Tortola, it’s the largest and most populated island in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. It’s often the main arrival point for visitors exploring the BVI.

Quick facts

• Capital / main town: Road Town

• Highest point: Mount Sage (about 530 m / 1,740 ft)

• Size: about 56 km² (around 21.5 sq mi)

• Currency: US Dollar (USD)

• Language: English

• Driving: Left-hand side (like the UK), though many cars are left-hand drive imports

• Landscape: volcanic, mountainous, lush green hills with beaches around the coast

History note

Tortola has a strong pirate-era reputation and old Caribbean maritime history. It was also heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017, after which much of the island rebuilt.

What it’s known for

Tortola is famous for:

• Sailing and yacht charters — it’s one of the Caribbean’s best-known sailing hubs

• Beautiful beaches like Cane Garden Bay and Smuggler’s Cove

• Snorkelling and diving

• Island hopping to places like Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke

• A major financial services/offshore business sector, which is a big part of the local economy

If you’re visiting

Many cruise passengers stop there, and a popular day trip is taking a ferry to The Baths on Virgin Gorda—huge granite boulders forming natural pools and caves.

Fun detail

The name “Tortola” is commonly said to come from the Spanish word relating to “turtle dove.”