For local sightseeing:

A vehicle is a must to make the most of your stay at Summer Heights. We can rent you our 7 Seater vehicle for your use whilst at the Villa or you can rent direct from Priority Car Rentals. Kareem and his team offer a very friendly and professional service. They offer a range of cars to suit all sizes of groups.

Beaches:

The BVI is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Below are a few of our favorites on the Tortola. In winter months, particularly, there can be very strong groundswell and rip currents, so a Lifeguard system has recently been introduced on some beaches. Most beaches have warnings about dangerous conditions, if applicable. There is also a Safety Flag system. Please be aware of the flags and follow the instructions. The best beaches are all on Tortola’s north shore about a 12-minute drive from Summer Heights.

Smuggler’s Cove is on the northwest corner of Tortola and about a 15-minute drive from the villa. It’s a small, sandy beach with great snorkeling. The road is unpaved but passable. There is a small beach bar called Nigels who sells beer and then a tent with some very friendly ladies who often have a BBQ going and blended drinks for sale.

Long Bay is about a 10-minute drive from the villa, along a good road. It offers a mile-long stretch of white sandy beach, which can be quite rough in the winter if there is a north swell.

Apple Bay, one of the island’s popular surfing beaches. The main road runs right past the beach and it is quite rocky. Worth a look but not to stay – unless you are a surfer!!

Cane Garden Bay has the reputation of being the best beach on the island but is also the most commercial. It has a gently curving beach which is lined with bars & restaurants. It’s a safe beach for children as the water is usually calm and it shelves gradually from the shore. Water sports are available for rent such as stand up paddle boards & kayaks. The bay is a very popular anchorage for boats so it can get crowded, particularly on days when cruise ships are in town! However, it is well worth a visit and Callwood’s Rum Factory on the west end of the beach is worth seeing.

Brewer’s Bay is more remote than Cane Garden Bay and the road to it is steep and windy. However, it is a quieter and less frequented beach and offers safe swimming, some snorkeling, and a bar. If there is a north swell, this beach is not one to visit.

Josiah’s Bay, on the north shore, near East End, is another great surfer’s beach. There is a bar/restaurant on the beach and several shelters. Please note, in the winter when a north swell is running, this beach can be very dangerous with a strong rip-tide and undertow.

Lambert Beach is a wide palm-fringed beach, which can be reached from East End by a private road leading to the Lambert Beach Resort. Be warned, in the winter when a north swell is running, this beach can be very dangerous with a strong rip-tide and undertow.

Josiah’s Bay, Tortola

Beaches on other islands:

Long Bay, Beef Island is just before the airport. It is a secluded beach with calm, sheltered water. Make sure you follow the signpost to the beach so as not to disturb the bird life. There are a few tents set up here selling basic food and drinks as well as a trampoline in the water.

Jost Van Dyke – when you disembark the ferry you can either take a taxi or walk over the hill to White Bay. This is a stunning sandy beach with several bars & restaurants. The most well known is The Soggy Dollar Bar which has been voted the best beach bar in the Caribbean. Hendo’s restaurant right next to the Soggy Dollar serves amazing food and drinks as well.

The Baths, Virgin Gorda has excellent snorkeling, if the conditions are right – check the color of the safety flag! At the Baths, giant boulders form spectacular pools and hidden grottoes which flood with sea water. The National Parks Trust has built a natural path through the rocks to join the two main beaches. This area can become very crowded with tourists when cruise ships are visiting Tortola. You can reach the Baths either by boat or by land. There is a winding trail leading down from the parking lot at the Top of the Baths restaurant. If you enter by land, there is a small fee charged by the National Parks Trust.

The Baths at Virgin Gorda

Historical Sites:

Visit the Old Government House in Road Town; the Dungeon at Pockwood Pond; the remains of a sugar plantation at Mount Healthy and a working Rum Distillery at Cane Garden Bay.

Green is Best:

Visit the Botanic Gardens in Road Town or explore the Sage Mountain rain forest. There are plenty of hikes throughout the BVI, some aren’t for the faint hearted. Pick up or download copy of the BVI Hiking guide and go explore!

One of the most interesting guided tours you can do on Tortola, is the mangroves kayak or paddle board adventure with GroundSea Adventures. You will be taken through a secret mangrove forest and learn so much about local wildlife…this is a must do!

Island Excursions

Most of our guests take at least one day trip to a neighboring island, all of which are very well served by ferries. A ferry schedule can be found in the BVI Welcome Tourist Guide but I suggest you always call ahead to check that the departure times are accurate! Please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any questions about your planned excursion.

VIRGIN GORDA: If you don’t go anywhere else, don’t miss this trip! Ferries leave from the main ferry dock in Road Town and the 20-minute ride takes you to Spanish Town. We can arrange for a Taxi to meet you at the ferry dock and look after you for the day. Alternatively, rent a car from Speedy’s Garage. Highlights are a visit to the Baths, hidden grottoes among giant rocks, a drive to the Copper Mine National Park, lunch at Little Dix Bay Resort and a scenic tour of the island.

Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda

JOST VAN DYKE: The New Horizon Ferry leaves from the West End ferry dock in Soper’s Hole and the 30-minute ride takes you into Great Harbour, JVD. Highlights are a visit to the beautiful beach at White Bay, lunch at the Soggy Dollar Bar, the home of the Painkiller cocktail, and a visit to Foxy’s Bar. You might even be lucky enough to meet Foxy himself and listen to his own brand of entertainment.

ANEGADA: Anegada is a flat coral island, 15 miles north of Virgin Gorda and is fringed by sandy beaches. Road Town Fast Ferry runs a day trip here three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday but it’s a good idea to call to confirm sailings. The ferry leaves from the Road Town ferry dock at 6.45 am. The return ferry leaves Anegada at 3.00pm. This gives you a whole day to soak up the sun on one of the loveliest stretches of beach imaginable. The Anegada Express leaves from Trellis Bay. They depart at 7.00am and leave Anegada at 3.30pm. They run Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are several beachside restaurants offering lunch, but our favorite is the Big Bamboo at Loblolly Bay. Local Anegada lobster is the specialty. Snorkeling off the beach over a pristine reef is outstanding. Beware of rip tides in the winter! Cow Wreck is also a fun bar to visit. The area is decorated with cow skulls from a boat that wrecked off the island many years ago. Yes, it’s a long day, but if you have the time, well worth the effort! Alternatively, arrange a charter flight with Fly BVI.

NORMAN ISLAND, home to one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the BVI’s at The Caves as well as the infamous Willy T floating bar, anchored in The Bight, can only be reached by boat. If you rent a powerboat for the day, this is one of the destinations to go to! The food is amazing and it is an experience not to miss!

ST THOMAS, USVI: If you want a major shopping outing, then take a ferry to St Thomas for the day.  The Fast Ferry service leaves from Road Town direct to downtown Charlotte Amalie. You will need a valid visa or ESTA if you do not hold a US passport.

ST JOHN, USVI: This island is mostly national park and is much more peaceful than St Thomas. There is some shopping in the main town of Cruz Bay but the beauty of the island can only be seen by taking a drive around the island. A visit to the Annaberg Sugar Mill is certainly not to be missed.

If you decide on an excursion to either of these islands, Don’t Forget Your Passports and departure tax ($10 USVI and $20 BVI). You will be leaving the British Virgin Islands and entering the US Virgin Islands!

Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda

Other Activities

SAILING: Private sailing trips to Norman Island for great snorkeling at The Indians and The Caves or Jost Van Dyke.

SCUBA: Blue Water Divers from Nanny Cay Marina.

SPA & BEAUTY TREATMENTS: There are many spa’s on Tortola to choose from if you fancy a day of pampering. Driftwood Spa will come to the villa and create and experience not to forget!

SHOPPING: The best souvenir shops are in Road Town. The Craft’s Alive village located in Road Town sells dresses, magnets, shot glasses, and souvenirs made of shells. All major supermarkets and beverage stores are in Road Town although there are convenience stores close to Summer Heights.

Shopping at Trellis Bay, Tortola

Tortola Restaurants & Bars

Whether you want a quick snack, a takeaway pizza or gourmet dinner, Tortola offers a wide choice of restaurants to suit all budgets and appetites! Best of BVI has a list of suggestions, along with price ranges.

The closest eating places to Summer Heights are on Nanny Cay:

Peg Legs Restaurant, also called The Beach Bar, is located in Nanny Cay Marina, overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel. It offers casual dining for both lunch and dinner with a price range from $6 – $30.

Captain Mulligan’s is found at the entrance to Nanny Cay. They offer a varied menu as well as great take-out Pizza. . It is the premier Sport’s Bar on Tortola. There are several large flat screen TVs and a huge 30-foot outdoor screen. Wherever you are sitting, you will have front row seats to the game. They also offer a Children’s Recreation facility which includes a climbing frame, playhouse, and an extensive grass area for all of the family to enjoy.

Elsewhere on Tortola, in no particular order, some of our favorites are:

The Bananakeet Café above the sea at the top of Windy Hill on Tortola’s northwest coast has one of the best sunset views you will ever find. Price range from $14 – $35 & live music is on offer twice weekly.

Brandywine Estate is located on Tortola’s southern coast overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel in a romantic garden setting. The cuisine is Mediterranean Bistro style with Amuse Bouche and Champagne on Fridays and a Sunday afternoon roast. The price ranges from $ – $48.

The Dove is set in a historic West-Indian cottage in the heart of Road Town, opposite the main ferry dock. It is one of the Caribbean’s top-rated restaurants and offers a wonderfully romantic ambiance. Price range $22 – $40.

The Sugar Mill Hotel has two restaurants. Dinner is served in a romantic, 374-year-old stone sugar mill. Price range $26 – $40. Lunch is served at Islands, a delightful, casual beachside restaurant.

Pussers at Myett’s right on the beach at Cane Garden Bay. Lunch from $7 and dinner from $17. There are fabulous sunset views and nightly entertainment.

Pearl of the Orient and Sweet and Savoury Bakery in town are the best places to go to get your sushi fix!

As you drive around Tortola, you will find numerous other bars and small restaurants. The above is just a sample of places we can recommend. Enjoy!

[/full_width][/layout]