Tortola

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Welcome to Tortola island on Paradise Islands. Tortola is largest and the main island of the British Virgin Islands. More than 80% of the population of the BVI live on the island of Tortola and the capital is Road Town. The island is around 24 square miles with more than 30 sheltered bays and impressive mountainous peaks in the centre.

Tortola has a very laid back feel (the first set of traffic lights were only introduced in 2001) and all visitors are made to feel welcome in a unique BVI style. The word Tortola means "land of the turtle doves" in Spanish and "road" (as in Road Town) is a nautical term meaning a sheltered place to drop anchor.

The famous Pirate Blackbeard (real name Edward Teach) made his home here at Soper's Hole for three years between 1715 and 1718.

Cane Garden Bay and Jost Van Dyke

 

Tortola has more than 70 small hotels and guest houses plus the largest bareboat fleet (700 yachts) in the Caribbean. The island a popular cruise destination and is famous for local seafood dishes seasoned with a West Indian flavour and authentic spices from a variety of eateries including beach-shacks and upmarket restaurants.
Long Bay

Road Town Shop

Long Bay

Road Town Shop

 

Since 1984 Tortola has also been an international financial centre with half a million companies registered on the island (interestingly that's nearly 20 companies for every man, woman and child living in the BVI). Suffice to say, most companies use the island simply as a registered business address.

Road Town Harbour

 

Travel, vacation, cruise and photograph guide to Tortola and the Caribbean
All text and images are Copyright Paradise Islands org 2007
Caribbean Map | BVI Aerial Photographs |
US Virgin Islands

 

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The URL of this page is:  http://www.paradise-islands.org/tortola.htm

Explore Tortola

Tortola local time

 

Road Town Tortola

Road Town

Cane Garden Bay Tortola

Cane Garden Bay

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Nanny Cay Marina

Sopers Marina Tortola

Soper's Hole

Long Bay Tortola

Long Bay

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Brandywine Bay

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View from Tortola

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