Vacation is a big deal. We work hard so that every once in awhile, we can escape to somewhere that we dream about, a place where when we are gray and can stop working, we fantasize packing our bags and not looking back. Yelling from the top of our lungs, “NOT MY PROBLEM!” to the mounds of things that are currently your problem.
Yeah, me too. My confession, I was eager to escape another cold Midwest winter but not so excited about Tortola. Years ago, we had chartered a catamaran with friends and set out to tour the British Virgin Islands leaving from Tortola . On that trip, we saw some really cool things, Tortola wasn’t one of them.
This time, we flew into St. Maarten (it was cheaper) and took the ferry over to Tortola. I was shocked by how beautiful Tortola is, my teenage nephew looked over at me and said, “Where we live sucks”. I replied with a firm, “WORD!”. It does in the winter, if you are a lover of sand, water, and sunshine.But you know what doesn’t suck at all? TORTOLA.My previous trip, I had a small glimpse of town and the marina. I had missed A LOT.
We decided immediately to drive around and explore the island. We came upon Stoutt’s Look Out and it was here that I got a whole new view of Tortola and the kids got a pretty sweet virgin frozen drinks. (Yes, we technically had the kids in bar but they loved it! And, we were on VACATION.)
#1) Take the kids to Stoutt’s, it is a bar with a heart and more important a killer view. The owner was very friendly and was more than happy to whip up some virgin drinks for the children and tell us where we needed to take them that was the non-bar variety.
2) Head to Cane Garden Beach- Get a boogie board and enjoy the decent size waves. Then, have lunch at one of the restaurants along the beach. In the evening, head to the Sugar Mill to watch the sunset and have an incredible dinner.
3) Head to D’ Best Cup Cafe in Road Town for breakfast and then take a drive out towards the airport to Trellis Bay Market (You may have stopped for these guys). When you arrive, get ready to break out your inner spy skills. In the middle of Trellis Bay Market (the ocean side), you will find a phone (I’m serious), pick up the phone and a little boat will come by and take you to Bellamy Cay. It’s a tiny island named after the pirate, Black Sam Bellamy. It is on the island you will discover The Island Last Resort restaurant, Eat, Play, and Enjoy!
4) Head to Smuggler’s Cove to snorkel- The water is extremely calm making it perfect for snorkeling and for people with small children. It is also perfect for those that can do without the restaurants and bars on the beach.
In the evening (or for lunch), head to nice dinner at the Bananakeet Cafe. There is a pool in the center of the restaurant that you can use if you have easily bored children or don’t enjoy your dinner companions. Also, it was the best place to take in both the incredible sunset and mountain views.
5) Go hike around Sage Mountain National Park. It is a nice, easy hike with great views. Afterwards head to the Mountain View restaurant, it’s not fancy (at all) but go meet Jim. What would you expect to find on top of Sage Mountain in Tortola? If it’s an entertaining Englishmen named Jim, who is the self proclaimed “Best Banana Smoothie Maker”, you would be right.
Afterwards, you are probably feeling a little famished or maybe a lot famished. I have the place for you, Pusser’s. So, they have been making Rum since 1665 but I say they should be known for a far greater creation, “The Great Dog”. Yes, it is the largest deep friend hot dog that probably is in existence and available at both Pusser’s locations on the island. We know, we ordered it at both. How could we not?
If you are not the Great Dog type, I’ll admit I am not, you should order anything that you can pile on their hot sauce, it’s delicious. We brought several bottles home. And, the lobster sandwich is delicious, too.
6) Grab the ferry in town and head over to The Baths in Virgin Gorda. You will see strange things like a teenager smiling. And, it’s beautiful! We had the best time climbing around the rocks and swimming in the clearest water. Then, we headed to the restaurant for lunch and listened to the band while some of us took a dip in the pool.
7) You have hiked, you have snorkeled, you have waited for a herd of goats to cross the street, now it’s time for Peter’s Island. Go to town and catch the short ferry over and grab a hammock and a frozen cocktail while the children paddleboard, play volleyball, or basketball. Or better yet sneak off to their spa.
Here are my secrets to save your precious time on this beautiful island. So RELAX and enjoy Tortola.
A MONTH AWAY & Some shorter stays 