Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Region: Road Town, British Virgin Islands is located in the municipality of Tortola
Geographic Coordinates: 18.416700, -64.616700
Temperature Range: 24.0°C to 31.0°C (75°F to 88°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and rainfall year-round. Hurricane season is from June to November.
Population: 12603
Language: English
Road Town serves as the capital city of the British Virgin Islands and is located on the southern coast of Tortola. It is a bustling commercial center for the island chain, Boasting a population of around 8, 000 residents and many businesses, Shops, Restaurants, And cultural landmarks. One of Road Town’s most prominent features is its picturesque harbor which serves as a gateway to many other islands in the British Virgin Islands chain. Visitors can take a stroll along the waterfront promenade or even hop on board one of the many charter boats that depart from here.
For those interested in history and culture, Road Town has several notable landmarks worth visiting such as St. George’s Anglican Church dating back to 1840 when it was first built by slaves who were brought over from Africa to work on plantations in Tortola. Another landmark worth seeing is HM Prison which was built in 1774 during British colonial rule. Road Town also offers plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining out with numerous shops selling everything from souvenirs to high-end fashion items.
Local cuisine can be sampled at restaurants such as Pusser’s Landing or Village Cay Marina where you can enjoy fresh seafood dishes while taking in views of the harbor. For those looking for outdoor activities, There are several options available including hiking trails through lush tropical forests or snorkeling excursions where you can explore colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life just off shore. Overall, Road Town offers visitors an authentic taste of Caribbean island life with its vibrant culture, Stunning natural beauty, And friendly locals making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to escape from their daily routine!
- Tortola Pier Park
- J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens
- Road Town Methodist Church
- Queen Elizabeth II Park
- Virgin Islands Folk Museum
- Government House
- St George’s Anglican Church
- Callwood Distillery
- The Old Government House Museum
- Her Majesty’s Prison Museum
- The major industries and businesses in Road Town, British Virgin Islands include:
- Tourism
- Financial services
- Offshore banking
- Shipping and logistics
- Construction
- Real estate development
- The first recorded settlement of Tortola (the island on which Road Town is located) was by the Dutch in 1648.
- The establishment of a British colony on Tortola in 1672 eventually led to the development of Road Town as the capital and commercial center of the British Virgin Islands.
- Government House was constructed in Road Town in 1901, serving as the residence and office of the Governor until 1996.
- Hurricane Irma devastated Road Town and other parts of the British Virgin Islands in September 2017, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
- Notable people associated with Road Town include former Premier Ralph O’Neal, who served as leader of government from 1995 to 2007, and musician Iyaz (Keidran Jones), who was born and raised on Tortola before achieving international fame with his hit song Replay in 2009.
- Virgin Islands Folk Museum – This museum displays the cultural heritage of the British Virgin Islands through exhibits and artifacts.
- Callwood Rum Distillery – A historic rum distillery that has been producing rum for over 400 years.
- J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens – A beautiful botanical garden that features a wide variety of tropical plants and flowers.
- Old Government House Museum – This former residence of the governor is now a museum with exhibits on the history of the British Virgin Islands.
- Tortola Pier Park – An outdoor shopping center with restaurants, shops, and entertainment options.
- Queen Elizabeth II Park – A public park in Road Town with walking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views.
- Crafts Alive Village – An open-air market where visitors can buy locally-made crafts and souvenirs.
- Fort Burt Hotel & Historic Site – This old fort turned hotel offers stunning views over Road Town Bay.
- Cane Garden Bay Beach – One of Tortola’s most popular beaches featuring crystal clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
- Sage Mountain National Park- The highest point in all British Virgin Islands offering hiking trails through lush rainforest vegetation.
- BVI Emancipation Festival is an annual celebration held in July to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the British Virgin Islands.
- BVI Music Festival is a three-day event that takes place every November and showcases local and international musicians performing various genres of music.
- Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta happens annually in May, where traditional wooden boats race around the island.
- Anegada Lobster Festival is held every November on the island of Anegada, celebrating the local lobster industry with live music, food, and drinks.
- Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Show happens annually in December and features luxury yachts available for charter around the British Virgin Islands.
- Taste of Tortola Food & Wine Festival takes place yearly in April showcasing local cuisine paired with fine wines from all over the world.
- Full Moon Parties at Bomba Shack are monthly events that occur during full moons on Tortola’s west end beach featuring live music, food, drinks, fire dancing, and more.
- BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival takes place for a week every March/April featuring sailing races around various islands along with shore-side parties at night.
- The Dove Restaurant – Offers Caribbean and international cuisine with a waterfront view.
- Pusser’s Landing – Serves traditional Caribbean dishes and famous Painkiller cocktail.
- Omar’s Cafe – Known for its breakfast dishes, sandwiches, and smoothies.
- Roti Palace – Specializes in Indian-inspired roti wraps and curry dishes.
- Island Roots Cafe – Serves healthy options like salads, smoothie bowls, and vegan burgers.
- The Watering Hole Sports Bar & Restaurant – Offers American-style pub food with a lively atmosphere.
- Village Cay Marina & Hotel Restaurant – Provides seafood-focused menu with stunning views of the marina.
- Genaker Cafe & Craft Market- A great place to try local pastries such as patties or johnny cake alongside coffee or tea.
- Queen Elizabeth II Park is a public park that offers walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground.
- Road Town Jetty Park is a waterfront park that provides benches, shaded areas, and stunning views of the harbor.
- Tortola Pier Park is an entertainment complex that features restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and live music events for visitors to enjoy.
- Hodge’s Creek Marina offers boat rentals for fishing or sightseeing tours around the island to explore its beauty.
- The Moorings Mariner Inn & Restaurant is a waterfront restaurant where visitors can dine outdoors with views of the marina while enjoying their meal.
- Josiah’s Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches on Tortola Island known for its swimming, surfing or sunbathing opportunities.
- Sage Mountain National Park has hiking trails through lush rainforest leading to scenic viewpoints overlooking the island’s beauty.
- Trellis Bay Market & Grill is an open-air market where visitors can shop for local crafts and indulge in fresh seafood at one of its beachfront restaurants.
- Cane Garden Bay Beach is another popular beach on Tortola Island famous for its crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling or relaxing under palm trees’ shade.
- Smugglers Cove Beach located in West End District provides secluded spot perfect for swimming, snorkeling, picnicking or just enjoying nature.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic some restaurants may have limited hours or services available at this time so it is recommended to check before visiting any of these places mentioned above.
