Meeting the Neighbors: Circling Tortola on a 70-Mile British Virgin Islands Adventure

Ahoy!

While we love our home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, our neighbors to the east—the British Virgin Islands—have a lot to offer as well. In fact, Stormy Pirates takes guests on one of the most unique excursions in the Caribbean: a journey that covers more than 70 miles by boat, visits two of the most famous destinations in the British Virgin Islands, and circles nearly the entire island of Tortola along the way on our Baths & White Bay trip.

Many guests join our Baths & White Bay Adventure expecting to simply visit Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. What they don’t realize is that the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.

As we travel through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, you’ll experience dramatic coastlines, secluded beaches, historic harbors, towering mountains, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Caribbean.

Follow along as we introduce you to our British neighbors.

The Big Island: Tortola

Tortola is the largest island in the British Virgin Islands and the centerpiece of our adventure.

Because of its size and location, Tortola dominates the horizon as you travel between the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. Towering above the island is Mount Sage, which rises to 1,716 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in the entire Virgin Islands chain.

As our boats travel through the Sir Francis Drake Channel, you’ll enjoy views of the island’s rugged mountains, green hillsides, secluded coves, and dramatic coastline. Many guests are surprised by just how large Tortola is compared to the surrounding islands.

Along the southern coast sits Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands and one of the Caribbean’s premier yachting destinations. Home to government offices, marinas, ferries, and countless sailboats from around the world, Road Town serves as the heartbeat of the BVI.

As we travel around Tortola, you’ll gain a unique perspective that few visitors ever experience. Most tourists only see a small portion of the island from a ferry or cruise ship. Our guests get to experience nearly the entire coastline from the water.

And trust us—Tortola is beautiful from every angle.

The Beauty Queen: Virgin Gorda

Our first stop is often the island many consider the crown jewel of the British Virgin Islands.

Named by Christopher Columbus because its shape reminded him of a reclining woman, Virgin Gorda is famous for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and one of the Caribbean’s most famous natural wonders.

The Baths National Park

The highlight of Virgin Gorda is undoubtedly The Baths.

Massive granite boulders known as batholith formations line the shoreline, creating caves, grottos, tunnels, pools, and hidden beaches unlike anything else in the world.

Unlike many tour operators, Stormy Pirates doesn’t simply drop you off with a map.

Our crew guides guests through the park, sharing local history and helping you navigate the maze of giant boulders as you travel from The Baths to Devil’s Bay and Spring Bay.

Along the way you’ll:

• Climb ladders
• Navigate caves
• Walk through giant granite formations
• Wade through crystal-clear water
• Swim at Devil’s Bay Beach
• Relax at Spring Bay Beach

It’s an adventure, a hike, and a beach day all rolled into one unforgettable experience.

The Journey Around Tortola

After departing Virgin Gorda, the adventure continues around the other side of Tortola.

This is where many guests realize just how much ground they’re covering during the day.

As we continue westward, Tortola remains alongside us for much of the journey. You’ll pass hidden bays, luxury villas perched on hillsides, secluded beaches, and some of the most impressive waterfront homes in the Caribbean.

You’ll also gain a new appreciation for just how vast the British Virgin Islands really are.

Many visitors assume all of these islands sit close together.

They don’t.

Our Baths & White Bay Adventure covers over 70 miles by boat throughout the day, making it one of the most extensive day trips available from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Barefoot Island: Jost Van Dyke

Eventually, Tortola gives way to another legendary destination.

Welcome to Jost Van Dyke.

Named after a Dutch pirate who settled here centuries ago, this small island is affectionately known as the “Barefoot Island.”

Only about three square miles in size, Jost Van Dyke feels worlds away from modern life.

The island is home to some of the most famous beach bars, beaches, and tropical scenery in the Caribbean.

White Bay

White Bay is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Powder-soft white sand.

Turquoise water.

Palm trees swaying in the trade winds.

This is the Caribbean people dream about.

Guests spend approximately two hours enjoying White Bay, swimming in the crystal-clear water, enjoying lunch, shopping, or relaxing with a famous Painkiller cocktail.

The Soggy Dollar Bar

No visit to White Bay would be complete without visiting the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar.

Named because visitors once had to swim ashore with cash in their pockets, The Soggy Dollar is credited as the birthplace of the original Painkiller cocktail.

A combination of dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, orange juice, and freshly grated nutmeg, it’s become one of the Caribbean’s most famous drinks.

More Than Just Two Stops

One of the biggest misconceptions about our Baths & White Bay Adventure is that it’s simply a trip to Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.

The reality is far more impressive.

Throughout the day you’ll experience:

• The U.S. Virgin Islands
• The Sir Francis Drake Channel
• Virgin Gorda
• The Baths National Park
• Tortola’s spectacular coastline
• Road Town Harbor
• White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
• Countless hidden islands, cays, and beaches

You’ll travel more than 70 miles by boat and gain a perspective of the Virgin Islands that most visitors never experience.

The Bottom Line

Will you spend all day at The Baths?

No.

Will you spend all day at White Bay?

No.

The distances involved simply don’t allow it.

What you will do is experience the two most famous destinations in the British Virgin Islands while circling nearly the entire island of Tortola and exploring over 70 miles of some of the most beautiful water in the Caribbean.

That’s what makes this adventure so special.

You’re not just visiting the neighbors.

You’re getting to know them.

And by the end of the day, you’ll understand why so many guests say the journey itself was just as memorable as the destinations.