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A visit to Cruise Port Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. There are plenty of things to do on your own at the Cruise Port of Tortola even if you just want to relax on the beaches of Tortola.

Cruise Port Tortola: (Jump To)

How To Get To Tortola From the Cruise Port

The Tortola cruise port is located right in Road Town, so you can walk into the city center in about five minutes. Taxis are lined up at the Tortola port for beach runs or tours if you're not planning to stay local.

Cruise ships dock at the Tortola Pier Park terminal in Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands. There’s no need to worry about transportation to the city center—it’s right outside the cruise gates. The entire Pier Park complex has been designed for cruise visitors and includes shopping, restaurants, tour operators, and taxi stands. If you're looking to go beyond Road Town, taxis and shared vans are lined up directly outside the security gate, and they all display official government rates. Most passengers heading to beaches or island tours grab a group shuttle or pre-booked excursion. There’s no train or public bus service in Tortola, so you’re looking at walking or taxis as your only real options

About Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Tortola is the largest island in the British Virgin Islands and known for its beaches, mountain views, and laid-back vibe. It’s less developed than the cruise ship port St. Thomas US Virgin Islands, which makes it feel a little more off the radar.

Tortola is the largest of the 50 islands that make up the British Virgin Islands. It was a pirate haven in the 17th century and later part of British colonial sugar production. Today, it’s a mix of small shops, government buildings, and beachfront villas. While it is a territory of Britain, leave your pounds at home, they use the US Dollar for all transactions. English is the official language. Tortola is mountainous, and even a quick ride across the island will reward you with scenic views. Most cruise passengers use Tortola as a base to explore nearby islands, swim at a few beaches, or shop and eat in Road Town.

Is Tortola Safe?

Tortola is considered safe for cruise passengers, with low crime and a mellow atmosphere. The cruise port in Tortola is secure and well-staffed, and most visitors don’t run into any issues in town or on the beaches.

Tortola is very safe for cruise ship day visitors. As with any travel keep your wits about you and you’ll have a great day ashore. Road Town and the Pier Park area are policed and heavily trafficked on cruise days. Petty theft is rare, but like anywhere, don’t leave your phone on a restaurant table or walk off from your bag at the beach. Roads are steep and narrow in many parts of the island, and local drivers can be aggressive, so exercise caution if renting a car or taking a shared taxi up into the hills.

Cruise Port Tortola British Virgin Islands

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What To See in Tortola

There are plenty of great things to do in Tortola off a cruise ship. Follow along on our Tortola itinerary. Top stops include Sage Mountain National Park, Cane Garden Bay, and the Callwood Rum Distillery. If you're wondering what to see in Tortola, the island is best for outdoor scenery, not big-name attractions.

When you exit the cruise ship you will land at the entrance to the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. The park is an open courtyard surrounded by shops and restaurants. This is a great place to do some island shopping if you don’t plan to go deeper into the island. It’s also a great place to spend some time if you get back from an excursion and have time left before you need to be back on the ship.

Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park

Map: Google Maps
Website: Link

This is the first thing you’ll see when you get off the ship in Road Town. The Pier Park was clearly built with cruise passengers in mind, and it's packed with duty-free shops, souvenir stands, tour operators, and restaurants. It’s designed as a giant outdoor mall, but the vibe is relaxed and walkable. If you're staying near the port or killing time before boarding, this is the spot. The shops sell everything from beachwear and jewelry to local snacks and rum cakes. There's also a shaded central courtyard and a few coffee and cocktail spots. If you're looking for a beach break, taxis line up just outside the park entrance.

A few blocks away is the Crafts Alive Village. Here, in brightly colored huts, you find some more unique shopping. Island residents are selling a wide assortment of handmade goods and souvenirs. You will find clothing, jewelry, and other items at very reasonable prices.

Crafts Alive Village

Map: Google Maps

A short walk from Pier Park lands you at Crafts Alive Village. The village is made up of brightly colored wooden huts, each operated by local artists and vendors. If you want to buy souvenirs that weren’t imported from overseas, this is your best bet. You’ll find hand-dyed clothing, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry, and some unexpected treasures mixed in. The prices here are generally lower than the main port shops, and many vendors accept U.S. dollars and credit cards. Even if you're not in the mood to buy, the color alone makes it a fun place to visit.

Walking deeper into town the St. George's Episcopal (Anglican) Church is a uniquely painted red and white building. Next door you’ll find the immensely creepy H.M. Prison Museum. The prison, built in 1774, was in use until 1995.

St. George's Episcopal (Anglican) Church

Map: Google Maps

A few blocks deeper into Road Town, you’ll see a tall red-and-white building with shutters and a steeple. That’s St. George's Episcopal Church. It’s the oldest church in the British Virgin Islands and still holds services today. You’re welcome to step inside if the doors are open. It’s not a huge detour and makes a nice photo stop thanks to the bold color scheme.

H.M. Prison Museum

Map: Google Maps

The Her Majesty’s Prison Museum is, without a doubt, the strangest stop on a walk through Road Town. This tiny prison opened in 1774 and was used until 1995. The small rooms and barred cells now hold displays of shackles, handcuffs, and other historic tools of the trade. If you’re not into creepy history, maybe skip it. If you’re intrigued by abandoned buildings and odd museums, this might be right up your alley. Admission is inexpensive, and the staff will usually let you walk through at your own pace.

Two off-the-beaten-path shopping stops are nearby. The Bamboishay Pottery Shop has a wonderful selection of hand-crafted blue and green ceramic items. They specialize in lighted sconces but have many other great items to take home as authentic island souvenirs. Just up the road is the Little Denmark Shop. This unique shop sells a random assortment of items. Part second-hand antique store, part fishing tackle store, and part souvenir shop, the Little Denmark Shop might just have the perfect item for you.

Cruise Port Tortola British Virgin Islands Bamboishay Pottery shop

Bambooshay Pottery

Map: Google Maps
Website: Link

This small shop specializes in blue and green ceramic pieces handmade right here on the island. Their signature items are decorative wall sconces shaped like sea life, but they also sell mugs, bowls, and small sculptures. It’s one of the few places near the cruise port where you can find authentic, high-quality crafts that make a worthwhile souvenir. The shop is easy to miss unless you’re looking for it, but it’s worth tracking down.

Little Denmark Shop

Map: Google Maps
Website: Link

This spot is impossible to describe in a single sentence. It’s part antiques store, part local tackle shop, and part souvenir stop. There are dusty books, seashell collections, glassware, and fishing gear all crammed into a storefront that looks like it hasn’t changed since the 1970s. It’s not for everyone, but if you like to poke around for unique finds or vintage island vibes, it’s worth the walk. Some items are actually antique, others just look like it.

As you walk along Waterfront Drive you will also find some interesting shopping. The shops in this area cater more to the island locals. You’ll find more reasonably priced goods here. The shopping includes clothing and home goods with an island flare.

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How To Get To Beaches of Tortola

From the cruise port you have your choice of the best beaches in Tortola, all just a short taxi ride away. Taxis from the port can take you to beaches in Tortola, Virgin Islands like Cane Garden Bay or Brewers Bay in under 30 minutes. For a quiet day on the beaches in Tortola, British Virgin Islands there are solid options without needing a long transfer.

At the exit of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, you will find a taxi stand. From here you can book an inexpensive taxi to any of the local beaches. Many drivers will include round-trip transportation and will wait while you enjoy the beach. Always negotiate payment before getting into the taxi and only pay when you’re back at the cruise ship pier at the end of the day.

Cruise Port Tortola British Virgin Islands taxi rates to beaches

Smugglers Cove and Long Bay are the two most popular beaches on the island. They are located on the northern coast of the islands. This will be a thirty-minute cab ride.

Smugglers Cove

Map: Google Maps

Smugglers Cove feels like an escape. Located on the far western end of the island, it takes a little more effort to reach, but the reward is a laid-back beach that rarely feels crowded. The last stretch of road is rough and unpaved, which keeps out the big crowds and tour vans. Once you arrive, you’ll find a wide beach with gentle waves and shady spots under the trees. There are no big bars or music, just a few small stands selling drinks and grilled snacks. Some days it feels like you’ve stumbled onto a secret beach party with five people and a cooler. Other days it’s practically empty. It’s a great place to unplug, float in the water, and enjoy the view without any background noise.

Long Bay

Map: Google Maps

Not to be confused with Long Bay on other islands, the Long Bay in Tortola is one of the longest beaches on the island, and probably the prettiest. It’s postcard-level stunning with bright white sand and waves that roll in just hard enough to be fun. The beach is ideal for a walk, and you’ll often see surfers at the far end if the swell is good. There are a few beachside inns and villas tucked behind the palms, but the vibe is still quiet. You won’t find much in the way of services—maybe one open-air bar if you’re lucky—so bring water and snacks. It’s not the best option for snorkeling, but it’s an unbeatable spot if you want to read, nap, or play in the waves with hardly anyone around.