City guide

Tortola

Tortola is the largest and most populated island of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. 7 square kilometres with a total population of 23,908, with 9,400 residents in Road Town.

Type IslandPopulation 23,908

Why go

  • Largest of the British Virgin Islands.

History

Tortola is the largest and most populated island of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. It has a surface area of 55.7 square kilometres with a total population of 23,908, with 9,400 residents in Road Town. Mount Sage is its highest point at 530 metres above sea level.

Restaurants & places to go

Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu - Su 18:00 - 23:00 · facebook.com
Indoor

36 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) 37 km to the centre
Charlotte Amalie, ST, VI — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 15 airlines (TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları, American Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways…) · direct flights to 18 destinations incl. San Juan, New York, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 15 airlines, 18 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) 11 km to the centre
Beef Island, U, VG — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 7 airlines (TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları, BVI Airways, Cape Air, American Airlines…) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Philipsburg, San Juan, Dominica, St. Thomas, Charlestown (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 7 airlines, 5 direct destinations
  • TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları YI (CNT) · 4 routes: Charlestown, Dominica, Philipsburg, St. Thomas
  • BVI Airways XV (J32) · 2 routes: Dominica, Philipsburg
  • Cape Air 9K (CNA) · 2 routes: San Juan, St. Thomas
  • American Airlines AA (Saab 340) · 1 route: San Juan
  • Leeward Islands Air Transport LI (ATR 72, Dash 8-300, AT4) · 1 route: Philipsburg
  • Seaborne Airlines BB (Saab 340) · 1 route: San Juan
  • Windward Islands Airways WM (DHT) · 1 route: Philipsburg

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) 22 km to the centre
Spanish Town, U, VG — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 4 airlines (American Airlines, Cape Air, Seaborne Airlines, TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. San Juan, St. Thomas (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 4 airlines, 2 direct destinations
  • American Airlines AA (DHT) · 1 route: San Juan
  • Cape Air 9K (BNI) · 1 route: San Juan
  • Seaborne Airlines BB (DHT) · 1 route: San Juan
  • TUR Avrupa Hava Yolları YI (CNT) · 1 route: St. Thomas

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Road Town Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 2.2 km from the centre
Outdoor
West End Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 7.8 km from the centre
Outdoor
Great Harbour Ferry Dock
Ferry terminal · 12 km from the centre
Outdoor
Victor William Sewer Marine Facility
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Outdoor
Loredon L. Boynes Senior Dock
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Outdoor
Theovald Eric Moorehead Dock and Terminal
Ferry terminal · 19 km from the centre
Outdoor
West End, Tortola - Road Town, Tortola
Ferry route
Outdoor
Cruz Bay, Saint John - Spanish Town, Virign Gorda
Ferry route · Inter Island Boat Services
Outdoor
Peter Island Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Hannah Bay, Tortola - Pirates Bight, Norman Island
Ferry route · Pirates Bight Restaurant
Outdoor
Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas - Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda
Ferry route · Speedy's Ferry
Outdoor
West End, Tortola - Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
Ferry route · New Horizon Ferry Service
Outdoor
Trellis Bay, Beef Island - The Last Resort, Bellamy Cay
Ferry route · The Last Resort
Outdoor
Road Town, Tortola - Red Hook, Saint Thomas
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. We do not yet hold airport or rail details for Tortola — check the official tourism sources below for the best routes in. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Road Town Ferry Terminal, 2.2 km); routes include West End, Tortola - Road Town, Tortola, Cruz Bay, Saint John - Spanish Town, Virign Gorda, Peter Island Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Tortola. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Tours & experiences