We will be in Tortola 4/9/05 for one day on a cruise and were originally planning to spend the day at Cane Garden Bay. That was until we started reading about the possibility of bacteria in water. Does anybody have any recent, reliable info? Or, better yet, would you go in the water at Cane Garden Bay?

We were on a charter with friends around the week of Memorial Day 2004, and spent a day/night in Cane Garden Bay. I dove off our boat several times into the water as we were moored there, I didn't get sick, neither did anyone else on our boat. The water wasn't as clear at Cane Garden Bay as in our previous mooring on Jost Van Dyke. If you rinse off after swimming around your boat, you'll probably be fine.

Cane Garden Bay is a very beautiful spot. We had a great sunset on our night there.

One more thing to add about Cane Garden Bay. We arrived around 2:00, after spending most of the day swimming around Sandy Cay. Since we had been swimming all morning there, most of us weren't in the mood for swimming the rest of the day.

We left early the next day to continue our sail along the north part of Tortola toward Marina Cay.

If you are cruising, I highly recommend stopping at Sandy Cay (between Jost Van Dyke and Tortola). Great snorkeling and beach.

I spent 10 days there 3yrs ago and loved it,had no problems at all.

I heard recently that CGB did badly on a water quality test. I live in the BVI but don't go to CGB anymore. The area is prone to lots of ear infections. Raw sewerage is thought to enter the water as well as run off from an old graveyard close to the beach. Plenty of other, cleaner, beaches around.

If Cane Bay is polluted what would be a good beach for the day. We are on a cruise ship. We are thinking of taking a cab, and would need bathroom, some shade, and a place to eat?

Cane Garden Bay is the best beach on Tortola. Don't worry about the water there, it's fine. The beach is super calm, shallow and clear, plus it has all the amenities you'd need like restaurants, bars, bathrooms and a bearby rum factory.

The only other beaches on Tortola worth talking about is Smugglers Cove, Brewers Bay and Long Bay-East on Beef Island. However Smugglers Cove and Long Bay East are both bueatiful and deserted however both are much further distances from the pier. The nearby Brewers Bay has very good snokeling, but not much amenities.

PS. You should seriously consider taking a ferry over to visit the Baths on Virgin Gorda. It's much more than the beach, it's an incredible and memorable experience.

Thanks- we'll reconsider Cane Garden Bay!
We actually spent a day at the Baths last winter, but have not been to Tortola at all so are looking forward to that island!

My husband & I are heading to Tortola in March -- and have not confirmed our accomodations. Anybody have a fave ? Our preference is to stay on the best and most quiet beach.

Hi! Some advice given to me many years by locals throughout USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico:
After heavy rains, you wait a day before shore snorkeling or swimming.

Cane Garden Bay is safe nearly all the time.

But if you get torrential rains, flooding and overflows...no beach is safe.

It is also common sense to stay away from obvious areas where there is substantial rainwater run off.

Cane Garden Bay has only one small spot---at the Elms Suites Villas with that rainwater run off....

Thanks for the tip, marbleheadguy. I hadn't thought about rain. I'll do a quick search on Elms Suites Villas, and hopefully confirm our res. today!

do you have any other "must see" suggestions?

Other must sees i one day Cane Garden Bay?

The sunset at cane Garden Bay is simply awesome. We buy a couple cold beers, and sit in a chair near Myette's or Elm Suites. Sunset meal at myette's

Well--Great live reggae at Quitos Cane Garden Bay end of beach...

Rent a car for the day from Jerry's Car Rental--he'll pick you up at beach.


Bomba Shack at night up the road a mile is infamous--watch out for mushroom tea--jeesh!

The must sees are the people and arts and crafts around around island. nan's is beside Sebastian's (near Bomba's) and has wonderful hand crafted items from calabash and coconuts.

Check out David Thrasher's art gallery near Nan's up street beside Coconuts restaurant--he is a world class artist with very resonably priced art. Former illustrator for Disney studios!

Go over the hill and head towards Road Town. Great road with views. Crafts market intown too about 30 minutes away.

thanks for the skinny on 'must see's'. I am especially interested in the art gallery - a definite priority for all our vaca's.

stay tuned for our choice in accomodations.

For an absolutely sumptious meal, head over to Brandywine Bay and eat at Brandywine Restaurant. It is a French restaurant with an Italian chef (go figure), but with to-die-for food, from the appetizers to the dessert. From the airport, you will pass it as you drive to Cane Garden Bay. Pricey, but excellent.

Thanks shillmac --- we love French cuisine. We've decided to stay at Long Bay Resort - based others' recommendations, it sounds fantastic. Just waiting on confirmation for our dates.