife) who go there every year for a month!!! They absolutely love it. There are many lovely resorts as well. Like anything else, it's what you choose to do on the island.

While it would be nice to step off the ship into Paradise (you can do this in Hamilton, Bermuda IMHO, Bora Bora, Moorea and a few other heavenly spots), for the most part the ports themselves are just not that terrific. After all, they're ports!!!

You have to engage in what each island has to offer. So I think if you venture out in Tortola, beyond Cane Garden Bay and other overvisited areas, you will find a beautiful island ... one you can enjoy a lot more than some others I could name but I won't;). JMHO:)

[RichardK]

I found the harbor to be beautiful; the Pusser's Poison Painkiller Rum Punch #3 to be wonderful; the little "straw market" interesting; the people friendly; especially nice since the island does not seem to be overcrowded (e.g., St. Thomas)........

If Tortola was on my itinerary again, it would be a port-of-call I'd look forward to!! But then again this is all just one man's opinion.

[Krazy Kruizers]

A couple of years ago we noticed that HAL was going to Tortola instead of St Thomas.

DH called the Seattle offices and asked why the switch. He was told that a lot of older people in wheel chairs and using canes didn't like crowded St Thomas. So they started to go to Tortola. When he asked the person on the other end of the line if he had ever been there, the reply was no.

Other a ferry ride to the Baths, Pusser's store, a few venders, there isn't much there. The first time we stopped there was in 1989 and the island hasn't changed much since then.

When we stopped there last March, the winds were high and it was just one big dust bowl.

[ekerr19]

I liked it - it must be me... DH & I both thought it was quite lovely. I'd prefer it over St. Croix, where we stopped on our cruise on the Veendam. I understand St. Croix is trying to lure cruise ships back, but I hope it will a long time before HAL ports there again.

St. Thomas used to be fun, but I don't like it that much anymore. It is way too crowded for my taste.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Please believe when I tell you that I'm honest not being sarcastic, but I truly would love to know what people mean (and it isn't just KK) when they say "there isn't much there". What is the "much" you're all looking for? These are all tropical islands with a lot of poverty and some beautiful beaches. They are not historical sites.

I know I'm a bit different and I really don't go on a cruise for the ports ... in fact for me the more days at sea the better. That's why I so enjoy HMC (up until soon) ... it's been just a beach.

Some of my favorite people are saying this so I mean it when I say I'm not being sarcastic ... I really would like to know what you get on islands like Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and others that you don't find on Tortola.

If it's shopping for tanzanite and black pearls, etc., then I get it. Otherwise, please post!!!:D Thanks.

[Giorgi-one]

Heather:

Like you I am not being sarcastic. We also like days at sea and are not interested in shopping. "Downtown" area in Tortola looks like a slum. Not like St. Thomas, St. Marten, Cozumel and many other islands where you can browse thru stores even if you are not a big shopper. Now I find out that the water at Cane Garden Bay is contamined from pleasure boats dumping their toilet waste overboard. So again, why go there? There may be some nice resorts, but can we use them from the cruise ship? Are there beaches for snorkeling? I am not being negative, just trying to find out where to go if I missed something. Everyone seems to recommend going to Virgin Gorda, so that is why I suggested that as a port (probably a tender port).

[gizmo]

Then it's your fault!

Just kidding.
Guilty as charged !!! :D :D :D

[dakrewser]

Please believe when I tell you that I'm honest not being sarcastic, but I truly would love to know what people mean (and it isn't just KK) when they say "there isn't much there". What is the "much" you're all looking for? These are all tropical islands with a lot of poverty and some beautiful beaches. They are not historical sites.

Well, everyplace has history. The question is do the locals do anything about it. Since it's reported here that the Tortola beaches aren't that good, I would think that the island's government is just starting to try to attract cruise business and hasn't had the opportunity to spend money on development yet. It's a "chicken and egg" problem.

Many people like "undeveloped" areas (such as Dominica). Many like glitzy tourist services (Nassau). But Tortola seems to have neither.

Still, like you, I consider the ship to be the destination when cruising the Caribbean.

-dave

[cusyl]

When we visited there on the Zuiderdam there was live music as we walked off the pier, I always appreciate that.
Road Town is a short walk along the waters edge from the ship. There is a quaint little shopping area with roosters walking around. There was one nice jewelry shop and I bought something there. My husband walked up the hill to a shop that sold spices.
Basically though, next time I would stay on the ship....we just never had been there before.

[Keith Rita]

We just treat ports we don't care to visit again as sea days without the motion and the crowds. http://ourworld.cs.com/KsmithCCI/boat.gif Nothing against the ports, most have something to offer.http://ourworld.cs.com/KsmithCCI/thumbsup.gifhttp://ourworld.cs.com/KsmithCCI/thumbsup.gif

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather:

Like you I am not being sarcastic. We also like days at sea and are not interested in shopping. "Downtown" area in Tortola looks like a slum. Not like St. Thomas, St. Marten, Cozumel and many other islands where you can browse thru stores even if you are not a big shopper. Now I find out that the water at Cane Garden Bay is contamined from pleasure boats dumping their toilet waste overboard. So again, why go there? There may be some nice resorts, but can we use them from the cruise ship? Are there beaches for snorkeling? I am not being negative, just trying to find out where to go if I missed something. Everyone seems to recommend going to Virgin Gorda, so that is why I suggested that as a port (probably a tender port).First, we don't know for sure about the beach problem. The first I heard of it was on this Board. I believed it to be so when I saw HAL had eliminated the Beach Day at Cane Garden. But on reading their tours more closely I saw that the beach is included on a tour or two after all. So, like everything else, I take this information about Cane Garden as input but not the final say.

There are beautiful Beaches on Tortola you're wecome to visit. You have only to go to one of the BVI or Tortola websites to see them all.
I admit browsing thru stores and seeing the same things over and over just isn't my cup of tea so I can't be objective in that department.

Everyone seems to think St. Thomas is such a "jewel". It once was, in my opinion it is no longer. Safety is a big factor there now. Again, this is from what I have been told.

And I also need to mention Jamaica. Try wandering very far from the ship there and see what happens. I don't know how Grenada is now, but when I was there and went to Grand Anse Beach there were men with rifles patrolling the beach. This was also true when I was in Barbados though that may have changed since we were there. Each of these islands has their own problems, that's all I was saying.

I am not a huge Tortola fan, but I think to go there for a day is preferable to going to St. Thomas. It's really just an opinion and I respect everyone else's as well because it's a personal taste kind of thing. I just wondered what "nothing to offer" meant when it certainly has the blue sea, the azure sky, the fine sand and the warm sunshine. For winding down, that's all I need:)

[michmike]

Book a day sail or a snorkeling charter.. lots of options in Tortola .... or go over to Peter Island for the day.. or go horseback riding (shadow stables 284-494-2262)... get a day pass to the long bay beach resort... head out to smuggler's cove beach.. as someone else said, it's what you make of it.. sure wouldn't want anyone to judge michigan based on an 8 hr stay in Detroit. We enjoyed our stop in Tortola in Jan and are looking forward to going back next month on Volendam

[Melianne]

From my limited experiences, I have found that visits to the islands are what you make of them. The key for us has been doing some research.

The internet provides TONS of info on what to do on the islands, and I like to use Frommers because of the out-of-the-way suggestions that are presented. (If it wasn't for Frommers, I never would have found Crane Beach on Barbados, and that was the most spectacular place I've ever seen!) Re: Tortola, I have bookmarked this website:
http://www.b-v-i.com/NorthCoast/default.htm#Long%20Bay

The only island in the Caribbean we didn't enjoy was Curacao. But the port/harbor (at least where we were docked) was in the middle of an oil refinery, AND (most importantly) we didn't plan our day and do up front research. All of our travel-mates loved the island, so I think the problem was with us.

So, maybe I'm crazy, but I'm looking forward to Tortola. I've never been there, so I can't be certain I'll like it, but we have enjoyed exploring the Caribbean and we're excited to find out what Tortola has to offer. We're hoping to find a picturesque little beach somewhere on the island and create a memory.

[Melianne]

Just had to put my two cents in -- there's a lot to see and to do there. Besides, it's only 45 minutes away from my beloved Ann Arbor, which was our home for 20 years before heading south.

[michmike]

Melianne - Ann Arbor is enemy territory for us Spartan fans.. even though my black sheep brother does live there.. you ever been to dinner at Pearl's Elegant Pelican down in your neck of the woods? Loved their complimentary hush puppies that they bring to the table as you order. Check out the long bay beach resort web site www.longbay.com Might be just the place you are looking for

[Giorgi-one]

Michmike & Melianne:

Thanks for the tips. How do I get a day pass to long bay beach resort?

[Little Feet]

I am stunned by the remarks on this thread. Tortola is developing....the downtown is not a "slum". We live south of Detroit and see slum on a regular basis. It is what native undeveloped islands look like! No neon, no casinos, no glitz. It does have a rich history, a mountain rainforest-like park with trails, botanical/medicinal gardens, pleasant & friendly natives, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, clear water (other than at Cane Garden Bay), wonderful local restaurants (Mrs. Scatliffes!), mountain top vistas that offer grand views of the surrounding islands, Speedy's Ferry Service (best on the island), Painkillers, Full Moon Parties, the sound of goats, sheep, and roosters at dawn. Just writing this makes me long to be there. I have only stayed on Tortola 3 times, but can't wait to return for a week in February. This is life in the slow lane, and it is my definition of paradise.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I am stunned by the remarks on this thread. Tortola is developing....the downtown is not a "slum". We live south of Detroit and see slum on a regular basis. It is what native undeveloped islands look like! No neon, no casinos, no glitz. It does have a rich history, a mountain rainforest-like park with trails, botanical/medicinal gardens, pleasant & friendly natives, beautiful beaches, coral reefs, clear water (other than at Cane Garden Bay), wonderful local restaurants (Mrs. Scatliffes!), mountain top vistas that offer grand views of the surrounding islands, Speedy's Ferry Service (best on the island), Painkillers, Full Moon Parties, the sound of goats, sheep, and roosters at dawn. Just writing this makes me long to be there. I have only stayed on Tortola 3 times, but can't wait to return for a week in February. This is life in the slow lane, and it is my definition of paradise.
Little Feet, thank you so much for this wonderful, eloquent post. Your thoughts just add further support to my feeling that if you're sitting beneath the blue domed sky on a sandy beach with the turquoise water draped around you, what can there possibly be to complain about:) ?

[billymon]

Check out Brewers Bay in Tortola - it is heaven! Make sure you get back in time for some "painkillers" @ Pusser's before getting back on the ship. Tortola is a treat!

[Melianne]

...yes, we've been to Pearl's a few times - good food, lovely view. But since we live on the east side of Savannah on a barrier island, it's a LONG drive - we usuallly just stick to the beach restaurants. Many of those have comp hush puppies, too.

Thanks for the tip on Long Bay. Looks like paradise.

It's been my experience that a pass is not needed to enter hotels/beach areas for the day. I'm assuming Long Bay is the same...just as long as you buy food and drinks, right?

[ron46936]

We've only been to Tortola once and indeed found the town not too great. But we also had a tour of the island by taxi which we thoroughly enjoyed. The views from the mountain tops are outstanding. We also saw a lengthy cement retaining wall on which local artists had painted a mural showing the history and heritage of the island.

[dexter]

I guess my wife and I visited Tortola on a bad day. Maybe we caught the locals by surprise and they didn't have time to clean the litter up out of the streets and in the shrubbery. I had a conversation with a local at St. John about Road Town and he said the people there had let crime go unpunished too long and things were deteriorating. He said the people at Road Town had no pride in their port. Now that was him saying that, not me. I'm sure there are places on the island that are beautiful, but we didn't see them.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I guess my wife and I visited Tortola on a bad day. Maybe we caught the locals by surprise and they didn't have time to clean the litter up out of the streets and in the shrubbery. I had a conversation with a local at St. John about Road Town and he said the people there had let crime go unpunished too long and things were deteriorating. He said the people at Road Town had no pride in their port. Now that was him saying that, not me. I'm sure there are places on the island that are beautiful, but we didn't see them.
I really don't know why I'm defending Tortola, but I'm afraid what a guy says on St. John about Tortola really doesn't wash with me. St. John is a United States Virgin Island and has long been a National Park ... they are hardly in the same league. I could do an comparable analogy but I'd be sure to insult someone so I won't;)

[oceanlov1]

we were in tortola in august when they were having their national holiday. could hardly get to the ferry for all the partying in the streets. i did not judge the port from that experience. it was an adventure! which i love.
we took the ferry to the baths which were fantastic. the snorkeling was great. can't wait to go back there and snorkel more, it was that good.

[michmike]

haven't been to long bay myself . so can't say.. but I would imagine you could call or e-mail them. did you check out the pics on the left side of their web site? one area you can click on that has their pics and another that has pics from past guests.. just gorgeous..

[sandytoesrose]

I loved both of my visits to Tortola; once to snorkel at Smuggler's Cove and last January took HAL's excursion to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. Tortola appeals to beach lovers - don't go there expecting to shop or see their town, you will be disappointed. Tortola appeals to nature lover's, don't expect to find St. Thomas or San Juan.

[MandyGirl]

For us, the chance to see Tortola (and Virgin Gorda) was one reason for booking Zuiderdam this November. We see cruises as an opportunity to learn about ports/islands in the months leading up to a cruise, and have one brief moment in time to see the island firsthand on the cruise. The prior research and brief time in port give us an idea of if we would like to return for a land vacation. We appreciate these opportunities to try out the different ports such as Tortola.

If we don't like a port, we can just return at our convenience to a beautiful ship and enjoy it without the crowds... AND we've learned if we do or do NOT want to visit the island in the future (could have saved us thousands of dollars).

I believe at one time there was a HAL ship that would spend a day anchored off of St John to tender passengers there for the day? I could EASILY spend a day at St Thomas and a day anchored off St John. Heck, I'd probably just spend both days on St John!!:)

[mayesd]

I've been to Tortola many times but primarilly for sailing. I agree there isn't much on the island. We were in Cane Garden Bay last April and I didn't see any pollution. There weren't any ships in at the time and not very crowded. I personally enjoy St. Martin more. But Paridise is Paridise...Donald

[Vale]

To Mitchmike
Have you ever been to Peter Island?

[michmike]

No I haven't, but have a good friend who worked there for a year and says it is very nice. It's owned by the Amway folks. Web site is www.peterisland.com You could probably e-mail them and ask about day pass, ferry arrangements etc.

[Vale]

To Michmike: Have you ever been to Peter Island??

[OCruisers]

Tortola -- Why go there?

Someone really thinks all of us should go to The Baths of Virgin Gorda Before We Die!!! :D

In the book, 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, The Baths is listed as one of the places. The best way for cruisers to do this in on a port stop in Tortola. On this thread you'll find comments from the book and a wonderful map of The Baths (I'm in love with that map :rolleyes: ):

The Baths w/map, etc. (Click Here) (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=55426)

We love Tortola!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[shipgirl56]

I have to say that Tortola was one of my favorite spots - was just there on 10/14.

We took the ferry to Virgin Gorda to the Baths and hiked over several coves. We had the place to ourselves.

We had a great lunch of BBQ Jerked Chicken at the restaurant at the top of the baths. It was the best day of our cruise. We don't like shopping, crowds, bars, resorts, so it was nice to have a variety of stops.

[Himself]

The cruise ship has contracted to stop there. I will make my first stop there next month.

Himself