Tortola: Know Before You Go — TakeMeWithYouTravel

If you find yourself boarding a plane bound for the island of Tortola, consider yourself the luckiest person on earth! This destination is one with so much character and endless opportunities for exploration. The British Virgin Islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and consists of 54 islands. We spent 14 days on the island of Tortola visiting the neighboring main islands Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. These islands are simply filled with surprises around every turn from bubbling pools to cliffside bars. There's not really a wrong way to travel the BVI's, but I want to steer you the right way with a few tips in my Know Before You Go Tortola edition.

#1. HEAD WEST! The island of Tortola has so much more to offer than it's capital, Road Town. I suggest heading west of the cruise port touristy area straight from the airport (don't forget to grab a pack of Carib for the ride). It's about a 45 minute taxi ride to the West End. Here you will find resorts, secret coves, and the best beach bars in all of Tortola!

#2. AIRBNB. There is no better way to get detached from reality than having your own house perched high on a cliff with spectacular views of the water from your bedroom window. With ton's of amazing options on airbnb, it's a no brainer!

#3. RENT A CAR. There is so much to explore on the island and it can't be done on foot. If you don't rent a car, you are limited to what's right around you. Boring! So, find a local car rental shop and haggle (until they basically kick you out) to get yourself a cheap deal on a car. Make sure you're comfortable navigating on rough terrain and hills because the road system there is wild. Also, don't forget to turn the car completely off before chillin' at the beach...

#4. VISIT DURING OFF SEASON. The benefit to this is that there aren't a ton of tourists and you have the beaches all to yourselves. The best months are September, October and November.

#5. WEED IS ILLEGAL. If you don't want to find yourself in the Virgin Islands finest jail cell, don't get caught with any marijuana. Even the locals will tell you there are cops looking for tourists to make this mistake. However, oddly enough, mushrooms are legal. You will see the locals at bars trying to sell bags of 'shrooms right out in the open.

#6. DEFINITELY BUY A BOTTLE OF VEUVE AND RENT A CATAMARAN! I couldn't be more specific and right. Head over to Soper's Hole and visit Voyage Charters (http://www.voyagecharters.com/). Here they can hook you up with a day trip to Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke or The Baths at Virgin Gorda. For $100 per person, you get the catamaran for the day and all the booze you can drink. It already costs anywhere from $20-$30 for the ferry (depending on where you're going) so for an up-charge you get to arrive in style and relax all freakin' day! It's vacation... do it big!

Poppin' Veuve Clicquot on our Voyage Charter.

#7. DRINK ALL THE PAIN KILLERS. You can get a Pain Killer cocktail on any island in the BVI's, but why not have one at the drinks birthplace? The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke is where this cocktail was created and we can't thank this bar enough for such a delicious concoction!

#8. FOXY'S GET'S LIT. If you're able to stay 1 night on Jost Van Dyke, it's worth it just to party at the infamous Foxy's. This beachside dive bar hosts parties all the time and caters to vacationers trying to let loose.

#9. DISCOVER THE SECRET BUBBLING POOL. Get over to Jost Van Dyke and ask the taxi drivers to find someone who can take you near the Bubbling Pool. Once you basically get dropped off in the middle of nowhere, you then hike about 45 minutes until you reach a hidden beach that when the tide rolls in it creates a washer machine effect due to the rocks and you see tons and tons of bubbles in the water! Pro-tip: Ask your taxi driver to come back in 2 hours. You don't want to get stuck.

Hiking to the Bubbling Pool. Almost there!

#10. VISIT THE INCREDIBLE BATHS. The island of Virgin Gorda is best known for The Baths, a geologic formation created by granite that eroded into piles of boulders on the beach. The boulders form natural tidal pools, tunnels, arches and scenic grottos that are open to the sea. This is one of the most gorgeous places on earth!

#11. ATTEND THE FULL MOON PARTY AT THE BOMBA SHACK. The Bomba Shack and Mr. Bomba himself host the biggest party on Tortola every month! And even if you can't make it for the full moon, this bar is not to be missed! The history behind how the bar started with nothing but a few donated items to make a floor and a roof to the parties numbering in the one thousands, makes this surfside bar something special. Be aware that the "tea" they serve is a mushroom tea... just lookin' out.