About an hour’s ferry ride from Charlotte Amalie is Tortola, an island in the British Virgin Islands. If you make this crossing, bring your passport – you will need it to enter the country (which is a fairly smooth quick process). You disembark in Road Town – a colorful community (largest on the island) originally perched on the edges of the steep hillsides which drop down into the water. However, much of the town is now situated on what was the prior bay – landfill was added and now the town is rather flat. This main part of town is called Wickham’s Cay and boasts a number of shops and restaurants.
Once you’ve had your fill of Road Town hire a taxi (they are plentiful at the taxi stop near where you disembarked) to take you the approximately 20 minutes to Cane Garden Bay a part of the island the boasts stunning waters and scenery. It is a popular stop with ‘yachties’ and those wanting to whittle away their hours sun bathing. A number of restaurants and bars are located right next to the beach. If this is to busy for you – simply walk further down the beach to where square footage of sand dominates, rather than the beach chairs.
The last active rum distillery on the island is located here (Callwood Distillery). It dates back to the mid 1700’s and has been owned by the same family since the late 1800’s.
And if you still want to get away even further consider a ride to the neighboring bay (about a 15 minute taxi drive) – Brewers Bay. Only one restaurant and a tiny bar on the opposite end of the beach are located here – and much fewer people.
For more information about Tortola, visit: www.bvitourism.com/tortola
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