Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands and the territory's main hub. Road Town, on the southern coast, is the capital — a small, manageable Caribbean town with a main street of restaurants, shops, and a deep natural harbour busy with yachts and ferries. The island is hilly and green, with dramatic ridges running east-west and excellent beaches on both the north and south coasts — the showpiece being Cane Garden Bay on the north shore, home to the Callwood Rum Distillery, one of the oldest in the Caribbean.
Most people arrive here by ferry from St Thomas or St John in the USVI, which is by far the more pleasant approach than flying. The airport handles small planes only; most international travellers connect through San Juan or St Thomas. From Tortola you can easily reach the other BVI islands — Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada — all within a short ferry or boat ride.
The BVI has long been known as one of the world's best sailing destinations. The island-dotted Sir Francis Drake Channel provides sheltered waters, reliable trade winds, and dozens of anchorages. You don't need to be a sailor to enjoy this: day charters, snorkelling trips, and ferry excursions are all readily available. On the island itself, a short loop drive takes in Sage Mountain National Park, Mount Healthy Windmill, and the white-sand beaches of Brewer's Bay, Long Bay, and Smuggler's Cove.