Tortola Island Tour with Local Guide: Cane & Trellis Bay

Swim and snorkel the northern beaches, taste hand-crafted rum, and explore the islands Tortola connects to

A private island tour of Tortola with a local guide who knows every beach, viewpoint and hidden spot on the island. The route covers Trellis Bay on the east side (a hub for day trips to Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, Anegada and others), then moves to Cane Garden Bay for swimming, snorkeling and time at the beach. The tour includes stops at a rum distillery, the Shell Museum, and historic sites like Bomba's Shack near Apple Bay's surfing beach. Hotel pickup is included. The tour runs one to three hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore British Virgin Islands highlights

• Visit Trellis Bay on east side
• Snorkel in secluded private area
• Spend time at Cane Garden Bay beach
• Have lunch at Paradise Club Restaurant
• Taste hand crafted rum
• Pass by Shell museum and fishing district
• Pass by Bomba’s Shack and Apple Bay

The experience

Trellis Bay sits at the eastern edge of Tortola and serves as the jumping-off point for the outer islands: Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, Guana Island, Anegada, Necker and Mosquito Island all lie within view. The bay itself is a secluded snorkeling spot where you enter the water from the beach and explore the reef just offshore. A local guide who has spent years on the island knows which parts of the reef hold the most fish and where the clearest water sits.

Cane Garden Bay, on Tortola's northwestern coast, is where most of the day unfolds. The water is turquoise and shallow enough to wade into from the sand. You can rent a kayak or boat to paddle out, snorkel around the western edge of the beach, or simply swim. When hunger hits, the beach has restaurants and bars. The itinerary mentions Paradise Club as a lunch stop, though you'll pay for your meal separately. As the sun drops, the bay transforms: live music spills from venues like Quito's Gazebo and Myett's, and the beach becomes a gathering spot for evening drinks and dancing.

Between the beaches, the tour stops at a local rum distillery for a tasting of hand-crafted spirits, including a house favorite. You'll also visit the Shell Museum, the fishing and farming districts, and the site of Bomba's Shack near Apple Bay, a historic venue damaged in Hurricane Irma that sits near one of Tortola's best-known surfing beaches. The vehicle is air-conditioned, has WiFi on board, and pickup from your hotel is included in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle and onboard WiFi.
• hotel pickup.
• stops at Trellis Bay for snorkeling, Cane Garden Bay for swimming and water activities, a local rum distillery for tasting, the Shell Museum, and historic sites including Bomba's Shack near Apple Bay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 18:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 54 years) · Senior (55 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Stoutt's Taxi and Tour Services

Is this one for you?The tour runs one to three hours with no fixed schedule, so you set the pace: spend more time in the water at Cane Garden Bay or move through the historic sites faster, depending on what appeals to you.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Trellis Bay like for snorkeling?

Trellis Bay is a secluded, private snorkeling area on Tortola's east side where you can enter the water from the beach and explore the reef. It's also the gateway to the outer islands: Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, Anegada and others are visible from there, though the tour itself stays on Tortola.

Can I swim and spend real time in the water at Cane Garden Bay?

Yes. Cane Garden Bay is the main stop on the tour, and you'll spend the day there swimming in turquoise water, snorkeling around the western edge, and renting a kayak or boat if you want to paddle out. The beach has restaurants and bars, though lunch is not included in the tour price.

What happens at the rum distillery stop?

You'll taste hand-crafted rum made locally, including the distillery's signature spirit. You're welcome to buy bottles to take home.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in the tour price. The vehicle is air-conditioned and has WiFi on board.

How long does the tour run?

The tour runs between one and three hours depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop. There's no fixed time limit, so you can adjust the pace with your guide.