Tortola Cruise Port: Getting Around, Piers, and What’s Nearby

Over the last few years, Tortola Cruise Port has received record numbers of visitors, so if you’re stopping at this British Virgin Islands destination during an upcoming Caribbean cruise, it wouldn’t surprise me.

However, with so many cruisers pouring into this port on a daily basis, you might feel a little overwhelmed as to what to do and where to go once you disembark.

I’ve visited this port dozens of times — here’s everything you need to know about the port itself, its facilities and amenities, and what to do in the nearby vicinity.

Quick Tortola Cruise Port Overview

Tortola Cruise Port Overview
Distance to town	Road Town Cruise Port
Port Location	Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Distance into town	10–15-minute walk
Closest beaches to the cruise port	Cane Garden Bay and Brewers Bay
Taxi prices	$10–$16 per person, each way
Port facilities	Shopping, dining, restrooms, WiFi and tour providers
Safety	Generally safe for cruise visitors
Currency	USD widely accepted

What to Expect at Tortola Cruise Port

Despite the large number of passengers that move through the Tortola cruise port each day, it’s not as cramped or hectic as you might expect. The port made some changes in recent history that make for a more streamlined experience, allowing passengers to flow to and from their ships with ease.

For instance, the Tortola cruise pier was reengineered in the last decade to be able to accommodate cruise ships that measure in at up to 180,000 GT.

If ships are too large for the pier, or if there are too many ships visiting simultaneously, cruisers may need to tender. However, the 180,000 GT size limit is enough to accommodate many cruise ships, even if not some of the newest from major lines such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises.

Up to four ships can be in port, at the pier or in the harbor, at one time. A broad range of cruise lines visit Tortola on any given day, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and more.

Then, immediately upon disembarking from your ship, you’ll find the relatively new 80,000-square-feet Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, which is an outdoor shopping mall with more than 70 retail outlets, restaurants and service providers. The pier park stretches over 11 buildings and 18 kiosks.

Worth Reading: What’s the Best Virgin Island to Visit?

In addition to shopping for everything from gifts and souvenirs to cigars and clothes here, you can likewise rent cars and bikes. The pier park also hosts various events, from live music to holiday parties. The park features a colonial theme and lively atmosphere.

Tortola Cruise Piers & Terminals

Pier Layout

The Tortola cruise pier is laid out very simply. Two ships can dock at the pier at any one time, and a short walk along the pier takes you directly to Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. There, you’ll find shops, service providers and restaurants scattered across a handful of different buildings, with sidewalks, seating and landscaping spread throughout.

Terminal Facilities

The terminal facilities are quite robust, thanks to Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and its ample number of restaurants, shops and service providers. In fact, if you’re primarily going into Tortola with shopping on your mind, you likely won’t even need to leave the pier park.

While you’re in the pier park, you can enjoy complimentary WiFi by providing a valid email address when prompted.

The main terminal building is always staffed, and they can answer any questions that you have about the port or exploring further afield. A security desk can help with luggage screening, if needed.

Arrival Process

When arriving at Tortola, you’ll be able to depart the ship and go back and forth from the ship as you please. While some may say that you need to complete an electronic declaration form before entry into the island, past cruisers who’ve visited the island recently report not needing to do this, so long as you’re traveling with an official cruise line.

However, if you have any questions as to what documentation you might need during your cruise, be sure to check with the cruise line directly. For all cruises visiting international destinations, I highly recommend getting an official passport.

Departure Process

The primary thing you’ll want to keep in mind regarding departing BVI, is leaving enough time in your day to get back to the ship.

If you’re traveling around the island, you may want to build as much as an extra 90 minutes into your schedule as a buffer, in case you run into traffic or are caught up in a private (non-ship) excursion.

Read Also: St. Lucia Cruise Port – Piers, Getting Around and What’s Nearby

After you do get back to the ship, you may need to wait in line to board, but arriving earlier rather than later will cut down on wait times.

Accessibility

The port is entirely wheelchair accessible, and accessible restrooms are available as well. For businesses with stairs or that are located on the second story of any of the port’s buildings, ramps and service elevators are typically available.

Getting Around the Tortola Cruise Port

Walking Routes

If you just want to see Road Town, then walking will be an easy option for you. Getting into the main downtown takes minimal time (around 10–15 minutes) and the walk itself is nothing strenuous.

If you wanted to walk from the port to Main Street, where you’ll find some shopping, or to nearby favorite Road Town restaurants, like Pusser’s, it would only take you about 10 minutes, and the route is fairly simple. All you have to do is take Administration Drive from the port, until you reach Waterfront Drive and Main Street (which runs parallel).

However, do note that if you want to visit some of the more popular and recommended beaches, they may be too far of a walk (especially if you’re carrying a lot of beach gear!). For instance, walking to either Brewers Bay or Cane Garden Bay would take around two hours, but taking a taxi will take less than half an hour. 

Taxi Availability & Prices

Taxis are abundantly available not just at the cruise port, but also throughout the entire island. As such, it’s a popular way for both locals and cruisers to get around, if you don’t feel like walking.

Prices are moderately affordable, too, at around $10–$16 depending on where you’re going/distance. Prices are set per-person. (Always make sure to confirm the fare before getting into the taxi.)

Shuttles

If you’re planning ahead, you can book a shuttle service that will pick you up at the port and take you to various locations around the island. You can use a generic shuttle that will take you into Road Town or to a specific beach, or you can book a private shuttle as part of a broader excursion.

The City of Road Town actually operates a free shuttle that runs Monday through Friday, 6 a.m.–9 p.m. The shuttle stops at the pier park and then can take you into town. 

Car Rentals

If you’d prefer to drive yourself around, car rentals are available at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. In addition to some local providers, you’ll also find an Avis Rental office. These rental offices typically open in the morning, around 9 a.m., and remain open until the mid to late afternoon. 

However, keep in mind that if you decide to rent a car in BVI, that the driving may be different to what you’re accustomed to. Not only are some of the roads narrower, but, just as is the case in Great Britain, in the BVI, you drive on the left side of the road. 

Ferries to Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke

If you have enough time during your day in port, you might be considering taking a ferry to nearby Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke. These less-crowded destinations offer amazing beaches, iconic bars and restaurants, and outdoor adventure.

To get to Virgin Gorda, you can hop a ferry from Road Town, with the Road Town ferry terminal located just a 12-minute walk or 4-minute taxi ride from the cruise port. Another ferry terminal is located on Beef Island, a 30-minute taxi ride from the cruise port.

Service providers like Speedy’s Ferry offer service between Tortola and Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, multiple times throughout the day, on weekdays. Speedy’s Ferry rates are $20 one-way or $30 round-trip for adults.

Meanwhile, New Horizon Ferry offers service between Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, with departures from West End, Tortola. 

You won’t be able to walk to the West End, as it would take you nearly four hours, but a taxi can get you there in about half an hour. Service is offered daily, with rates starting at $30 one-way or $40 round-trip.

Top 10 Things to Do Near Tortola Cruise Port

1. Cane Garden Bay

Cane Garden Bay is a favorite beach on the north side of Tortola, about a 20-minute taxi ride from the cruise port. While beach access is free, you may want to budget some cash for renting sun beds or booking water sports activities. The beach is a lively one and you’ll find beach bars and restaurants in the vicinity.

2. Brewers Bay

Another great option if you’re looking for the best beach to spend the day at, Brewers Bay is likewise about a 20-minute taxi ride from the cruise port. A little quieter and relaxed than Cane Garden Bay, Brewers Bay is a great pick for snorkeling. There’s no admission fee for the beach, but renting chairs is a few dollars each.

3. Sage Mountain National Park

A 20-minute drive from the cruise port, Sage Mountain National Park was the first national park founded in the territory. It’s also the highest point in all of the British and US Virgin Islands, meaning you can get some excellent views if you’re willing to do a little hiking. There are 14 trails throughout the park to choose from, and you’ll pay $1–$3 as an entry fee.

4. Virgin Gorda Baths

Inclusive of driving from the cruise port to Beef Island to catch the ferry, and then the ferry ride, it will take you about two hours to get to the Virgin Gorda Baths. However, many travelers find the journey to be well worth it, as you spend the day exploring and snorkeling around the massive boulders that hide secret rock pools and caves. The entry fee for this national park is $2–$3.

5. Jost Van Dyke (White Bay)

Getting to Jost Van Dyke requires about a 30-minute taxi ride to the ferry, and then about another 30 minutes on the ferry. Once there, you’ll likely head straight for White Bay, a famous beach where you’ll find an equally famous beach bar: the Soggy Dollar.

The drink of choice here is the famed painkiller, so make sure you grab one before soaking up the sun. While the beach is free, bring cash for your drinks and chair or umbrella rentals.

6. Road Town Shopping

There are many shops and restaurants along Waterfront Drive and Main Street in Road Town, but you don’t have to take all that many steps away from your cruise ship to find shopping.

Plenty of retailers can be found at the pier park. However, if you follow the flow of traffic into town, you’ll find loads more options within a 10–15-minute walk. Jewelry, local goods, gourmet food items and souvenirs are all available. 

7. Callwood Rum Distillery 

If you’re already headed to Cane Garden Bay, stop in at nearby Callwood Rum Distillery, too (a 20-minute drive from the cruise port). This is the Caribbean’s oldest continuously operating pot distillery, at more than 200 years old. The quick distillery tour is $5 and includes a tasting. 

8. Mount Healthy National Park

Another activity that you might want to pair with a beach day, as this park sits near Brewer’s Bay, Mount Healthy National Park (a 15-minute drive from the cruise port) encompasses the remnants of an 18^th century sugar plantation, complete with a 1700s windmill. There’s no entrance fee if you visit on your own, but you can book private hiking tours to the site as well, with prices starting at $70.

9. Smuggler’s Cove

If you’d prefer a quieter beach than the previously mentioned more popular Brewer’s Bay and Cane Garden Bay, consider Smuggler’s Cove, popular for its snorkeling and clam waters. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the port. Entrance is free, but you can rent beach gear like chairs for a minimal amount. 

10. Josiah’s Bay

Similarly, Josiah’s Bay is about 20 minutes from the port and is quieter and less crowded. What makes it unique, though, is its beginner-friendly surf conditions. Beach bars and restaurants are nearby, and chairs are available for rent.

Frequently Asked Questions