Road Town, Tortola

Take a drive through the bustling capital of Road Town and up to Lower Estate. Continue to Great Mountain along the Ridge Road, where you will have stunning views of the surrounding British Virgin Islands. The white shores and myriad of blue and green waters are a photographer’s delight. Wend your way to Cane Garden Bay, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and browse Olivia’s Corner Store for some unique gift items.

Take the winding, picturesque route past Carrot Bay and Capoons Bay leading to Pusser’s Landing. Peruse the quaint boutiques and shops and capture pictures of this colourful marina. Alternatively, you may like to indulge in a famous ‘Pusser’s Punch’ at a nearby bar or simply relax and watch the world go by.

After your leisure time at Pusser’s Landing, you will return to the ship via the scenic Sir Francis Drake’s Highway.

Note: This tour involves approximately 45 minutes of walking, including some steps. The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus.

Traverse one of the island’s highest peaks along the Ridge Road to capture stunning views over Tortola and the outlying islands, which pepper the blue ocean with their golden surrounds.

The most popular beach on the island, Cane Garden Bay, has a picturesque white, sandy beach with shady palms. Cane Garden Bay is considered to be one of Tortola's finest beaches; decide for yourself as you spend some time here. Swim in the crystal clear waters, stroll along the spectacular sandy beach or just relax and enjoy the scenery.

From Road Town, your scenic drive takes you up to Fort Hill along the Ridge Road passing the villages of Belle Vue, Long Trench and Fahie Hill. The return journey will be along another scenic route, via Doty High Road and Joe's Hill, offering bird's-eye views of Road Town Harbour.

Note: Bathrooms and changing facilities are limited. Guests are reminded to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen. The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus. This tour involves very little walking but guests must be able to negotiate some steps. Before you book this excursion you must refer to the ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraph under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Pass through the main streets of Road Town en route to the ‘Sunday Morning Well’, the site of the emancipation of slaves in the British Virgin Islands. From here, you will continue to Kingston Church, which served as the island’s Anglican church and school in 1807.

Heading east, your drive will take you to Stout College to the overlook of Josiah’s Bay Ruins, a former sugar mill. You will continue along the shore road and onto the Callwood Rum Distillery, located within the scenic Cane Garden Bay area. Some of the original buildings are still in use and rum continues to be made and sold.

The highlight of your tour will be a visit to the beautiful Government House Museum. The House is a national landmark and was the seat of local government until 1987. This gracious building now displays a lovely collection of items from Tortola's past.

Afterwards, you will take the short drive back to the port.

Note: There will be approximately 20 minutes of walking during this tour including some steps and uneven surfaces. Flat, comfortable shoes are recommended. The visit to Government House will be unguided. The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus.

Setting sail from Road Town, you will cross the Sir Francis Drake Channel towards one of the nearby islands. Enjoy hearing tales of this historic waterway as you make your way to the snorkel stop at Peter or Norman Island.

Experience the beauty of the deep with some wonderful snorkelling, where colourful schools of Yellow Tails and Sergeant Majors can be seen amongst the varied coral formations. If snorkelling is not for you, you can simply swim in the crystal clear waters or relax on deck.

Afterwards, you will sail around to the beach where you can relax on the golden sand or enjoy some more snorkelling and swimming time.

During your sail, fruit punch refreshments will be served on board, with rum punch available on the return.

Note: Snorkel equipment is included. Please remember your swimwear, sunscreen and a towel. Depending on sea swells, an alternative anchorage may be used. Please refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages prior to any swimming activities. The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus. Before you book this excursion you must refer to the ‘Activity Excursion’ and ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraphs under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Take a 40-minute motor-launch crossing to the island of Virgin Gorda, named the ‘Fat Virgin’ by Columbus in 1493.

After a short bus ride, you will reach the 500-yard trail taking you down to the stunning secluded beaches. The rock formations were created by volcanic activity, resulting in huge boulders being stacked one upon another. The massive boulders now form beautiful isolated beaches, small grottos and natural pools for you to explore. The pools and ocean floor are carpeted with the softest, whitest sand - a natural phenomenon.

The waters of Virgin Gorda are excellent for swimming and snorkelling; however there can sometimes be an undertow.

A complimentary refreshment will be served before your return boat ride to Tortola.

Note: The trail to/from the first beach is rocky, uneven and inclined. To access the second beach you must take a trail, which is very tight in places with ladders and small bridges to climb; you may get wet, sometimes up to your knees. Water shoes are recommended. Snorkel gear can be. Guests are reminded to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen. The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus. Before you book this excursion you must refer to the ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraph under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Plunge into the waters of Tortola for an incredible dive experience.

Your Dive Instructor will guide you on a two-tank dive to the most famous wreck in the Caribbean, the RMS Rhone. Explore the wreck and discover an abundance of marine life.

Note: To participate in a certified dive you must hold a PADI open water scuba certification or BSAC Ocean Diver certification. Divers with a PADI Junior Open Water or a PADI Scuba Dive rating cannot be accepted due to the depth limits imposed. In line with the sports-diving industry we advise divers to undertake a refresher course if they have not been diving within the last six months. You must be aged 15 or over, carry your dive certification card with you, and your diving log or proof of a recently completed refresher course. If you are a certified diver but unable to meet our requirements we advise taking the Discover Scuba tour. The tour duration is dependent on both divers and local conditions, so a return time cannot be confirmed. An alternative dive sight may be used on the day. Dive equipment includes two tanks, weights, BC, regulator, mask, fins and snorkel. Wetsuits may be hired at extra cost. Those with asthma, diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy or sinus problems may be declined from the dive. All participants must complete a PADI medical questionnaire. Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the ‘Activity Excursion’/ ‘Scuba Diving’ and ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraphs under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

This is an ideal opportunity for those who want to try something new and exciting.

You will be given approximately one hour of instruction by a certified scuba instructor at the beach, before heading out into the ocean to demonstrate your new skills and experience the exhilaration of scuba diving in the Caribbean.

Enjoy a sense of freedom as you discover underwater marine life without the restriction of staying on the water’s surface.

A complimentary drink will be provided after your diving experience.

Note: The course is for non-certified divers. The tour duration is dependent on participants and local sea conditions. A PADI medical questionnaire must be completed. This tour is accompanied by a Dive Master and includes equipment and transportation. Children may not participate. Those with asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure or other medical conditions may not be able to participate. Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the ‘Activity Excursion’/ ‘Scuba Diving’ and ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraphs under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Board your motor launch for a delightful cruise among the archipelago of islands, which make up the British Virgin Islands. View the southern shoreline of Tortola and the small islands of Salt, Peter and Norman, famous for their colourful history of pirates, hideaways and buccaneers.

You will pass by uninhabited islands so beautiful they have been left to nature for preservation. Enjoy the sights and scenery before arriving at Soper’s Hole, the first landing place by Europeans in these islands.

During your scenic cruise, you will be offered a refreshing fruit or rum punch.

Leaving the boat, there’s time to enjoy the delights of Pusser’s Landing, a vibrant waterside area full of character and history. Browse the quaint boutiques for souvenirs or mementos or perhaps sample a famous Pusser’s rum punch.

Your scenic land tour continues by bus along the north shore of Tortola, passing through small villages before ascending the Ridge Road. Take in the spectacular views before descending back to Road Town and your waiting ship.

Note: The mode of transportation in Tortola varies from open-sided island buses to minibuses. The open-sided island style buses have high steps to negotiate on to and off the bus. This tour involves very little walking, however guests must be able to negotiate some steps.

Hidden away on a 52-acre estate you will find the Long Bay Beach Resort, offering sugary white sands caressed by the gentle surf of the Caribbean Sea.

The main resort building resembles a plantation house, which reflects the island’s colonial history and the beach restaurant is set in an 18th century sugar mill.

Enjoy some leisure time on the beach or by the pool. Lie back and relax on your sun lounger or enjoy some of the resort facilities.

A complimentary refreshment will be served during your visit to Long Bay Beach.

Note: The use of the swimming pool and beach sun loungers are included, umbrellas are not included. Lunch is not included and all other resort facilities and water-sports are payable locally. Guests are reminded to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen. Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraph under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Take a scenic drive along the island’s Ridge Road to Sage Mountain National Park. Sage Mountain towers 1,716 feet above sea-level and is the highest peak in the Virgin Islands.

Upon arrival, enjoy a soft drink refreshment before taking a guided hike along one of the pleasant nature trails, lined with mahogany trees and fragrant plants. Your guide will point out the fascinating variety of tropical trees and plants, some indigenous to Tortola. The views from atop Sage Mountain are well worth the walk so be sure to have your camera with you.

Following your nature hike, you will head down to Cane Garden Bay, one of the island’s most popular beaches. Relax in the sun or swim in the crystal clear Caribbean waters; the time is yours to enjoy as you please, before heading back to Road Town and the ship.

Note: The hike at Sage Mountain takes approximately one hour. Guests are reminded to wear footwear suitable for hiking over rough, uneven and wet ground. Please remember to wear swimwear, take a towel and sunscreen. The trails can become muddy at times. This tour may be cancelled following heavy rainfall. Before you book this excursion, you must refer to the ‘Activity Excursion’ and ‘Beach / Water Related’ paragraphs under the Guide to Symbols in this brochure.

Your scenic drive begins in Road Town and takes you along the coastal road towards the east of the island. Ascend the hills along the Ridge Road and capture the stunning views, stopping en route for a photograph opportunity, before heading to Skyworld.

Skyworld is the highest point accessible by vehicle on the island and offers wonderful panoramic views. Enjoy a complimentary refreshment and browse the small souvenir shop for some local gifts. The highly elevated position of Sky World allows you to look over the outlying Virgin Islands, which typify the Caribbean.

Back on the road, your route continues along the ridge of the island before descending to the north shore, passing through several small fishing hamlets. You will see the Bombas Shack, home of the infamous full moon parties, before crossing the island at its narrowest point.

At Pusser’s Landing you will make a short stop to view the attractive small marina, before returning via the south shore to Road Town.

Note: This tour is operated by coach and guests must be able to negotiate some steps on to and off the coach. There are approximately 12 steps to reach the viewing platform at Skyworld, however walking on this tour is limited.