Ft. Burt

The most intact historic ruin on Tortola was built by the Dutch in the early 17th century to safeguard Road Harbour. It sits on a hill at the western edge of Road Town and is now the site of a small hotel and restaurant. The foundations and magazine remain, and the structure offers a commanding view of the harbor.

Ft. Recovery

The unrestored ruins of a 17th –century Dutch for, 30 ft. in diameter, sit amid a profusion of tropical greenery on the Villas of Fort Recovery Estates grounds. There’s not much here to see, and there are no guided tours, but you are welcome to stop by and poke around.

Frenchman’s Cay

On this little island connected by a causeway to Tortola’s west end, there are a marina and captivating complex of pastel West Indian-style buildings with shady balconies, shuttered windows, and gingerbread trim that house art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Pusser’s Landing here is a lively place to stop for a cold drink (many are made with Pusser’s famous rum) and a sandwich and watch the boats in the harbor.

J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens

Take a walk through this 4-acre showcase of lush plant life. There are sections devoted to prickly cacti and succulents, hothouses for ferns and orchids, gardens of medicinal herbs, and plants and trees indigenous to the seashore. From the tourist board office in Road Town, Cross Waterfront Drive and walk one block until you see the high school. The gardens are on your left.

Mt. Healthy National Park

The remains of an 18th-century sugar plantation are here. The windmill structure ahs been restored, and you can see the ruins of a mill, a factory with boiling houses, storage areas, stables, a hospital, and many dwellings. This is a nice place to picnic.

North Shore Shell Museum

On Tortola’s north shore, this casual museum has a very informal exhibit of shells, unusually shaped driftwood, fish traps, and traditional wooden boats.

Road Town

The laid-back capital of the BVI looks out over Road Harbour. It takes only an hour or so to stroll down Main Street and along the waterfront, checking out the traditional West Indian buildings, painted in pastel colors and with high-pitched, corrugated-tin roofs; Bright shutters; and delicate fretwork trim. For hotel and sightseeing brochures and the latest information on everything from taxi rates to ferry-boat schedules, stop in the BVI Tourist Board office. Or just choose a seat on one of the benches in Sir Olva Georges Square, on Waterfront Drive, and watch the people come and go from the ferry dock and customs office across the street.

Sage Mountain National Park

At 1,716 ft Sage Mountain is the highest peak in the BVI. From the parking area a trail leads you in a loop not only to the peak itself (and extraordinary views) but also to a small rain forest, sometimes shrouded in mist. Most of the forest was cut down over the centuries to clear land for the sugarcane, cotton, and other crops; to create pastureland; or to simply utilize the stands of timber; in 1964 this park wsa established to preserve what rain forest remained. Up here you can see mahogany trees, white cedars, mountain guavas, elephant-ear vines, mamey trees, and giant bullet woods, to say nothing of such birds as mountain doves and thrushes. Take a taxi from Road Town or drive up Joe’s Hill Road and make a left onto Ridge Road toward Chalwell and Doty Villages. The road dead-ends at the park.

Skyworld

Drive up here and climb the observation tower for a stunning, 360° view of numerous islands and cays. On a clear day you can see St. Croix (40 mi away) and Anegada (20 mi away).

Source: Fodor’s 16th Edition Guide to The U.S. & British Virgin Islands